There is so much critical information to include on a CV and so little space to include it. Your CV creates the first impression a potential employer will have on you, so you want to use all available space to promote your assets and exemplify your suitability for a role.
And yet, so many candidates waste space on their CV by including unnecessary, and potentially off-putting, information on it.
Here are 5 often included, but so unneeded, things candidates include on their CV.
1. DATE OF BIRTH
How many years old you are doesn’t matter. What matters is your years of experience, and how you apply the knowledge you have learned from it.
A date is only a small amount of information, but every line counts and your date of birth is irrelevant to your ability to do the job. The only time age should matter is if a candidate was legally too young to work the hours a job required.
2. PHOTOGRAPH
Depending on how you format your CV, this may not take up that much space, but your appearance is still irrelevant to your ability to do the job.
Some candidates opt to include a professional profile picture on their CV as they feel it helps increase their optimisation and professionalism; however, a picture does not say a thousand words on a CV.
NEVER include a selfie or casual photograph!
3. HOBBIES SECTION
Many online CV templates still encourage candidates to include a hobbies section. Truthfully, employers want to ascertain an applicant’s suitability quickly; therefore, if a hobby doesn’t reinforce this, don’t include it.
For example, if a candidate was applying for a design job and wanted to describe how their photography or art hobby had enhanced certain skills, fair enough. If a candidate was applying for a role as an accountant, it’s not so relevant.
Volunteering, on the other hand, will help to enhance a CV and signifies a strong work ethic.
4. FULL ADDRESS
Your full address is not required on a CV, but often what doesn’t get included is a candidate’s willingness to work in certain areas or if they are prepared to relocate for a role.
This can be quite frustrating for employers as they can receive successful applications but be unsure if the applicant has acknowledged where the role is based if they are located massively out of area.
5. REFERENCES
Supplying contact details for your references is part of the application process for most jobs. However, there is no need to include the full contact details of your referees on your CV.
Instead, save space and simply write “references are available upon request”.
Typically, employers will not request or require a reference for an applicant until the later stages of the application process.