If you are in the depths of rewriting you CV right now, you may be knee deep in concerns about what to include and how it needs to look; you know how important it is to get you through the first step in your job seeking process. But I know lots of people get themselves into a right muddle when reducing their resume down to their skills and experience! In fact, I know of some people that are so concerned about being rejected by their CV, that they don’t ever apply for their ideal role! Yes, you read that right! So, today, I’m going to be correcting some of the most common CV myths for you (and hopefully give you the peace of mind to actually APPLY!)
I’ve spent decades working with job seekers, as a Recruitment Consultant and a Career Coach, and even though the world of work has changed beyond recognition, the same queries about creating a CV appear every day.
So, let’s start with a quick overview of what a CV is. Very simply, it’s a personal sales document that shows how your skills, experience, values and personality can deliver the success measures within a role. Let me take you back to your school days and compare your CV to an essay; you are answering the questions “This person is suitable for the job; discuss”. I have found looking at this document in that way helps my clients open and relax a little more about what is included.
So, what are the five common CV myths?
- It has to be 2-pages long
How many hours have you spent editing down your CV unnecessarily? Have you removed content that sets up apart from the competition, because it rolled your CV onto three pages? Well, you really don’t have to. Yes, it better to have a concise CV to help the recruiter get through it quicker, but never at the sacrifice of your experience and skills! I find that three pages is usually enough to get everything on, and I have NEVER rejected anyone as a hiring manager or recruiter as their CV was too long!
The only caveat I would put on this is if the advert actually requests a length of a CV, then you need to pay attention as it would be part of the selection criteria!
- It has to be written in the third person
This is always up for debate within the world of employment; I fall on the side of first-person. Why? Because YOU are writing about YOUR experience for a job YOU are interested in. Why then would you write about this in the third person? Again, as with point one, I have never rejected a CV because of this point either!
- I only need one CV
A CV is never finished; it is an evolving document. One of the reasons why CVs are rejected is the lack of relevance to the job that is being applied to, and limited evidence of the skills and experience that are mentioned. It’s why I personally advocate for a skills-based CV, where you can highlight your relevant and transferable skills based upon what they job brief is asking for. You can then tweak and change to suit the role. You could event have different versions based on the types of roles you are applying for. It’s very easy to tell when a CV is cut and paste!
- I only need to include up to the last 10 years’ experience
Again, this comes from the world of chronological CVs limited to 10 years of work history. If you go you experience and the skills you can demonstrate on a skills based CV, you are able to highlight all the relevant information against the requirements they are asking for; it then gives you the space to include your job history in a concise way. What is important is that you utilise the language of the person specification and job description within the CV; this is especially relevant an automated Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is being used; sometimes a human eye comes a lot later!
- I must include my hobbies …
Or “I must include EVERYTHING I have done.” When you experience is varied and wide ranging, it’s hard to understand what to leave in and what to leave out. This is especially relevant when you think of your CV as one document that is used for every job you apply for. Instead, understand the types of roles you are applying for and consider how you can evidence the essential and desirable skills they ask for; once they are in place, sprinkle in the things about you that are really special! The icing on the cake.
When it comes to hobbies, ask yourself what they say about you as a person; sometimes it a better use of that space for your great work experience rather than include something dry (or even made up!) because you think it has to be there.
This is no way a compete list of the myths and issues I see within CVs, but it’s a start; hopefully having these five CVs myths corrected will give you the confidence to put yourself out there! Remember, the CV is the FIRST step in the interview process; if you don’t apply, you are never going to get that job!
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I’m a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time to you had a career to enjoy not endure?
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Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
