What Not To Include In Your CV: 6 Tips From The Experts

Here are 6 tips from experts on what not to include in your CV. Your CV can make or break your job search. It is often the first communication you have with potential employers. So, your CV needs to be pretty much perfect before it lands in their hands.

If you’re wondering what not to write on that important document here’s a quick guide based on what the experts think:

1. Leave out anything negative

The Caterer Jobs site recommends not including any information that could be perceived as negative. Even if you just want to be brutally honest. This includes: ‘failed exams, divorces, failed business ventures, reasons for leaving a job, points on your driving license.’ They confirm that you’re not lying, but this information doesn’t need to be out in the open if it isn’t going to affect your application.

2. Don’t include any personal details

Senior Careers Consultant at the University of Warwick, Claire Leslie, recommends you leave any personal information that could sub consciously jeopardise your application. She said: “You should not include a date of birth or any other details which could lead to discrimination (such as ethnicity).”

3. Don’t copy and paste

It’s immediately obvious to an employer when you’ve simply copied and pasted elements from your CV into an application. Your CV should be tailored to the job role you are applying for.  You want a potential employer to recognise that you took time over your CV. This will immediately put you in a positive light.

4. Avoid clichés

John Lees, career coach and author of nine careers books, said: “Too many profiles are badly written and full of empty adjectives and clichés. Phrases like ‘self motivated’ and ‘team player’ simply suggest you have nothing special or different to offer. Don’t try to impress by claiming things that employers take for granted in good recruits such as ‘hard worker’ or ‘punctual’. Focus on particular skills rather than making sweeping statements that suggest perfection, and don’t make bigger claims than your evidence allows.”

5. Don’t put reasons for leaving a previous or current job

Corinne Mills, a career coach and author, wrote in the Telegraph: “Don’t put a ‘reason for leaving’ on your employment history, and list dates by month so that prospective employers can’t see exactly when you left a job.”

This information is simply not required. Showcase your experience and skills and an employer will want to find out more. “You can often read between the lines as to what an employee’s experience was like… the good jobs are described with positive energy while the bad jobs tend to sound very functional,” Mills confirmed. Therefore, write positively about each one, even if you had a bad experience.

6. Spelling and grammar errors

This one needs no expert to back it up, spelling and grammar might not win your brownie points but it can quickly deduct marks while that potential employer is browsing your CV! Hit spell check and be certain everything is in order for hitting send.