CV Tips - a guide on what not to do

The biggest no-no’s to writing your CV

As a recruiter I have seen every kind of CV/resume out there - and I am still a bit surprised by what I receive sometimes. There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of great articles and examples of what makes a great CV. Unfortunately, it seems there’s some confusion about what not to put on your CV. So I am going to approach it from a different angle and advise you of what NOT to do. 

What a CV isn’t

Not to be harsh but a CV is not an opportunity for you to discover your creative genius on WordArt and experiment with pretty borders and weird fonts. It’s completely understandable that you want to stand out and personalise your resume (after all, it is a document all about you) but rather focus on your words. HR teams and recruiters need to know who you are, clearly, on black and white. A curriculum vitae (literal meaning: the course of one’s life) or a resume is there to convince an employer or recruiter of the potential value you can bring to an organisation. A window into your life in exchange for a step through the door. 

1. Don’t add a photo

We are hunting for talent, and as nice as your smile undoubtedly is, we only care about whether you can do the work. I’ve received the most bizarre photos - including full length shots - with the candidate’s weight and height listed. Employers are not supposed to hire on the basis of looks- so it’s better to use the limited space on your CV to promote your skills. 

2. Don’t share all your personal details

Candidates seem to forget that they have no idea who they are sending their personal information to – I have received hundreds of CV’s with people’s ID numbers, dates of birth and home addresses. You don’t know me, but now I have your personal details and could probably pass a telephonic security check with all the data you so willingly provided. So be aware and protect yourself.

3. No more inspirational quotes

Save your quotes for a more appropriate platform like Instagram or Pinterest. 

4. It doesn't matter where you come from

Recent graduates often add their parents’ names and professions on their CV’s. This really isn't relevant to whether you can do the job or not so best to delete.

 5. Don’t talk about yourself too much

A brief profile overview is vital, but you need to choose your words carefully. This is a chance to tell the employer who you are and what you want in terms of your next career move. Every word must add value. Avoid personal pronouns and empty words like “very” and “really”.

6. Don’t mention irrelevant things

When applying at a law firm for a senior role I would advise not to mention your entrepreneurial endeavours. For example, if you invested in a successful mobile bagel business with a friend - don’t mention it. As commendable as such an achievement is, bear in mind that the firm is looking for a lawyer, so show them the lawyer - anything else might only confuse the hiring partner.

7. Don’t write a novel

CV’s need to be short yet meaty. No longer than 2 to 3 pages. 

• We
• Need 
• Experience
• Summarised
• In 
• Concise
• Bullet 
• Points 

8) Don’t ignore gaps of employment

Employers are becoming more open-minded when it comes to gap years and taking time off work to raise families but you have to address it. They need to know that you didn’t spend a year or two in prison. 

2012: Gap year volunteering and traveling through Cambodia

9) Don’t repeat yourself, refrain from reiterating the same points

Make sure every word counts, needs to be there and adds value. 

10) Don’t be boring

Mentioning your hobbies won’t secure you an interview but it will give an indication of who you are and it might help spark a friendly chat during the interview. “Oh I see you enjoy cycling, I am actually doing the Argus next week” and suddenly you have found something you have in common with the hiring manager and conversation can flow helping you to build rapport. 

11) Don’t waste space talking about others 

References take up a lot of valuable space. My advice would be to add the following line at the end of your CV:

References: available on request. 

12) Don’t stay off the grid

Make sure your detailed CV is on LinkedIn too so recruiters and employers can find your profile when using certain keywords like “litigation” or “intellectual property prosecution”. It’s a great way to find new opportunities without actively looking. 

This is my preferred layout of a CV but there is no rule to it:

• Personal Info
• Profile Summary
• Key Achievements
• Work experience (most recent first)
• Education experience
• Skills
• Hobbies 
• References

This article is written for the South African legal market but would be helpful for anyone setting out to write their CV.