1. Do’s & Don’ts of CV Writing
Your CV is not a job description; it is a sales catalogue for your services. The
optimum kind of CV is one that offers best set of services to the “recruiters” and
offer solutions to the employer’s needs. Thus, job seekers need to keep industry
“requirements” upfront when writing their CV.
In this period of competition, every day, the recruitment manager of a company
faces a stack of job applications for each advertised post. Usually he will make 3
piles out of the heap of CVs: “yes”, “no”, and “maybe” – he’ll go to the latter pile if
the former one fails to deliver an applicant suitable for the job. So your first mission
is to make sure that your job application secures a position on the top of the “yes”
interview-pile. You can get the necessary and astounding results by composing a
well written CV. This is your introduction and chief communication with the
employer. It is your CV which decides whether you are going to be deemed fit for
the job or not.
Below are a few Do’s and Don’ts which should be rigorously kept under
consideration while composing a professional CV.
CV Do’s
Comprehensive CV: Take two to three days to compose your CV. The biggest
mistake most candidates make is to throw away a great chance by rushing to an
average one. Regard your CV and application letter as an important project in
progress and give it a polish every couple of months thus developing and
improving it even further. You never know when you will be approached by a
company and asked for it. Be unambiguous while stating the facts. Your CV should
be comprehensive and up-to-date so as to render the employer incapable of coming
up with any questions in it while analyzing it.
Summary: Begin your CV with an appealing career/executive summary. This will
be a synopsis of the whole document for the employer’s ease. A summary becomes
very important for professionals with multiple years of experience as it provides a
bird-eye view of your background and skill-sets in one single area. Hence it is a
section that must be paid extra attention to.
Put important skills at the beginning: Elucidate your aptitude, competence
and expertise as soon as possible in your CV. This will make it more impressive and
the employer will not have to scan the whole document. It will also enrich him with
the information he requires in order to make an interview appointment with you.
Using bullets: Using bullets makes a CV more concise and easier to
scan. So instead of opting for paragraphs, summarize it in the form of bullets.
Updated info: Always state your updated info at the start of your CV,
i.e., your contact details including name, address, home and mobile telephone
numbers and email address. It is imperative to be accessible at all times and under
all conditions.
Adjust the CV according to the role: If you have a job description, it is advisable
to regulate your CV so that it readily highlights the aspects of your experience
relevant to the job which you are applying for. CVs formulated with a specific role
in mind are almost always more successful than those written for any generic
position. This is particularly true of graduate applications.
Use Headings: Write comprehensible headings while entering your
information in your CV. Clear headings help in scanning the required data at a
glance.

2. Avoid erroneous Information: Use accurate, concise and slang-free details while
composing your professional CV. Including flawed information will only call for
trouble when you are asked questions in order to verify what you have written in
your CV.
Keep it simple: Keep it simple linguistically and apparently when it
comes to producing the ideal “curriculum vitae”. Remember that: “Less is More”.
Detailed paragraphs: For experienced professionals, job responsibilities
should be detailed, explained in paragraphs if required instead of bullets, but easy
to read. The more easy the language the more are the chances for an interview call.
Mention dates: Cite dates consistently while referring to qualifications
and experience. Always start with the most recent credentials and work backwards.
CV length: CV should not be longer than 1 – 2 pages if you are just starting your
career, 2 – 3 pages if you are seeking mid-management positions and 3 – 4 pages if
you are seeking senior management positions.
Spell check: This is made possible by proof-reading one’s CV over and over again.
Typos usually turn off employers. Ask a friend to read over your CV and cover
letter for the rectification of spelling and grammar mistakes or use a spell check.
Spelling mistakes portray you as careless and unfocused. A CV full of mistakes will
end up directly in the trash can. Use present tense for current jobs, keep it consistent
and keep the same tense throughout your CV.
Availability: Include your availability (e.g., “immediately available” or “4 weeks’
notice”). This will help the employer to make up his mind about whether he
can/cannot wait for you as a prospective candidate.
Correct font size: Use a font size that is large enough to read, 11 or 12 is advisable.
No fancy fonts, so keep it simple. Best is to use Times New Roman, Verdana or Arial
font styles while composing a CV.
Make your desired job discernible: Make it clear on a covering letter or
email which job you are applying for. This will be to your benefit as the employer
will be able to judge in a glance whether you are a suitable recruitment for the
available job or not.
Technical Skills: The most effective way to demonstrate technical skills is to
provide a breakdown of the projects you’ve worked on. Remember that a project
should comprise of the following pieces of information:
• Title
• Timelines
• Number of staff involved
• Technology you used
• Your role
• What you actually did
Sell yourself properly: Remember that a CV is a very important selling
tool. It is a way of persuading a consumer to buy a product, means a company to
decide that your skills are worth paying for. You should think about the skills and
experience that would appeal to an employer rather than including everything you
have done. The “kitchen sink” approach can mean that your relevant skills are lost
in your CV and are not sold enough.

3. CV Don’ts
Don’t paste your photograph: Do not put your photograph on your CV. You
want the employer to consider you on the basis of your skill-set in spite of your
physical appearance, as a start.
Don’t use flowery fonts and writing style: Refrain from using flowery
language, fancy fonts and bright colored paper. Your CV should look mature and
professional. Let the content do the talking. Do not use the word “I” repeatedly.
Don’t be humorous: Create a professional email address, preferably
with your own name e.g. “omar.khan@hotmail.com”. Don’t use a humorous or
inappropriate email address such as “lover_boy@hotmail.com”. This may make a
recruiter smile but won’t fetch you an interview.
Don’t use slangs & abbreviations: It is advised not to use slangs or
abbreviations in your CV. This creates a careless impact on the recruiter. Remember
that your CV may be read by the HR manager who will be in need of seriously
dedicated employees in his team. So, to make a good first impression through your
CV, compose it very carefully.
Don’t quote irrelevant facts: Don’t include irrelevant facts in your CV
which have no connection with your career achievements. A potential employer will
not be interested in how many children and grandchildren you have. He, on the
other hand, is looking for a candidate who is trained, qualified and skilled in his
area of expertise.
Don’t lie: Do explain the time gaps in your CV when inquired. If you have
spent 2 months looking for a new job, this is fine, inform the employer about it. If
you have taken a career break or gone traveling – say so! Do not try to hide or
fabricate it with lies. The HR people are professionals and are experts in getting the
truth out of you.
Don’t be Repetitive: Avoid repetition while writing your CV even if it is in the
form of bullets, as it will use up the important space which can encompass your
other achievements. Also when written once, repeating the same text will not give a
good impression on your CV.
Don’t post/fax CV: Post or fax CV’s only when absolutely necessary or if you are
asked to do this. Email is now the accepted standard everywhere. So you better get
attuned to the current standards of the professional world.
Do not exaggerate your experience: Exaggerating your experience will
cause you problems later on. Interviews are designed to weed out fibbers. So be
practical and careful while writing a CV.
References: Include references when it is required by the company. You should
simply state that: “References are available on request”.