A common mistake many recent graduates make is to include every job they’ve ever held on their CV. Employers don’t want to know about the job you had in school, unless it’s extremely relevant to the position you’re applying for. In fact, you should have a different CV for each company you’re applying to work for. Learn more below about how you can clean up your CV and fine-tune it to each place you approach.
Objectives
You should have one paragraph to convince your potential employer you’re the best possible person for the job. Research the company you’re applying to, and offer a compelling reason for why you’re the best person to help the company succeed. Tailor it to the company, and you’ll come off as someone who does their research and is worth having on the team.
Cut the headshot
If it’s not a specific requirement, leave off the picture of your mug. It could lead your employer to make a snap decision about you, and it opens the door for discrimination as well. Let them review your application and base their decision to interview solely on your qualifications.
Get a pro email
You don’t need to pay for an email account, but your email address should sound professional. Try to get an email that is some variant of your name, and avoid email addresses with a lot of numbers and punctuation. Use a popular email service like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo. It’s one less mistake the employer is likely to make if they do decide to email you about your application.
Cut the address
It’s pretty common to include where you live if you’re applying to a local position. But otherwise, you should leave this information off. This is information that can be provided more securely on an employment application and doesn’t need to be included on your CV, as it can leave you open to the potential for identity theft. It can also discourage employers from hiring you if they know you’ll have a longer commute.
Background checks
While not part of the resume itself, it’s increasingly common for companies to conduct background checks on their employees. One way to clean up your report is to hire a lawyer to help you seal any juvenile records you might have. This goes for any criminal driving violations too. Often, a Los Angeles criminal lawyer can get some of your past indiscretions removed. So, it’s worth taking the time to check out our options before a potential new employer checks your record.
Think about everything you put on your CV. Don’t include anything that makes you seem unprofessional. Leave the social media accounts off at first, and don’t divulge any private or personal details. It’s illegal for an employer to ask for your marital status, nationality, and religious beliefs, so don’t volunteer this information unless you have to.
What do you think you should and shouldn’t include on your CV? Tell us in the comments below.
Photo: Elliott P. / Flickr
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