Linux Lancers

Most common mistakes candidates make, when sending in their CV. Sure you can find this information on other big sites having great guidelines how to develope a CV.

I will be writing this from the point of view of a technical recruiter and giving real life examples (no names thou, all information are kept confidentially) of what you all can improve.

You do get touchy about your code or how to admin a machine, so get touchy about this file, since it’s one of the most important documents you can have - ever.

1. The filename.
Most common filenames for a CV are:
curriculum_vitae
cv_english
cv_skills

Now. Would’nt it be much easier to name them with your real name?
Example: Lukas_Chaplin(CV-DE).pdf

Not only helps it the keep track of your CV better, it adds additional profile to your personality. Finally, what this document is about - you.

2. Dates.
Do you remember the time? –to quote Michael Jackson. Guess not. That’s why it’s important to add at least the month and year to your timeframe how long you worked for a company. Here, let me hit you with another example:

“2008 - present”
that’s… how to put it, not informative. compared to:

“January 2008 - present”
see the difference?

The reader does not know if you worked for a half year or just one month at a givin company. Yet it makes a big difference.

These are details why you guys get rejected, although you’d techincally and skillfully rule a given company you’re applying at.

3. Mad skills.
Somethng i encounter on a daily base. Candidate sends recruiter cv. Recruiter asks candidate few questions regarding his skills. Recruiter learns more about skills candidate didn’t put down to his cv.

Bad candidate? No. Just happens that you also hate when people calling you for support say “I have a problem with my computer, can you help?” and they don’t specify what the problem is. Same here, just this time you’re the user.

How should I (or any other HR person) know, what you’re good at if you write down “Skills: Linux, Shell, Internet, Email Server”. Care to evaluate. Be a little bit more detailed. You know, the HR Daemon won’t run properly, if you don’t feed the cv.conf with accurate data.

Consider these small details as social engineering tools in order to bypass the HR Daemon and get access within your desired target company.

Hope you find these tips usefull and remember - have fun :-)