CV advice.

I'm trying to put together a cv. However, I've only had the one job (16-25) apart from a couple of one off odds and ends.

So, I'm not really sure how to go about it. Should I be thinking MOre about me as a person? I've never done a cv and to be honest, don't really know how to go about it. Google returns loads of results, however quite a few sites say not to use a template.

Any pointers on layout and content would be appreciated.

 

I usually go with the following:

Name, address, contact details, drivers licence etc.

Then one paragraph summing you up and where you want to go in your work, don't make this too wordy or bull shitty.

Then work experience beginning with your latest job, give a brief description of the work then bullet points of your key responsibilities.

Pertinent education history

Spare time activities, if you have anything which helped others all the better. Don't put drinking.

References.

Embelish a little bit, but don't bullshit. Keep it simple in one font such as Times. Underline each section header, bold where required nothing else is required.

Keep it short and sweet the most you want is two pages. In my opinion the first paragraph counts.

 

Make sure you give examples of your transferable skills, stuff such as team work, project management, ability to get on with people etc. Try to use examples from real life as well, you can use your interests for this, as gary said don't say drinking!.

Employers want to get a vague idea about you as a person as well as your technical skills.

 

Don't be afraid to include your hobbies! My interest in hifi set me apart from however many other electronic engineering graduates there are in the job market to get both of the jobs I've had.

 

Wot garyi says. Don't waffle, and keep the page count down unless you want it sent to file 13.

 

I don;t mention that anymore becuase my CV is quite geeky already, clearly if you're going for a HIFI design job or somthing releated mention it, but if you're going for a software developer job for the NHS for example but would be a bit sad.

I mention my traveling experience quite a lot, I have not lied about the duration (I just left it off!) although I make it clear it was a holiday.

 

Actually those that have extensively travelled can be in with a better chance, firstly you were prepared to experience the diversity of the world, and you have got the travel bug out your system.

 

It depends what job you are applying for. I re-write my CV for every application and even person I'm applying to.

 

My job until now has been very bland, but very flexible manufacturing type factory work (optical media). It was flexible enough to get me through college, to take MOnths off with a hand crush injury, keep a long distance relationship for 4 years, and to pack my bags and leave the country whenever I felt.

I can justify my reasons for staying there with things like flexibility to travel, but I'm not sure how to glorify the work itself.

I've no real desire to mention Hifi as a hobby. Music's something I'm passionate about, and sure I've an interest in hifi, but it's really just a platform for the music.

I'm looking to do something (now this'll sound cheesy) "meaningful". My reasons for sticking where I was have changed (and they started bringing in loadsa agenc staff so t'was the kick in the ass I needed anyhow ), and I'm now wanting something rewarding. I'm pretty unsure what I want, but I'm looking to get into conservation/forestry, but lack of driving license makes it a non-starter. So I've been applying for a few care worker positions hoping to get some cash together to fund licenses, and also to experience work which to me os MOre "real".

Thanks for the feedback so far :beer:

 

The only bit of advice that i could give would be make sure that there are no grammar or spelling mistakes , and also don't tell any lies. If you do 'embelish' your experience a little make sure you can carry it off at interview.

Good luck...

 

An employer wants to look at a cv and see immediately what's going on.

I use bullet points everywhere for mine...

other things people have said is good advice

 

Hi,
It really does depend on what job you are aiming to get.
I have done my CV recently and working with about 5 recruiters played them off each other until all were telling me it was perfect.

The best CV writing interview prep and analysis book I have read is "brilliant job hunters manual, the complete guide to getting the job you want" by angela fagan.

It costs £13 from amazon. You can have my for less if you wish (once you have made your CV and memorised the rest you can resell it)

My best personal piece of advice is to view EVERYTHING you have done so far as a positive! I sold double glazing for a humiliating corrupt company who refused to train me, yet on my CV it looks like a dream job. If you want I can e-mail you my CV so you can poach some ideas.

 

Mo! make it no more that two pages, most people reviewing CV's bin them if there are more, also print it out on quality paper.

 

I expect that you will be up against others with technical skills much the same as your's so it may be hard to decide upon who has the job if technical skills were the only criteria. As others have already mentioned the part of you that reflects well upon your social life and interactions with people will also be under the microscope as if you get the job your employer must feel that you will fit in well with both he and the existing workforce. I have encountered only two or three people who because of their technical prowse were given positions despite having an rather underdeveloped social skill set.

 

agree with a lot thats been said, i change my cv everytime as employers want different things everytime, make sure your hobbies in some way relate to thew job is always good, things that show commitment/team work etc are always excellent to put on cvs, if youve only had one job concentrate on other things you have done, academic/ certificates/ hobbies/volunteer work. You can get a good cv help book from a local libary (saves you 13 quid) and like everyones said no more than 2 pages, the idea is you give them an insight that will want them to give you an interview, not a life story
and by the way, good luck

 

Ah yes something else i remembered. if sending out a rel paper CV , Further to Sgt Rocks excellent advice, ( I use conquerer 100gsm - brilliant white, slightly textured, watermark facing and upright also make sure you send them out in Brown Manilla, stiff card backed, envelopes, there are a pain to fit into a standard sized office waste bin, which means they might stand mor chance of staying on top of the desk not under it !

 

Thanks to all for the replies. I've put together a rough document with all the relevent details (name, address, telephone, d.o.b, education and work), and just now need to work on the personal bit and layout.

I had an out of the blue call from a friend of a friend who works in a CAD office. I spoke to him close to a year ago and he said he'd keep an ear out for me. They're looking to take someone on so he's asked if I'd like to apply. So I'll get a CV sent to him asap.

The problem is, I'm not sure I really fancy going that direction. An office job is pretty polar to what I'm hoping for. However, I'm still going to try for it. But, I can't really use the angle I was planning on (looking for a change of direction to something rewarding etc..), and the advice of writing/tweaking the CV specific to different positions seems highly relevent.

Also, having only had the one job, referees is a problem. From my last employer I'm assuming Human Resources will provide one, but as I'd never even met anyone from HR, I imagine it will be a pretty
standard reply. For the other I'm struggling for ideas. My brothers fiancé is a licensee, and has been suggested, but I gather family and friends shouldn't be used. Ideas?

Hi Peter.

The positive point of view advice, is something being pointed out to me by a few people.

If you (and anyone else willing), could email me your cv, that would be much appreciated

the_real_mo at hotmail dot com

Ta

 

MO, Sid's advice on paper is excellent. You can spend a while on making your cv read like you are a dream future employee, but if it's printed on cheap printer paper, you lose the effect. I have sent you a copy of mine to give you some ideas. Good luck!

 

Referees should preferably be line managers. So your former line manager should be your port of call. After that if it's not too long a reference from someone involved in educating you, or someone who has personal knowledge of your circumstances. These are sometimes called character references. TBH employers usually are only interested in work references. Most people can rustle someone up to say what a nice person they are.

 

I find it harder to tear and chuck a CV if it's on really nice paper. Perhaps go the extra mile and print on untearable unfoldable stuff, that would get their attention!