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Top CV Mistakes to Avoid
Make sure your CV is your springboard to the next stage of the job search. Here, from the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site www.bayt.com, are some key CV mistakes to avoid.
Your CV is often the first impression a hiring manager has of you and more often than not you will only have a few seconds to grab his/her attention and leave him/her wanting to read more and invite you in for an interview. It is essential that you get this vital piece of communication right and use it as a springboard to the next stage of the job search. The following, from the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site bayt.com, are some common CV mistakes to avoid at all costs.
1. Insufficient contact details
Make sure your CV clearly details your full name, address and contact details for a prospective employer to reach you including phone numbers and email address. This may sound obvious but remarkably, a few candidates will send their CV out omitting key contact information or with outdated contact details. If your email address reads particularly unprofessionally (eg hotbabe) or is a work email address it may be well worth while changing it for a different one to utilize for correspondence with employers.
2. No objective
Every CV should begin with a clear and concise objective citing the position you are seeking and a supporting short skills statement summarizing the reason you are highly qualified for this role; e.g. "Seeking a senior marketing analyst role where I can apply my 3 years experience in marketing analysis gained with a leading Fortune 500 FMCG company as well as my skills in copywriting, strategic analysis, business development, client servicing and media planning." Remember, the goal of the CV is to outline what you can do for your prospective employer not what your employer can do for you.
3. Passive language
Remember to use active verbs that show leadership and accomplishments rather than weak passive words. Words like achieved, spearheaded, managed, exceeded, pioneered, led, created, developed and motivated convey an active, dynamic successful professional. Substitute all weak descriptive sentences for sentences that detail accomplishments in no uncertain terms eg instead of "Managed the firm's emerging markets equity portfolio" try "Managed and achieved a 34% annualized return on the firm's flagship USD200 million emerging markets equity portfolio."
4. Writing in the first person
Do not start sentences with the word 'I' or use the personal pronoun in your job descriptions. Keep your sentences short and dynamic and begin them wherever possible with strong action words.
5. Lack of focus
Every CV should be focused on the particular job and industry you are targeting. If you are applying to jobs in 2 different industries make sure you have different CVs that cater specifically to the different skills required in each industry. The best CVs are customized for the individual job at hand and emphasize objectives, skillsets, past accomplishments, aptitudes and qualifications that are uniquely relevant to that role. Generic, unfocused CVs rarely make the mark.
6. Poor formatting
Your CV will get no more than a cursory glance if the formatting is poor and it shows bad planning, poor organization or clutter. Makes sure you adhere to an acceptable format that is professional, simple and attractive to the eye. Use bullet points wherever possible rather than long, winding prose and be consistent with font, headings, spaces and layout. Avoid the coloured paper, illustrations and glitzy touches - if you are applying for a creative position show your creativity in your portfolio not by jazzing up your CV. Aim to send your CV on high quality paper (if not on-line) and make sure it is no longer than 1 page if you are entry level and a maximum of 2 pages if you are a seasoned professional.
7. No proofreading
Spelling mistakes, poor grammar and glaring errors ar e a surefire way to get your CV dismissed and stop the job search process in its tracks. Read and reread your CV before sending it to the employer, run a spellcheck and have some-one else read it for an extra check before sending it out.
8. Omission of key facts
Educational qualifications and professional experience must be included in your CV with proper dates, titles, institution names and descriptions. Use plenty of keywords in describing your role and accomplishments in each job as well as in the Skills section - these will often be the hook that makes the difference between your CV being considered or overlooked, particularly with an online employer CV search. If you are unsure what keywords to use, read the job description thoroughly, read detailed job descriptions for similar jobs with other companies and ask peers in the industry what skills/qualifications are particularly relevant for this role.
9. Lies
Lies and half-truths will be discovered sooner or later and you are better off omitting them from the start. If you have not finished a university degree make that clear on your CV without neglecting to include the coursework you did complete and the educational accomplishments you do have. Similarly do not list promotions, jobs, titles, dates or job descriptions that do not accurately reflect your work history. Most companies run very detailed background checks and lies and exaggerations that are not glaringly obvious on the CV or at the interview will often be discovered at the reference or background check.
