CV Writing. Things To Leave Off Your CV.

CV Writing. Things To Leave Off Your CV.
When it comes to CVs, first impressions count. The usual advice about a 3-page CV or a shorter CV is a good starting point, but many Kenyans often struggle to distill their career down on paper. So, the next question often is: what should you leave out to make sure your CV is eye catching enough for you to proceed the next stage?

Here are the top things to leave off your CV:

1.‘Curriculum Vitae’ or ‘CV’ – It’s as unnecessary as putting ‘This is a piece of a paper’ at the top of a piece of paper. Writing CV doesn’t add value, I cant ask for a CV and you send me a report.

2.The word ‘Résumé’ – You might think it sounds posher or more international– but don’t use it unless you’re applying for a job in the US. Here in Kenya use the word CV!! by the way, Resume means a simplified CV, maximum of two pages. CV can be as long as ten pages.

3.Photo – What you look like has no bearing on how well you can do most jobs. Chef’s and models and airline staff exempted.

4.Current work phone/email address – Provide your personal email and mobile phone number as your contact details.

5.Having your ID Number or passport– Not relevant…Driving license too (Unless you’re applying for a driving job, ama?

6.Nationality – is there a need to say you’re Kenyan if its a local job?.

7.Religion – As above, although you aren’t obliged to reveal this at any stage of the recruitment process.

8.Details of your children –Don’t say, married with two kids! They’re hiring you, not your entire family.

9.Reason for leaving your last company – It looks like you’re making excuses.

10.List of subjects/degree modules – Unless you’re a school leaver or are applying for an internship role, you should write the number of exams you passed like this: CPA PART 2. Most employers won’t understand specific module titles – only include them if they are relevant to the job spec. So don’t go on breaking down all the course units that you took.

11.Waffle – Don’t waste space with unnecessary or repeated information. To put it another way, it is very easy, indeed too easy, to include sentences or paragraphs that tell the reader little or nothing of value. One example of such waffle could be: “I am a motivated, outgoing self-starter who is able to work on my own or as part of a team who is an excellent timekeeper with people skills”.

12.Hobbies such as reading, walking or watching movies – How do these universal activities make you unique? You might as well write sleeping or breathing. Check your CV now and write sensible mature hobbies!

Just like packing your suitcase to go on holiday, CV writing is a process of elimination. It will definitely take you a few iterations to get rid of all the unnecessary baggage.