The Dirty Dozen CVs

A gallery of terrible blunders noticed in curriculum vitae received by HR Managers.

Job seekers often become their own worst enemies when it comes to writing their curriculum vitae. Some make silly mistakes or end up embarrassing themselves that reduces the value perceived from their qualifications and experience. Any of these mistakes could result in their CV becoming 'dead on arrival'.

Do ensure that you avoid these 12 when you cast your CV.

1. Include marital status and state `unmarried bachelor.' Drop this reference totally - most often, marital status does not add any value or detract from your candidature.
   
   
2. Apply for a captioned position, but the CV does not include any related work experience - will make you sound stupid. If you have the desired work experience recast your CV to bring it up front; if you don't, do not waste your time and the HR Manager's.
   
   
3. A header of `Resume' or `Curriculum Vitae' nicely centered at the top of the first page - redundant; what else can this document be?
   
   
4. Include unnecessary details like height, weight, age, etc. - none of these are relevant for deciding upon calling you for an interview.
   
   
5. Mention parents' occupations as well as those of siblings and relatives. (e.g. Brother is a senior police officer!) - Does not help position you properly; so desist from doing this.
   
   
6. Include salary requirements in the CV - `Required/Expected AED. 100,000 / year.' - can put off the HR Manager for being presumptuous. Don't forget that the salary is more or less fixed in his/her mind. Post an interview, depending on your performance, he / she may be willing to negotiate.
   
   
7. Send a 5+ page CV. In today's "rushed" world, no one has the time to read beyond a 3 page CV for someone with a lot of experience a one-pager for a fresher.
   
   
8. Send the CV on a floppy disk with a cover letter instructing the recipient on how to access it - don't be presumptuous - stick to just e-mailing or faxing the CV, which ever is sought by the prospective employer.
   
   
9. Mission statement declares: `Interested in doing many things and enhancing my job-prospects.' - the prospective employer is interested in knowing specifically what you are interested in and what you bring to the table. He / she is not interested in furthering your job prospects!
   
   
10. Mention foreign travel under `Work Experience' - can at best be a wonderful or enlightening experience.
    
    
11. Include a photo with spouse, two children, and the family dog - while it may show you to be a "family-person", it will be seen as a funny photo.
    
    
12. Handwrite the resume, thinking this is the ultimate `personal touch' to reaching the employer - the reader may find it difficult to decipher your handwriting or worse think that you do not have PC skills.
    

Be sure to avoid these terrible errors while casting your CV and dispatching to a prospective employer.