Very Important Personnel has created it’s very own Room 101 for Recruiters.
Call it a list of constructive criticism, or just me having a mid-week moan, either way I’m convinced I’m not the only recruiter that encounters these irritations on a daily basis.
There is nothing more rewarding as a recruitment consultant than to proudly advise one of your candidates that they got the job! Of course, like most things, you have to take the good with the bad.
The recruitment scene is forever changing, but some things never change…
Spelling Errors, Typos, and Poor Grammar
There are no excuses for spelling errors on CV’s, we’ve surely all heard of spell check, right? One of the most commonly words I find miss-spelled on CV’s is ‘Liaised’.
There are other commonly found mistakes such as consistency in past/ present tense. I wish people would make their minds up if they are still doing the job or if they are telling me about a job they have now left.
Dates of Employment
Now we don’t expect a lot here, just simply the month and year you started and ceased employment. It still amazes me how people can get this so wrong through lack of attention to detail. Also, June is spelled ‘June’ NOT ‘Jun’. This has to be one of my main pet hates, it just looks plain lazy. PLEASE can we start typing the whole word?!
CV Novels
The best CV’s are those which are clear, concise and informative. Employers and recruiters alike want to see bullet-pointed sections to your CV. This makes a much easier read and allows the reader to quickly identify the important or relevant part on your CV. Most people will give up reading through pages of your life story, so keep it simple!
Photos on a CV
Unless you are applying for an Acting or modelling role that requires a ‘headshot,’ there is absolutely no need to include your picture. You want to be judged on the quality of your skills, experiences and employment history, not your age, hairstyle, weight or eye colour. And if you are going to do it, don’t apply for a professional role with a picture of you out on the town with a cocktail in your hand.
CVs sent in PDF Format
Unless specifically requested otherwise, CV’s should be sent as a Word Doc. Anything else like PDF, Mac file, or Zip files are utterly annoying. A recruiter simply does not have time to download and convert special files.
The old Hit and Run
This one really grates on me. If you are seeking work, please be mindful that your future employer or recruiter my need to speak with you. Don’t apply for a job and then not answer your phone or reply to emails.
Another example of the hit and run scenario: When you receive an application from a candidate but when you call them, they aren’t looking for work anymore!
I am, I have, I like, I, I do…
Upon opening a CV, a personal profile is normally the first thing to be read by a recruiter. We already know who the CV is about so please refrain from using so many I’s.
Another peeve of mine is how people think its ok to talk about themselves in third person. “Jimmy is an enthusiastic and hard-working individual, he enjoys…He is…” To me, this just sounds like someone else wrote Jimmy’s CV.
These things are not major dramas by any means but something that all Recruitment Consultants have in common I’m sure.
So… What would you throw into Room 101 for Recruiters’?
For ways to impress your future boss, click here