I’ve had a bit of a week for ‘humorous’ CVs. One
candidate adorned the CV with pictures of himself with various zoo animals in
reclining poses, another talked about space travel being a hobby and this
morning I’ve had a Jedi Knight apply for a job.
So, does wit woo?
Erm, no.
Your CV is not the place for jokes or trying to be
funny. You might think that you’re
trying to get across your 'unique' personality and that it’ll show you to be light
hearted or with a fun character but really, the chance of your CV landing on
the desk of a hiring manager who fortuitously has the same sense of humour as
you is really very small. Whereas the chance of it landing on the desk of a
hiring manager who’ll think you’re a bit of a plonker, is just too great to
risk it.
In honesty, the only person you’ll get a laugh out of is the
recruitment consultant who’ll probably share it with their team and you’ll be
remembered...for all the wrong reasons.
I know several recruiters who have a ‘wall of shame’ – imagine your CV
up there.
You’d think it’d be junior and inexperienced candidates who
try to be a bit ‘different’ but no, often seniors can be guilty too. Creatives too often get it wrong by being too
‘creative’ with their CV. Copywriters? don’t
get me started!
It’s important never to forget that people judge you all the
time, even subconsciously. Don’t give
them the opportunity with your CV....Keep it succinct, keep it skills based,
keep it professional. I’m increasingly seeing dodgy email addresses
too. What sort of impression does ‘dumbblonde@.’
Or ‘sexonlegs@..’ give? Seriously, have
some common sense!
You have the interview to wow the employer with your wit and
charm. Don’t use the CV to prove your comic genius, unless you’re applying to
be a Jester.