CV Help - Employment or Education first?

serious_saver

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Take with a pinch of salt anyone who says employers don't care about degrees and they are worthless. Most of these are borne out of envy. My experience is that your degree gives you a foot in the door, most decent companies don't hire into good positions if you don't have one.

I don't think anyone has said that degrees are worthless. The trick is the make the CV as clear and easy to read as possible. If you can get it onto one page then even better. If you do that then it doesn't really matter what goes where because it's all obvious.

There's no definitive right and wrong with a CV. If there was we would all look the same on paper and no one would ever make a decision on who to interview. It's worth bearing in mind that different industries also have different conventions and expectations of what to put in a CV but the trick is to show yourself in the best possible light. If the most relevent thing is the degree then by all means put it first. In this particular case it sounds as though the work experience is the most important element.

Savvy_Sue

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Completely unbiased, balanced opinion with no hint of chip-on-shoulderism at all.

Excuse me? I have a degree, and I've worked pretty solidly ever since I got it. It is, however, completely irrelevant to any of the jobs I've ever done. Therefore, unless I decide to apply for a job as a theologian, I'll continue to put my work history first.

I also have some experience of recruitment. Faced with a large pile of CVs, the ones which quickly and clearly show what someone has which is relevant to the position on offer are going to rise to the top of the pile.

Although to be fair most places I've worked in have had a standard application form. And guess what comes first on that ... yes, your work history!

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Take with a pinch of salt anyone who says employers don't care about degrees and they are worthless. Most of these are borne out of envy. My experience is that your degree gives you a foot in the door, most decent companies don't hire into good positions if you don't have one.

For some positions, a degree is essential. For those, it could be included in the 'summary' people seem to think necessary these days.

The OP hasn't done much work in her degree field, so why would she NOT put the RELEVANT experience she has first? It makes her stand out from all those who've only just graduated, surely?

It's not as if her degree is going to disappear onto page 2 at this stage of her career, either ...

AnxiousMum

I would definitely go with the personal statement, and then work experience. If you wish to have your degree showing first - you can incorporate it into your personal statement

We had a tv producer/past student come and speak at my son's school last year - he was giving a presentation on university choices/degree choices. His point was that just becuase you want to go into media, doesn't mean you have to do a degree in media - that anything showing you can research properly etc. will be a great asset in that field. He did state that when they offer work experience placements, they will gladly take an English or a History student rather than a Media student, as the first two can do the research, argue a point etc., whereas the Media student just think they know it all! (Not my words....his!)

So by pointing out your experience, you are showing you are capable of the task, not just studied it.

FATBALLZ

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

The OP hasn't done much work in her degree field, so why would she NOT put the RELEVANT experience she has first? It makes her stand out from all those who've only just graduated, surely?

Considering education typically spans 12-17 years of somebodies life, showing that you took your education seriously and used it to work towards a career in a particular field which you are now applying to work in would be a big plus point in any sensible employers book. The OP said their education was relevant hence can use this to their advantage.

Decrying somebodies decades of education as 'not important' even compared to a short stint temping just because your own educational background is a weak point in your CV is silly and unhelpful.

Absinthe_Fairy

I would always put the most recent experience first - so if you have just graduated list education first (if a degree is required for the role; if it's admin, temping etc. I'd consider putting work first) and after your first job start listing work experience first.

I'll be applying for jobs soon and I'll be listing education first, as my MA is directly relevant to the kind of jobs I'm going for. After I secure that first role (here's hoping!) I'll change my CV to list employment first.

This is just my personal opinion and not backed up by any professional recommendations!