Your Worst CV Mistakes

Top 20 CV Bloopers (spot the goofs below)

We're all prone to making goofs but the worst place to see them is on a CV. There are some things which should be re-phrased!

1	Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.
2	Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.
3	Although I trained as an Accountant and for the past eight years I developed a successful career in Accountancy, I am bored by it and hence wondered if you have any other opportunities that may be of interest to me?
4	Let's meet, so you can get really excited over my experience.
5	Since graduating a year ago I have devoted the last year to travelling the world. I know that once I get into a job I will be able to head up your Export Department in no time at all.
6	I was working for my mum until she decided to move house.
7	Marital status: Single. Unmarried. Unengaged. Uninvolved. No commitments.
8	Flattery doesn't work. Objective To serve in a managerial capacity for a leading international interiors design company offering superb products paralleled with excellent customer reputation. (This statement does nothing to emphasise what the candidate can bring to a company, even one as exciting as the one on the wish list here.)
9	I am loyal to my employer at all costs. Will consider anything, please feel free to respond to my CV and call me on my work number.
10	Unwilling to re-locate or travel as my previous job involved a lot of travel sometimes at short notice and it completely exhausted me.
11	My goal is to be a psychologist but since I didn't go to college and get a qualification, I suppose I should stick to being a personnel manager.
12	I tend to only procrastinate when I have to make a decision.
13	Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a National Retail Chain.
14	Additional Information: 'In 1992 I had brain surgery to remove a tumour. It was traumatic but I think I am well now.'
15	The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.
16	Achievements: I was proud to win the Typting Award at secretarial college.
17	Education: MBA - 2002. University of Sheffield project completion: 2004. (The dates appear a bit muddled here. It looks as if the MBA was been attained in 2002 but then there is a projected completion date of 2004. Given employer sensitivity to the possibility of an applicant claiming credentials he/she doesn't have, this sort of vague phrasing could lead to a misunderstanding that could cost the candidate some opportunities.)
18	Work Experience: Dealing with customers' conflicts that arouse.
19	In recent years commensurate with my career development, I have been more engaged in the management of relevant projects.
20	Personal Statements: I will give the job my all as long as it doesn't interfere with my busy social life. My social life is very important to me.

 
Does your CV deliver positive results?

How confident are you about your CV? Is it word perfect? What is your CV style? Have you got the sales tactics right for the level of job you are going for? A CV that sells you is essential if you want to secure a job on-line. With an estimated 7.5 million on-line UK job hunters, your CV needs to be the one which stands out for all the right reasons.

Career Consultants On-Line is the UK's number one CV consultancy and in partnership with Jobsite, the UK's number one recruitment site, we offer you the complete job hunting solution.

CVs can create a positive response in around 20 seconds. The prospective employer is either in awe of you or isn't. "That is the value of a positive CV,"says Sarah Berry. "When I first began writing professional CVs over 10 years ago people often asked me what is so special about your CV? In order to demonstrate the value of a professionally-written CV, I developed the CV assessment product to show the difference between a CV with impact and an ordinary CV. The CV assessment evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of every part of the current CV and covering letter.

Candidates receive a commentary of over 500 words in length, a detailed assessment covering 40 important aspects that need to be included in a CV if it is to score a maximum 100 out of 100. Sections of the CV are cut and pasted into the on-line assessment page and held within your own secure area. The consultant adds his/her words of advice on how to improve the CV to give it maximum impact. The assessment provides the candidate with all the necessary feedback on his/her CV and allows him/her to decide what positive action needs to be taken."

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Take one more look at your CV. How good is it? Will your CV beat the competition or let the competition through?

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