If you’ve ever sent out your CV feeling confident, but then hear nothing back from the recruiter, there’s a good chance that you’re making one of these 7 killer CV mistakes:
Wasting space on contact details
Yes, recruiters need to know how to contact you, but in 2019 they only need a contact number and email address. Anything more than this is wasting much-needed space which you could be using to impress your recruiter instead. Your contact details should be limited to a small area at the top of your CV.
Going cliché crazy
The odd cliché isn’t going to cause too much damage. However, if reading your CV feels like you’re reeling them off, then the recruiter may not only find it a bit tedious, but also deem them ingenuine.
Using huge blocks of text
One of the most annoying parts of reviewing job applications for recruiters is receiving a CV which is difficult to scan.
If they receive a CV with endless blocks of text, it might end up in their inbox bin. So, make sure to leave plenty of white space between CV sections and use bold text, bullet points and headings to ensure it’s easy to navigate.
Including a profile photo
Unless you’re applying for a job that is related to how you look, such as a model, there is no need to include a photo. In fact, nowadays, many recruiters will find it a bit strange – it is a job application, not an online dating profile, after all!
Using crazy fonts and colours
You might be tempted to add some creative fonts or colours to make your CV stand out, but this isn’t a good idea as it can often look unprofessional. Crazy colour schemes also distract from your CV’s content and can make text difficult to read. Keep it muted in black, white and grey.
Writing more than two pages
The golden rule for the length of a CV is to never go over two pages, as recruiters will take one look at it and think ‘I don’t have time to read all of this’ – yep, really!
Your CV should be easy for them to quickly take key information from, as most will only spend around 20 seconds scanning the document – and that strictly means sticking to two sides of A4.
Not tailoring for the role
The final but very important CV mistake that you should avoid, is not tailoring your application to the role you are applying for.
Many applicants ruin their job chances by writing one CV and sending it out for all the different sales jobs that they apply for. By doing this, there is no way of impressing the recruiter with your knowledge of the company or including the specific keywords, skills and requirements listed in the job description.
These 7 mistakes are practically guaranteed to stop you from getting the job, or even getting to interview stage, so make sure that you remove them if they are in your current CV – and avoid them in your next one!
—-
Andrew Fennell is the founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV – he is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to websites like Business Insider, The Guardian and FastCompany.
——
[simplyjobs site_url=”https://www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk/” placement=”post” site_name=”Simply Sales Jobs” username=”SEO_TEAM” password=”fmgseo” feed_identifier=”blog_ssj_all” ][/simplyjobs]
Sales salary data 2018-19
Want to know how much you could make working in the sales industry? Or what the average salary ranges for different jobs are? There are a wide range of jobs in sales, and pay varies significantly based on job title. Below, we have presented a full salary report from...
10 tips for a top cover letter
A cover letter accompanies your CV when you apply for a job.The letter is designed to act as a short introduction to you and your expertise. It should be your pitch to encourage an employer to consider your CV.A cover letter should be professional and...
How to answer: “Why are you leaving your current job?”
In any interview, your interviewer is going to want to know why you want the role. This usually involves finding out why you are leaving your current job. This is a relevant question if you are currently employed or if you left your previous role some time...
How to answer “What can you bring to this role?”
One of the questions you should always be prepared to answer at an interview is: “What can you bring to this role?”You should have an idea of your unique skill set and how the role would benefit from your knowledge and expertise. “What can you bring to...
How to choose the right company to further your career
Do what you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.This romanticised approach to life and work, condensed into a quote popularly attributed to Mark Twain, Confucius, and other eminent thinkers, is something that many people strive for...
Easing yourself back in to work after maternity leave
Heading back to work from maternity leave? Rejoining the workplace after a long break can leave you riddled with anxiety!Going back to work after maternity leave is the start of an exciting new chapter for you and your family. It’s an opportunity to...