CV TIPS - 5 CV Trends To Forget In 2022
Posted 16th June 2022 • Written by Andrew Fennell on forbes.com • • • • •
In this article are five of the most common trends you should abandon when writing your CV—and how to write a bold, engaging CV that secures an interview.
Wacky designs
When it comes to your CV, a simple design will always be more professional and effective than something unconventional.
Keep your CV design simple, with a clean font, a conventional lay-out with clearly defined sections, and key information listed in easy-to-read bullet points. If you’re going to use design, use it to highlight your skills and achievements.
Listing every job you've done
While you might want to demonstrate a long history of stable employment, you don’t need to include every job you’ve ever done when writing your CV. Recruiters mostly care about your last three years of employment, so focusing on these roles is key, especially your achievements within them.
If you have a career history going back many years, you can still include older roles, but just in short summary format. Make sure that they do not take up more space than your recent employment, and only include information that is relevant to your target jobs.
Clichés and buzz words
When it comes to writing your CV, the rule is simple: show, don’t tell. Writing that you’re a “team player” or “always give 110%” isn’t going to give a recruiter any concrete evidence about your skills.
So, rather than claiming that you’re a “passionate, hard-working and creative employee”, demonstrate these qualities by giving examples of your professional achievements.
If you want to demonstrate that you’re a “team player” or “results driven” you should do so by listing achievements that highlight these qualities.
Only listing responsibilities
Your CV isn’t just about listing your former roles and responsibilities; it’s also about proving your worth to a potential employer. While a strong job history does prove a certain level of competence in your field, it’s your achievements that will help you stand out from competing candidates.
When writing out your responsibilities for your former or current job, you should add some examples of the personal successes you enjoyed while in the role.
Hobbies and interests section
Having a “hobbies and interests” section is a waste of space on your CV, unless your hobbies are somehow linked to your professional life. Use the extra space to beef up the parts of your CV that are the most interesting to a potential employer.
When you’re adding any information or work experience to your CV, it’s always helpful to ask yourself the following question: “What does the recruiter learn about me from this?” If you believe that the information you’re sharing will enhance your suitability for the role (in the eyes of the recruiter) you can include it. If not, leave it out.
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