Worst CV ever?

Monday, December 21st, 2009 - CV Tips, Professional CV, career transition, cv help, cv writing, employment, job application, professionalism

Worst CV ever?

Kay, an HR manager, asks: As a hiring manager or recruiter, what was the WORST CV that you ever laid eyes on and why? I would say the worst I have ever seen (this was years ago) was hand written in pencil which compelled me no less to read on. It was pitiful, needless to say, but it for some reason humbled me and I felt momentarily compassionate for this person who seemed to be trying. I know you are asking, “did you hire this person”…no of course not, I didn’t. But it was certainly an unforgettable CV.

In answer:
Interesting question! I’ve seen the pencil one – and yes they are humbling.

When I was in the corporate world, I did some vetting on CV’s for my and a colleagues team during a recruitment exercise, and picked out a group that I thought looked right. My colleague then doubled checked them, to agree those we were going to interview. There was only one he disagreed with. I hadn’t picked it up, but the applicant had worked with him four years ago, and to make the standard for the advertised job had copied the job my colleague was doing at that point. That should never be done on any job application, but is easily picked up by HR on an internal job posting.

But the best was from a lady. I knew it was bad because a researcher started laughing, and just couldn’t stop laughing. She beckoned me over with a red face, still laughing, and handed me the CV. Line3 was the answer. It took us about 15mins before we read past line3, and her skills were excellent, but on line3 was her eMail address.

This is a professional blog, so I won’t detail what her email address was, but lets they say she must have thought of sex constantly with more than one person!

Some times, things which you may place in a draft CV/resume, you miss when they are placed in the final version. Always have it read through by at least three people, or use a CV review service.

Good Luck!

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