Here’s a thought, if someone was to ask you to talk through your CV, how well could you recite it back to them and talk it through in more detail?
Interestingly, we speak to many candidates at initial registration meetings whose CV’s seem very vague to them or the details within are not completely the truth or accurately reflect their past experiences.
Recruitment consultants do not know your previous roles, dates, or job responsibilities apart from what you advise us on your CV, and at your registration meeting. When representing you on job applications we trust that your CV is factual and true, which believe me if it isn’t, eventually it will all come out in the wash. Whether it’s a question from your CV at interview which you’re unable to answer, or through your pre-screening once you have been successful in securing employment (which cross checks all previous employment and dates), it will be found out and can create an awkward environment when questions have to be asked.
Additionally, if a future employer is having to question the legitimacy of your CV, it can start the relationship off on the wrong foot.
Here are a few hints and tips which may provoke you to relook at your CV, just in case the time crops up that you may need to present it:
- Constantly keep your CV updated with new roles, responsibilities, and qualifications, if your dream role came up and you were asked for your CV, you wouldn’t want to be scrambling adding in anything just to fill the gaps. You could miss out vital experience you have and skills which could set you apart from other candidates. Keeping it updated and refreshed ensures you cover everything you have achieved and want to shout about!
- When updating your CV, reflect on the actual roles and responsibilities you have completed yourself, not copy and paste from the job description. Not all roles stay true to the job description and on reflection you could be mis-selling yourself to the employer.
- Ensure your dates of employment are correct and if there is gaps, place a one liner in there to explain i.e. January 2022 – October 2022 – Travelling, don’t leave your CV open to questioning. Recruiters only briefly look at CVs for the vital information, you don’t want to pull them away from your amazing skills and experience and question the gaps in your employment.
- If you are a recent school leaver or graduate, include your grades, again ensuring these are the correct grades for the subject. You’ll be surprised how many people get their grades mixed up!!
- Keep your CV brief, mainly for 2 reasons – you want to ensure you can remember your own CV, plus roles and responsibilities. Additionally, the recruiter will not take 10 minutes to read the CV, they will be skimming and don’t want to read paragraphs on your history.
- You need to present yourself well, but you also need to ensure the experience you are communicating in your CV is relevant to the job. Look at the job description, and make sure that it’s clear why you’ll be able to deliver in that role.
Remember this is the first time your potential future employer gets to “meet” you, make it count and make it stand out and keep it true!!