A report compiled by executive search firm InterExec has revealed the three most common mistakes made by senior executives on their CV: being duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven; having a CV that is too long; and putting in irrelevant information.
InterExec, which represents senior executives seeking positions paying £200,000 to £1 million plus, surveyed 100 of the senior executive headhunters across the UK.
The headhunters listed nine common criticisms:
- Duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven - 63%
- CV length too long - 54%
- Irrelevant information - 51%
- Too much jargon/abbreviations - 35%
- Lack of attention to detail - 25%
- Lack of depth - 24%
- CV is skewed when sent as an email attachment - 11%
- Being overly arrogant - 10%
- Incorrect information - 2%
Kit Scott-Brown, managing director of InterExec, said: "Getting your CV absolutely right is key to getting recruited into the top roles.
"The resumé is typically the first point of contact between the executive and the prospective employer, so it is incredibly important that it outlines the key skills and achievements clearly and to the point. Composing a CV is the first hurdle to jump before getting recruited, but many senior executives still get it wrong," he said.
