8 Easy Mistakes to Make on your CV

Supporting the team at Harvey John with CV formatting, I see a lot of CVs and it's interesting to see how many small mistakes are made - and so many people make the same ones! So, to help you start your job search on the best foot, here are 8 mistakes to avoid when writing your CV...

1. No Intro

Having a small intro at the beginning of your CV is always a plus, it gives an insight into who you are and what you have to offer. Employers could be receiving high volumes of applicants and they want to get an immediate impression about a candidate. The intro is your opportunity to grab their attention.?

2. Covering Letter

As well as a strong introduction, don't forget to send a cover letter. Making the effort to write a letter will make your application stand out. Harvey John's Managing Director, David Waddell explains why a cover letter is important here .

3. Content?

You want to give relevant information, so don't make your job descriptions too short, on the other hand, you don't want a future employer to read an essay and get bored. Find the balance between informative and succinct.??

Two pages are enough. If you haven't impressed an employer after two pages, it is unlikely they will read more.

If you are writing a CV for a legal position, read Hayley Rose's blog here .

4. Basic Info

Include Job titles, company names, relevant qualifications, location and notice period. Your CV should contain all the information a potential employer will need. Also if relevant to the role, it is always handy to include the location of each job.?

5. Dates and gaps?

Having a clear timeline of your previous jobs and any career breaks (add a small explanation, e.g. travelling, maternity/paternity break, etc.) is always useful. If there is a gap in your CV, people will wonder why, so take the opportunity to explain.

6. Skills

Not everyone includes skills, It's good to include relevant skills both technical and general to show what you have gained in your career. If you have picked up valuable skills, make sure people know about them!

7. Mistakes and typos

You can be judged on your CV?if there are mistakes, and although we are all human and mistakes happen, too many can look careless. There is a lot of free software now, such as Grammarly, that can help you check spelling and grammar, or you can ask friends or family to proofread it for you.

8. Results not tasks

Too many applicants simply list tasks, which is not going to impress anyone. Explain why you made a difference and talk about your achievements. But don't go too far! Wild claims and boasts can easily be spotted.

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Alex?Louise ?is a member of the Operations team?at Harvey John.