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The importance of a CV cannot be overestimated: it is your calling card to a prospective employer who does not know you. Get it right, and doors will open. Get it wrong, and you will be stuck at square one. We have asked some o fSouth Africa’s most respected recruitment firms what they look for and what they dread in a CV. So if you are hoping to get a (new) job in financial services, here is a short guide to what to do and what to avoid.

The basics

It might seem obvious but bad spelling and careless presentation make a bad impression regardless of the content of your CV and are remarkably frequent. “Consistency, academic achievements and good spelling” is the magic trio, according to Andrew Miskell, manager of financial services at Michael Page SA.  “Spelling mistakes are very offputting, as are CVs written in the first person,” says Tine Erasmus, general manager of Network Finance. “Stick to a chronological order and be careful not to use abbreviations HR departments may not recognise. Make sure the list of qualifications is complete, and include your computer skills, be specific on what systems you are familiar with. Be complete rather than concise, in our environment a CV that’s too brief doesn’t work.”

Qualifications and leadership skills

“We are looking for candidates that can articulate and demonstrate achievement in their careers both personally and professionally,” says Phryne Williams, managing director of Capital Assignments. “Success on the sports field or in a hobby shows the client that the candidate is a driven individual who place a high value on achievement, which is needed in such a competitive environment.”

A CV is not the place for modesty or understatement, says Erasmus: “A lot of people don’t highlight their achievements, whether academic, work-related or on the sports field. If you have done something to improve the business or to contribute to the bottom line, make sure you put it in. Also indicate the reporting structure, who you report to and how many people report to you.”

Commitment

Experience is important but employers value commitment as well. “Employers don’t like it if someone has been in a job less than two years and it happens more than once ,” says Erasmus. “Decision-makers want stability and they frown upon a recurring pattern of job-hopping. They don’t want someone who will upset the apple cart, especially at a higher level like finance director. Some tell us not to even send someone if they have not been in their job for at least four years.”

Michael Fraser, manager of financial services at Robert Walters SA, agrees: “Longevity is something I look for in a CV.” Be careful not to leave gaps in your CV: even if you have taken a year off to go travelling, make sure you explain why. “We want stable employment histories and a career track record, no job hopping or a CV that looks like Swiss cheese!” says Nicky Harrison, research associate at Capital Assignments.