Test Your CV #1

June 20, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Your CV: Test It Here 

Answer the following 20 questions regarding your CV with either a “yes” or “no”. Calculate your score according to the list at the end. You start out with 26 points. The person with the highest score at the end wins! Pass it around your office and amongst your friends.

  1. Is it longer than 3 pages? …….. (It’s a “fast food” market – be quick, be sharp, not long winded or verbose – no-one’s going to read it all.)
  2. Do you have a front page with only “CV of Your Name” in large letters on it? …….. (Leave grand entrances for Diva’s. It’s a waste of space and time.)
  3. Have you named your CV – that you send as an e-mail attachment – something like CV2003.doc? …….. (Imagine instead something like this, mine – “G le Roux – WOW! CV Writer.doc”. More compelling? You bet.)
  4. Have you included comments about your health, or family? …….. (Is this info really going to help the reader make a decision to hire you? No. In most cases it’s just not relevant. It shouldn’t occupy prime space on your CV.)
  5. Do you write your CV anew for each application? …….. (Edit it. Adapt it. Tailor it to meet the needs of the potential employer/position.)
  6. Have you included an “Objective” section which clearly states what job you’re looking for? …….. (Show you have some focus, energy and determination to take a particular direction OR you otherwise may come across weak and directionless.)
  7. Is your “Objective” section longer than 3 or 4 lines? …….. (Make it snappy. It stands more chance of being read and absorbed.)
  8. Have you given your Matric as much space on the page as your Degree/Diploma? …….. (Does it deserve as much space? NO! Give more prominence to your more relevant, recent, and heavy-weight qualifications.)
  9. Do you have more than 5 points in your “Duties” section? …….. (There’s actually no rule here but just don’t go on and on and on. Spend some time summarising what you did. More than a few points won’t be ready by many.)
  10. Have you listed any of your achievements anywhere? …….. (Achievements give the reader reason to think you’re not just a “bum on a seat”, but that you actually make a difference.)
  11. Have you listed fewer achievements than you have duties? …….. (They shouldn’t get lost in the crowd.)
  12. Have you placed your “Achievements” section toward the end of your CV? …….. (Like on the last page? Forget it. If you’ve accomplished good things, then say so. Employers want you to be a success for them too.)
  13. Are there any paragraphs longer than 4 lines anywhere in your CV? …….. (They simply won’t be read.)
  14. Have you stated specifically, anywhere in your CV how you benefit an employer? …….. (Or do you leave it to them to figure it out? Say it. State it. Make a personal commitment. Make your intentions clear. Say what benefit you’re likely to be.)
  15. Have you included positive quotes from referees regarding your past work performance? …….. (If you haven’t, why not? It’ll make your story more credible – unless you have lousy references, of course.)
  16. Have you had your CV format and spelling checked by someone other than yourself? …….. (Don’t assume you’re a word processing wizard – get someone who knows business documents, MS Word, or whatever package you use, and how to correctly align things.)
  17. Have you given more than 1/2 a page of space to jobs you did more than 10 years ago? …….. (Summarise! Older experience will rarely help you land your next job. If they want details they can ask.)
  18. Have you used industry buzzwords and jargon to impress the reader? …….. (Don’t. Keep it simple, easy to read. Don’t assume the reader knows all your technical jargon.)
  19. Have you made any spelling mistakes? …….. (They can make you look foolish.)
  20. Does your covering letter basically say “Here’s my CV for the position you advertised?” …….. (There’s so much more you can do to make the reader turn EAGERLY to you CV.)

Calculate your score – if you answered:

1. Yes. Minus 1 point for every page more than 3
2. Yes. Minus 1 point
3. Yes. Minus 1 point
4. Yes. Minus 1 point
5. No. Minus 2 points
6. No. Minus 1 point
7. Yes. Minus 1 point
8. Yes. Minus 1 point
9. Yes. Minus 2 points
10. No. Minus 2 points
11. Yes. Minus 1 point
12. Yes. Minus 1 point
13. Yes. Minus 1 point for each
14. No. Minus 2 points
15. No. Minus 1 point
16. No. Minus 1 point
17. Yes. Minus 1 point
18. Yes. Minus 1 point
19. Yes. Minus 1 point for each
20. Yes. Minus 2 points

So how did you do?

26 points – WOW!

20-25 points – Your CV is above average but there could be some crucial errors.

15-19 points – You’ve definitely made some crucial errors that could really set you back.

10-14 points – Unless you have very special, in-demand expertise you are unlikely to get response.

5-9 points – Your CV is hurting your chances of getting a job badly.

0-4 points – Don’t send your CV out!

Less than 0 – Look on the bright side – things can only get better!

[Copyright 2003 © Gerard le Roux, The Job-Search Clinic www.jobsearching.co.za and www.wowcv.net.]

Please note: This test is a general guide, not a rule-book! It’s also just a list of some of the ways on which your CV will be judged by employers.

