RED FLAGS ON YOUR CV

CUTESY CONTACT INFORMATION

Emails like pinkprincess@gmail.com are a sure fire way to land

your CV in the trash bin. Make sure your email is

professional sounding.

LENGTHY GAPS

If you have lengthy gaps on your CV it can set you back

so in your covering letter you’ll need to explain why

(kids, education, saving the world, etc.). Just remember it’s

always better to be honest. Employers are concerned about

you losing your edge so also mention what you have

been doing to stay on top of the industry.

BEING UNEMPLOYED

If this is you, you’re not alone. Companies don’t like this because

they think it causes your skills to dry up. Our advice: try to

pick up freelancing or consulting work to add to your CV.

If all else fails, at least volunteer for a worthy cause so

that you can talk about your experience.

CHANGING JOBS TOO OFTEN

This makes it seem like you are uncommitted. They will train

you and you will run. You need to alleviate their fears and

briefly justify why you changed companies so often

in your covering letter.

SPELLING MISTAKES

While some recruiters are more lax on this than others, you

should do everything you can to maximize your chance of

getting the job. Proof read!

NOT BEING PROFESSIONAL

It may seem old school, but unless you are absolutely sure

that you can refer to someone casually…don’t do it.

SOCIAL MEDIA

While not strictly related to your CV, even if you don’t mention

your social media profiles, you can almost bet that they will be

searched out and examined. Posting negative comments about

past employers or talking about how you got wasted yesterday

are not going to help your case.

DISCREPANCIES

If your CV doesn’t match up to your LinkedIn profile, you

need to fix that right away. Otherwise hiring managers will

either think you are lying or sloppy.

OVERQUALIFICATION

Hiring managers don’t want people who will bail on them the

next chance they get. If you are obviously overqualified for your job,

explain in your covering letter why you are applying, how you

can help the company, and how this job matches your long term goals.