What Not to Include When You’re Writing a CV
Once you have created a CV using these free job application templates, knowing what not to include is essential. Certain elements can diminish your chances of being invited for an interview by prospective employers.
Due to the high volume of CVs that recruiters receive, especially in Nigeria, they tend to skim through applications. Therefore, it’s vital to eliminate irrelevant information to ensure your qualifications, skills, accomplishments, and other specific details stand out.
Here’s a list of items you should avoid putting on your CV:
1. Nationality: Remove any mention of your nationality. This information is typically found in a biodata section, not a CV. Recruiters are generally more interested in your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements than your country of origin.
2. Other Personal Data: Keep your CV focused. Only include essential personal information, such as your email, address, LinkedIn URL, and phone number. Do not add details like your state of origin, local government area, religion, marital status, gender, or date of birth unless specifically required for state or federal government positions or when explicitly requested by the employer.
3. Referees: You do not need to list your referees’ names, addresses, occupations, phone numbers, or email addresses on your CV. If we get to the interview stage, employers will ask for references if needed. Passport Photograph: Avoid including a passport photograph in your CV unless the recruiter specifically asks for one. The only exception may be for modelling or acting roles, where appearance may significantly influence hiring decisions.
5. Irrelevant Work Experience: Remove any work experience that doesn’t relate to the job you’re applying for, unless omitting it would create a significant gap in your employment history. In such cases, you can reframe your duties to align with the current role. For example, instead of simply stating that you worked as a cleaner, you might say, “Assisted various departments in ensuring that all documents were neatly organised in the appropriate cabinets” when applying for an office assistant position.
After removing these elements, consider the following when saving your CV:
File Naming: Avoid labelling your CV simply as “CV.” Instead, use your name to make it easy for the recruiter to identify whose resume it is. For example, you could save it as “Kenneth Obunadike’s CV.”
I hope these tips help you when applying for jobs in Nigeria. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the section below—I would love to hear from you!