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By Joseph Mtebe, Citizen Correspondent
I had never taken CV writing seriously before, and I used to think no one ever did. It was just a piece of printed paper detailing what college one went to, and what one had done before. That is why I had taken the liberty to write whatever my mind considered flashy and trendy on my CV, such as ‘mushroom grower,’ an activity I just saw my mum doing, but had never seriously taken part in before.
So, I almost passed out last week when a panelist in an interview confined his questioning to mushroom farming, a thing I barely know, just because it’s on my CV.
You see, since I have no better thing to do, I’ve indulged myself in my mother’s mushroom business. I have seen myself rising through the ranks to become her executive assistant, legal advisor and marketing manager, all rolled into one.
It’s a tiring full time unpaid job, save for the housing, meals and health benefits I acquire by virtue of being her son.
Considering all of that, I took it upon myself to update my CV, and display the new experience.But it cost me a-would-be job last week because given my clueless answers, only a fool would have taken me seriously.
When I look at my carefully-drafted CV, there is one thing you will quickly notice: There’s not much to write about, apparently.
But it’s always been comforting to learn that I can google and download all the latest CV samples there are on the internet, and pick one I deem impressing. I would edit and add in my particulars.
Some employers will tell you that it is even commendable, given the poor CV writing skills most of our graduates possess these days.