10. Poor targeting
Make sure you send your CV to the right person at the company and accompany it with a short, concise cover letter that personalizes it and summarizes your skills, objectives and the value you will bring to the job. Spend some time researching who heads the division you are targeting and what the most relevant skills are to target in your correspondence and send your introductory CV and cover letter directly to them. Your CV is more likely than not to be disregarded completely if you send it to the wrong person or to a nameless "To whom it may concern".
This article and all other intellectual property on Bayt.com is the property of Bayt.com. Reproduction of this article in any form is only permissible with written permission from Bayt.com.
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- Published in Career Center - The Job Search Your cover letter personalizes your CV and summarizes who you are, what you are interested in and why you are very suitable for the job. No CV should leave without one! Read on for Bayt's guide on how to write an attention grabbing cover letter.
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Reader Comments
It's very useful!!Thanks a lot bayt.com
Sun 31-May-2009 08:32 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
excellent...superb...mind blowing
Wed 11-Feb-2009 18:09 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you very much for these valuable advices. They will be certainly helpful and useful for job seekers.
Fri 06-Feb-2009 18:02 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks for a perfect article on the proper way of preparing a CV. this is one of the best job site where navigation is so easy and also containing informative and motivating articles, for job seekers. Keep up the good job.
Mon 02-Feb-2009 10:35 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
THANK YOU FOR THESE PRECIOUS INFORMATION
Sat 31-Jan-2009 03:25 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله كل خير على العمل الرائع و ربنا يوفق الجميع لما فيه الخير
Fri 23-Jan-2009 12:34 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
these tips are very much appreciated thank you.
Fri 09-Jan-2009 14:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
interesting
Mon 22-Dec-2008 15:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اشكركم كثير الشكر عاى جهودكم التي بذلتموها على انجاح هذا العمل وفقكم الله مع مزيد من التقدم والنجاح
Wed 17-Dec-2008 16:17 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لخدماتكم وخبراتكم التي تمنحونا اياها
Sun 14-Dec-2008 03:35 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله خيرا
Mon 01-Dec-2008 10:53 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Perfect.....................
Sat 29-Nov-2008 03:19 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank you very much for your efforts , it will be useful to the candidates . thank you again
Fri 21-Nov-2008 17:27 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
These tips are informative and discuss the crux of the matter. Obviously , Job seekers will find it handy at the time of preparation of CV and those who have been unsuccessful can do introspection in the light of these tips to find out where they have faltered.
Tue 04-Nov-2008 09:43 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Very good!
Mon 27-Oct-2008 03:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جزيلا
Sat 18-Oct-2008 19:52 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله خير الجزاء
Thu 16-Oct-2008 21:24 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
GD TIPS . IT WILL BE CRITICAL AND very imp points were discussed. MAHESH SHANMUGAM
Tue 16-Sep-2008 07:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
وانا بقول مبشتغلش لية كدة انا فهمت جزاك الله خيرا
Thu 11-Sep-2008 06:32 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thats good. Thank you.
Thu 11-Sep-2008 03:21 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
hmm...quite impresive dude.
Mon 08-Sep-2008 14:53 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
مشكورين فريق عمل "بيت.كوم" على هذا المجهود الرائع و جزاكم الله خير الجزاء عن كل قدمتموه من نصائح
Mon 25-Aug-2008 11:33 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
This article helps us in many ways. It teaches us how to direct ourselves to the employer, be careful of what information we are sending, and most important be as truthful as posible. Thanks for the effort and keep it up.
Sat 23-Aug-2008 09:55 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله عنا كل الخير، أدعو الله أن يوفق الجميع لصالح الأعمال.
Sat 02-Aug-2008 09:36 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
..this article helps a lot to job seeker's on line,ya it happens sometimes ,that we neglect to proofread what we have encoded,with these article we have ideas that sometimes this mistakes are inevitable,,more power Bayt.com
Thu 31-Jul-2008 05:53 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
مشكورييين و الله يسهل امورنا
Fri 25-Jul-2008 19:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Very correct tips. However, it is difficult to always tailor a CV to specific jobs.
