CV Help

its about time i got off my 'arris and stopped complaining about my job and seek new employment.

as i've not been in the postion of job seeking for 12 years my CV is a tad out of date. can any of you helpful orgers offer me tips/websites/layouts which will help me with my CV organisation? i've been on the receiving end of some shocking CVs and dont wish to put off prospective employers with a dull layout

ta and all that.

ps the winner of the most helpful poster gets a special prize.

This won't be of any help; I'll point that out now

I've had my CV looked over by more people who regularly hire, careers 'experts' and browsed for hours on the internet. My CV bounced from one place to the other and each person thought completely differently every time. There is no perfect CV, everyone has different tastes.

The most successful ones I've used are always the ones I do without all the 'advice'. Websites encourage bull****ty padding:-
'I am an enthusiastic, passionate, willing, persevering...energetic...'
'Key Skills...competencies... '
bleh.
They only show your ability to use the internet & thesaurus

I'd personally go for an excellent covering letter explaining how cool you are; how they'd enjoy your company and why you'd be good at the job, then leave the CV as a support only.

a cv is only to prove education etc so just put in the facts. name dob address. qualifications obtained at school and what year you gained further education qualifications.

list jobs over last 10 years with basic list of duties.

small bitty at end with hobbies

if they want more information they will ask you at the interview

good luck

Covering letters go in the bin. CVs are the real record. That's why they are called "covering letters" and "CVs"......

When you meet someone new with whom you want to form some kind of relationship, you engage in a broad conversation that outlines your background and attitude. That's what the first part of your CV should do. It's a written handshake and warm greeting, but not a brag-fest - and NO BS.

The second part should provide the evidence that supports it - nothing irrelevant, and it should also act as your "agenda" in the interview.

NEVER more than 2 pages, single sided, Ariel 11, nice headings, bullet points, 1st person, limited use of colour, good paper.

as there's only 3 replies, you can all have a prize

it'll be posted out to you in the next few days and will be with you before christmas

Too late for the prize But I'd second everything G2D has said (got to be a first time for everything).

Tailor your application method to the employer, I'd say covering letters only go in the bin if they end up with large HR departments or recruitment agencies. If you're applying direct to small-ish (as in, say -200 employees) I think they're a god send.

Number one top tip at interview. Offer to work for free. Only works at small-ish companies as the paperwork and legality seems dubious to large HR departments. But say toward the end "look, I've really gotten a good impression of this place, but I can appreciate you might need some extra convincing, so here's what I'll offer. I'll work one week for you, completely free, off the books. If after the week either of us don't think it'll work out, then fine, we walk away, if you want to hire me, then we'll just backdate my start date to the beginning of the free week." That line works fantastic in the sorts of firms where a handshake means more than a HR drafted contract. Every time I've used that line it's worked, and a couple of times they took me up on the "try before you buy" week.

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

Too late for the prize But I'd second everything G2D has said (got to be a first time for everything).

Tailor your application method to the employer, I'd say covering letters only go in the bin if they end up with large HR departments or recruitment agencies. If you're applying direct to small-ish (as in, say -200 employees) I think they're a god send.

You must be spending too much time on here

I always got told it was common practice to put a brief profile about yourself at the start of your CV...it's a good selling point.
Something along the lines of.....


"As an experienced (Fill out as Required)I have developed good people/management skills, which include a friendly and positive approach to customers ensuring excellent working relationships are established and maintained. I am able to organise people and work systems effectively in order to achieve objectives. I am ambitious and enthusiastic, with a mature approach to life, I have an outgoing and friendly personality, and have had steady promotion throughout my career."

Originally Posted by cuffy

I always got told it was common practice to put a brief profile about yourself at the start of your CV...it's a good selling point.
Something along the lines of.....


"As an experienced (Fill out as Required)I have developed good people/management skills, which include a friendly and positive approach to customers ensuring excellent working relationships are established and maintained. I am able to organise people and work systems effectively in order to achieve objectives. I am ambitious and enthusiastic, with a mature approach to life, I have an outgoing and friendly personality, and have had steady promotion throughout my career."

Maybe a moot point as I'm not in a position to be interviewing/CV reviewing, but if I saw that on a CV I'd bin it immediately. What aload of crap! (No offence )

Originally Posted by cuffy

I always got told it was common practice to put a brief profile about yourself at the start of your CV...it's a good selling point.
Something along the lines of.....


"As an experienced (Fill out as Required)I have developed good people/management skills, which include a friendly and positive approach to customers ensuring excellent working relationships are established and maintained. I am able to organise people and work systems effectively in order to achieve objectives. I am ambitious and enthusiastic, with a mature approach to life, I have an outgoing and friendly personality, and have had steady promotion throughout my career."

Or an opening line such as:

My wife's in to swinging