RED FLAGS ON YOUR CV
Added on: 8th Jan 2016
CUTESY CONTACT INFORMATION
Emails like pinkprincess@gmail.com are a sure fire way to land
your CV in the trash bin. Make sure your email is
professional sounding.
LENGTHY GAPS
If you have lengthy gaps on your CV it can set you back
so in your covering letter you’ll need to explain why
(kids, education, saving the world, etc.). Just remember it’s
always better to be honest. Employers are concerned about
you losing your edge so also mention what you have
been doing to stay on top of the industry.
BEING UNEMPLOYED
If this is you, you’re not alone. Companies don’t like this because
they think it causes your skills to dry up. Our advice: try to
pick up freelancing or consulting work to add to your CV.
If all else fails, at least volunteer for a worthy cause so
that you can talk about your experience.
CHANGING JOBS TOO OFTEN
This makes it seem like you are uncommitted. They will train
you and you will run. You need to alleviate their fears and
briefly justify why you changed companies so often
in your covering letter.
SPELLING MISTAKES
While some recruiters are more lax on this than others, you
should do everything you can to maximize your chance of
getting the job. Proof read!
NOT BEING PROFESSIONAL
It may seem old school, but unless you are absolutely sure
that you can refer to someone casually…don’t do it.
SOCIAL MEDIA
While not strictly related to your CV, even if you don’t mention
your social media profiles, you can almost bet that they will be
searched out and examined. Posting negative comments about
past employers or talking about how you got wasted yesterday
are not going to help your case.
DISCREPANCIES
If your CV doesn’t match up to your LinkedIn profile, you
need to fix that right away. Otherwise hiring managers will
either think you are lying or sloppy.
OVERQUALIFICATION
Hiring managers don’t want people who will bail on them the
next chance they get. If you are obviously overqualified for your job,
explain in your covering letter why you are applying, how you
can help the company, and how this job matches your long term goals.
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