Fri 25-Jul-2008 08:43 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكراً لكم واتمنى أن اكون قادراً على خدمتكم
Tue 01-Jul-2008 18:50 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
je vous remercier pour toutes les efforts , et veuillez agréer, mes sentiments
Mon 30-Jun-2008 22:42 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
hi nassim moslempurian plz hellp i m araba live iran iranian very bad with me i dont have mony hellp
Mon 30-Jun-2008 08:45 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thnks a lot .
Mon 30-Jun-2008 07:09 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thank you for helping us to know our steps
Wed 25-Jun-2008 16:21 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
لكم جزيل الشكر على الجهود المبذولة لاخذ بيد الشباب ومساعدتهم على الحصول وظيفة من خلال اتباع سياسة الرجل المناسب فى المكان المناسب من خلال التاهيل المتميز الناتج عن النصائح المقدمة من خلال الموقع ولكم جزيل الشكر
Sat 21-Jun-2008 20:50 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks fore this information
Tue 10-Jun-2008 07:18 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
its nice and tempting one can learn alot thks for this guidance which is well appreciated.................
Tue 27-May-2008 11:35 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم جزاكم الله عنا كل خير وربنا يجعله بميزان حسناتكم
Sat 17-May-2008 17:11 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
great piece of advice.
Fri 25-Apr-2008 10:17 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks for all
Sat 19-Apr-2008 12:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
With advice like this, you cab literally improve your changes of getting your dream job. Thanks, these articles are invaluable and brilliant.
Fri 18-Apr-2008 06:33 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Excellent and concise article
Fri 18-Apr-2008 00:13 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
الله يكثر من امثالكم للامم
Sun 23-Mar-2008 06:56 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
A bundle of thanks to bayt.com to provide us such an excellent information to built up our CV professionally. It really helps and beneficial and highly appreciated. Thanks again ;-)
Thu 13-Mar-2008 10:59 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
really really nice thankyou so much
Wed 12-Mar-2008 12:47 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
useful article
Fri 07-Mar-2008 13:56 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا ..على هذي الجهود الجبارة..التي تفيد الجميع
Tue 04-Mar-2008 17:40 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It's very useful!!Thanks a lot bayt.com
Fri 29-Feb-2008 14:34 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks
Tue 26-Feb-2008 23:10 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Nice tips
Wed 20-Feb-2008 06:51 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks Bayt.com,you are helping the new talents
Tue 19-Feb-2008 17:49 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks very wonderfull and useful
Tue 19-Feb-2008 06:45 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you so much for your advices.
Fri 15-Feb-2008 09:26 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for your valuable advice.
Mon 11-Feb-2008 06:04 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Its great to know many ideas about CV.
Sun 20-Jan-2008 19:01 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Good Article. Will definatly add value to the CV, if applied
Thu 17-Jan-2008 13:51 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks for the useful information!
Sat 12-Jan-2008 10:34 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks a lot BAYT, ist's great to know many ideas about CV. Mr. Crist Kober-Germany
Thu 10-Jan-2008 13:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks for giving ideas and knowledge.
Mon 07-Jan-2008 17:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great Job Bayt.com, Please keep posted such comments on website so that new comers can get help from this. Munir Sultan Raja
Mon 07-Jan-2008 08:36 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks bayt!
Wed 02-Jan-2008 03:28 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا جزيلا لكم على الفرصة التي منحتمونا اياها للعودة لمراجعة السيرة الذاتية
Wed 26-Dec-2007 13:04 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Rather amusing that all these things are been noted. Got to shuffle up my C.V
Sat 22-Dec-2007 13:00 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
كم جميلة ومفيدة هذة النصائح
Fri 23-Nov-2007 18:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لكم على هذا الموقع ومافيه من نصائح وأتمنى أن أجد العمل الذي سوف أبدع فيه وأنجز أفضل مهاراتي عن طريقكم ولكم جزيل الشكر
Thu 22-Nov-2007 17:24 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
أشكركم جداً على جهودكم في خدمة الشباب والشابات وكل من يبحث عن وظيفة . وهذا إن دل فإنه يدل على أنكم شركة غير ربحية في المقام الأول .
Fri 09-Nov-2007 19:34 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
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