Tips for Graduate Jobs: Top CV mistakes

Whether you're looking for graduate jobs, or it's later on down the track, writing your CV can be a tricky task!

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Vagueness. If something doesn't include a fact, then leave it out. Be specific and accurate, don't waffle on, or make flowery statements.
2. Too much emphasis on job duties. Don't go into endless detail about what your previous jobs involved on a day to day basis. Even if you have examples that might increase your chances of graduate employment, keep them high level and be brief. Include a maximum of three to five points.
3. Clichés. Avoid clichés at all costs, like "motivated self starter", which don't really mean anything. Write as if you're telling your parents or a teacher why you'd be suitable for the job.
4. Too short or too long. Don't try to squeeze all your information on one page, or pad it out to three just to fill up the empty space. Only include information that's relevant and, if possible, try not to go over three pages.
5. Avoid using the first person. Avoid using personal pronouns and articles. Rather than saying, "I developed a new product" say, "Developed a new product". This is a business communication, so you need to write it that way.
6. Listing irrelevant information. Don't include anything that doesn't relate to the job. For instance, you might love surfing on the weekends but don't bother including it unless it relates to the job or highlights your suitability for the firm's culture.
7. Typos. Always, always check your CV for typos and bad grammar. Ask someone you trust to check over it, just in case.
8. Poor formatting. Always make your CV look good! Great formatting goes a long way.
9. Not discussing the job at hand. Is your CV is customised to the job you're applying for? Don't make it a generic, catch-all document.