Ten Point CV Rant

After spending the past few months looking at awful CVs and code tests I'd like to give all the people currently looking for work a few pointers:

1) The people reading your CV don't care at all about your hobbies. Please leave out the fact that you "play football with your dad on the weekend". If you must include your hobbies make it a short set of tags not a story.

2) I really don't believe that I have to say this but: Get someone else to read your CV. Ideally someone who speaks English (replace if required) natively or near-natively.

3) Don't lie on your CV! You will be caught out during the interview.

4) Clear, short and to the point is better than rambling.

5) Personally I think a short paragraph or two works better than a bullet point hell.

6) If you are asked to do a test at home then this is your opportunity to the person reading it that you are damn good at your job. So spend the time to do it well.

7) Personally I only read up to page three. I like it when CVs stop at around that point.

8) Spell check!

9) Format it. Does not have to be great, just better than vomited alphabetti spaghetti.

10) Make sure you get your skills in the right buckets. JUnit is not a "J2EE framework".


One last thing: Recruiters: I know proof reading CVs is not really your job, but if you get a CV that is a mess of red and green squiggles then please send it back to the applicant.