CV Review & Assessment

Is it easy to use as an interview document? Is the information under the right section and is it all in one place? Some CVs have two ‘personal details’ sections, one at the beginning and one at the end. This immediately begs the question of what is this person trying to hide: his/her age? The interviewer doesn’t want to flick over pages all the time or be faced with having seen something but then be unable to find it again. Logical ordering of information is absolutely essential. If you are worried about your age then ensure that your maturity shines through.

Does your CV include active words? What are you saying about yourself? Are you clearly identifying how you use your skills within your CV? Does your CV go below the surface and indicate how you use the skill, in what context, why you feel you are a master at what you do, when you have made a significant contribution and who benefited from it?

Does your CV contain irrelevant information? Most CVs do in fact have irrelevant information, partly because the candidate has lost the plot. He/she has got caught up in his/her own sense of brilliance and lost the ability to sell him/herself. Don’t you think that the employer is more interested in your unique selling point rather than your latest family holiday, house extension or reading taste? There is a fine balance between selling and telling. Have you got the balance right?

How well does the CV reflect your personality? Including your personality in your CV will enhance your chances of success. What have you said about yourself on your CV? Have you been bold enough to tell the prospective employer about your key qualities?

Is the CV geared towards the job target or field of work? Does your CV reflect your business profile, image and salary level? If you are after a £100K job your CV needs to be written in a different style than for a £40K job. Are you satisfied with your career to date? Have you reflected your career potential? Have you sold yourself as an expert within your field of work?