I get sent an incredible number of CVs. I like to think it’s because word has spread that I’m fabulous to work with, but I suspect it might have something to do with the fact that I work at a really nice company, in a growing department and am often advertising for new people.
I’ve been hiring people for over 15 years, and the bit that still freaks me out the most? The sheer quantity of CVs I’m prepared to discard after 10 seconds. Because when you’ve got over 100 CVs for one job (as we frequently do), you’ve got to get brutal. You don’t have time to ponder each CV in detail, so you learn to do a first cull.
Which CVs do I ditch right up front?
1. Those with typos or grammar mistakes. I’m generally hiring words people, so that’s really important for me, but I know a lot of other managers, hiring other disciplines, who also employ this as a ‘first cull’ rule. It’s just sloppy, and why spend any more time on someone who has already established their lack of attention to detail?
2. Ones covered in Word Art. Because its not 1997 and I am not your mother, looking for cute stuff to stick on the fridge.
3. CVs with no reference to references. It dead-ends the whole inquiry, so why continue?
4. Those in technicolour. So far, without exception, the CVs I have received designed in colour have been frightening and garish. Sure, you stand out in the crowd, but in a desperate, not good way. I’m sure it’s different for more design-minded people, but this is certainly true for me.
5. CVs containing poetry. Yes, people really do and yes, they really, really shouldn’t.
6. Ones whining about your current job. If you put down your Reason for Leaving as ‘my boss was really horrible’, I’m going to throw away your CV. Not because your boss isn’t indeed horrible (and remember, managers in the same industry often know each other), but it is such a burn-that-bridge, short-sighted thing to say, and I don’t want a silly person on my team.
7. A CV containing your school marks. Unless you are applying fresh out of school, including your school marks makes it look like you peaked in high school. And that’s scary.
I keep CVs that come in:
1. As a small Word doc (under 3 pages, no images other than – at a push – a small passport sized photo)
2. Standardised structure: Personal details, jobs in descending order followed by references
3. With a short covering email, tailored to the specific job.
It’s that simple.
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