The Hour

A new report by InterExec has revealed the most common mistakes made by senior executives on their CV, with executives apparently not selling themselves enough on their accomplishments.

According to headhunters talking to Recruiter, the top three mistakes are being duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven, having a CV too long, and putting in irrelevant information.

In addition, a significant number of headhunters said using too much jargon and lack of attention to detail were also common mistakes.

The report, which was conducted by InterExec, the confidential agent that represents senior executives seeking positions paying more than £200,000, surveyed 100 of the top senior executive headhunters across the UK.

When they were asked for the top mistakes on senior executives’ CVs, they listed:

• Duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven
• CV too long
• Irrelevant information
• Too much jargon/abbreviations
• Lack of attention to
• Lack of depth
• CV is skewed when sent as an email attachment
•  Being overly
• Incorrect information

Kit Scott-Brown, managing director of InterExec, said: “Getting your CV absolutely right is key to getting recruited into the top roles. Composing a CV is the first hurdle to jump before getting recruited, but many senior executives still get it wrong.”

TIPS ON GETTING IT RIGHT

• A guide to writing a CV
• The layout styles in detail
• What to do about the gaps