The increasing number of job seekers across the world and rising unemployment rates mean that more and more people are applying for the same job that you are interested in. This means that it is time to take your CV as seriously as possible so that it gets you through. Job seekers mostly tend to focus on what information they should include on their CV, but it is equally important to know what NOT to include in your CV. Even minor mistakes can backfire and reflect badly on you and make your CV end up in the “rejected” pile.
Only include the things in your CV that the recruiter definitely needs to know about or should know about and leave off everything that will be of no use to the recruiter. Your CV should contain only the information that will help the recruiter see what an incredible candidate you are for the job. Highlight all your significant qualifications and achievements in your CV so that they are the things that a recruiter sees in your CV instead of something that makes them run off in the opposite direction. In this article, we will discuss what information you should not include in your CV if you are writing a new one or what information you should edit out from your CV:
What NOT to Include in a CV:
1. Objective Summary:
Objective summaries are outdated as they used to contain all the generic statements about a professional who is “looking for opportunities that will allow me to exhibit my skills.” This is a very vague statement that is a waste of space on your CV because it does not help the recruiter understand what type of position you are seeking or why you are qualified for any such role. So, remove these run-of-the-mill sentences and objective statements from your CV. Replace the objective summary with a well-written professional summary that elevates your pitch. Use the profile summary to explain why you are a good fit for the position by summarizing your relevant qualifications and achievements in 3 to 5 lines approximately.
2. Including White Lies in your CV:
When is it okay to lie on your CV? Never. A lie is a lie, whether you think it is white or a little one that will not do any harm. Recruiters are no fools and they have years of experience which means they can easily recognize these lies. Even if a recruiter does not spot a lie the first time and you get hired, they will most probably conduct a background check on you, and the truth will come out. So, it is best to never include any lies and be upfront about your experience or the lack of it. You should just know how to use the limited experience you do have to sell yourself by including your skills and qualifications.
3. Personal Details:
Providing unnecessary personal information like your age, religion, marital status, or ethnicity will only make your CV look unprofessional. There is absolutely no need for the recruiter to know these things about you. There is also no point in including a photo unless you are applying for a modeling position and according to the CV writing services in Pakistan, it will be better to include a portfolio than attach pictures if you are applying for a modeling job. Also, avoid mentioning information regarding failed ventures or projects or other negative information such as reasons for leaving or bashing your previous employer. Even if you do have some significant personal details, you want the recruiter to know, you can discuss them in the interview.
4. Not Including a Cover Letter:
According to professional CV writers in Pakistan, a cover letter provides you with the perfect chance to personally connect with the hiring manager and explain more about yourself. Since a cover letter is a more personalized document than a CV, you can use it to your advantage to make the recruiter see who you are as a person aside from your professional experience. Including a cover letter is also great because a lot of people do not do it so it will instantly make your application stand out. Including a cover letter with your CV will make a positive impact on the recruiter as it proves that you are dedicated. You can also use the cover letter to explain why you will be perfect for the job and what you will be bringing to the table for the betterment of the company if you are hired.
5. Explanations and Jargons:
Explaining the employment gaps in the CV is really not necessary and should be best left for the interview. Your CV needs to be concise and as short as it can be without eliminating any important information. Also, avoid using difficult words or jargon as will not make your CV easy to read. Even if you want to include difficult technical terms, avoid doing them because there are limited chances that the recruiter has a great deal of knowledge regarding your industry.
6. Elaborate Formats and Designs:
Unless you are designing an infographic CV, there is absolutely no need to add design elements to your CV. Adding charts or using different colors in your CV will only make it look unprofessional. Also, a lot of companies use ATS to scan and rank the CVs, and oftentimes, this software is unable to scan elaborate formats. It is best to use the standard CV format, use basic section headings, and not use over-the-top designs for your CV. Keep your CV simple and let the information that you have included on it do the talking. Also, pay attention to using the right font styles and sizes.
These are some of the things that you should consider while writing a CV. There is no need to add any personal information to your CV, do not include your salary expectations or your previous salary. You can talk about all these things in the interview. A CV should also be tailored according to the job you are applying for instead of using a generic CV for each job application.