Top 10 Signs You Need To Update Your CV

Top 10 Signs You Need To Update Your CV When was the last time you updated your CV? Last week, six months ago, or even a year ago? Even if you updated it recently, your CV might still be stuck in a time warp and its time to bring it forward to 2014! In the current job market, you cant afford to be sending out an out-of-date and cliché-ridden CV and expecting results its important to make yourself stand out. Worried your CV is holding you back in your job search? Watch out for these top signs your CV is in need of a total makeover! 1) You list all of your GCSEs including grades This is a really common mistake, and one which is easily avoided. While you might be really proud of your school achievements, an employer isnt going to be blown away The only time its okay to include all of your GCSEs is if youre straight out of college or university because obviously theres not an awful lot of experience you can list on your CV. But if youve been working for a period of time and are still listing every single GCSE result you got, then its time to hit that delete key rapidly. You can save valuable space on your CV 2) No Social Media links When you apply for a job, employers or recruiters will almost definitely suss you out online. Obviously you need to make sure there is nothing incriminating about you online, but its also important to save the hiring manager valuable time and present this information on your CV. If you list your social media accounts (most importantly, LinkedIn), then it shows you are transparent and have nothing to hide. It also states your understanding of the recruitment process and how you may be researched before being offered an interview. Its not fun searching through a thousand Lauren Rileys on Twitter, so save the employer the hassle, and offer up your social media accounts on your CV. 3) You include every single job youve ever had Another important sign that your CV needs updating is that you include jobs that have no relevance to the position youre applying for. If youre applying for a digital marketing role, putting on your CV that you used to pull pints at the uni student union isnt really going to give you the edge over other candidates. Dont have much paid work experience? Thats fine. An employer will be more interested in relevant extra curricular activity, work experience and internships than part time jobs that dont affect your ability to perform in the role youre applying for. 4) You say Curriculum Vitae or CV on the top of the document This might sound petty, but isnt it obvious that youre attaching your CV? The employer isnt stupid. Its completely unnecessary to include this at the top of the CV. Also, it wastes valuable space. A bit like this next point 5) You include a photo Now, unless youre applying for a TV or modelling role, chances are you dont need to include a photo on your CV. A photo takes up lots of space on a CV, is completely unnecessary and, to be honest, is a bit weird. You arent going to be judged on what you look like for a role, so use the space to boast about your accomplishments and work experience rather than sticking your face on it. 6) You use too many clichés You wouldnt believe the amount of CVs we see here at Bubble Jobs with the same old clichés filling up the page like theres no tomorrow. So youre hard working, can work alone or as part of a team and work well under pressure? Thats great. Unfortunately, that tells the employer nothing about your actual skills or experience. Most of all, these phrases dont actually mean anything! Get rid of these phrases from your CV right away, and dont let them ever creep their way back in! 7) You use an old e-mail address Remember when you were 15 and you thought that hotbabexoxo@hotmail.com was the best e-mail address ever? Well heres some news: youre not 15 anymore, you need a job and no one is going to hire you with a ridiculous e-mail address like that. It takes two minutes to set up a professional e-mail address. This should go without saying, but creating a normal e-mail address just using your name will place you in a much greater position. Also, having a dedicated job seeking e-mail will allow you to keep on top of applications in one dedicated inbox. 8) You Dont Include Accomplishments Did you increase your companys social media following Its no use listing your duties and responsibilities without stating what you actually accomplished in your previous position. Hiring manager and recruiters love numbers, so give them lots to digest (as long as theyre good!) 9) You list boring interests Interests isnt a vital section of a CV, but it might just sell you to an employer. Are you a Liverpool FC season ticket holder? Imagine if the interviewer was too! It gives you something to bond over and may, when it comes down to it, seal the deal! Does your interests section say something like fitness, reading and watching TV? SNORE! If you take part in an evening class, are part of a sports team or have an interesting hob 10) No response to applications If you still dont believe me that your CV need updating, then just look at your previous job applications. Have you been sending your CV out for months and not one person has got back to you? Then maybe its not your cover letter, or your experience, maybe its your CV? Heed my advice and give it a new year makeover before you start applying for more jobs. So there we have it, top 10 signs that your CV needs updating! Do you agree with these points, or have any of your own to include? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @BubbleJobs!