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There are plenty of experts (and some not so knowledgeable ‘experts’) who delight in offering advice on writing your CV. A student will usually have something already prepared and is likely to have received a range of advice from a variety of sources. This can create confusion as it not only elicits conflicting views, but also serves to perpetuate the myths and general ignorance surrounding the compilation and use of a CV.

Some of the most common myths surrounding CVs include:

MYTH 1: A good CV will get me a job
Wrong! It is only designed to get you
to the interview. It is often forgotten that the CV is only the first stage – it’s merely a tool to convey information about you. It is the initial interview, it’s what follows that will be used to decide on an offer
of employment.

MYTH 2: My CV should be one page in length
Where DOES this belief originate? Actually, a one-page CV is not very common. To have a one-page CV you would need to be straight out of school, with virtually no work experience, and certainly no degree. Notable exceptions to the rule of course are, for example, some of the prominent merchant banks that will deliberately request a one-page CV; a true test of your editing skills – and your judgement.

MYTH 3: You shouldn’t put your date of birth on your CV
There is a lot of misconception surrounding this and I think it arises from the change in UK legislation that was passed in October 2006, which effectively made it illegal for a prospective employer to discriminate against potential candidates on grounds of their age. This was designed to eliminate age preference. It simply means you can withhold your age or date of birth if you so wish.

MYTH 4: Your CV is a legal document
No it isn’t, and you cannot be held legally liable for anything contained in it. While I do not condone the inclusion of false information, we must remember it is a sales document and as such there is room for some creativity. It will contain a favourable description of your skills and achievements. The confusion probably stems from the humble application form where you are required to sign a declaration stating that all information is true and correct and that nothing of significance has been omitted. That IS then a legal document, which becomes part of your contract of employment if your application is successful. Employers can check details on this form at any time.

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