Do and don'ts in CV writing?

When writing a CV, DO tailor it for each job, use action verbs with quantifiable results, keep it concise (1-2 pages), proofread meticulously, and use clear formatting with bullet points; DON'T lie or exaggerate, use clichés/jargon, include irrelevant personal details (age, photo, marital status), or make it too long or disorganized. Focus on relevant achievements, demonstrate impact with numbers, and ensure readability for recruiters.

What are the dos and don'ts of CV writing?

Don't exaggerate your abilities, as you will need to back up your claims at interview. Don't ignore large gaps in your work history, explain them. Don't print your CV double-sided, use separate pages. Don't fold your CV, if you need to post it, do it in an A4 sized envelope.

What to avoid when writing a CV?

So have a look at these mistakes to avoid: Avoid highlighting duties instead of accomplishments. Avoid going on too long or cutting things too short. Avoid using phrases like ``responsible for'' and instead use action verbs. Avoid leaving off important information. Avoid adding incorrect contact information.

What are the 5 golden rules of resume writing?

Effective resume writing centers on tailoring it for the job, focusing on quantifiable accomplishments with action verbs, ensuring clear and consistent formatting, keeping it concise and keyword-rich, and meticulous proofreading for professionalism, ultimately demonstrating your fit for the role. 

What are the 7 basic steps to writing a CV?

Here are seven basic steps for writing a CV:

1. Create a header with contact information. ...
2. Write a professional summary. ...
3. Detail your education. ...
4. Provide your work experience. ...
5. List your relevant skills. ...
6. Include additional sections. ...
7. Describe your personal interests (optional)

5 Resume Mistakes You MUST Avoid (with real examples)!

What is the most common CV mistake?

Top 4 biggest CV mistakes (according to research!)

• Bad spelling and grammar. Perhaps unsurprisingly, spelling and grammar tops the list of gripes across almost every survey of businesses we found. ...
• An overly casual tone. ...
• Poor formatting and font use. ...
• CV is too long. ...
• The best of the rest.

What are the 5 P's of a resume?

The "5 Ps of a Resume" aren't a single, universally agreed-upon list but often refer to strategies like Positioning, Personal Branding, Presentation, Proofreading/Precision, and Personalization/Purpose—focusing on tailoring your resume's goal, visual appeal, accuracy, and unique value (your "product") to stand out, capture attention instantly, and show how you solve the employer's problems. These principles transform your resume from a job history into a powerful marketing tool for yourself. 

What are the 3 C's of a resume?

The 3 C's of a resume typically refer to making it Clear, Concise, and Clean/Consistent, focusing on readability, brevity, and a uniform look, ensuring hiring managers quickly grasp your qualifications and relevance to the job. Some interpretations add a fourth C, like Character, Commitment, or Chemistry, to highlight cultural fit and personality, but the core visual and informational qualities remain essential for initial screening. 

What are the top 5 resume mistakes?

The top 5 resume mistakes include typos and grammar errors, poor formatting (especially non-ATS friendly designs), generic content (not tailoring to the job), listing duties instead of quantifiable achievements, and including irrelevant experience or fluff that doesn't showcase value. Avoiding these common pitfalls by proofreading, using clean layouts, quantifying accomplishments, and customizing for each role significantly boosts your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). 

What's the difference between a CV and a resume?

A resume is a short (1-2 page) summary of relevant skills and work history for industry jobs, while a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive, detailed overview of your entire academic and professional life, used for academic, research, or medical positions, often much longer and including publications, presentations, and affiliations. Resumes are tailored marketing tools; CVs are full life records.
 

What are red flags in a CV?

Watch out for resumes with multiple typos or an inability to follow directions, as this can indicate a lack of care or attention to detail. Prioritize resumes tailored to your job description over generic applications, and look out for resumes with discrepancies or job hopping.

What makes a CV rejected?

A CV that looks light on information will be as readily discarded as the one which reads like an autobiographical epic! Just like the pointless process of attaching a picture to your CV, including too much personal info that is unrelated to the job is a waste of space and could be harming your chances of getting a job.

What makes a CV look cluttered?

Using more than two fonts on a resume creates a cluttered appearance. You can achieve stunning results by using one typeface for all the headings and another typeface for the remaining content.

What is the 7 second rule in resume?

The "7-second resume rule" means recruiters often spend only about 7 seconds on an initial scan to decide if a resume warrants a closer look, making it crucial to have a highly scannable, keyword-rich, and accomplishment-focused document to pass both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and human eyes quickly. To pass this test, focus on a clear design, use bolded keywords and metrics (numbers/percentages) in concise, action-verb-led bullet points, and tailor everything to the specific job description to highlight your unique value and fit.
 

What not to say on a CV?

So here they are, 10 things not to do on your CV:

• Providing irrelevant personal information. ...
• Burying important information. ...
• Spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. ...
• Unexplained gaps in employment. ...
• Lying or misleading information. ...
• Adding references to your CV. ...
• A long, waffly CV. ...
• Badly formatted CV.

How do you introduce yourself on a CV?

A CV personal statement should include details of your educational background, evidence of work experience, as well as your career aspirations. 'Introduce who you are, highlight your key strengths, and explain the type of role you're looking for,' explains Chloe.

What are the three F's in a resume?

Having less than ten seconds to prove qualifications for a position enforces the idea that the focus point of drafting a resume, should be to stick to the Three Fs of Resume Writing: Function, Form, and e(F)fectiveness.

What makes a resume look unprofessional?

You should avoid sharing too many personal details on your resume because it comes across as unprofessional. Instead, focus on the skills and experience that will help you with the daily job responsibilities.

What are 2025 resume buzzwords to avoid?

For 2025 resumes, avoid generic buzzwords like hardworking, team player, results-driven, passionate, and proven track record, as recruiters prefer concrete, quantified achievements (e.g., "Reduced costs by 15%") over self-proclaimed traits, using action verbs like "Implemented" or "Achieved" to show impact instead of just stating qualities or duties.
 

What are the top 5 skills for a resume?

10 of the best skills to put on a resume

• Active listening skills. Active listening refers to the ability to focus completely on the person who you're communicating with. ...
• Communication skills. ...
• Computer skills. ...
• Customer service skills. ...
• Interpersonal skills. ...
• Leadership skills. ...
• Management skills. ...
• Problem-solving skills.

What do recruiters look for in a resume?

Recruiters typically look at resumes in this order: Name and contact info (can I reach this person?) Current/most recent role (are they doing something relevant?) Job titles & career trajectory (does the path make sense?)

How many key skills to include in a CV?

Aim for two columns, listing between 12 and 16 skills in total, with around 6-8 skills per column. In addition to the "Key Skills" section, make sure the required skills appear throughout your CV, especially in the "Career History" section.

How to make your resume stand out?

RESUME TIPS

1. Specific rather than general.
2. Active rather than passive.
3. Written to express not impress.
4. Articulate rather than “flowery”
5. Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
6. Written for people who / systems that scan quickly.

What are the strong resume verbs?

Accomplished, Administered, Advanced, Analyzed, Appointed, Approved, Assigned, Attained, Authorized, Chaired, Considered, Consolidated, Contracted, Controlled, Converted, Coordinated, Decided, Delegated, Developed, Directed, Eliminated, Emphasized, Enforced, Enhanced, Established, Executed, Generated, Handled, Headed, ...

How to write a good CV?

A good CV should:

1. be factual and accurate.
2. be targeted to the job you're applying for.
3. be short - ideally no more than 2 pages/sides of A4.
4. convey an impression of what you'd be like as an employee.
5. be easy to read, engaging and look professional.