In todayโs job market, a strong CV is essentialโbut many candidates include unnecessary details that dilute their impact. We are aware of the must-add details, but do you know what not to include in your CV?
Guy Thornton, founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, explains: โRecruiters are inundated with CVs, so itโs essential that yours stands out. An average employer looks at a CV for around 6โ7 seconds, so every line should count.โ
Thornton shares which common CV elements to remove, helping you make a stronger impression from the start.
What not to include in your CV
1. Don’t include a picture in your CV
โOne of the biggest mistakes people make when submitting their CVs to employers is including a picture of themselves.
โIn the UK, itโs illegal to favour candidates due to their age, gender, or ethnicity. Including a picture can lead to unconscious bias and potentially diminish your chances of getting the job altogether.
โThe focus of your CV should be on your skills, not your appearance. The last thing you want is for attention to be drawn away from your qualifications or experience, so avoid including pictures in your application.
โThat said, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, for acting and modelling positions, a photo may be appropriate.โ
2. Irrelevant skills
โFor each of your past positions, you should tailor the responsibilities and skills listed to be most relevant to the job you are applying for.
โFor instance, if you are applying to be a receptionist, you donโt need to elaborate on how great you were at waiting tables at a restaurant.
โInstead, highlight expertise you acquired from that role, such as excellent customer service, problem-solving, and communication skills.
โAfter all, the hiring manager wants to know why youโd be great for this role.โ
3. Don’t include references in your CV
โWhile references are important, most employers look at them later in the hiring process, so they donโt need to take up space on your CV.
โSimply writing โReferences are available upon requestโ at the bottom shows the employer you have them and are willing to provide them, should you move forward to the next stages.โ
4. Unnecessary personal information
“Information about your date of birth and marital status is irrelevant to the hiring process and should be left off your CV.
โHobbies and interests can be a good way for a potential employer to get to know you. However, these are typically addressed later in the application process, such as during an interview.
โIf you do include them, keep them brief and focus on transferable skills and experiences that relate to the role.โ
5. Overly elaborate language
โYour CV shouldnโt be an essay. Hiring managers should be able to look at your CV and quickly identify the most important aspects of who you are and what you have to offer.
โKeeping your language succinct and to the point means the employer doesnโt have to waste time deciphering it, which may lead them to favour you over other applicants.
โIf youโre struggling to simplify the language on your CV, examine each sentence carefully and see if you can convey the same point by removing unnecessary words.โ
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