Ever wondered why even with your well-structured CV you are yet to get that dream job? A CV is supposed to sell your skills and expertise to the employer.
In this article we will talk about a number of words that you should consider removing from your CV as well as expert advice.
Your CV can then begin to look more professional and attract the attention of employers.
References available upon request
This is not worth mentioning. Employers will ask for your referees especially when doing background checks.
Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services, Cynthia Wangechi suggests that you put appropriate references and ensure that b you maintain contact with them
“The best thing to do is have your referees already indicated clearly just in case the employer wants to conduct a background check. You should also ensure that they can vouch for you”, she adds.
Resume, CV or curriculum vitae
When applying for a job, it’s pretty obvious that you are attaching your CV. Putting this word at the top doesn’t really add any value.
And while you are at it, it also doesn’t help much if you are using the word CV as your file name. Save your CV with your complete name so that employers will find it easily.”
Responsible for or duties included
The current job market is competitive and only those who have something unique to offer get ahead.
Indicating such phrases only goes to show that you only did what you were expected to. And this is the mistake that most Kenyan job seekers make – waste valuable space outlining what they were supposed to do.
Every job comes with its own duties, what make you stand out is how you went above and beyond what you were expected to do.
Include the achievements that you made at you previous job, showing that you are someone who is valuable at any company.
Personal data
When applying for a job, the employer is only interested in your name, phone number and email address.
So many job seekers go to the extent of wasting valuable space by adding useless details that don’t mean much to the employer like nationality, gender, marital status and so on.
Unless the employer has asked you to state your nationality, don’t give them a reason to discriminate you, although illegal, you have no idea how often it happens.
Some obvious skills
Evaline Otieno, a CV writing expert from Corporate Staffing says, “Remove obvious skills like Microsoft word, excel and other common computer application skills. These are essential skills needed for any job. By adding them you are only stating the obvious and not adding any value to your CV.”
Employers already assume that you have these skills and none of them will use them as keywords in shortlisting for any position.
Obvious skills also like communication skills also do not add anything to your CV.
Experienced
Stating things like “Experienced programme manager” or “Experienced accounting professional” are all ways that almost all job seekers use to describe themselves in a CV.
These words though they sound catchy, don’t really say anything about your experience in that field. You can be considered experienced in a particular field whether you have practiced for two months or ten years.
It is what accompanies that statement that matters. A better way to explain your experience is by going ahead and stating things like you are good with sage or any accounting software for those in the accounting industry.
Results driven
Recruitment Executive Petronilla Nyanjui says, “When shortlisting I see a lot of CVs that state that these people are result driven.” Says who? Where is the evidence to support that?
She says that replacing this phrase with events in your past job that prove your drive for results is the perfect way of winning over a potential employer.
Passionate
Employers already know that being passionate about a job is just a cliché, so why waste that space indicating it? There is no need to force interest in your CV, You can be good at what you do but are not passionate about it. Instead focus on highlighting your skills and giving relevant examples to back them up.
Team player or people person
We have all been made to believe that employers value team work above everything else. While this is true, just like other clichés there is no need indicating it in your CV.
The recruiter will not believe that you are a team player just because you have indicated it.
Instead go out of your way to stand out.
You can say something like “Launched a successful campaign that attracted over 50% funding through collaboration with the marketing and communication department.
Bottom line;
Take time to read through your CV before sending it out. Don’t just apply for the sake of applying. Ask yourself, “If I were an employer would I be the right candidate for the job?”
Not sure if your CV is attracting the right jobs? Book a session with a CV writing expert today to start securing those jobs you have been waiting for!
https://jobcenterkenya.com/9-words-phrases-you-should-delete-from-your-cv-now/
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