How to write résumé or cv in simple terms, your cv or resume sets out your skills and experience

CV Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not be tempted to lie

You will be found out sooner or later and, if a lie has got you a job, it will lose you one too.

Avoid leaving gaps in your career history

You may be ashamed that you had to spend time flipping burgers at McDonald's, and perhaps you don’t think it fits with your planned career as an astrophysicist. But, especially if you don’t have much work experience, every bit is useful and you should show what you learned from it: teamwork or time-keeping, perhaps.
Large gaps in your CV look like you’ve sat around doing nothing instead of having the initiative to go out and get a temporary job.

Do not start your CV with the dull bits

Many people make the mistake of starting with their education and qualifications. That’s really dull.
Start with your key skills, and what you’ve actually achieved in life. If potential employers like your key skills then they’ll read on to your qualifications.

Do not include your hobbies and interests

Unless of course they have developed skills that are relevant to the job.
Nobody really wants or needs to know that you do karate, or like going to the cinema. If you do include something relevant, don’t be tempted to show off by including something that sounds impressive, but isn’t really.
Murphy’s Law says that the person reading your CV will be an expert in that subject.
Be sure your sins (or exaggerations) will find you out…
As a very junior trainee in her first graduate job, Liz was astonished to pick up her telephone one day and find the company CEO on the other end of the line.
“Hello,” he said. “You know about canoeing, don’t you?”
“Yes, absolutely,” she replied. She had relied heavily on the experience gained from running a university canoe club on her CV. It was one of the few subjects she still felt certain about six weeks into the job.
“Good,” he said. “I’ve got a CV here from someone who says he’s got a One Star award in canoeing. What does that mean?”
“It’s the most basic canoeing qualification available. You can get it after a day’s course.”
“Hmm. Not very impressive then,” grunted the CEO. “Have you got one?”
“Oh yes. I’m qualified to teach it.”
The candidate in question did not receive an interview. He probably never knew quite why.

Don't make your CV too long

Two pages of A4 is plenty. Nobody wants to read more. By all means make the font smaller, widen the margins and shorten the gaps between paragraphs, but no more than two pages.

Do not use an unprofessional email address

Get a professional-looking email address with your name, not a nickname. A jokey email address is fine for your friends, but it’s not OK for potential employers, and may even cause your CV to be rejected.
You may consider buying your own domain name; they are inexpensive and allow you to have a much more professional sounding email address. So rather than [e-mail] you could have [e-mail] or [e-mail] – depending on the availability of the domain name you want.
If you are applying for a job in a computer or internet related field then having your own domain name is particularly important for your image.
Be careful if you use the email address that is linked to your Facebook page or other social media accounts. It is very easy for potential employers to search social media sites for email addresses, which could mean they find out a lot more about you than you would like. You may however want potential employers to find your LinkedIn account.
You may also find our pages: Managing Your Online Presence and Using LinkedIn Effectively useful.