CVs – Dos and Don’ts

Do’s
• It should be pleasing to the eye – good condition (no recycling or poor photocopies allowed), well laid out and neat.

• It should be easy to find your way around and clear.

• Include the usual facts about yourself such as address, education, email address and, most importantly, work experience.

• Be positive and sell yourself.

• Be short and to the point – try and have all the important information on two pages.

• Adapt it to suit the job you are applying for – one size does not fit all.

• Use concise, unambiguous sentences and avoid over-writing.

• Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results.

• Focus on information that’s relevant to your own career goals.

• Use a confident tone and positive language.

• Concentrate on your achievements not your responsibilities.

• Concentrate on the quality not quantity of your achievements.

• Check, check and check again Check thoroughly for correct spelling and grammar –Use relevant keywords.

Don’ts
• Do not include any failures – be positive and don’t say why you left jobs or that your marriage broke down etc.

• Do not use photographs (there are a few exceptions).

• Do not include everything you have ever done .

• Do not make things up or exaggerate.

• Avoid complex formatting, patterns and covers.

• If you’re considering enclosing a photograph of yourself, don’t! It’s not necessary.

• If you’re planning to include personal references on your resume, don’t!

• Avoid odd-size or coloured paper Also, be sure to use a good quality paper.

• Don’t include your salary history or reasons for leaving previous jobs.

• Don’t divulge sensitive information.

• Don’t talk about me, me, me.

• Don’t start each sentence in the first person.