It’s been awhile since I last posted so apologies, life has been interesting… The article below is similar to others I’ve posted before but makes one or two different points, I have to admit I’ve copied it from one of the sites I browse and because I had copied and saved it without reference to the original author I can’t credit anyone – apologies to whom ever originally wrote this piece!!
Many people see their curriculum vitae (CV) content and layout as the main factors that determine whether or not they're going to get a response from recruitment agencies and prospective employers.
They forward one application after the other, and each time they don't get any form of feedback, they lose hope and think they don't have what it takes.
What they don't realise that it takes a lot more than just work experience and CV layout to make them stand out from the rest.
Here is a list of 10 hard-hitting, eye-opening reasons why all those agencies and companies, you forwarded your CV to, never get back to you.
· Cover Letter - As trivial as this may seem, having a cover letter to accompany your CV makes all the difference.
Not only does it make you look professional, it gives prospective employers more insight on you than any CV can.
It marks a level of confidence in yourself and also shows that you have invested time in your application, telling the company that they're worth all the trouble.
· Borders, pictures and graphics - Time is everything. As much as we would like to go through every CV, we work towards strict deadlines by which we should have selected top calibre candidates for our clients.
So, having to go through unnecessarily decorated pages is not an option. A professional cover letter is enough to grab our attention.
· Unnecessary information - Still on the subject of avoiding the unnecessary, it is important that one sticks to the relevant information only.
Irrelevant details such as high school achievements and personal hobbies are irrelevant and can ruin your chances even if you have the right professional background.
· Dates - A CV without dates is, without a doubt, the quickest way to get your application declined.
Not only does it not say much about the amount of experience you have in your field of specialty, it reflects that you have something to hide.
Make sure all your dates are correct. Inaccuracy gives people the impression that you have fabricated your CV contents.
· Elaborate, but be brief - When it comes to preparing a CV, simplicity has always been key. However, you can elaborate a bit.
Expanding on duties held, will help shed better light on skills and competencies relevant to the application at hand.
A CV with insufficient information leaves people with a lot of questions. The trick, though, is to elaborate yet managing keep it brief, straight to the point and interesting.
· Certificates - Unless instructed to do so, avoid sending copies of certificates and diplomas. At the job application stage, the only important things are your CV and cover letter.
Having to go through piles of paper before detecting whether or not you're the right candidate can be annoying to any prospective employer.
· Sending the CV repeatedly - Sending your resume more than once won't increase your chances. It will irritate anyone who keeps receiving it, thus spoiling your chances.
It is advisable to call in to find out if your application has been received. This is the professional and mature thing to do.
· Contact Details -This is the last (yet most important) piece of information required once a company has established that you meet all the requirements.
Unbelievable as it may sound, many applicants send CVs without their contact details!
· Repetition - Avoid repeating yourself in any way. It is the first sign of confusion or being unsure.
· Reasons for leaving - This ties up all the loose ends in any CV.
Specifying why you left each company you've worked for leaves no room for questions and makes you look very professional.