Expert reveals the common phrase you should never put on your CV if you want to land your dream job
An HR expert has revealed the most common CV mistakes she sees from job applicants that can cost them the role of their dreams.
Tracey Beveridge, HR Director at Personnel Checks, knows exactly how a CV should be structured to set you up for success at every stage.
In order to understand the importance of having a polished CV, it's helpful to know what companies are looking for before they even think about offering you a crucial job interview.
Tracey explained that, once an applicant submits their CV, it typically goes through three stages before reaching the hiring manager.
These are: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATC), recruiter review and HR team evaluation. So for a CV to stand out, it has to pass all three stages - but what are the common mistakes applicants are making that are causing them to fall at the first hurdle?
According to Tracey, the most common mistake made by job seekers on their CVs is not using the right keywords.
She explained the main reason applicants are encouraged to tailor CVs to job descriptions is that ATS software is often used to scan the document for keywords and phrases that appear in the job description.
'Including these in your CV will help get you past that first hurdle,' Tracey says. 'Similarly, while recruiters and HR teams will know something about the role, they are unlikely to be experts.
'Ensuring that your CV includes the skills, certifications and achievements detailed in the job description will help to make sure you tick their boxes and move on to the next stage.'
In a case where an applicant's CV is not tailored to a specific job role, Tracey's advice is to look carefully at several job descriptions to identify commonly used words and phrases, and to incorporate those into the CV.
The second mistake most people are making when writing up their CV is making it too much about themselves rather than the potential employer - which might sound counterintuitive.
However, Tracey says: 'Recruiters aren't interested in what you want. Sorry. Their focus is finding the right candidates for their client. Leave discussing your aspirations for the interview and focus your CV on what the role needs.
'Your opening statement is key here. Avoid generic phrases that could apply to anyone such as 'hard-working team player'. Tracey adds that getting a key relevant achievement into your opening statement could leave even more of an impact.
'Instead, show that you are already the real deal. Whether you are an award-winning marketer, a qualified ACCA accountant or a Senior IT Project Manager with full lifecycle experience, your opening line should say exactly that.'
While it's crucial to ensure CVs contain all the right keywords and essentials, don't let it get bogged down by too much text - CVs must be easy to read, Tracey says.
'CVs are often reviewed in batches, on the run, between meetings and even on mobiles. Stick to plain fonts and a clear layout for maximum readability.
'Consider what is important to the employer. Your CV doesn't need to contain everything, but it should include the detail that will make it easier for them to say yes to you than to someone else.'
Applicants don't need to include personal information such as marital status, date of birth and even hobbies, unless any of this would be relevant to the role.
Instead, keep just the essentials, which are key certifications, professional accreditations, achievements, and experience.
'These show your employability, suitability, impact, and breadth,' Tracey adds. 'Make sure your contact information is at the top of every page. You'd be surprised how many people forget to include it!'
Finally, Tracey says to keep in mind that your CV should get straight to the point and, ideally, be no longer than two pages long.
'A CV is a hybrid document which showcases your skills, highlights your key experience and qualifications, and markets you as an individual,' she says. 'The interview is the time for the details.
'Customise your CV to align your experience and achievements to the specific requirements of the role. Make it easy for a potential employer to 'see' you in the position when they read your CV.'
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