What NOT to put in a CV

[DeadPeopleSeeMe]

Hi all, I think I know what to put in my CV, but is there anything or any words or phrases to avoid? What put an employer off?

I will be applying for admin roles if this helps.

TIA

[DeadPeopleSeeMe]

That* not what, I can string a sentence together, honest!

[MissHC]

Anything that gives the impression that you're lazy, poor with time management, need constant supervision etc.

[lilacmamacat]

I think the general rule is to avoid 'I' phrases: I did this, I did that... Aim for the naffly named power words: managed busy reception, mentored junior staff etc. There are plenty of lists on the internet.

Also, probably teaching you to suck eggs here but no marital status, religion, and that kind of stuff. These days you don't even seem to need to provide a home address; an email address and mobile number seems to suffice.

Also second what MissHC says.

[SirChenjin]

Be specific and as Lilac says, use the power words. If you can show the scope and range of the work you've done that's good too eg Managed a budget of £250K, Supervised a team of 10, that kind of thing.

Also - and this is my personal bugbear - if you've been a SAHP do not dress it up with naff descrptions, eg Domestic Engineer, Event Planner, Accountant etc if you haven't utilised those skills in a work setting (paid or voluntary) - we see right through you!

[SirChenjin]

Oh, and make sure you spell everything correctly

[museumum]

If you've got recent gaps in employment then think about using the type of cv that focusses on key experience and skills at the start and has employment history further down.
If your last job was in 2010 you don't want to have that as the first thing people see about you.

[lilacmamacat]

I agree with SirChenjin about not dressing up being a SAHP, but if you do have gaps, you might have things that you did that that are 'job-like', for example, running the local playgroup, that are worth mentioning (perhaps in your summary rather than in the employment part of your CV).

My general impression from this year's WorkFest was that skills-based CVs (aka functional CVs) are a no-no these days.

You might find some useful bits on here blog.womenreturners.com/

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

A few subtle things:

• Don't include a silly or unprofessional sounding email address.You'd be surprised how many CVs I have seen with [email protected] etc. Email addresses that were 'fun' at college/uni don't give off the right impression now.

• Don't name your CV Sarah Smith August 2015.doc and still be sending it out in January 2015, it just reminds them how long you have been jobhunting.

• I personally don't bother with my full address or hobbies. It is all about my work and education. My scant contact details are at the bottom at the back

• Don't feel you have to include lots of detail about early career jobs. The older more experienced you are the less they matter and they are taking up space which should be reserved for selling your more recent experience.

HTH

[miranda82]

Yes. Chek yur speling! Properly the one sign that will show an employer that you're either lasy, uneducated or not intelligent enought to even use the computer's spell checker before sending your CV! - and instant no!

[miranda82]

Oops.. did I spell lazy as lasy! Case in point.

[DaisyFlowerChain]

Spelling and font have to be spot on.

Agree with the others re dressing up being a SAHP. It's often said on here to pad it out with everything you did but it's no different to most adults and just looks desperate.