Expert advice: What not to put in your CV
Make your CV appealing and avoid making mistakes that could result in you not scoring an interview. Take a look at these tips from Brenda Bensted-Smith, CEO of AdTalent.
Looking to secure a new job in 2018? Your curriculum vitae is the first step in attracting your potential employer. It can either score you an interview or put the employer off.
We spoke to Brenda Bensted-Smith, CEO of AdTalent, about some of the things one should not put in a CV.
Don't make the mistake of giving out unnecessarily long details
"The fact that you swam the Midmar Mile in 1986 is a no-no, but that you won the Employee of the Year award in your present position – yes. Only mention achievements that are recent and relevant," says Brenda.
"Don’t get too detailed about school, especially if you have an extensive work history. Memberships and professional affiliations – only if they are relevant," adds Brenda.
Do not lie
Some people lie about their qualifications and salaries to get a job.
In 2015, the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) said it encountered a significant number of false-qualification fraud cases.
“Our own RefCheck data shows qualifications fraud is the biggest HR fraud concern. A quarter of all matric certificates cannot be confirmed by us. One in 15 tertiary qualifications could not be confirmed due to invalid data, incomplete courses or no record of the candidate. A third of all global qualifications checked through RefCheck Advanced could not be verified,” Rudi Kruger, LexisNexis’ GRC division GM told Business Tech.
No matter how bad you want the job, don't lie! Lies will only get you into trouble in the long run.
A compromising photo of yourself
If you want to put a photo of yourself in your CV, put one that looks decent. Putting a half-naked photo of yourself is a no-no. It can send the wrong message about you and may cause potential employers not to take you seriously.
Your hobbies
Unless your hobbies will add value to your job, rather leave them out. Your employer doesn't really care about what you do in your spare time.
Don't put a list of references
"Simply state that these are available on request. Make sure your referees are happy to be contacted. These references should be current," concludes Brenda.
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