CV help or advice

zippychick

Hi, I have searched but couldn't find much relevant.

I am being made redundant so need to get job hunting ASAP. Obviously the CV is the first hook and needs to be as professional as possible.

I just wondered if anyone had any advice?

I have had a lot of jobs over the years, so do I only list my latest two and state employment history available on request? (otherwise it will be ten pages long)

Is it true it is supposed to be 2 sides of an A4 max?

How much detail and info should the freeform bit contain?

Anyone know of any CV no nos?

Anything else?

Many thanks for any help in advance

Proc

My CV is one page long. I've put my name, address, contact details etc in 2 lines accross the top of the page. I've seen so many CVs where they spread all of these details over 10 lines. That's just padding.

It then goes straight into my most recent role. 3 paragraphs, outlining my role, achievements, successes. This takes the CV to just about half way down the page (maybe a little bit more).

Below this is my previous role. It's 2 paragraphs, a little bit shorter.

Then I have my educational qualifications. Again, no table taking up half a page, just 2 lines with them listed. Then a tiny section on hobbies (none of this "I like listening to music and socialising" nonsense that plagues CVs).

Finally, "References available upon request".

That's it. Quite short, to the point, no padding and bullsh*t, but good amounts of information in the relevant sections.

Throughout my career, I've shown my CV into 8 places (I never use an agency, I decide where I want to work myself or have had requests for it). Had 8 interviews in total, and 8 job offers (obviously haven't accepted all of them).

Don't forget to attach a rock-solid cover letter, prefereably tailored to talk about your skills that match that specific role.

TLDR: Don't pad it out with crap but make sure there's plenty of information about job role. 1 page is fine.

zippychick

Thanks that's some good advice there. It's all very daunting writing one! Some people tell you to make yourself sound as important as possible but i think that's rubbish as people read through the fluff

In my current job I have a job description but i highly outperform and go above the line of duty - so do I concentrate on what I should be doing, what i actually do, or both?

Proc

zippychick wrote: »

Thanks that's some good advice there. It's all very daunting writing one! Some people tell you to make yourself sound as important as possible but i think that's rubbish as people read through the fluff

In my current job I have a job description but i highly outperform and go above the line of duty - so do I concentrate on what I should be doing, what i actually do, or both?

Focus on what you do, but more importantly, how this impacts on the company. For example, if you're in sales, explain what you sell, how you sell it, the reason you're so good at selling it, and the impact this has on the company (e.g. Last month I generated £2.5million profit).

You're not trying to sound important. The employer will judge how 'important' you are based on your role and achievements.

Bufger

talk about the parts in your current role that reflect on the job you're applying for. ie if you worked at ASDA behind customer services and you went for a job as an office assistant instead of saying 'i dealt with loads of chavs on a day to day basis. I helped people etc' you would say 'My responsibility included providing excellent customer service whilst being able to complete and file many forms of paperwork.'

achtunglady

Hi, last week i googled cv tips and it came up with the jobcenter site, try this one, it helps you fill in and has several styles that you can print off or save to your computer.
The Sun did a pull out a few weeks back, tips were:
CV should contain contact details, personal information, academic/professional history, your skills relevant to the job, interests. make sure there are no spelling errors

For interests, highlight experiences that show off skills employers want.

heres the site:

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/sitestudio/dev_015519.pdf

juliescot

achtunglady wrote: »

Hi, last week i googled cv tips and it came up with the jobcenter site, try this one, it helps you fill in and has several styles that you can print off or save to your computer.
The Sun did a pull out a few weeks back, tips were:
CV should contain contact details, personal information, academic/professional history, your skills relevant to the job, interests. make sure there are no spelling errors

For interests, highlight experiences that show off skills employers want.

heres the site:

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/sitestudio/dev_015519.pdf

Wonder what the Sun meant by personal information?

onlyforboards_2

Is your company offering any help with cvs for those being made redundant? In some circumstances this happens.

achtunglady

juliescot wrote: »

Wonder what the Sun meant by personal information?

Think they meant proper name, not nicknames eg Dazza when his name is Darren etc but nowadays there is no need to put date of birth on the cv since the age discrimination law came in

juliescot

achtunglady wrote: »

Think they meant proper name, not nicknames eg Dazza when his name is Darren etc but nowadays there is no need to put date of birth on the cv since the age discrimination law came in

Very true - always advise people to avoid DOB and dates which could allow someone to work out your age.

tickly1972

I have just updated my CV for a more professional version and found easy.cv.org (can't post direct links, sorry) very useful - they have a template that you work your way through and it all pulls together at the end for an organised look. They have various templates depending on if you are applying for a job which you have never done before or something that you already have experience of.