Research reveals over three-quarters of employers find interpreting CVs a minefield they'd prefer not to navigate. Get inside information, straight from the mouths of over 1000 employers, on how to make your CV stand out from the rest
The words 'socialising' and 'travelling' on your CV, could send out entirely the wrong message to prospective employers. A survey of 1,000 employers, by recruitment consultancy Office Angels in 2004, revealed that two-thirds admitted to being unsure whether they had made the right decision about a candidate because CVs are full of common, and often cliched, statements that are open to extensive interpretation.
Office Angels analysed 3,000 CVs and compiled a list of the most common phrases used by prospective job candidates. This list was then researched among employers to find out what they understood these phrases to mean:
| What they say in their CV? | The employer's interpretation | |
| 'I enjoy socialising' | Party mad and likely to come in hungover? - 65% | Good people skills, outgoing and confident? - 35% |
| 'I'm a great communicator' | Non-stop chatterbox? - 29% | Articulate and confident with good communication skills? - 71% |
| 'I'm fully computer literate' | Can turn a computer on? - 24% | Has the computer skills you require? - 76% |
| 'I'm an energetic team player' | Overly keen, probably a sycophant? - 41% | Someone who would benefit your team - 59% |
| 'I love travelling' | Likely to quit after three months and disappear off to Thailand? - 69% | Has broad horizons and will offer a range of different views and ideas? - 31% |
| 'I'm a quick learner' | But only if they are well taught? - 11% | Able to hit the ground running? - 89% |
| 'Very experienced' | Has had lots of different jobs? - 51% | Possesses a variety of beneficial experience? - 49% |
| 'I'm very motivated' | Drinks too much coffee? - 8% | Someone who is good at getting things done? - 92% |
Eight out of ten employers make a decision on a CV based solely on one of the following, before they even look closely at a candidates experience or qualifications:
- Spelling or grammatical mistakes - 49 per cent
- Choice of words or expressions - 22 per cent
- Candidates hobbies - too boring or too strange - 15 per cent
- The tone (over confident, smug, too familiar) - 9 per cent
- The typeface (too hard to read, too small) - 5 per cent
'We manage CV selection for our clients and only forward CVs of candidates who have the right skills and experience for a particular job,' says Paul Jacobs, Managing Director of Office Angels.
Top tips for writing your CV
Never lie on your CV - companies are increasingly checking up on candidates' backgrounds and following up references - if they discover you've lied, you've blown your chances straight away
Be clear and concise - lay out your skills and experience in a clear and easy to read format - they don't want an essay about your life history
Don't try to be funny - humour can be misinterpreted
Check and double-check for spelling and grammatical mistakes - they make an immediate bad impression
Tailor your CV - try to tailor your experience, skills and qualifications towards the requirements of the job advert or description. If it stresses that you need a certain skill, such as a language or IT skills, put this up front
On average an employer spends less than five minutes reading a CV. Candidates should take a professional approach to job hunting by, 'ensuring their CV is clear and easy to read, highlighting the experience and qualifications relevant to the job description on the first page,' says Paul Jacobs, Managing Director of Office Angels.'By doing so they will be giving themselves the best opportunity to stand out from the crowd.'
For all you need to know about creating the perfect CV, visit the iVillage CV centre.
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