When applying for office support roles, your CV is typically the first impression a potential employer will have of you. However, if your CV is too long, it can easily overwhelm a hiring manager, causing them to miss the key details that make you a strong candidate. At worst, they will toss your CV out as it demonstrates an inability to convey relevant information precisely.
As a leading London recruitment agency, we see countless CVs that are cluttered with unnecessary information. If you’re wondering whether your CV is too long, it’s time to trim it down by removing some of these common culprits.
1. Redundant personal information
While it’s important for your CV to have a personal touch, you don’t need to include every detail of your life. For instance, information such as your marital status, date of birth, or full home address is not required. These details are irrelevant and take up valuable space.
Focus on including a professional summary at the top of your CV, alongside your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). This gives recruiters easy access to your most important details without clutter.
2. Irrelevant skills and hobbies
In most cases, we say ditch the hobbies but do be prepared to show that human side of you at interview. Likewise, with skills, keep it clear and clean. It can be tempting to list every skill you have, but doing so can dilute the impact of your CV. Stick to including skills that are relevant (or transferrable) to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a role that requires a high level of organisation and computer literacy, focus on those skills rather than mentioning something unrelated, such as proficiency in a specific software that isn’t relevant.
3. Outdated, irrelevant job experience
If you’ve been in the workforce for several years, there’s no need to include details of every job you’ve ever had. Employers are most interested in your recent and relevant experience, so anything from over 10 years ago, unless particularly significant to the role, can often be left out or trimmed to bear minimum. For example, that part-time retail job you had while at university is probably not going to add much value if you’re applying for an office support position in your forties.
Instead, focus on jobs that demonstrate skills and responsibilities relevant to the role you’re applying for. So, always prioritise quality over quantity when it comes to your work history. Remember, a CV is a snapshot of your professional journey—not an autobiography. Keep it concise and focused on what will benefit your potential employer.
4. Lengthy descriptions of education
If you graduated more than a few years ago, there’s no need to list every module or minor detail of your studies. For office support roles, employers are typically more interested in your practical work experience and skills than your educational background. While you should certainly list relevant qualifications, keeping the education section brief is essential.
Focus instead on your most recent qualifications and any certifications that are particularly relevant to the office support roles you’re applying for. The aim is to present your education succinctly and focus more on the experience that proves you can perform well in the job.
5. Reference details
An easy way to create some space in your CV is to remove the full contact details of your references. Instead, just write ‘References available on request.’
When you register with us, we’re happy to give you some feedback on your CV.