To whom it may concern, I'll make this brief and short. Funny enough I made the same set of mistakes too and trust me I paid for it dearly.

This topic is created to talk about CV's, for job interviews and other related issues I'm very sure this forum has a lot to offer.

1.5/10 times you job search it takes a miracle to come across a job description that fits your qualifications, these days job applicants are now being smart by applying for jobs they know they are not 100% eligible and luck has seem to shine on a few.

So I'll go straight to the point, I'm not an HR personnel by profession neither do I run nor work for a recruitment agency but during the short period of time i've spent in the work force I've been in the heart of two "major recruitment processes" and here are my submissions (to whom it may concern).

Your CV matters a lot

If you're connected to people in HIGH places then this gist isn't for you (apologies).

I come across CV's I don't even go through up to 2minutes on a happy day when recruiting, and even when I want to be fair by going back to those CV's I still can't push them to the next stage.

Name your CV

Some people give their CV awkward names, the name you saved that file on your phone or pc matters a lot, recruiters do not have time to start searching for Mr A's CV after a good first time review. Your CV should carry your name ex "Obi Adamu Ojo CV" this is simple enough. I've seen qualified candidates loosed on jobs due to this error.

For Christ sake, use a good format for your CV

An HR friend of mine specially picked a candidate for a job listing because of his presentation and organizational skills, ask me again? She said she loved the way the guy took his time to carefully edit and format his CV, she said for him to do this it shows he has the potential to show good presentation and organizational skills. I've seen most CV's that looks like the contents are suffocating in the A4 paper, no margins, no tables, no headers, in Nutshell those CV's portray poor presentation skills.
And it may interest you to know that most of these poorly formatted CV's have good content.

There are generic formats of writing a good CV, Google them and apply. I went through a CV and after seeing the required contents I was looking for the candidates personal details, na the bottom page I go find am just before (that candidate head get oil) I had to bring it forward and do it the right way before approving for an interview invite.

Source for Quality Contents and keywords

Content is key, just like an exam answer script there are reasons people score 100, 80, 60, 50, even 0. What you have in that CV speaks for you, as a fresh accounting graduate nobody would penalise you for having up to 2 years experience and 3 professional degrees but there are certain contents we need to see in your CV failure to have these contents the Applicant tracking software may not be friendly even if the human eye may let go most times.

Get someone to review your CV

Designing and sourcing for contents can be very tedious a job for 1 man and this may lead to error of omission or not being able to spot an obvious mistake in your CV. For this singular reason and many more you need to get good hands to review your CV either paid or free.
People may further compound your woes by giving you conflicting theories don't worry about that at that point in time you would have gained more insight to know which is which.

That's all for now, I'll share more when I learn new things.

Nice one. Are you in HR?

Emmaesty:
Nice one. Are you in HR?

Thanks, more of Admin for the time being. I be waka about.

Appliedmaths:


Thanks, more of Admin for the time being. I be waka about.

Nice Nice

I'm partially in HR too, and I can relate with most of what you highlighted here.

Some people are just non challant about their CVs and it shows

Emmaesty:
Nice Nice

I'm partially in HR too, and I can relate with most of what you highlighted here.

Some people are just non challant about their CVs and it shows

That non challant attitude has been a death blow to many over the years. Na God dey help person but some people's CV just be like say dem beg dem to apply for the job, you'll immediately regard them as un serious even if that may not truly be the case.

Howdy?

Hi, good morning. Is it possible for you to help me review my cv? I've been applying here for quite some time now and I've not gotten any invite. I believe there's something wrong with my cv and I'll appreciate it if you look through it and tell me where the problem is. Thank you.

Appliedmaths:


That non challant attitude has been a death blow to many over the years. Na God dey help person but some people's CV just be like say dem beg dem to apply for the job, you'll immediately regard them as un serious even if that may not truly be the case.

Howdy?

Whytdot:
Hi, good morning. Is it possible for you to help me review my cv? I've been applying here for quite some time now and I've not gotten any invite. I believe there's something wrong with my cv and I'll appreciate it if you look through it and tell me where the problem is. Thank you.

Seen your PM, would revert over the weekend.

Appliedmaths:


That non challant attitude has been a death blow to many over the years. Na God dey help person but some people's CV just be like say dem beg dem to apply for the job, you'll immediately regard them as un serious even if that may not truly be the case.

Howdy?

I try all my best, please sir help me.

I have been applying for jobs and my CV got a nod from some HR friends that reviewed it.

Yet I cannot brag about a rewarding interview from a reputable company or even a job. Quite frustrating! @AppliedMaths what could be wrong.

Please help!!!

Thanks for your assistance.

keko14:

I try all my best, please sir help me.

