6 fatal CV mistakes to avoid in Prague and the Czech Republic

Avoid these common CV missteps when submitting a job application on the Czech market

Katrina Modrá

Written by Katrina Modrá Published on 19.03.2019 08:24:49 (updated on 19.03.2019) Reading time: 2 minutes

As both a jobs portal and an employer, we’ve received a tremendous number of CVs over the years.

With the advent of our CV builder, we can do some of the heavy lifting for you, generating a standardized CV that allows you to add key elements such as experience and education that’s formatted according to industry standards.

That said, even users of this handy tool should still keep their CV up to date, ensuring that it’s easy to read and follow–keeping in mind that sometimes less is better.

Before applying for a job on the local market we do suggest taking a look at some of the most common CV missteps as shared with us by local employers:

1. Exaggerating your language skills

In a European capital city where language skills are a big selling point for most firms, your fluency in multiple languages can be a big asset and should definitely be declared on your CV.

But over inflating your proficiency could put you in an embarrassing spot come interview time when it’s discovered that you can’t express yourself in one of these languages.

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2. Forgetting to spellcheck

Proofreading your CV is quite obvious advice but doing so is a very important final step that is all too often overlooked by prospective employees. If English isn’t your second language or you aren’t 100 percent certain if your grammar is accurate, ask someone to review your CV and cover letter before clicking send.

3. Using strange formatting

On the local market, the ideal format for a CV is a Word document. Don’t include strange clipart or complicated formatting that could look odd when viewed on screen. And watch out for embedded, text-obscuring watermarks on your file; these will only give your CV a less-than-professional edge. Also make sure to name your file in a professional manner.

4. Applying for the right job — in the wrong country!

Before dashing off an e-mail job application, make sure the CV you attach isn’t for another company…in another country! Your CV and cover letter should also include the correct job title as it appeared in the ad, as well as the correct name of the company where you seek employment.

5. Leaving off crucial information

We’ve told you what makes a winning CV in the Czech Republic here. Additionally, some Czech companies will want to see computer skills, personal interests, and driver’s license info. In the standard Czech CV, this information comes after education which follows work experience. You should also always check that the requested attachments or cover letter are included.

6. Sending an inappropriate photo

While job candidates in the Czech Republic are not required to provide a photo (obviously there is a danger that doing so can lead to discriminatory hiring practices) the typical Czech CV includes it. When including it, however, think “passport photo” not “Facebook selfie”.

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