What Not to Say in a Curriculum Vitae

There’s no ‘I’ in Team

When writing a CV it’s important not to speak from first person too often. Starting every sentence with ‘me’, ‘myself’, or ‘I’, is a sure fire way to let the employer know that you tend to put yourself first in a working environment. The same goes for opinion. Although it is important to let your personality shine through, don’t let your CV be a channel in which you express strong views.

General Chit Chat

Your prospective employer is not your friend. They may be, but nepotism is a generally frowned upon practice. No one who is anyone wants to sit and read about how you recently won first place at your local karaoke night. Keep it short and sweet, and if you think your CV might include some drivel, hand it to a friend to read and see how much they care.

Tall Tales

Writing on your CV that you worked with Alexandra Shulman for a year, when really you just saw her in Starbucks will not get you far. It doesn’t even matter if your future boss is best friends with her or not, all it takes is a few short email exchanges to expose you as the fake you really are.

All Filler, No Killer

Unless you’re applying for a job at Mizz Magazine, avoid AT ALL COSTS the use of the dreaded ‘passion for fashion’. Obviously you’re passionate about fashion if you’re brave enough to apply for a job in the industry, there’s no need to use banal clichés. Other vapid expressions include ‘fashionista’, ‘trendy’ or ‘posh’. Try looking up ‘sartorially blessed’ in the dictionary.

Wit

An employee with a sharp sense of humour will always stand out above the rest. Fashion people especially love dry quips and sarcasm to take the edge of the arduous task of looking at clothes all day. Who am I kidding? That’s like the most fun EVER.

Exclamation Marks

No!!!!!!

-F-