Avoiding Mistakes

A lot of people make mistakes when creating their CV. The only trouble is the vast majority don't even realise this!


Mistakes can be many and varied, and moreover, they are not just confined to English and grammar. Yes, good English and grammar are essential, but people make far more basic mistakes. For example, a lot of people don't try to get into the employer's mind and address what he/she is looking for. Similarly, a great many people undersell themselves on their CV and forget that their CV is effectively a sales document. Additionally, a great many people seem to underestimate the competition. Indeed, if more people realised the strength of the people they were competing against, they would make a better job of their CV in the first place.


So what can you do to help yourself?


Well straightaway you can use a spellchecker, although please be advised that these are not foolproof.  You can also help cut out other basic errors and oversights by having your CV proofread or professionally appraised. And if this is something of interest to you several companies (including my own) offer a free professional CV appraisal.


Another mistake people make is to rush things. Indeed, a lot of people spend less than four hours working on their CV. And the reason they tend to rush things is due to another mistake; namely the fact that an awful lot of people underestimate the value of their CV. A top quality CV can open doors, whilst poor, average, or believe it or not even good CVs (as opposed to top quality ones) often close them.


Don't make the same mistake!


The best advice is to have your CV, if not re-written, then at least checked out by a professional writer before you submit it. After all, you won't get a second chance when you apply for your dream job.