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Remove These 9 Unnecessary Things From Your CV Today!

In a competitive job market, an open position attracts 250 applicants.

95% of companies use the ATS system to filter the less qualified candidates.

If your CV is well customized, then you will be lucky to be in the 25% pile of those that manage to go through the software, the employer will have to go through your CV still.

With many applications flooding in their inboxes, the employer uses the minimum time to decide which applications will proceed to the next level.

When your CV is going through a six-second test, it is essential to exclude the information that will prevent the employer from seeing the true qualifications.

But how do you decide what to remove in your CV to prevent it from the trash heap?

Here is a checklist of 9 things:

1. Objective Statement

Most job hunters use personal statements. This is a waste of space. Replace it with a career objective that shows your elevator speech.  It should be approximately 3–5 lines to explain why you are fit for the position.

2. Unprofessional Email

Avoid email addresses that are offensive in nature. When creating an email address, incorporate your name the way it appears in your CV and credentials.

3. Irrelevant Social Media Profiles

Do not include in your CV social media accounts that have unprofessional content which does not support your current job goals. If asked to include a URL to a social media account, ensure that it reflects your brand and demonstrates why you’re qualified for the job If you work in a creative field, have an online portfolio that will allow the employer to access your site.

4. Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Spelling errors are the number one mistake that will cost you the job. Have professional CV writers proofread your CV or print out in different font, read it aloud or ask a friend to check grammatical errors.

5. Personal Details

Do not include your marital status in your CV, NHIF number, ID number, or your gender. If the information does not demonstrate your qualifications for the role, it doesn’t belong to your CV.

6. Headshot

Unless you are asked to include or your professional needs a professional headshot, you should not include that in your CV. Your headshot reveals some elements which might lead to discrimination. Employers assume that applicants who include their headshots to be egocentric. Embedded images may appeal to the eyes of human beings but it will make your CV omitted by the software. Save these elements of your creativity for your online portfolio.

7. Pronouns

You should refrain from referring to yourself using your name or personal pronouns, for example, me, I, he, or Dan. Ensure that you use the correct tense when writing your previous roles.

8. Too Much of the Past

If you are new in the workplace, it is not necessary to include references from high school. After working for some time, you can include referees from your former employment. Ensure that they are aware so that if they are contacted, they will speak well about you.

9. Salary History

Including previous and expected salaries is not a great job-search strategy. This information should only be included if asked to do so. Do yourself a favor and do not include this information in your CV.

Conclusion

Now that you know what not to include in your CV, go through your CV and ensure that it has the right information that will sell you to the potential employer and market your qualifications.

Want to make your CV appealing to the eyes of the employer?

Consult Our Professional CV Writers For A Free CV Review Today!

24 Comments

  2. Hi Bony,we are glad to hear that from you. You are free to as any inquiry pertaining job search, interview, re-inventing career, CV writing, training or any issue that you need to succeed in your career.

  10. It has taken me over 4 years to polish my CV because I never had any expert to advise, but since I subscribed to Corporate staffing bulletin, my CV has greatly improved and become better.Thanks to their daily CV writing tips

  13. Hi Abby, thanks for your inquiry. Personal details, it is supposed to be DO NOT include personal information like marital status, ID number, ID number…etc…Second question, Refrain from using pronouns. Examples, do not say I managed a team of 5 sales reps, I administered successful project, or Abigael managed 5 sales reps, instead, use managed 5 sales reps, administered a project t completion etc..

  14. Just a couple of clarifications, please:
    #5. Personal Details
    Do include your marital status in your CV, NHIF number, ID number, or your gender.
    Are you advising that I should include those details?
    #7. Pronouns
    You should refrain from referring to yourself using your name or personal pronouns, for example, me, I, he, or Dan.
    So how should I refer to myself?
    Thanks in advance for clarifying those two.

  15. Hi Clinton, thank your for your inquiry. Tailoring your CV involves customizing your CV to fit a certain job description. Different jobs requires different skills and experience, therefore you will have to go through the JD, pick the relevant keywords and include in your CV. Irrelevant information can be eliminated. For free CV review, send to cvwriting@corporatestaffing.co.ke.

  17. Thanks for your directive I will update my CV as early as now. Should cv be updated only with relevant information about the job being applied or it remains the same

  19. Hi Sammy, there is no problem with that. As long as they have had an impact in your career path and can speak good of you incase they are contacted by the employer.

  21. Informative article.Is it good to use referees who all speak your mothertongue for example otieno,odhiambo,ochieng

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