In all honesty, the truth is that jobs are scarce but there are technical procedures required to give one an upper edge among others.

The job hunt is a job on its own and the way I've seen it on the field (on a level ground), it is mandatory that one has an outstanding CV, sharp job test skills and sound interview skills as well.

This topic is aimed at guiding people how to draft a good CV and also sharing real life experience as to why many don't get that invite.

So if I may come in, I'll say you start by making research on how to build a good CV by following the tips I gave above... send what you have been able to come up with to good hands to review.

My hands are full now... but if you don't mind send a PM I'll revert in few days.

blessed4ever1:
I have been applying for jobs and my CV got a nod from some HR friends that reviewed it.

Yet I cannot brag about a rewarding interview from a reputable company or even a job. Quite frustrating! @AppliedMaths what could be wrong.

Please help!!!

Thanks for your assistance.

How about your cover letter? Type of jobs you apply for? Level of qualification required for the jobs you apply for? Having a good CV is stage 1A, then comes an irresistible cover letter, followed by a skillful job test tactics then finally the interview hurdle.

So let's stick to stage 1A... If you have successfully scaled stage 1A then you need to look into other factors, like I say do say "bad e bad, person fit fall out for job tests and interviews and still feel relaxed but never feel relaxed when the invites stops coming in or don't come in at all."

OK, thank you

Appliedmaths:


Seen your PM, would revert over the weekend.

Appliedmaths:


In all honesty, the truth is that jobs are scarce but there are technical procedures required to give one an upper edge among others.

The job hunt is a job on its own and the way I've seen it on the field (on a level ground), it is mandatory that one has an outstanding CV, sharp job test skills and sound interview skills as well.

This topic is aimed at guiding people how to draft a good CV and also sharing real life experience as to why many don't get that invite.

So if I may come in, I'll say you start by making research on how to build a good CV by following the tips I gave above... send what you have been able to come up with to good hands to review.

My hands are full now... but if you don't mind send a PM I'll revert in few days.

thank sir, have done that.

I do not have a prepared cover letter, though I send CVs with detailed email that could suffice as a cover letter. Perhaps I should send my CV as well for your candid opinion. How do I do that? I don't know how to PM please.

Happy new month all.

Appliedmaths:


How about your cover letter? Type of jobs you apply for? Level of qualification required for the jobs you apply for? Having a good CV is stage 1A, then comes an irresistible cover letter, followed by a skillful job test tactics then finally the interview hurdle.

So let's stick to stage 1A... If you have successfully scaled stage 1A then you need to look into other factors, like I say do say "bad e bad, person fit fall out for job tests and interviews and still feel relaxed but never feel relaxed when the invites stops coming in or don't come in at all."

blessed4ever1:
I do not have a prepared cover letter, though I send CVs with detailed email that could suffice as a cover letter. Perhaps I should send my CV as well for your candid opinion. How do I do that? I don't know how to PM please.

Happy new month all.

I've seen your PM already, I'm yet to reply.

I have been on a silent follower of Nairaland, I have met a few people who have turned out to be amazing friends, I don't want to mention names for the sake of their privacy. Now, Appliedmaths happens to be one of them, and he has been a wonderful friend, coincidentally we graduated from same higher institution. Over time we have watched ourselves grow, we rub minds, help people and also share ideas.
Because this is his thread I decided to come in to assist in any little way, trust me when I say we have both gotten invites and jobs via NL, even my current job was from here.
The points highlighted by Appliedmaths are very important during the process of Job application, please permit to add that most fresh graduates use generic CV to apply for jobs which also hinders chances of being invited. In other words, if you apply for 5 different jobs in a day, your CV should be edited to suit each position being applied.
Oops, make I stop here for now


PS :I ain't a HR neither do I work with one.

guchii:
I have been on a silent follower of Nairaland, I have met a few people who have turned out to be amazing friends, I don't want to mention names for the sake of their privacy. Now, Appliedmaths happens to be one of them, and he has been a wonderful friend, coincidentally we graduated from same higher institution. Over time we have watched ourselves grow, we rub minds, help people and also share ideas.
Because this is his thread I decided to come in to assist in any little way, trust me when I say we have both gotten invites and jobs via NL, even my current job was from here.
The points highlighted by Appliedmaths are very important during the process of Job application, please permit to add that most fresh graduates use generic CV to apply for jobs which also hinders chances of being invited. In other words, if you apply for 5 different jobs in a day, your CV should be edited to suit each position being applied.
Oops, make I stop here for now


PS :I ain't a HR neither do I work with one.

Lol... you know say me I get BIG eye, you that forced me to take that teaching job that year only for it to be a stepping stone to greatness.

Make me sef stop here.

