Stop hating your CV (and start loving it)
How often do I hear the words “I hate my CV”? Quite often is the answer.
Let me reassure you if this is how you feel about your CV, you’re not alone.
Let's try a little exercise
Imagine looking at your CV and saying “I hate you” at it. How do you feel? Now, imagine looking at your CV and saying “I love you”. Stay with me….how does that make you feel? I’d be willing to hazard a guess that the latter is the happier of the 2 experiences and it may even have brought a smile to your face (if only because you’ve said “I love you” to a bit of paper!)
Taking that exercise a step further
How do you think an interview would go if you went in thinking “I hate my CV”. Now imagine how an interview might go if you went in thinking “I love my CV” or to put it another way “I’m proud of my CV, who it represents – me – and the accomplishments it showcases”. So whilst love and hate may be strong emotive words, you get the gist of how changing your mindset can help.
So, what do you do if you don’t love your CV?
Start by asking yourself why not. Perhaps you find it cringey? Think it’s too long? Not long enough? Boring? Doesn’t highlight what you’re capable of? Keep writing and refining, until you feel you’re erring towards loving it. Now, try both exercises again and see if you can look at your CV without hating it.
Changing how you view your CV is not only likely to change how you feel before you send it to anyone but is likely to change how you feel and approach interviews too. Give the “Love Hate” challenge a go!
