Support Each Other In Looking For Work?

November5th

livermum wrote: »

I feel the same about my CV. I thought that it was fine but now I'm getting paranoid that maybe it could be better. I have sent it off for my advisor to have a look at so hopefully she will be able to offer me some advice on improving it.

It has been THE hardest part of my job hunting. I asked anyone and everyone for their opinion and I studied and studied to get it right. I am now getting at least two calls a day about work so do obsess over it. It took me a year to get it right.
A compliment I got yesterday said it all, someone who did not know about my industry still 'got' my CV. I could have cried. I am using the industry language and acronyms but still got myself across to a layman.
It could still do with improving, basically I want people to make the hiring decision when they get my CV.
Another thing, if you are absolutey clear about yourself on your CV, your interviews will get easier. After I had a bad interviewer who was all over the place I tightened up the CV a few notches so that it wouldn't happen again, there is now zero ambiguity.

Don't be shy and shout your skills from the rooftops.

DCFC79

twinkle1981 wrote: »

I have my name/address etc as a header, then my date of birth under the heading 'personal information' but thats all I have under that and I feel it seems a bit pointless.

Then my educational info, then employment history, then activities and interests. I read somewhere that unless you are a graduate you shouldnt put educational info first, but I was always told that was the way to do it.

I also don't have any sort of personal statement type thing cos I wouldnt have a clue what to put on it. Blowing my own trumpet is not my style lol.

i have my name, location(not full address but area) and a contact number and email address

then profile

key sills

education (i include everything i did at college and not gcse's since these are irrellevant)

then work history

November5th

twinkle1981 wrote: »

I have my name/address etc as a header, then my date of birth under the heading 'personal information' but thats all I have under that and I feel it seems a bit pointless.

Then my educational info, then employment history, then activities and interests. I read somewhere that unless you are a graduate you shouldnt put educational info first, but I was always told that was the way to do it.

I also don't have any sort of personal statement type thing cos I wouldnt have a clue what to put on it. Blowing my own trumpet is not my style lol.

Do try a personal statement and see what you think. Just write anything for a start, then work on it. If you can get some friends to give you a confidence boost and list your best qualities, that will help. Remember, it is difficult, everyone struggles with it.

lexilex

Getting your CV right is so difficult, I've changed mine so many times since starting the job hunt. I'm pretty happy with how it is at the moment. I've talked to so many people and got loads of advice about what is and isnt required.

This is how mine is set out.

Page 1:

NAME
Address
Home phone
Mob
Email addres


Profile which is just a couple of sentences.

Education and Qualifications which I set out like this.
Dates Place of Study
Subject Grades

For uni I've also listed the optional courses I like as this shows the areas I am most interested in. For GCSE level I don't have each subject listed just a sentence saying how many GCSE's I have grade A-C and that this includes English and Maths. For the jobs I am applying for I don't think they care I have a GCSE in French or Food Tech so I don't bother listing them.


Page 2:

University placements with a summary of what I did in a max of 4 bullet points

Employment History, again summarised in bullet points

Additional Information, which is just that I have a driving licence and I am computer literate.

Hobbies and Interest, literally one sentence. I've only recently added this after speaking to a few people. I never thought it was important but apparently they like to get an idea of your personality through this.

References available on request.

My problem is not so much the CV, just the lack of stuff on it with only just graduating!

Sharon87

Well my CV which has rarely failed me - and got a good grade during my module 'working in the media' at uni (yes that was a module lol)

Name

Address

Phone Number

Personal profile - 6 lines or so

Education History - in a table so it fits on first sheet

2nd Page:
Technical skills (good for TV, and some other industries too)

Education - most recent first. haven't named GCSE subjects

References

I use to have hobbies just below education before I had lots of work. And if you're changing industries or graduating put you industry related work on front page and employment history in other areas in a separate heading on the 2nd page. I did this when I first started out.

Sharon87

Something very strange happened today... I got a phone call from my place of work yesterday, and the director said a good job on what I did! That's rare, usually it's like ok cool you've done them. I must have done an amazing job lol

Drea

Having a bit of a horrible time. This week my ceiling has flooded from upstairs and I've found out I have a CCJ under my name (which I think must have been an ex getting something under my name - not the first time he's done it) so I'm trying to sort everything out and job hunt and keep the house in order and I'm struggling with it all just now.

Sorry for the moan, it's nice to have this thread to do it on though!

looby75

aww Drea that sucks

Hope you get it all sorted out fairly painlessly.

JAYk_2

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

It's better not to spend TOO much time looking, otherwise you find yourself seeing the same ads over and over. When I was looking, I would generally spend Thursday and Friday going through all the sites (as these are traditionally job ad days!) so you can get your CV in first. Then I would look occasionally over the weekend. Monday I noticed was another good day for new ads, then it pretty much died down again til Thursday.

If you see an ad that seems older, there is no harm emailing to see if the role is still vacant. This way you can save yourself the trouble of sending your CV (and getting another rejection) if it has already been filled. Reduces your chances of feeling demotivated as it is better to hear that it has been filled than send your CV and be told your too late.

I agree but I also believe that people should keep their options open, look at alternatives whilst trying to get a job. A lot of people seem one-track sighted at the moment ; i.e the only way is to get a job to pay the bills. Was watching BBC 3's Working Girls: Stephanie and Stephanie last night. Very interesting...

Carrie85

Hi everyone,

Some good news to report I got offered a job yesterday and i'm so happy. The job is not till June but it's for 2 1/2 months working in New York
I'm really pleased as it fits in with all the other stuff i've got going on, gives me time to concentrate on driving lessons while I get visas and other stuff organised.


Lexilex hope you're feeling better about leaving the job. I got offered work at the job I hated again this week, I refused it and was really worried about when the next thing would come up and got a job offer this week.

We all just have to put the effort in and try and learn from our experiences


Drea, hope things get better soon.