I think that psychometric testing or personality profiling is great in its proper place.   It is a very useful tool for employers to be able to assess how a candidate will fit in with their team and from your point of view it is very useful to be able to find out what the test will say about you.   That is why we have included information about psychometric testing on our Website you can get a free mini test - why not try it - it can be very interesting.  

I do think, however,  that it’s a bit like carrots which are jolly good for you, but even the best of things  can be bad if taken to excess.   I’m not at all sure that the personality profile can really tell you anything about yourself that you didn’t know already.   The biggest downfall is where people take elements of the psychometric test and include them in the CV in an endeavour to describe the type of person they are.   I think this is a big mistake.   It’s a bad idea to include anything in the CV that is not demonstrable.  

The type of profile that I come across all the time, when doing assessments, goes something like this:  

"A highly dynamic and flexible person.  Intelligent and hard working with an agile mind.  A pro-active problem solver and excellent communicator  ………."

Now, this may all be true but how can it possibly be proved?  Because it is only a perception it is simply a waste of space.  The profile is a very important part of any CV but it needs to be an introduction that focuses upon your achievements and skills to demonstrate, in real terms, what you have to offer to a prospective employer    

I had an interesting day yesterday, which included a visit to the Osteopath but more interestingly  a telephone interview with a lady who is writing an article on CV writing for a popular Women’s Magazine.

The main subject under discussion was how to get around ’glitches’ in your career when you are writing your CV.   It was a very interesting discussion and raised all sorts of issues that people may face in their lives.   I have been inspired to write an article covering how to deal with problems that may face you when you are writing a CV, which I will be publishing some time very soon.  

One point that emerged from the discussion was one that I found really interesting.  It was the fact that some of the ‘problems’ were not problems at all.   For example, since one would never include ‘reason for leaving’ when writing a CV you don’t need to show that you were sacked.   The only problem here might be with references, but that doesn’t doesn’t arise in the CV writing process because you don’t include names of references either.   Incidentally I am fairly certain that most employers would prefer not to get involved in disputes so they would usually give a non-committal reference in any case. 

I would usually only include years when writing a CV, so short periods of unemployment would not show at all.   Long periods of unemployment can easily be shown as a ‘career break’.  This is perfectly acceptable, particularly where there are young families involved or if you can demonstrate that you were studying towards further qualifications. 

I recently had an e-mail from a lady who said ‘I’ve had five years out of work to bring up my family - what excuse can I make when I am writing my CV’.   A classic example of somebody who saw a problem where there wasn’t one.   Employers are human beings and they will understand the need for a mother to be with her children.   With a little careful thought it can even be turned to advantage, for example you might say in the covering letter that you are now eager to return to work and to commit yourself once again to developing your career.  

The subject of people taking time out to travel was discussed.   Again this is simply not a problem.   Many employers would regard this as an advantage, especially as it would enable the candidate to demonstrate that they were adaptable and had gained an understanding of different cultures.

So the lesson here is that when writing a CV think positive!  Remember that your CV is not an autobiography and is not all about your life history.   Writing your CV is your opportunity to demonstrate your transferable skills and competencies and what you can bring to the prospective employer’s organisation.   Don’t put in too much detail and never make excuses such as ’reason for leaving’.   Try to view everything from a positive viewpoint and use your previous experience to demonstrate what you have to offer.