CV Do's and Don’ts
You should never lose sight of what you want your curriculum vitae to do for you
– get you an interview for your dream job! When preparing your CV think
about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experience. What are your
selling points and strengths?
Do's
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Take your time! Plan it
well - your CV is an important marketing tool where you are the product and the CV is
the chance to “sell” yourself.
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First impressions count – you only have 20-30 seconds to grab the reader’s
attention.
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Ensure the document looks attractive – give thought to the layout, use headings
and bullet points and remember the importance of white space.
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Correct spelling and grammar are essential – using the computer spell check
facility is not enough.
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Check it, check it again, get someone else to check it and then check it again.
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Include a summary up front that makes the reader want to find out more.
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Keep it up to date.
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Keep it truthful but of course, you don’t have to tell the whole truth.
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Do be clear, concise and accurate.
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Try to tailor the CV to suit the job being applied for – reflect the terminology
used in the advertisement. Remember word processing makes this a lot easier.
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Keep it short – length will vary according to age but preferably 2 pages and
NEVER more than four pages.
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Use strong, positive words – avoid any negative comments.
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Ensure it is results oriented - list achievements, not just responsibilities.
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Use reverse chronological order for work experience – include dates, company name
and activity and job title.
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Qualifications should be arranged to show commitment to relevant ongoing continuing
professional development.
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Wherever possible, send to a named person – if unsure contact the company to
check.
Don'ts
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Don’t waste time saying it is a Curriculum Vitae – it’s pretty
obvious what it is!
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Don’t use coloured paper (or cheap paper, for that matter) – stick to good
quality cream or white stock.
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Print (laser quality), don’t photocopy.
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Don’t include a photograph unless specifically requested. After all, you
don’t want people to fall about laughing at your passport photograph and not
notice your suitability for the position.
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Don’t fold the CV - post out in A4 envelopes.
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Do not mention salary unless requested.
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Do not disclose reasons for leaving prior jobs.
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Curriculum vitae means “the course of (one’s) life” but don’t
take it literally and give a full life story – stick to the facts.
Your CV should be easy to read and understood by anyone at any level in a short
time. However, your CV cannot do the job alone – it needs a good covering
letter to ensure it is truly effective in getting you to the interview stage.