Thursday, July 23, 2009

Your CV Brochure- More Glossy Than Mercedes!

By Glenn Hughes

Your CV is a selling document. It's probably the best chance that you will ever have to show someone else just what you can do. It may help to think of it as a glossy brochure, rather like the one you might pick up in a Mercedes or a BMW showroom advertising their latest model car

English people are reserved and shy. Popular myth or is there some truth in the statement. If the soccer matches that I've attended are anything to go by, reserved is one adjective that does not apply. Your CV is not the place for reservedness, rather a place to show the world exactly how you can contribute. Do you have to boast? A little, but there are ways to show your achievements without being a pain in the derrire

Coming over like a pushy double glazing salesman in a CV will no help you. Not unless you're looking for a job selling double glazing anyway! Quiet confidence in factual achievements leap out of the page as they are honest and have the recruiter wanting to know more. Achievements in the past show a track record that is likely to be repeated (at least in the recruiters eyes)

Being honest is what it is all about. There is a common myth flying around that it is alright to lie on your CV. Popularized by television programs like The Apprentice, lies on a CV seem to be worn like some badge of Honor. In the real world where most of us live, however, lying will get you fired, and certainly not hired which I assume is your goal

Spelling, grammar and punctuation are vital in a CV. Whilst the proper English police won't be turning up on your doorstep if you spell a couple of things wrongly, you won't be getting many interviews if you do. Spell checkers are excellent but the best answer is having someone else to proof read your CV. You would be amazed what they will pick up as you are too close to the subject to be objective

Your educational and professional qualifications should be listed separately. Educational qualifications are gained through institutions like colleges, schools, etc. Professional qualifications are gained through companies, training providers and the like, They are different and should be listed separately

Passing a driving test of any sort shows people that you have a degree of persistence, independence and stickability that many people simply don't have. It is a common assumption that everyone drives. They don't. Make sure that anyone reading your CV knows that you can drive (if you can), and specifically, which classes of vehicle that you are licensed to take out on the road

Age is a sensitive subject. Too old or too young can be a problem. Our advice, leave your age out of the document- it's for you to know and for the recruiter to find out. In any case, never include your full date of birth as your identity needs to be kept safe- this is useful information for anyone trying to steal that identity

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