Monday 28 May 2012

JOB HUNTING - IS YOUR CV WORKING FOR YOU OR AGAINST YOU?


Good day Readers,


for all my Nigerian readers, happy belated democracy day!!! I kno we are going thru a lot but the fact that we live in a time that encourages free speech, writing, and gatherings is enough to celebrate this holiday!!
I was thinking yesterday about a vacancy I recently posted online. I still cannot believe some of the responses I got. CVs written so badly I couldn’t get past the first sentence, rude email addresses; hostile language through out the CV, and long rambling personal statements. So many people were disqualified before I even had the opportunity to know whether I could consider them for the job because their CVs were so horrible.

You may be at home right now wandering why you are not getting called back for interviews and it could be a simple reason of your CV not making it past the secretary's desk, much less passing HR's scrutiny and here are 22 reasons why:
  • A recruiter,  manager or HR manager can’t get the gist of you and your story in less than 10 seconds
  • You can’t stand to look at your own résumé because you dislike it so much.
  • It is loaded with buzz words and meaningless words you copied from the Internet.
  • Your CV looks like a template.
  • Your CV is longer than two pages and you have only worked in 2-3 places.
  • It doesn’t sound authentic – like you’re a real person who solves real problems.
  • Your CV contains lies of any variety – big or little.
  • Your CV contains exaggerated job titles.
  • Your CV doesn’t showcase your key successes, achievements and accomplishments.
  • Your CV doesn’t integrate a present-future focus along with your past employment record.
  • Your CV looks like 2500 other résumés in the pile.
  • Your CV doesn’t sound like you.
  • Your CV lacks a flow and good organization.
  • Your CV reads like a job description.
  • Your CV is unattractive and in some cases, downright difficult to read.
  • Your CV has a boring account of your work history.
  • Your CV doesn’t provide direct evidence (proof) as to why your qualifications warrant an interview.
  • Your CV contains errors (One of the worst offences).
  • Your CV doesn’t represent you with excellence in your absence.
  • Your CV gives the reader reasons not speak with you.
  • Your CV doesn’t exemplify the very best of you and your amazing brand.

  • Your CV doesn’t generate any action for you.
Culled from http://www.careerhubblog.com/main/2012/05/does-your-r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-suck-22-things-to-consider.html

So darling readers, going thru the above points, did any of them jump out at you that you may be committing one or more of these offences on YOUR CV? If your answer is yes, it's time to redraft your CV and do let me know if you need professional advice, I'm always happy to help!

3 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. You are very welcome Eva!! Did you get a chance to redo your CV and is it now working for you? Please pardon my late reply. This has taught me to make sure when you send a comment, to check if it was actually delivered!

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  2. Hello nikky been following your blog and twitter for a year now and have learnt a lot from you so much, you are inspiring, I recently graduated from school and want to begin the job hunt currently learning how to write a proper Cv and thanks to your blog I found that a Cv should have a front page and accompanying email not just attached is my Cv yes I didn't know that :) I would really love to send you my Cv to get your expert opinion and corrections would be appreciated. Thanks

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