Do and don'ts of a good CV?

A good CV DOs include using clean formatting, action verbs, quantifiable achievements, and tailoring it to the job; while DON'Ts are lying, including irrelevant personal info (age, marital status, photos), using generic language, making spelling errors, or having a poorly organized, lengthy document. Focus on relevant skills, accomplishments, and the impact you made, rather than just listing duties, to show value to employers.

What are the do's and don'ts of CV?

Trending Topics

• Avoid typo or grammatical errors. Minor mistakes simply show you are a lazy and careless person. ...
• Make it easy to read. ...
• Consolidate into one page. ...
• Impress people. ...
• Highlight your accomplishments. ...
• Play up your strengths. ...
• Customize the content. ...
• Provide a decent email address.

What not to do with a CV?

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

1. Providing irrelevant personal information. ...
2. Burying important information. ...
3. Spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. ...
4. Unexplained gaps in employment. ...
5. Lying or misleading information. ...
6. Adding references to your CV. ...
7. A long, waffly CV. ...
8. Badly formatted CV.

What are the 5 P's of a resume?

The "5 Ps of a Resume" aren't a single, universally defined list, but generally refer to key strategies like Positioning, Personal Branding/Personality, Presentation, Proofreading (Precision), and Persistence, focusing on tailoring your document to solve employer needs, showcasing unique value, ensuring visual appeal, eliminating errors, and strategically targeting roles to stand out in a competitive job market.
 

What are red flags in a CV?

Exaggerating what you've achieved on your resume could seriously damage your career prospects. Taking full credit for team achievements is a huge red flag. Claiming you "increased company revenue by 50%" when you were part of a ten-person team that collaborated is misleading.

Tips For How To Write A Better Resume (From A Recruiter's Perspective)

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 is the 3 month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common initial probationary period (or onboarding phase) where both the new employee and employer assess if the role and company are a good fit, often structured as a 30-60-90 day plan focusing on learning, contributing, and executing, setting expectations for performance and cultural alignment before permanent status is confirmed. It's a time for the employee to learn systems, team dynamics, and core skills, while the employer evaluates performance, potential, and cultural fit. 

What are the 3 C's of a resume?

The 3 C's of a resume are generally Clear, Concise, and Consistent, emphasizing straightforward language, brevity (typically 1-2 pages), and uniform formatting to make your document easy for recruiters to scan and understand your qualifications quickly. Some variations also include Clean (neat design) or emphasize Competence, Commitment, and Compatibility as qualities to demonstrate within the resume.
 

What are 5 good skills to put on a resume?

These are the top 10 sought-after soft skills to include in your resume:

• Communication. ...
• Teamwork. ...
• Problem-solving. ...
• Empathy. ...
• Leadership. ...
• Dependability. ...
• Active listening. ...
• Critical thinking.

What are the 5 golden rules of resume writing?

The core principles of resume writing involve Tailoring (customizing for the job), Clarity/Conciseness (easy to read, brief), Quantifying Achievements (using numbers to show impact), Using Action Verbs & Keywords (strong language, matching job description), and Professional Formatting/Proofreading (consistency, error-free, visually appealing) to present your best, honest, and relevant qualifications effectively for employers. 

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 do recruiters look for in a CV?

What employers and recruiters look for in a CV

• Roles and responsibilities. ...
• Experience. ...
• Skills. ...
• Results and achievements. ...
• Education. ...
• Easy to read. ...
• No inconsistencies. ...
• Relevant language.

What looks unprofessional on a resume?

When filling out your resume skills section or experience section, only include information that's applicable to the job you're applying for. Including anecdotes about your hobbies or personal interests is, at best a waste of space, and at worst, unprofessional.

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)

What is the difference between a CV and a resume?

A resume is a short (1-2 page) summary of relevant skills and experience for a specific job, used in most industries, while a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a longer, comprehensive document detailing your entire academic and professional history, including publications, research, and teaching, primarily for academic, research, or medical roles. The key difference is that a resume is tailored and concise, whereas a CV is exhaustive and chronological, serving as a complete record of your life's work ("course of life").
 

What are the top 5 resume mistakes?

The top 5 resume mistakes include typos & grammar errors, poor formatting (especially for ATS systems), using a generic, untailored resume, focusing on responsibilities instead of quantified achievements, and including irrelevant content or a weak summary (like an objective). Avoiding these issues by proofreading, customizing for each job, using clean layouts, and showcasing results makes a huge difference. 

What skills impress employers most?

Developing Leadership Skills

By practicing and applying critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism and work ethic, oral and written communication, and leadership skills, you will become more desirable to many employers.

What are 7 soft skills?

While there's no single definitive list, the 7 most frequently cited essential soft skills include Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Time Management, Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence, focusing on interpersonal abilities and personal attributes crucial for workplace success beyond technical knowledge. Developing these helps you collaborate, navigate challenges, and contribute to a positive environment.
 

What are 10 hard skills?

Ten key hard skills include Programming (Python/Java), Data Analysis (SQL/Excel), Digital Marketing (SEO/PPC), Cloud Computing (AWS/Azure), Cybersecurity, Project Management, Graphic Design (Adobe Suite), Video Editing, Foreign Language Proficiency, and AI/Machine Learning, representing critical technical, digital, and analytical abilities sought across many industries. 

What are red flags on resumes?

Resume red flags are warning signs like typos, unexplained employment gaps, frequent job hopping, and unprofessional emails, indicating a lack of attention to detail or commitment, while focusing only on duties without quantifiable achievements suggests a candidate might not understand impact. Key issues include poor formatting, lack of tailoring to the job, vague descriptions, and a generic feel, signaling a candidate isn't serious or capable.
 

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.

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 is the 30-60-90 rule?

The "30-60-90 rule" refers to two main concepts: a strategic onboarding plan for new jobs (learning in the first 30 days, contributing in the next 30, driving results in the last 30) and a special right triangle in geometry where sides are in a fixed ratio (x, x3x the square root of 3 end-root𝑥3√, 2x) for angles 30°, 60°, and 90°. Both use the numbers 30, 60, and 90 to define distinct phases or proportions, providing structure for new roles or solving geometric problems.
 

What is the 70 rule of hiring?

The 70% rule in hiring is a guideline suggesting you should hire candidates who meet about 70% of the job's requirements, focusing on potential, trainability, and transferable skills for the missing 30%. It encourages hiring for growth and new perspectives rather than waiting for a "perfect" candidate who checks every box, which can slow down the hiring process and lead to understaffed teams. The missing skills are expected to be learned on the job, fostering employee loyalty and development. 

Is it a red flag to leave a job after 3 months?

Employment gaps are common, and having one on your resume isn't usually a cause for concern. However, if it's not the first time you've left a job after only a few months, it might be a red flag for future employers. You may have money problems.