Mistake 4: The information flow

Most people start with their birth date and list everything in chronological order. So, if they started with ABC company at the age of 18 and are now, say, 38 years old and work for XYZ, chances are they will start their career history with ABC and list XYZ last.

This is a strict no-no because, to the prospective employer, your last job profile matters more than your first one. Few employers like to spend an hour on a CV searching for the last position held by the applicant.

This applies to educational qualifications too. A CV favours reverse chronological order. Stick to it.

"Most of the time, professionals writing their CV list their qualifications and their work experience in chronological order. The order should be reversed in order to bring the crux of the CV upfront," says Guha.

Seth gives the example of a CV which started by listing work history that dated back to 1983 first and then went on to 2004. She had a tough time looking for the current job.

Hobbies should come towards the end, but shouldn't be done away with. "They provide an insight into the applicant's personality. These days, the emphasis is not only on your skills but also on your personality," says Guha.