Even though there’s no accepted standard that limits how long a CV should be, a 2-4 page is industry practice.
With recruiters becoming busier each day,time spent on looking at your CV is shrinking. Averagely, it now takes 6 seconds before a decision to proceed with your candidacy is made.
This why it’s important to keep your CV compact and yet marketable.
Here are details that maybe cluttering your CV with no real value:-
1. Personal information
Unless expressly required in the job description, including details of your date of birth, current hood, national ID number, marital status, favorite quotes, personal goals, vision and mission statement wastes precious space in your CV.
The most important personal details in your CV should be your name and contact details. ( Placed at top of document).
Also avoid unrelated hobbies and interests e.g. swimming while you are applying a farmhand job.
2. CAREER OBJECTIVE
“A hardworking honest individual looking to use my skills in a position with you”. If you have anything like this in your CV CUT it out.
Gone are the days that generic career objectives would impress a recruiter. Instead,use a tailored, specific career summary or personal profile to highlight your Key Skill Areas and Expertise.
For example;
– Resourceful personal assistant with 3 years experience in providing clerical, supporting executives and managers.
– Knowledge of preparing routine correspondence, office administration and relationship management principles.
– Strong organisation skills to schedule appointments, manage calendar, arrange travel and represent managers in meetings.
3. PICTURE/HEADSHOT
Unless you are in the entertainment industry or applying a visual hospitality position(like waiters), DON’T include a picture of you in the CV. Forget about the trend,it’s unprofessional.
4. IRRELEVANT EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
If you have solid professional experience, there’s no need of including that Internship or high school kitchen prefect position.
Another thing that shouldn’t get near your CV is an unrelated academic/training certification (e.g. Counseling certificate in an accountant’s CV with a degree and CPA(k) looking for a finance manager position) and basic education (KCPE) when you have a diploma and undergraduate degree. Relevance is key.
5. Salary History
“The first person to throw a figure loses”. This is the golden rule of salary negotiation.
Including your salary history may negatively affect your candidacy in the following ways:-
• Reduce your bargaining power even if the company can pay more.
• Shift recruiters focus from your qualifications to your financial worth.
• Make you appear desperate if you under quote and greedy if you overstate.
However, if the job description requires your salary expectations MAKE SURE you include them (in cover letter if not specific that you put on CV)
NOTE: Your CV is like your sales pitch, it must ONLY include relevant content and engage your target(employer) at the first glance
