10 Important do’s and don’ts for putting together a CV
1 Do custom build your CVs so they bring out what’s good about you in the context of the job for which you’re applying. Don’t send out the same version of your CV every time. 2 Do go over your CV carefully before sending it off anywhere. Make sure it projects the image you want it to project. Better still get someone else to check it (someone whose knowledge of English you can trust). Don’t let yourself down by littering your efforts with spelling mistakes, bad grammar and sentences which either don’t make sense or where the meaning isn’t clear. 3 Do keep it concise by focussing on what’s important (important in terms of the job for which you’re applying). Don’t send out anything which is too long. Long CVs often don’t get read or don’t get read from start to finish. 4 Do stick to the font sizes you use normally in business correspondence. Don’t try to save space by using fonts which will have your readers reaching for their glasses (or conversely not bothering). 5 Do grab the reader’s attention at the start by listing out what makes you special as far as this particular job is concerned (your strong points). Don’t leave the best bits till the end. 6 Do try to make your CV interesting. Try to inject some of your personality into the way it’s written. Don’t bore your readers to death by making your CV the same as everyone else’s. 7 Do stick to the truth (it will never let you down) Don’t try to pull the wool over employer’s eyes by saying something which can’t be backed up by the facts. 8 Do stick to keeping everything in a logical order which will be easy for the reader to follow. Don’t have a CV which jumps all over the place. 9 Do make it clear in your CV where you’re coming from and what you’re seeking to achieve. If it’s more money you want then say so (and at the same time name your price). Don’t leave it to employers to have to work out what you’re hoping to gain by moving jobs. Don’t run the risk of them getting it wrong. 10 Do number the pages and put your name on each one Don’t run the risk of your CV being assembled in the wrong order e.g. when it’s run off an email or after its been taken apart for photocopying. |