CV advice

kitschkitty

Hiya,

I think my CV is OK, but I know that current trends in CV's are constantly changing,

If I were to post mine here (minus contact details) do you think I could and would get some helpful feedback on it as I want to send it out tomorrow.

When you've been out of work for a while it can be very "interesting" trying to create a CV that is honest but looks more full than your last few years have actually been!

ruby_eskimo

I found that the Prospects website is really good for CV advice and layout etc.

The main things are: put an aim to your CV outlining briefly what you're looking for and why, then education, employment history and any additional information such as voluntary work or skills that you have.

Sharon87

I would put employment history before education, it's more relevant.

I have mine as:

Contact details at Top Centre
Personal Statement
Employment History
Education
Interests/hobbies
Then References at the bottom

If may be also wise to put your skills (if it's technical role) in with your personal statement.

angelcatcher

I've always put........
Personal Details,
Education,
Employment,
Skills,
References,
in that order on mine (yes I know this can be done differently)

I agree with putting in a personal statement when applying for jobs, but however I use that more for the cover letter than C.V. it's self.

LittleVoice

I suggest

Name
Contact Details
Employment History with skills
Education (unless this is for a young person where it has greater relevance and therefore goes ahead of employment)
only if space - interests/hobbies

no reference to references (a given that they will be required and provided)
no reference to marital status, no record of children's ages (nor names!)

grastgirl

I have two A4 pages with:

Contact details top centre (only email and mobile number if agency or online)
Employment history
Education
Other skills ie computing, languages
Interests only if they are relevant to the post or I have some space to fill.
References available on request right at the bottom (referees don't want their details splashed about everywhere either).

Might swap round education and Employment depending on what job it was for/amount of relevant experience. I tend to rejig my CV for every application I make.
Absolutely no mention of age, gender, marital status etc

loue79

Having helped people back to work for a number of years the most important thing is to tailor your CV to a particular job. Write a personal profile at the top introducing yourself so that they want to read on. Also remember to send a cover letter with your CV and do include why you are suitable for the job. If you want to PM me your CV I am happy to have a look through it for you.

kitschkitty

Sharon87 wrote: »

I would put employment history before education, it's more relevant.

I have mine as:

Contact details at Top Centre

If may be also wise to put your skills (if it's technical role) in with your personal statement.

I read that if you do this it encourages them to skim faster through the page so have moved mine across to the right of the page.

to get mine to be laid out nicely on just 2 pages I have:

personal contact details top right

profile,
key skills
education and training
employment history
interests

Also I know if you can include achievements rather than just duties it's a good thing, and I've tried, but found it very hard to do!

I don't include DoB, marital status, referee's as they're not relevant on a CV.

I've considered trying to put employment before education, but as there's a lot more info it makes the layout of a 2 page word doc more messy.


I'd be interested to hear from anyone in recruitment regarding if you should state voluntary jobs as such - I've just listed them exactly the same as my paid employment. I've also not made any distinctions between full time and part time jobs.

I'd be interested to get any advice on this.

thank you

poker_face

kitschkitty wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear from anyone in recruitment regarding if you should state voluntary jobs as such - I've just listed them exactly the same as my paid employment. I've also not made any distinctions between full time and part time jobs.

I'd be interested to get any advice on this.

thank you

Id personally put them as Additional Information rather than employment history

kitschkitty

But then my CV will look more empty in the work history section!

Sharon87

I sometimes put unpaid work experience under the heading of:

Work or Employment History, especially if I haven't got much paid work (or any) in the area I am applying to.