In search of good CVs

It’s “must-find-job” season, and CVs are pouring on to my desk.

With no fear of being too dramatic, I can safely say that 95% are horrendously presented.

I once had a candidate tell me in his “About me” paragraph that

“frankly, I am so perfect, my parents should be given a trophy”.

Another informed that she is looking for

“any job, because the last three companies I worked for all went out of business”.

Here is a random introductory paragraph off the top of the CV pile

I have a outgoing personality and is extremely hardworking. I am well groomed with sober habits that can function on my own initiative. I feel that I would be an asset to your company in the position that I am applying for.

I can count at least four grammatical mistakes, and am grateful that she at least ran a spell check. Of course, I have no idea what position she is applying for, but she does go on to tell me that her

First name is: Bianca
But known as: Bianca

Hmm.

She matriculated two years ago, and left her previous five jobs “for personal reasons”.

Here is the thing, though. She really could be an asset to my company. Maybe I do not need her to have perfect grammar, or maybe she can learn on the job. All she probably needs is an opportunity to start at the bottom, and she might be driven enough to make it all the way to the top on the merits of hard work and determination.

But the sad truth is that it won’t happen here, because I will not even grant her an interview. Time is limited, and first impressions count. If I do ever respond to unsolicited CVs, it is only when they are so well written that that in itself is a merit to the candidate.

So what is the point of spending time in English class to learn about the impact of the dramatic effect of Macbeth’s soliloquy if you are not first taught how to write a professional, honest and enticing CV?

It should be a requirement, part of your “I have left my uniform behind” portfolio. It can be reviewed by the teacher, improved on with time, and will give a student who is not pursuing a tertiary education the best chance of finding a good first job.

God knows they are the ones that need it the most.