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When you’re applying for teaching jobs or other TA roles, crafting the perfect CV can be your ticket to an interview and, potentially, your dream job.
But CVs are difficult things to put together and sometimes, it’s hard to determine what to include and what to leave off.
So, to help you, we’ve created a list of five things to leave off your CV and why. Read on to find out more.
Hobbies and interests
This one entirely depends on what you’re applying for and the kind of culture the company creates amongst its employees. Whilst a recruiter or manager will want to know about the side of you that isn’t work-focused, telling them about extensive or menial hobbies may not be the most beneficial thing to include on your CV.
If your hobbies are related to the job you’re applying for, then you can include them.
A hobbies section also takes up valuable space that you could use to explain your professional experience in more detail and how you would be the best candidate for the position. Not many recruiters have the energy to read through a CV more than a couple of pages long.
Irrelevant Information
A recruiter is going to be reading a lot of CVs during their search for a new employee and it’s likely that, on the first read, they’ll be looking for keywords and relevant experience.
If you clutter up your CV with irrelevant information – like work experience you did when you were a teenager or qualifications or activities you took part in that have no relation to the job you’re applying for - your CV could just end up in the bin.
Keep things well-formatted, succinct and be ruthless with information – if you don’t think it’s relevant, don’t include it in the final document.
Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes
It might seem like something we all think about, but you would be surprised at how many CVs arrive with spelling mistakes, grammar issues or all kinds of other mistakes on them.
Not only do mistakes on your CV make it look like you haven’t spent much time on the document, but they don’t present the best image to the recruiter.
Remember, your CV will be the first impression the recruiter has of you, so it’s important to make a good one. Consider paying a professional CV writing company for assistance, or get someone to proofread it before you send it off.
You can also use the Text to Speech Tool and have it read back to you. It’s much easier to spot mistakes if you’re reading it in a new format.
Personal information
Whilst the recruiter wants to know all about you, there are some things that they’re really not interested in. You should always include your contact information and where you’re based, but you don’t need to include personal information like your date of birth, gender, height, weight, religion or political views.
Not only does it not add anything to your CV, but it could be seen as pushing the employer to pick you over another candidate because of a certain aspect of your life.
Some companies may ask for you to disclose this information on the basis of an Equal Opportunities policy, but you should only give the information if it’s requested.
False information
The number one rule – don’t lie on your CV! No matter how much you might want the position, liars always get found out and you might find yourself in a tricky situation when you’re asked to prove your non-existent skills.
With all these new insights, writing your CV will feel easier and much more natural. Give your CV an edit today. You never know what it might change in your job search.
