Had to look at quite a few CVs for my work recently, so let me add some more mistakes that you want to avoid...
- Keep you CV as short and crisp as possible. (I spend an average time of 1 minute to read a CV)
- Don't include your hobbies or interests, unless they are obviously relevant. Hobbies can easily work against you (I have spent a lot of time laughing at the ridiculous hobbies some people put on their CVs) and rarely in your favor.
- Don't include outdated information, unless highly relevant. You may still be proud of winning that elementary school coloring competition, but your recruiter is probably not impressed. (seriously... I've read tons of CVs for senior positions that mentioned "best boy in grade 12")
- Do include sections on your education and work experience. Even if you graduated a long time ago, recruiters are probably still interested to see where you got your degree.
- Don't write that you speak a language when you don't. You never know who will interview you. Really. (I've busted people who claimed they spoke Dutch, German, French, Chinese and Japanese :D )
- Keep the lay-out/graphics simple. No colors, no fancy figures, boxes or lines. I've trashed a few CVs simply cause I thought they looked really amateuristic. Definitely no powerpoint (really, I've seen it!).
- Never use font sizes smaller than 10. Ever.
- I'm pretty neutral on the picture question... but if you do include one, make sure you look professional (suit/shirt/tie) and handsome ;)
Had to look at quite a few CVs for my work recently, so let me add some more mistakes that you want to avoid...
- Keep you CV as short and crisp as possible. (I spend an average time of 1 minute to read a CV)
- Don't include your hobbies or interests, unless they are obviously relevant. Hobbies can easily work against you (I have spent a lot of time laughing at the ridiculous hobbies some people put on their CVs) and rarely in your favor.
- Don't include outdated information, unless highly relevant. You may still be proud of winning that elementary school coloring competition, but your recruiter is probably not impressed. (seriously... I've read tons of CVs for senior positions that mentioned "best boy in grade 12")
- Do include sections on your education and work experience. Even if you graduated a long time ago, recruiters are probably still interested to see where you got your degree.
- Don't write that you speak a language when you don't. You never know who will interview you. Really. (I've busted people who claimed they spoke Dutch, German, French, Chinese and Japanese :D )
- Keep the lay-out/graphics simple. No colors, no fancy figures, boxes or lines. I've trashed a few CVs simply cause I thought they looked really amateuristic. Definitely no powerpoint (really, I've seen it!).
- Never use font sizes smaller than 10. Ever.
- I'm pretty neutral on the picture question... but if you do include one, make sure you look professional (suit/shirt/tie) and handsome ;)