Most of the CVs (résumés) that I read don’t catch my attention. This is often because the writer has made one or more key mistakes in their use or presentation of language.
These key mistakes are:
- Not tailoring the CV to fit the vacancy
- Overly long sentences
- Grammatical and spelling errors
- Inappropriately formal/informal language
The first thing to remember is that employers need to hire someone who can help them solve a particular problem. You therefore need to sell the idea that you and your skill set are the solution to that problem.
Tailor
Do not apply a “one size fits all” approach. Think about the sort of person that the recruiter needs and how to present yourself as that person.
Let’s say you’re going for a job as a network administrator and the ad says you need to be prepared for flexible working hours. The recruiter needs to see evidence that you have worked, or would be able to work, in this way.
You also need to plan what you are going to say and how to organise it.
There are many possible formats; none is definitive. I find the following layout simple and easy to follow:
- Personal and Contact Details (keep them brief)
- Personal Statement and Career Goal (sum yourself up in a few simple sentences)
- Education (focus on the practical skills you learned)
- Work Experience in reverse chronological order and in STAR format (Situation, Target, Action, Result), which amounts to, “What I did, how I did it, how I made a difference’’.
- Personal interests (keep this brief and focus on active, specific pursuits; avoid things like “reading” and “watching TV”, which make you seem passive)
You have to be a sales person. Simply saying, ‘‘I’m a very flexible person’’ is not good enough. Why should we believe you? Plus, this sentence lacks a context. You need to give an example from a situation the recruiter can relate to. For example:
1) “I have demonstrated flexibility in my last three roles, where I worked late nights and at weekends when the server went down.”
This is more like it, but we need to look at how to cut this down.
Cut
Example 1 demonstrates tailoring, but it’s too wordy for a CV. It might work on a covering letter, where you can highlight your key strengths, but the CV is more of a summary.
Focus on key words. For example:
2) “Flexibility: working late nights and weekends recovering servers in last three jobs.”
All of the words in this example are active and focus on getting the recruiter’s attention.
Grammatically, we have avoided the past tense or present perfect by converting the verb to a gerund (-ing) form, i.e. “I have worked” becomes “working”. This makes the sentence grammatically simpler and the meaning more immediate; just like in an ad. But that’s exactly what your CV is.
As a general rule, keep your CV to two pages. Leave the recruiter wanting more, not yawning.
Check
Grammatical, spelling and vocabulary errors make you look sloppy and unprofessional. Your English may not be perfect but you do not want to advertise that fact. So pay attention to the warnings that pop up on your word processor and get a friend who is good at English to check your work if you are in doubt.
Common errors revolve around the misuse of the “be” verb:
“I supervisor” as opposed to “I am a supervisor” or “I supervise X ?”
Avoid inappropriately formal/outdated language, such as “supervise subordinates” instead of “supervise staff”. If you describe people as subordinates, it sounds as if they are your slaves, which may, in some minds, imply that you treat them as such.
And in your covering letter avoid cringe-worthy appeals to the recruiter such as “Awaiting the favour of your early response.”
“I look forward to hearing from you soon.” will do.
And finally, “August” is spelt A-U-G-U-S-T in English, not O-G-O-S!
Be sure to use words that create and reinforce positive thoughts in the reader’s mind, such as: Achieve, Success, Win, Challenge, Profit, Teamwork
rather than: Lose, Fail, Not, Slow, Complain, Bankruptcy.
Your CV is your PR, so treat it with the time, care and attention you deserve to help you get the job you want.
Tom Hayton is a Business Trainer with the Professional Development Unit (PDU), at the British Council Malaysia. The PDU offers a wide range of learning opportunities from management and communication skills training to developing English skills. Visit its website at www.britishcouncil.org.my or e-mail thomas.hayton@britishcouncil.org.my
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