Pulling together a CV is a boring task and it's often a question of to include and what not to include.
And with the fact that employers can take as little as SIX SECONDS to scan one - first impressions really do count.
But are there certain things you shouldn't brag about? What if you're a brain box - is mentioning something like your Mensa membership helpful or intimidating?
Deepa Somasundari, senior director of strategic projects at Indeed, said: "Employers sometimes spend as little as six seconds reviewing a CV, which means first impressions really matter.
“Including Mensa on your CV might impress some employers - especially those seeking people who perform well at tasks similar to standard IQ tests - but most will be looking for achievements, experience and skills relevant to the role."
If a recruiter is on the hunt for someone who is consistently able to solve problems then maybe having a claim to Mensa fame on a CV could give a candidate that cutting edge.
A different perspective is that some recruiters find that those who don't necessarily have quite such impressive IQs compensate for this with an extraordinarily creative mind or array of practical skills. It's not to say that people can't be both intelligent and practically minded.
Overall, smart people tend to present themselves more effectively on a resume but it doesn't necessarily mean that someone of a higher intelligence will conduct themselves anymore cogently than someone with a lower IQ.
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On paper, a dream employee for many would of course hold the traits associated with Mensa membership but it may be the case that those with raw intelligence might not harness that ability as successfully when in a role.
There is the common conception amongst employers that those who are members of the high IQ society may simply be doing so to boost self-image and that it isn't an accurate representation of how the candidate may perform in a professional setting.
The IQ test is purely based on individual intelligence and this doesn’t always reflect how applicants will perform when it comes to emotional intelligence within a team setting.
Membership proves your intelligence albeit in a sort of black-and-white way. Many recruiters will ask for real-life examples of how candidates overcame difficulty and used their problem-solving skills, not just how they responded to theoretical questions.
When we think about the term 'streetwise', would someone of a classically intelligent nature be able to problem solve in a real-world scenario to the same extent as someone who is strongly 'streetwise'?
On the other hand, for some recruiters, a Mensa membership may be just the thing to eliminate other competitors and allow someone to really stand out.
Would you be put off by a Mensa membership on a CV?
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Then you have the issue of accessibility when it comes to enrolling to be tested for Mensa entry. For some, the £24.95 fee for testing will be a nominal amount but for others who may otherwise score highly, that price point could be unattainable.
As we previously reported, there are thought to be more than 1.4 million potential Mensa members in Britain and Ireland that have not been tested. So, maybe an official recognition from Mensa isn't the singular defining factor of someone's intelligence.
From a different perspective, it could be that someone noting a Mensa membership on their CV would demonstrate a passion to prove themselves.
It appears to boil down to each individual employer when it comes to choosing who is the best person for the job on offer.
In an ideal world, it seems that an applicant who can provide real-world experience relating to their skills and qualifications is more likely to stand out generally speaking but a Mensa membership may well be the cherry on top.