Thread by @greaterbayo

The Ten Major Components of A Successful Interview- 4

I want to share about CV formats today. Which format can one use while applying for jobs and why? What are the major differences and when are they used? I will also share about common mistakes applicants make on their CVs.

CV Formats
There are 3 basic kind of formats for CVs as follows:

1. Chronological Format
This is the most common type and used when candidate has consistent employment within the same industry or sector or when the work experience is progressive. Academic history and professional experience are listed immediately after the contact info

2. Functional Format
This is usually used by fresh graduates or when a candidate has gaps in employment history or changing careers. This format places emphasis on skills, awards and honours.

3. Combination Format
This is a hybrid of the chronological and Functional. Under this format, what you place first depends on what is most relevant to the role you’re seeking, your experience and aspirations.

Your CV is the first thing a prospective employer sees before seeing you. Oftentimes, many employers have formed their impression about the candidate based on their CV even before the in-person interview.

It is therefore important that it should be well laid out with no typos, errors or spelling mistakes. I have interviewed candidates with errors in the way their names were written on their CV.

Ensure that you review your CV for correctness and accuracy as all errors therein are strictly yours even if a third party produced it for you. When a candidate gives out such a CV, you create the impression of not paying attention to details and being disorganized.

Putting your marital status, gender, race, tribe or religion is not necessary or required nowadays as employers are careful to avoid the discrimination label. Age is usually not included nowadays except the employer clearly states there is an age requirement.

Don’t include your salary on the CV. That will come later during the interview process. I see quite a few CVs around nowadays with photographs. I consider that unnecessary.

One mistake candidates also make is to tell lies on their CV. Some make claims about experience they don’t have or falsify their age.

During an interview session, a candidate claimed to be a certain age which turned out to be false when the academic records were further interrogated. That’s a major integrity issue for employers and it’s an indication of a prospective employee who cannot be trusted.

Use fonts that are very readable, especially Calibri, Century Gothic, Times Roman or Arial. Use only one type of font throughout. There are no hard and fast rules about the number of pages, however precision is key.

When I started to apply for jobs after graduation, I thought the type of paper used and style of CV will have an impact on the interview process. I later found out that the substance of the CV is what matters and not the style or the type of scented paper used.

The content is more important than the layout. Nevertheless, packaging and presentation makes it appealing. Don’t ever submit photocopies of your CV. Recurrent photocopying makes it fade and illegible.

Bayo Adeyinka

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