When it comes to CV or resume writing, presentation is everything. CVs and resumes with spelling, grammar and other errors can be looked down on, which can make you come across as a poor candidate and have you eliminated from the recruitment process. So, how do you ensure you present yourself well, with an error-free CV? Here are our 5 tips to create an error-free CV/resume…
1. Don’t rush
Take the time needed to get your CV into the best form. Don’t rush to produce a document just because you saw the perfect job advertised online. Write and rewrite, and then edit and proofread until you get it right.
2. Get someone else to proofread it for you
Sometimes it’s hard to see our own errors and that’s when we need someone else’s view. So many times, we see the typos in other people’s work, but we never see it in ours. That’s why many publishers have writers and editors. The editors check for consistency, tone of message, and more importantly, for errors in grammar and spelling.
So, send your CV to friends or family members to check it for you. If they have keen eye for details, they will catch any errors you missed.
3. Hire a CV writer
Hiring a CV writer may be the best thing to ensure you have an error-free CV, cover letter or LinkedIn profile information. CV and resume writers are not only professional editors, but they also know the recruitment and HR industries very well. Many of them have worked in these fields in the past. They will write your CV in a way that appeals to hiring managers and gets you the interviews.
4. Check dates and contact details
Ensure you provide the correct contact details, and the correct dates for employment and education. Sometimes it’s easy to miss a digit.
5. Understand the latest technologies and requirements
Technology has transformed our societies in modern times, so it’s best to check how technology changed CV writing and formats. Many recruiters and hiring managers now use software to read the documents they receive. This software known as the applicant tracking system (ATS) scans submitted documents to ensure they meet job requirements.
It’s therefore important to ensure your CV is tailored accordingly, so it passes the scanning test. There are some things to avoid, photos for an example. Read this earlier post to understand it better.
If you would like us to review your CV/resume (for free), to see how well you presented your experience, send it to us here. Please give us up to 5 working days to complete your review.