Appliedmaths:


Lol... you know say me I get BIG eye, you that forced me to take that teaching job that year only for it to be a stepping stone to greatness.

Make me sef stop here.

boss happy new month. I'll appreciate it if you can help me have a quick look at my CV thanks
pls I just pm you now..

sasquareT:

boss happy new month. I'll appreciate it if you can help me have a quick look at my CV thanks
pls I just pm you now..

Seen! Would revert in a few days time.

Appliedmaths:


Seen! Would revert in a few days time.

many thanks sir

Appliedmaths:


Lol... you know say me I get BIG eye, you that forced me to take that teaching job that year only for it to be a stepping stone to greatness.

Make me sef stop here.

Lol... Shey na force you don call am now but I for chop you if say u no take that job .. Hahaha. My dear, I realized that a lot of people (Graduates) move at a slow pace because they despise their little beginnings.

Wisdom is application of knowledge

pls, I would be grateful if you can help review my CV.

Hi, Appliedmaths. I have sent several mails to you but it has failed to deliver. Is there any other way I can send my cv across to you?

Appliedmaths:


Seen your PM, would revert over the weekend.

Hey Appliedmath, tried sending you a pm but I keep getting "sent too many anonymous mails" and I'm confused.

Pls can I also send my CV for you to look into it and correct where necessary? I will be immensely grateful.

Whytdot:
Hi, Appliedmaths. I have sent several mails to you but it has failed to deliver. Is there any other way I can send my cv across to you?

I've seen your mail I'm yet to reply. Currently responding to some people now... just hold on.

ukjerry:
Hey Appliedmath, tried sending you a pm but I keep getting "sent too many anonymous mails" and I'm confused.

Pls can I also send my CV for you to look into it and correct where necessary? I will be immensely grateful.

I've seen your PM, I'll revert I a few days time.

Appliedmaths:


I've seen your PM, I'll revert I a few days time.

Thanks a lot

Nice info at op, just curious,is it okay if tables or text boxes are used in formating a cv? My fear is often time,cv distortions occur upon sending via email..And other questions i would love you to answer in order to clear doubts. Are referees your family members or your bosses? What do you think are the perfect fonts,size,spacing to use in a cv? Will be glad if you can add flesh to these. Thanks

jefy:
Nice info at op, just curious,is it okay if tables or text boxes are used in formating a cv? My fear is often time,cv distortions occur upon sending via email..And other questions i would love you to answer in order to clear doubts. Are referees your family members or your bosses? What do you think are the perfect fonts,size,spacing to use in a cv? Will be glad if you can add flesh to these. Thanks

Tables and boxes can be used creatively, it depends on how crafty you can be, personally I use tables in my CV. The bottom line is to make your CV catchy, a moderate design that'll make it interesting to go through.

For Fonts just use Times new roman 10 or 12, do not exceed 12.

Try to "Justify" your CV, for the distortions that's why we advise people to use pdf formats while sending their CV's except the Application process strictly states Ms word.

For Referees, except your family member is a very important figure in a high place ex Dangote, do not use immediate family members as your reference this may be seen as a fraudulent move by the Applicant.

At everyone viewing this thread, I'm still learning more. And in few weeks time I'll compile a short note on why you need to be in the first category of job candidates (Referrals) and not always in category two (random job applicants), till then let's take it one step at a time by completing the process of creating a good CV.

Appliedmaths:


Tables and boxes can be used creatively, it depends on how crafty you can be, personally I use tables in my CV. The bottom line is to make your CV catchy, a moderate design that'll make it interesting to go through.

For Fonts just use Times new roman 10 or 12, do not exceed 12.

Try to "Justify" your CV, for the distortions that's why we advise people to use pdf formats while sending their CV's except the Application process strictly states Ms word.

For Referees, except your family member is a very important figure in a high place ex Dangote, do not use immediate family members as your reference this may be seen as a fraudulent move by the Applicant.

thanks bro, gratitude

Appliedmaths:


Tables and boxes can be used creatively, it depends on how crafty you can be, personally I use tables in my CV. The bottom line is to make your CV catchy, a moderate design that'll make it interesting to go through.

For Fonts just use Times new roman 10 or 12, do not exceed 12.

Try to "Justify" your CV, for the distortions that's why we advise people to use pdf formats while sending their CV's except the Application process strictly states Ms word.

For Referees, except your family member is a very important figure in a high place ex Dangote, do not use immediate family members as your reference this may be seen as a fraudulent move by the Applicant.

I Learnt something from this . Appliedmaths, is it ideal enough to include my cover letter in the body of my mail ? or as an attachment ?.Note that when the cover letter is in the mail body the sender address and the recruiting company address might distorted in the process. or can i attach both the cover letter and the Cv along together. Thanks for helping out .