CV Help please?

aliasojo

CV is very outdated and was set out in a format that I expect isn't relevant today. It lists all jobs since leaving school, education at school and a statement about hobbies etc.

Could anyone advise how it should be redone?

heretolearn_2

There's loads of CV guidance out there, some of it good, some not. Also loads of posts on here. My quick tips for you are for someone with that level of experience:

no need to mention why he wants to leave.
maximum 2 pages
No need to go back in detail in jobs for years. Detail for the last couple of roles then brief summary for rest. Very brief if irrelevant/donkey's years ago.
Qualifications/education. No excruciating detail of low level ones, ie if he has a degree/professional qualifications there's no need to go through every exam he did at 16/18 in detail (could mention X number o/A levels maybe). No one cares which school he went to so don't waste the space on that. Only really details of recent/professional/higher level qualifications and training - and don't forget any formal inhouse training programmes he may have done/day courses on relevant professional topics etc. Much more interesting to an employer than what he did at school umpteen years ago.
Hobbies etc, really not relevant and best to leave off unless it's something to impress employer/help with work, ie Manager of local 5-a-side team (shows management/teamwork skills).
Personal statement - start off with this, keep it brief, no business jargon, this is his chance to stand out from the crowd. What does he want, what is he offering, who is he...
Personal details - marriage, age, kids, do not include.

[Deleted User]

^^ and for god sake don't put 'Curriculum Vitae' or 'CV' or any other iteration of it as the title.

Employers know what a CV looks like, you don't need to waste space doing that, instead, use your name as the title.

aliasojo

heretolearn wrote: »

There's loads of CV guidance out there, some of it good, some not. Also loads of posts on here. My quick tips for you are for someone with that level of experience:

no need to mention why he wants to leave.
maximum 2 pages
No need to go back in detail in jobs for years. Detail for the last couple of roles then brief summary for rest. Very brief if irrelevant/donkey's years ago.
Qualifications/education. No excruciating detail of low level ones, ie if he has a degree/professional qualifications there's no need to go through every exam he did at 16/18 in detail (could mention X number o/A levels maybe). No one cares which school he went to so don't waste the space on that. Only really details of recent/professional/higher level qualifications and training - and don't forget any formal inhouse training programmes he may have done/day courses on relevant professional topics etc. Much more interesting to an employer than what he did at school umpteen years ago.
Hobbies etc, really not relevant and best to leave off unless it's something to impress employer/help with work, ie Manager of local 5-a-side team (shows management/teamwork skills).
Personal statement - start off with this, keep it brief, no business jargon, this is his chance to stand out from the crowd. What does he want, what is he offering, who is he...
Personal details - marriage, age, kids, do not include.

Thank you.

aliasojo

[quote=[Deleted User];54600379]^^ and for god sake don't put 'Curriculum Vitae' or 'CV' or any other iteration of it as the title.

Employers know what a CV looks like, you don't need to waste space doing that, instead, use your name as the title.[/QUOTE]

His name was always the title. It was his full name before though, I've taken out his middle name now and enlarged and centered it, in keeping with similar styles seen on the net.

Dunroamin

Have you had a look at writing a skills based CV which is a much more up to date format than the traditional chronological format?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=skills+based+cv&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnt&tbs=ctr:countryUK%7CcountryGB&cr=countryUK%7CcountryGB&sa=

aliasojo

I did look at that type Dunroamin but went with a combination version as his skills are obvious and evident when you list his work record.

Not sure that makes sense, I know what I mean.

Btw do people not list their date of birth anymore?

Dunroamin

aliasojo wrote: »

I did look at that type Dunroamin but went with a combination version as his skills are obvious and evident when you list his work record.

Not sure that makes sense, I know what I mean.

Btw do people not list their date of birth anymore?

DOB is optional these days.

Re the skills - is he only applying for very similar jobs?

aliasojo

Dunroamin wrote: »

DOB is optional these days.

Re the skills - is he only applying for very similar jobs?

Yes. It's a specific job in the same industry, just a different (said to be better) employer.

Idiophreak

aliasojo wrote: »

The reason for wanting to leave wasn't going on his CV, it was what he would say if he got an interview and was asked. (Apologies for not being clear.)
....
just a different (said to be better) employer.

I'd advise him to answer the question as "why I want to join company B", rather than "why I want to leave company A"....

aliasojo

Ok, I've done the CV and I think it looks just fine, it's based on a modern format, I've cut all the old rubbish out and focused more on the relevant things, but I'm struggling with the cover letter.

If it wasn't for the way his employer has started working now, he wouldn't be looking to move at all tbh. He was happy enough there until new bosses brought new changes.

What should the cover letter say?