Wanting to return to work after 4 years of being off sick.

voiceofdoom

You're an inspiration! And I wish you all the luck in the world with your search.

babymoo

skintandscared wrote: »

You are an inspiration - wish there were more with your attitude!!

If you need help with a CV, all you need to do is break it down into 4 main sections.

1 - personal stuff at the top - name, address, phone number, marital status, number of dependents

2 - Education. Just list your last main school or college and the qualifications attained or studied.

3 - any work experience. Literally anything from a Saturday job to your voluntary work (and list the skills you've learned/software packages you can use).

4 - Interests/hobbies, clean driving licence (if applicable) and either the name of your referee or just put "reference available on request".

Try to keep the CV to one page if you can, and ask someone to check it for you for any typos!! I am a PA and still used to get someone to check mine for me!!

In your covering letter just give a brief explanation of your break in education/work. You don't have to tell them your whole life history.

Lastly, if you feel up to it, a lot of CV's these days have a photo attached. Put on your brightest smile and send a pic!

Good luck to you!! :T

Just out of curiosity why do I need to enter Marital Status and Number of dependants? It's not a problem just curious.

SarEl

babymoo wrote: »

Just out of curiosity why do I need to enter Marital Status and Number of dependants? It's not a problem just curious.

You don't. And there is no reason why you should.

babymoo

Another question, what is the best font for a CV and letter size?

ETA: there may be a few questions lol. I am just writing about my education and have put in that I will be starting a course mid september to achieve English qualification which will be the equivalent to GCSE grades A-C. I have also mentioned the times and day this runs. I have put in that I will be starting the Maths one once the English has finished. Would this suffice? Do I need to mention my highschool as I got nothing from them.

I did attend college for 12 months and get a distinction grade in childcare when I was 17 which I will put in. I feel that mentioning the high school and not being able to put any qualifications by it will be seen as negative but then I also think that having a blank space where my high school should be would also be negative. hmmm. Any advice please?

SarEl

Any plain font will do - no fancy scribbles or jokey styles! We specify Ariel or Times New Roman, but most people don't specify a font. Most people prefer to read 11pt for some reason, but 11 or 12 pt will be fine. 10 pt is the absolute minimum - even that size can be difficult for some people (like me!) to read!

babymoo

SarEl wrote: »

Any plain font will do - no fancy scribbles or jokey styles! We specify Ariel or Times New Roman, but most people don't specify a font. Most people prefer to read 11pt for some reason, but 11 or 12 pt will be fine. 10 pt is the absolute minimum - even that size can be difficult for some people (like me!) to read!

Thank you ever so much, I have updated my questions if you could peep at them at some point as you obviously know what your doing with them I would very much appreciate your input.

Naf

SarEl wrote: »

Any plain font will do - no fancy scribbles or jokey styles! We specify Ariel or Times New Roman, but most people don't specify a font. Most people prefer to read 11pt for some reason, but 11 or 12 pt will be fine. 10 pt is the absolute minimum - even that size can be difficult for some people (like me!) to read!

Where do you work that you need to be so choosy over the font?
You might not like mine then lol, although its only my name at the top that's an 'interesting' style... I did think some of it was below 10pt, but the majority is 11.5.

orangeslimes

babymoo wrote: »

I did attend college for 12 months and get a distinction grade in childcare when I was 17 which I will put in. I feel that mentioning the high school and not being able to put any qualifications by it will be seen as negative but then I also think that having a blank space where my high school should be would also be negative. hmmm. Any advice please?

You could just put its name with the dates attended in one line. I don't think it will make much difference- you are going to have to explain your education etc was interrupted by illness in your cover letter anyway. That will put some people off, but other people will be impressed by your determination.

northern_at_heart

Just wanted to say - I too am impressed by your determination and positive attitude. If you would like another pair of eyes cast over your CV I'd be very happy to have a look at it. I'm an editor and recruit staff regularly so have a good pair of 'eagle eyes'!

Hoof_Hearted

Well done, you. It must be hard for you. However, my two pennies.

Temp work with an agency may be a good way forward. If you don't work, you wont get paid, so no risk for them. The other thing is that temporary staff who impress may be in managers' minds when something permanent comes up. The downside is that agencies usually charge companies a finder's fee but I don't think this is the case if you apply for a job by responding to an ad.

Very, very good luck.