Top Resume Tips From Fashion Insiders

Your curriculum vitae is the first point of contact with a potential employee, and the perfect opportunity for you to make your way to the top of the pile, so how do you make sure yours is a standout? Avoid any of these common mistakes, and take note of the professional wisdom from those in the know.

Spelling errors

As a magazine editor, CVs would arrive addressed to me each week, some with appalling grammar and spelling. It is very hard to even consider someone when they can’t even give their own CV the proper attention it deserves. My CEO once requested that I interview the daughter of a high-profile television journalist (a friend of the CEO’s), who had decided she would like to be a writer for Vogue. When I read her CV, I saw eight typos and grammatical errors, which was astounding. I refused to interview her, which, for a while, didn’t make me very popular with my boss.

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Excessive personal photos

One smiling headshot, okay, but several shots of the applicant, on holidays, at a dinner table, or, horror of horrors, posing in a revealing outfit, no. One Pinterest style page or link to your blog, which indicates your sense of visual aesthetics, is also okay but, bear in mind, including them could also work against you if they do not relate to the job you are applying for. Or if the employer does not share your taste.

Irrelevant skillset

The inclusion of a statement like ‘I have been a lawyer/sales assistant/builder’s labourer [or any profession that is completely unrelated to the one you are applying for], but I would like to join your company, as I think it would be a wonderful lifestyle change’: A corporation wants to know what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. A willingness to learn is crucial, but so is the capacity to bring something new and unique to the table. Be willing to do the actual job the company has a vacancy for.

Information overload

It is imperative that a CV is punchy, concise and truthful. Make sure your facts are straight, and your explanations brief. Edit your CV thoroughly, and ensure it is tailored to the position you are after or publisher you want to work for. And never assume that people won’t check your references.

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Forgetting to follow up

Increasingly, employers no longer acknowledge that they have received CVs, let alone notify applicants whether they are on a short list. It may be worth sending a follow up email or phone call to politely confirm they have received your submission, and to reiterate that you are eager and available to meet with them at any time. If you do not hear back, you will have to assume they are not interested in following up. Do not harass them. It could work to go old school.

Failing to stand out

One leading industry digital strategist recounted to me the story of a woman who posted her CV to the Walt Disney Company in the US. Because it came in an actual physical form, it was placed in the in-tray of the boss, who then assumed that someone had printed it out and placed it there because it was particularly impressive. Due to her creative thinking, this applicant ended up landing her dream job.

Too generic

Not every employer wants an all-singing, all-dancing dossier, but a quirky personal detail may help to make your CV more memorable and enable you to cut through the competition. Just don’t overshare with too many personal details, and keep it short and professional.

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Career wisdom from those in the know

“Smart employers can see through the paintwork. The clue is to think about every single thing you are doing and its cumulative effect on your CV. Work experience and part-time jobs are your friend. I have hired people straight out of university, simply because they have a wealth of experience working in relevant part-time jobs while they were studying. It is a good indication that you are hard working, and that you can juggle chainsaws, handle stress and prioritise.”

Naomi Parry, BLACK Communications.

“The more people try to make their CV stand out, the less credible I find them, to be honest. Again, if you’re a graphic designer, go nuts, but as an editor, all we want to see is one page with your name, your contact and your experience. We look at where you’ve worked, how long for, whom you worked with, and what you’ve produced. That’s it. The rest is for the interview.”

Laura Brown, Harper’s BAZAAR executive editor.

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“When I hire, the most critical details for me are around what is recorded as the key achievements. How an applicant categorises and records this detail will tell you a lot about them—ideally, there is a mix of team and individual accomplishments.”

Julie Otter, sass & bide CEO.

“I always ask for a cover letter. You can be taught how to compile a good CV, but no one can teach you how to write a cover letter. This is where I can ascertain a person’s individuality, their ability [with] expression, their attention to detail.”

Mary Chiew, former head of Giorgio Armani Australia.

“It’s important that the CV be bespoke: a personalised pitch to the firm you’re applying to. I don’t want to think you have just cut and pasted my name on the same cover letter. Make it relevant to my company, do some research on the competition. It’s not that hard, it takes ten minutes.”

Kim McKay, Klick Communications.

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“Attention to detail and a point of difference are imperative. So many of my decisions when hiring staff are based on instinct. It’s important to stand out and show a solid work ethic. I want to see the young boy or girl who has stacked shelved at a store, babysat or showed entrepreneurial skills.”

Shemi Alovic, Bally Australia.

“A good CV is crucial. It should never be more than one page, unless you have twenty-plus years’ experience, and it should be printed on a nice heavy paper stock with a modern clear font. What I notice first is where the applicant has worked before— whether it be a job or internship."

Malcolm Carfrae, global head of communications, public relations and media at Ralph Lauren.

This is an edited extract taken from Impressive: How to Have a Stylish Career (Melbourne University Press; $45). For more visit kirstieclements.com.au