As a business leader, I see so many CVs. This is what I look for – and what I detest
If you have a question for Helena Morrissey about workplace etiquette, career advancement or work-life balance, please email helena.morrissey@telegraph.co.uk
I get to see a great many CVs – both through hiring at the different companies I work with, and when people ask for help when looking for a new role.
Some are just starting out, others are seasoned professionals looking for a senior position or fresh start; inevitably their CVs are very different. But I’ve also found that applications for the same job can differ wildly. Even when working with similar raw material, some candidates hit the nail on the head, while others submit CVs that cost them an interview.
There is no shortage of online tutorials on how to write a CV, but some over-complicate things – and you need to check the provenance: what works in America does not necessarily work here.
A headshot photo on your CV is quite standard in the US, for example, but a definite “no” in Britain (unless you are an actor, model or applying for a TV presenter role).
It’s not merely a matter of etiquette or tradition: recruiters worry about the risk of perceived discrimination, either positive or negative, if you include a photo. Gimmicks like pie-charts showing “How I spend my time” or lists of “My proudest moments” are also ill-advised in the UK.
CV-Library is worth checking out. It has a free CV builder tool, blogs about common mistakes and guidance for specific situations – for example, if you’re writing a CV as a teenager, which will be short on career experience but can be long on skills, interests and personality.
Whatever your situation, remember that the person reading your CV has usually never met you. Will they “get” you from what’s on the page? And will they want to hire you?
Make it as easy as possible for them. Read the job description and any guidance for applications carefully and research the company.
Organise the material. I like a personal statement at the top (just a paragraph or two), followed by career experience listed chronologically, starting with your most recent role and working back.
Educational qualifications are next, then skills pertinent to the role and, finally, a section to capture any other relevant experiences and interests.
As you consider what to include, do not be shy. You are in a competitive field and must communicate what you would bring to the table. That opening paragraph might include how you’d describe yourself professionally, your greatest achievements and what motivates you. I was conducting some recent interviews and my co-interviewer suggested asking each candidate, “If we don’t hire you what will we be missing out on?”. It was a great way of finding out what each person thought of as their greatest strength.
In today’s world, we also need to be conscious of assumptions people may draw. A young man once asked for my help; he had graduated top of his class studying maths at a prestigious university, and yet could not get a single job interview. I could immediately see the problem from his CV. He had been privately educated at a top public school on a full bursary.
His background wasn’t privileged, but his CV read as if everything had been handed to him on a plate. When I told him to make it clear he had been on a 100pc bursary through an academic scholarship, he was reluctant, saying “I don’t want to play that card”. But he agreed to experiment with that version, was invited for interview and got the very next job he applied for.
It’s madness that he wasn’t more successful before he “played that card” – and I’ve previously spoken about young men getting left behind in the battle of the sexes.
I’m also often asked about how to “stand out”. I’d advise a degree of caution when it comes to your CV – you’ll hopefully have the opportunity to show your personality at the interview. Hobbies and interests are another area where less is often more. Include them if they indicate transferrable skills – for example, playing a team sport shows you’re a team player, and if you’re captain that’s evidence of leadership skills, too. List languages, since they can be useful in many contexts. But if you’re in mid-life, go easy on the ancient history of your school days – it’s really not relevant today.
With all that in mind, you will be well on your way to writing a polished, clear CV.
A few basic ‘dos and don’ts’ to ensure you put best foot forward:
DO be 100pc truthful. Any exaggeration of qualifications, or inflation of past job titles or pay will likely be discovered in a world where employers run multiple checks.
DO run a spelling and grammar check. A US survey suggests 77pc of employers disregard CVs with even a single spelling mistake – their loss perhaps, as it’s easy to slip up and spelling is not the most important thing, but it does suggest a lack of attention to detail.
DO tailor your CV. Every job opportunity is distinct. A generic CV – even with a cover letter – just won’t convey the right level of conviction that you are perfect for this particular role. Since I went “plural”, building a portfolio of non-executive positions, I’ve kept my CV up-to-date as the most exciting opportunities can come out of the blue. But I will always tailor it to emphasise experiences and skills most suited to a potential role, based on my understanding of what they are looking for.
DO give evidence. Describe the impact of things you have done. Ideally, quantify your achievements; “I drove efficiencies that led to a 12pc annualised cost saving for the department”, for example.
DO be succinct. Convoluted verbiage is distracting. But much of the online advice is overly strict, often insisting on a single page. When reading CVs, I value clarity over brevity. Your CV must be comprehensive, while not delving into the dim, distant or irrelevant past. Of course, if you are applying for your first or second job, it’s unlikely to stretch beyond a page; if you are in your fifties it would be unusual to be able to cover it in much less than two (but do stop there).
DO use professional fonts and clear headings. If it’s too challenging to read, many potential employers simply won’t bother.
DON’T use acronyms. As above – many simply won’t take the time to decode what you’ve written.
DON’T leave unexplained career gaps. It’s fine to take time out, but be explicit about it, for example: “May 2018-December 2020: career break to care for elderly parents”. And if you’ve already left your most recent role, clarify when and why. I’ve discovered during an interview that a candidate left their last job six months previously – but their CV suggested they were still employed. It’s an unhelpful diversion trying to work out what’s happened.
DON’T use clichés. Think words like “passionate”, “creative” or “thought leader”. Be as specific as possible, including when talking about soft skills. Communication skills tend to be highly prized – but give examples if you can.
And, of course, include your contact details at the bottom – email, mobile, LinkedIn and any other professional social media handles. Do not include your personal address.
“References available upon request” is the best way to indicate there are people willing to vouch for you. You don’t need to specify them at this stage.
Companies will often indicate what “type” of referee they need once you reach the offer stage – perhaps someone who has seen you in a leadership position, or worked with you in a team.
Finally, when you think you’ve summarised the best version of yourself on paper, give the draft to family or friends to review: you are trying to explain yourself to a stranger and they are going to be able to judge that better than you.
And then, good luck!
