Composing a Constructive Curriculum Vitae

Since being back in the recruitment field and having reviewed a number of curriculum vitae's

I found that the majority do not flow consistently throughout. The most common inconsistencies are:

1. Duties and responsibilities will be bullet-pointed in some roles, for others they will be typed out in block paragraphs
2. Sometimes the bullet-points are different and not the same
3. Spelling and grammar errors as spell check has not been used
4. Duration of employment is missing or only partially presented
5. Employment start, or employment end date is missing
6. Skills section is absent
7. No personal profile
8. Personal details are sometimes not provided/ updated
9. Duties do not reflect knowledge/ experience gained – description is sometimes too brief
10. 10)??Software/ applications/ CRM systems used are not outlined

On the other side of this,

I also come across CV’s that I can only describe as being similar to a visit at a fun-fair or theme park.

They include things like:

1. A link to an online CV as well as an option to download a Word document from a PDF file
2. ?Option to click a link to all socials
3. Bio of personal interests/ hobbies
4. Gallery of snapshots
5. Portfolio links
6. Page of testimonials

I find that the detailed CVs tend to be more for candidates seeking Marketing roles to highlight their skills. Some of them are truly mind-blowing.

Clients will look at:

1. How a CV flows
2. Check for spelling and grammar, especially for an administrative role, and definitely for a senior role
3. Clients will ask reasons for leaving
4. they will look at employment dates and question why a role from 2018 still has “current” or “present” where the end date should be.
5. They will read your personal profile and question why you are applying for an HR role when your profile says you are seeking a Marketing opportunity
6. If you are seeking to move into a new sector, they will want to be informed of the transferable skills/ knowledge you have to be able to execute the role applied for to a high standard

From the number of CV template links I email across to candidates, only a very small percent will update their CV and send it back. It may seem like a ball ache to sit and sort out, it may seem tedious, especially if you have not reviewed your CV for a number of years and the number of roles have piled up; however, once it is updated, it will be much easier to maintain.

You may also find that you then receive a higher volume of calls or emails from jobs boards and applications you submit.?

There are so many great CV template guides and articles online. As a career’s executive, I ensure I provide the tools available to candidates I liaise with; especially when I know that if these changes and tweaks were made, they would 100% get an opportunity to be invited for an interview.

How is your CV currently looking? Have you reviewed it recently?....