CV help

jaygami1986

Hi im new to this site and this is my first post, so its nice to chat to all on this board. I am starting to lok for summer placements, and need a really good looking CV. Does anyone no any good companies, which will make my CV look really good, and if so how much do they normally charge.

Thanks

CM86_2

Have you searched Google?!

It all depends on your budget, however what's wrong with writing it yourself?

melancholly

http://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/students/work/cvintro.asp
this website is useful if you're stuck - and you can access it without being a cambridge student.

i think paying someone to do a cv is uncessary - most unis have a careers service where you can make an appointment with someone to go through your cv and suggest ways to improve it.

SamMoffatt28

I think Connextions or the job centre can help you with your cv.

If you have microsoft word you can use the resume wizard on there, you tell it what info you want, add your details and it does it for you, theres about 3 or 4 different styles to choose from. I've just done mine and its great!

kittiwoz

Surely your university has a dedicated careers service who can help you with your CV? I really don't think it's a good idea to have someone else write your CV for you. You need to be utterly familiar with it so you can refer to it at interview. Also who knows about your qualifications, experience and skills better than you yourself?

Write it out with academic history and qualifications first followed by work experience (voluntary and paid) both in reverse chronological order, then lastly a brief section on yourself detailing hobbies and interests.

Keep the academic section strictly a factual list of institutions attended, qualifications with grades and dates. In the jobs and extra-curricular sections write a brief descripition of the job/activity and your involvement highlighting skills you used or aquired. Here's an example of a job description from my own CV:

10/00 – 03/01

Assistant Children’s Party Entertainer;
Razzmataz Children’s Entertainments, Amersham, Bucks

I worked in a partnership providing entertainments at children’s parties. My role was to play the clown, encourage the children to take part in a safe and controlled manner and to perform simple magic tricks. I was quick in learning several new skills for this position. I worked closely with several entertainers, following cues to pre-empt props and music requirements. I balanced enthusiasm with the professionalism and control required to direct the children.

For each job you have held also list dates and employer. Cite two references at the end. Your CV should not exceed two pages in length and should feature your name and contact information in the header so that it appears at the top of both pages in case they become seperated.

Here's a link to the University of Manchester Careers Service. I remember when being told I should really visit them I was also told they're the best or one of the best career services in the country. I don't know what that was based on though. Anyway, you will certainly find good and useful information on their site. They won't offer you specific personal advice without your being a Manchester student or alumni though so if you want more personal help visit your own careers service.

Another thing to beware of if you use Google to help you find a CV writing service is that CV in the US seems to have a rather different meaning to in the UK. Also if you use a US site you could end up with dodgy spellings that will let your potantial employers know that you didn't write it yourself and I don't think that will be seen favourably.

CM86_2

I went to our uni careers service for help writing mine, and it came out good!

If someone writes a CV, and you're not familiar with it you could slip up, and it wouldn't be your style anyway!

anewman

SamMoffatt28 wrote:

If you have microsoft word you can use the resume wizard on there

I have read articles suggesting not to use these wizard things. The reason being, if everyone uses the same wizard, all the CV's will look the same and they'll look like you haven't put any thought into it - and your CV will make its way to the bin.

I know it can be difficult to write a CV but just put your mind to it and you'll get there eventually. You could also search google for CV and the qualifications/experience you have to try find other people's online CV's to get some inspiration.

Savvy_Sue

I haven't ever used a wizard, but if you look at one to begin with I'd hope it would prompt you to put in everything you should!

cannyscot_2

yes do your own-plain simple, clear, precise and positive- think hard about what the person who is receiving it is looking for and target it at that. Ask someone honest and if poss someone who is used to receiving CV's if it is conveying the message you intended.

use good paper, good envelopes, spell check like mad -don't ask me!-can't type or spell.

For summer placements, do your research,get on the phone and if possible get the name of the person you should send it to -Head of HR, chief accountant etc.

freebie_fairy

Take advice from the Uni careers advisors. Try the business section of libraries they have lots of professional CV samples. Traditional format is contact details- qualifications (most recent first)- career history-interests-and contact details for 2 referees. If you haven't had much work experience then use it to emphasise your key skills and achievements.

rjh090384

I used the reed template on tehir website for mine and employeers always comment on how well it looks. you can do it al land register with site (noone ever contacts u) then export cv to word.