What personal details should you put on a CV?
Your CV is still the most important document in your search for the perfect job. The CV is your direct link to the hiring manager. Often, it’s your one chance to instantly make that all important first impression and present yourself as the ideal match to the job.
The main and most important purpose of your CV is to get you an interview. Therefore, you absolutely must spend quality time tailoring your CV to each and every vacancy.
That’s what makes looking for a job a full-time job. So knowing what personal details to put on a CV is hugely important.
We live in a digital world and yet the CV is still going strong. However, CVs today need to be digitally friendly as most CVs will be sent electronically or uploaded to a job board.
So CVs need just as many keywords as your LinkedIn account. If you have uploaded your CV to a job board, without keywords recruiters will not even find your CV.
Check out our article to ensure you are maximising your chances of being invited to an interview.
What Personal Details To Put On A CV – Contact Details
Your name
Some employers now remove names from CVs so that the decision maker can’t make a judgement about the ethnicity or gender of applicants but instead has to judge on the merits of the experience and skills outlined in the CV.
However, even if they do this, they need to know how to get in touch with you so make sure your name is at the very top of your CV.
Your phone number
Make sure that your phone number is up to date and prominent on your CV.
Your email address
You should make sure that this is right at the top of your CV.
If your email address is a nickname or something rather naughty, think about getting another more formal one to use when applying for job roles – and remember to check it regularly.
Your home address
There’s no need to include your full address on your CV. But giving a location and an idea of the distance you can commute is very helpful.
For example, “I am based in Anytown but I have my own transport and am willing to travel up to 20 miles per day”.
You could also include whether you would be prepared to relocate.
What Personal Details To Put On A CV – Employment Information
A personal statement
Your personal statement doesn’t need to be very long – a couple of lines is perfect. But it should give the hiring manager or recruiter an idea of the type of person you are.
Achievements
Adding any achievements on your CV is a great way to get your CV noticed by recruiters who are looking for candidates that can add value to their organisation.
Your qualifications and skills
When it comes to qualifications I believe that the most relevant to the post should come first. Include the dates of study and grades.
Always bear in mind that what most employers are really looking for is suitability for the job. Formal qualifications, experience and knowledge all matter, so don’t get over stressed – just make sure you highlight your strongest points.
Your Job titles / roles
Starting with the most recent first, outline where you have worked, for how long and what your main responsibilities were.
If you were promoted to a new position, add both roles so the recruiter can see how you have progressed.
Hobbies and Interests
You can also include something about your hobbies and interests, in a way that paints you in the best light.
Personal Details That You Don’t Need To Include
The CV has changed over the last few years and there’s just as much information you don’t include as well as information you must include. Giving unnecessary information on your CV can be risky.
There is no need to include your date of birth or age, marital status, nationality, sexuality, race or religion. Employers can’t legally make a decision based on these factors.
However, you should include them in your covering letter or highlight them to the recruiter if you think they are particularly relevant.
For example if you’re applying for a role with a clearly defined gender based organisation with specific requirements.
Whatever the temptation, do not lie on your CV. Whilst even a ‘little white lie’ may seem harmless, it may be really damaging in the future.
Make Your CV Fit For Purpose
Gone are the days of using the same CV for every vacancy. It really is a waste of your time ‘throwing’ out the same CV to each and every job. A much better strategy is to be more selective and spend quality time ensuring your CV matches the criteria for each vacancy.
What To Do Next
It’s worth spending a little more time on the presentation and content to increase your chances of being selected for an interview. Having spent a little more time on your CV will show and demonstrate you are genuinely interested in the job.
Our resident Interview Coach Dawn offers free CV reviews. Her CV reviews give you the objective feedback you need to be confident your CV is as ready as it can be for the jobs market and will give you some valuable pointers for improving your chances of getting invited to interview.
Useful Internal links:
Why a cv is-vital when jobseeking
Why a professional cv is vital in getting interviews
