CV Help - (Writing a CV) Common CV error - number six. Gimmicks/unusual layouts

 Common CV error - number six.

 

Unusual CV layouts are not usually welcome by recruiters and it's  a common CV error to try to make your CV stand-out by including unusual formatting, colours, fonts and layouts.


Keeping the “20 second window of opportunity” that your CV has to considered further, any move away from a clear, concise and well written format could well consign your CV to the bin.


Recruiters want to be able to extract the maximum amount of worthwhile information about you in the shortest possible time and anything that prevents this is destined to fail.

 

Unless you are applying for a position that is design based, there is no advantage to move away from accepted formats. Even if you are a graphic designer, your CV may well be read by someone from HR who will typically deal with a host of applications for all sectors of the business and may well have little or no specialist knowledge about graphic design.

 

A well written CV that contains all of the key points demonstrating and proving what you can offer, can be read successfully by anyone and easily understood. An esoteric, design heavy CV has a potentially limited appeal to a narrow sector – which one stands the most chance of success?

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