The most common CV mistakes

The most common CV mistakes are:

Too long.
Disorganised - information is scattered around the page - hard to follow.
Poorly typed and printed - hard to read - looks unprofessional.
Overwritten - long paragraphs and sentences - takes too long to say too little.
Too sparse - gives only basic details, dates and job titles.
Not orientated for results - does not show what the candidate accomplished on the job.
Too many irrelevancies - height, weight, gender, health, marital status.
Misspellings, typographical errors, poor grammar.
Tries too hard - fancy typesetting and binders, photographs and exotic paper that distract from the clarity of the presentation.
Misdirected - too many CVs arrive on employer's desk unrequested, and with little or no apparent connection to the organisation - good covering letters can avoid this.

Deciding what to put on your CV

It is important to write a positive CV. You will be able to do this whatever your age or experience. Highlight all your positive experiences, hobbies, sports, work experience including part time jobs, voluntary or community work, helping people as well as your qualifications.

If answering a job advertisement, read it very carefully and list the job requirements - job title, experience, skills, qualifications.

List the best examples of how you meet these requirements. It is important that this information goes into your CV. Emphasise the most relevant of your duties, responsibilities, employment skills, achievements, qualifications, so that the employer can clearly see your suitability for the job.

In particular, school leavers and students will need to show examples of commitment and dedication through stressing achievements in sports and hobbies, activities (work related or otherwise) and certainly where you have gained a position of leadership or were part of a team that competed for or achieved national or international honours.