What NOT to include in your CV

We have all got used to ‘information overload’ over the last few years but in the case of your CV, it is important to focus on relevant work and business experience and keep away from non-essential information.  Our top tips for ‘what not to include’ and keep your CV to two A4 pages are to:

  1. Avoid using the phrase “Curriculum Vitae" – it will be obvious to the recruiter what the document is, instead use the valuable space and use your name and contact details as the title.  Include your email details and try to use a ‘business like’ email address, a fun / jolly one can convey the wrong impression.
  2. Avoid negative, humour and non-essential details – keep it formal and positive and avoid using obscure abbreviations or jargon and for most roles it’s not necessary to include information on date of birth, height, weight, state of health, children, religious or political beliefs 
  3. Avoid too much information - keep details of earlier jobs in your career i.e. over 10 years old to a minimum, don’t include reasons for leaving or your salary (this can be included in your covering letter or at interview stage) and only include your ‘interests’ if they are relevant to the role
  4. Take out incomplete or misleading information – if mentioning a degree include the subject and result and don’t include details of qualifications that are now out of date or irrelevant.  There is also no need to include with your CV copies of references or certificates, though these are useful to take to interview.
  5. Take out references – state that they are available upon request, that way you can brief your referees carefully about who they may be talking to, and what the potential job is all about 

Overall, keep it simple and professional!