According to employers there are plenty of CV mistakes that Construction and Built Environment Professionals (Hardhat Professionals) make, they don’t seem like a big deal at the time, but can majorly diminish the chances of getting the job. Here are just a few of the most common CV mistakes according to employers in the Construction and Built Environment (Hardhat) industries.
1. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar
A lack of attention to detail could outweigh your otherwise perfect CV. Spell-check doesn’t always spot errors and is unable to detect misuse of incorrect words, such as ‘diary’ being mistakenly spelt as ‘dairy’, so it's always worth asking a fresh pair of eyes to look over and find any last typos for you.
Grammar can be tweaked by reading your CV aloud – if it doesn’t sound correct, it's likely that it won’t read very well either.
2. Focusing on duties rather than achievements
Draw attention to your accomplishments rather than reeling off your job description. Think of the specific value you contributed in your current and previous roles. Not all roles have measurable KPI’s, but think of the reasons and examples on how you made an impact and what you can bring to your new employer.
3.Using clichés
Using terms such as “good communicator;” “can-do-attitude” and “team player” without substantiating them with facts or examples will add very little (if any) value and whoever is reading your CV will just tune out. Snap out of using jargon and highlight specific key skills backed up with valid examples to give your CV credibility.
4. Incorrect information
Dates which don’t match up, incorrect personal information and blatant tell tales will only leave you stumbling for words when your recruiter or potential employer catches you out. However, you may not even reach face-to-face contact if you’ve written down the incorrect phone number or email address, so make sure you check everything.
5. Poor format
Your CV should not be a piece of art. A sophisticated font, such as Arial or Times New Roman on a clean design is all you need. Make sure it’s easy to read on screen and saved as a recognized file which can be opened as an email attachment, such as a Word doc or PDF.
When we receive large volumes of CVs, poorly presented ones are often very quickly discounted. Formatting portrays written communication skills, technological competency, attention to detail and your level of professionalism. It is key to have a well formatted CV.
6. Job-hopping and employment gaps
Job-hopping and unemployment gaps can be viewed negatively. However, quite often these are periods where you’ve learned and developed key transferable skills. Grouping similar roles under headings such as ‘freelance’ or ‘contract work’ and stating long periods of travel is far better than leaving blanks. Leaving it up to the employer to guess your situation could result in less flattering conclusions and ultimately have your CV thrown into the rejection pile.
Your CV is the first point of contact you make with a potential employer, use these tips to make that first impression to be a strong, clear demonstration of just how awesome you are at what you do.
These CAREERTIPS were compiled with the input from employers in the Construction and Built Environment industries .
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