When it comes to writing your CV, it’s important to make sure that your grammar is up to scratch. A recent study from Undercover Recruiter found that 59 per cent of recruiters reject a CV due to bad spelling or grammar.
That’s a shame, because the most effective way to get your CV noticed is by making sure that it’s flawless. And with this in mind, we’ve rounded up five tips that will help you avoid the most common grammatical mistakes and help your CV shine.
1. Avoid gramatical articles
Articles (the, a, an) tend to crowd sentences and don’t clarify meaning — making it difficult for potential employers to understand what you’re saying. Instead, use simple, clear language like’retrained’ for’retained’ or’monitored’ for’managed’.
2. Use the active voice as much as possible
The active voice makes it easy for recruiters to read your CV and gives it a more impactful tone. Passive voice, on the other hand, is hard to read and can alter the meaning of your words slightly.
3. Focus on your key achievements
Your CV is the ideal opportunity to highlight the most significant and relevant skills you have to offer a prospective employer. And the best way to do this is by providing examples from your own life, rather than from school or university.
4. Don’t use self-congratulatory language or boast too much
You want your CV to be as professional and polished as possible, so don’t feel the need to over-do it when it comes to describing your achievements. However, if you do choose to share your achievements in the form of anecdotes or examples, be sure to quantify them and provide other relevant numbers or statistics to support the claims that you’re making.
5. Be specific with your accomplishments
A good CV should include a comprehensive and organized list of your professional accomplishments from college to present. It should include education, job positions, training experiences, awards, publications, presentations, grants, and scientific techniques.
6. Keep your cv short and to the point
A CV should be no longer than one page, says Robert Palazzo, professor of biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. It should also be easy to navigate, he adds. It should feature your last name, a page number at the top of each page, and a list of current professional references–typically three and possibly more–with their current contact information.
7. Put your most recent experience first
The most recent section of your CV is where a potential employer will see the most recent employment and achievements. It’s essential that you give enough detail to explain why you were in the role and what your responsibilities were.
8. Don’t waste space with abbreviations
Using industry terms can save you time but make sure they’re clear and accurate. If you’re unsure, ask an expert for guidance before writing your CV.
9. Use the most appropriate type of CV
You need to decide whether you’re applying for a chronological, skills-based or academic CV. Each will have different requirements and benefits, so it’s important to ensure that you create a CV that’s tailored to your circumstances.