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    Gerard le Roux

    [Updated Nov 2011]

    Hi, I'm Gerard le Roux, a CV writer and job search coach - published in The Star and Financial Mail and heard on Radio 702 and SAfm. I help people get more interviews and job offers.



    CV Writing by Gerard le Roux


  • CV Writing Testimonials

    "Dear Gerard, You trully are special! This has far exceded my expectations, to prove it I have a interview scheduled this afternoon from a agency who called me back 5 minutes after sending it off with a covering letter."
    -Ravil R, Supply Chain Specialist

    "Hi Gerard, when the relevant HR departments got my CV I eventually ended up having two interviews on the same day for two separate jobs at the same company. I always said that all I need was an interview to get the job and your CV made that possible. I will refer to you as the CV whisperer from now on. Thank you for the effort you put in."
    -Chris P, Marketing Manager

    “Good day Gerard, A bit of feedback … this email serves to thank you for your help, as I have been successful in the first job application that I made. I don’t think I would have stood a chance of being short listed if it wasn’t for your creative genius in laying out my CV. I have recommended many friends to make use of your services. All the best and many thanks.”
    -NC, Durban

    “Gerard. A month ago you wrote my CV. Up to then I’d sent out more than 1500 CVs and got 6 responses. I sent out my new CV 16 times, got 6 responses, and was offered a great Senior Management job which I’ve accepted. Thanks. You did a great job.”
    - Mike V, BSc MBA, Engineering Project Manager

    “Dear Gerard - You drafted my CV - rather you created my “value-add profile”. Since replacing the old CV with your masterpiece I did indeed get many more reactions. I have finally landed a job and I know your CV got my foot in the door. The job is the Senior Legal Advisor for a large Medical Insurance company and the package is higher than I ever expected where I had R500K in mind - I was offered R750K per annum. I cannot thank you enough!”
    - Angie B, Attorney

    “I just wanted to let you know that I have managed to get myself a new job! As a Key Account Manager at the end of this month! I’d just like to say a special thanks to you.”
    - Helen, Key Account Manager

    “I wanted to drop you a note the say thanks, for not just getting an interview recently, but immediately getting a new job which I start on 1 Sept. So I’ve been bragging around the office about my fantastic CV which landed me this new job and of course I have 3 colleagues who will be in touch with you shortly. I’ve done nothing but sing yr praises as I believe that you most certainly had something to do with my good fortune.”
    - Julie B, Project Manager

    “The first comment I had in my interview was that I had a very impressive CV, I think the interview was just to check me out, they had made up their minds already who they wanted for the job!”
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    “When I sent my CV I went straight onto the shortlist. And after only 1 interview I was offered the job! I really believe that the CV made me more positive and impressed the employer by being so clear and selling me”
    - Kirishnee N, Financial Manager

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    - James, IT Engineer

    “Hi there - Just briefly to let you know that I am having a fantastic response after making use of your advise and writing my CV! Many thanks for assisting me with getting my confidence up to speed and my focus in place as to tackling the job/contract hunt. Thank you!”
    - Sarah, Business Analyst

    “I referred a friend to you some time ago. He’s now got this “dream job” at Toyota in and has already been made 2 other offers. He has attributed most, if not all of his success with regard to the offers and interest shown in him by prospective employers to YOU! And now I want you to help me in the same way.”
    - Errol, OHS Specialist

    “Gerard - I just wanted to thank you sincerely for an awesome CV. It was one of the tools that helped me get a dream job with an obscene salary in the elusive software development field. I have resigned and are in transit between my previous employer and the new one and thought I need to give credit were credit is due. I received numerous complements from recruiters and organisations in the search period. I pitched very high i.t.o. position, salary and international relevance and we competed against people from here and first world countries. Thanks for your help, you made me look good.”
    - David, IT Manager

    “Thanks for all the help. The CV is brilliant! I am very happy.”
    - Andrew, Clinical Psychologist

    “Dear Gerard - Thanks for the CV you drafted for me last month. I just wanted to let you know I submitted it to one company last week (the first and only application, a networking intro, not an advertised job) and went to an interview this morning where I was offered a position at the interview.”
    -Shelli, Sales Representative

    “Hi Gerard, I received the draft CV and it looks fantastic. I couldn’t beleive it was about me. I don’t beleive it needs anything else done to it. Thanks a lot. I will recommend you to many others.”
    -Sumaya, Attorney

    “Hi Gerard, Thanks for your help, I send my C.V out the day after receiving it from you. Within two days I had four interviews lined up and I’m glad to report I got three offers. I picked my favourite and I’m starting at Console glass on Monday. Its a great offer and more than I was expecting. Thanks for your help once again”

    -Lloyd, Engineer

    “Hi Gerard, Well I put it to the test. A prospective client, I have never met, requested a CV from me 2 days ago and after sending your composition to them they called me back within an hour and arranged a meeting. At the meeting they mentioned that it was the power of the CV that did it. One Page! I am amazed. Wow, it really worked. It was the first company I sent it to. Thanks. I really appreciate your input. Money well spent.”
    -Francois, TV Editor

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