CV help please

nimbo

EchoLocation wrote: »

The following may sound a bit pedantic, but then any potential employer may well be pedantic...


It all reads like it's in the 3rd person. It should be statement from you as in 'I am...', 'I have...' etc. Make the whole thing a bit more personal.

'self motivated' needs to be hyphenated.

You shouldn't begin the second sentence with 'With...' in this context. Either use a comma to join it to the first sentence or reword it in the 1st person as advised above.

'With experience of cash handling in environments working with customers face to face' is maybe a bit of a mouth full, I'd change it to something like 'With experience of cash handling working in face to face customer environments'

The first two bullet points are too similar sounding, try to make each one a distinct point with key words.

I read 'focussed' to be the past tense of 'focus', so I'd use 'focused' instead.

self-motivated in apparently grammatically incorrect....

how is this so hard?

application forms are so much longer, and so much easier....

nimbo

how can you write a cv with no job spec = this is worse than bloody torture.

nimbo

[FONT=&quot]Nimbo Surname[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]road, Town, South Yorkshire, pos tcode
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Mobile No: 0712345678[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Email: [/FONT][EMAIL="U1162375@unimail.hud.ac.uk"][FONT=&quot]email@email address
[/FONT][/EMAIL]

[FONT=&quot]Personal Profile[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]An enthusiastic motivated individual who is conscientious, punctual and hard working. Who always strives to achieve an extremely high standard of work. Good with working in a team but also capable of working on own initiative. With over ten years experience in dealing with customers and members of the public, and five years of working handling cash. [/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Excellent with the public with great customer service skills.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Outstanding dedication and drive.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Polite, patient and understanding personality.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Career Summary[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]March 2012 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]****** Connects – Information Officer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Present [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Working in a busy telephony department taking calls from members of the public while ensuring that targets are met, [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Logging jobs within strict time constraints, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]whilst providing excellent customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working to ensure that the best outcomes for customers are achieved in pressured situations. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]February 2010 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Support Officer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]April 2011[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Providing papers and intelligence supporting strategic targets for the department to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensured ongoing personal development, to guarantee that appropriate knowledge was assimilated and that the changing needs of the business were met. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]August 2009 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Senior Commissioning Analyst[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]February 2010 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Worked in collaboration with finance in organising payment schedules and payment of invoices within the NHS. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Was responsible for supervising the production of reports supporting the joint commissioning arrangements throughout South Yorkshire. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Providing line management support to junior members of the team.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]January 2008 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Analyst [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]August 2009 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Developed processes to validate costs attributed to Barnsley by other PCTs, and communicating any issues to management as well as other trusts in order to save money where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Submitted monthly and weekly reports to the Strategic Health Authority through on-line reporting tools,[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Produced monthly updates to be circulated through the department and to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Provided line management support to junior members of the team.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]July 2006 – ******** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS Foundation Trust[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Administrative Assistant [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]December 2007 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Acted as receptionist on a busy Genito Urinary department and had a range of responsibilities including administrative tasks. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Contact with customers over the phone and face to face often dealt with people in difficult situations. . [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Team working was a key element within this role as well as the need to follow processes and protocols for a structured, secure environment. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]June 2005 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Monsoon Accessorize[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Sales Assistant[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]June 2006 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Key responsibilities included cash handling in a customer based environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Providing a high quality of customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensuring an extensive product knowledge [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High quality of work when completing all store administration to policy guidelines as indicated by the company. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High achievement on mystery shopper reports was always achieved, as well as positive feedback from customers.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working around the country on several shop refits, in demanding situations to ensure shops reopened on time. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]September 2003 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Student Union Bar Supervisor [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]November 2004 T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]he uni I went to... [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Extensive experience of working in a busy environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Dealing with difficult situations in a professional and effective manner. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Gaining knowledge and understanding of cash handling in a busy customer based environment. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Education/Training and Qualifications[/FONT]



· [FONT=&quot]Diploma in Higher Education – English Literature and Media[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Certificate in Higher Education – Health and Social Care[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]AS levels – English, Psychology, Philosophy and General Studies[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]GCSE’s including English, Maths and Science – Grade C[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License Advanced (ECDL) in Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Databases[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License (ECDL)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]References[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]References available on request. [/FONT]

nimbo

Ok so I have tried to take on board some of the comments....

I can't bring myself to say I it just seems wrong and research seems to have about a 50 / 50 split.

I have taken on board the present tense for my current role, and past tense for the rest of the jobs....

I have gone back as far as university as there no space for anything before.... (I'm applyng for a shop job so it won't affect anything like CRB stuff etc)...

The font on the document is actually 11 pt Ariel - I can't fit it in as 12 pt....

I liked the headings through the document but personal profile was better than professional...

there are a few formatting issues in the post that aren't evident in the document.....

but can i actually hand this in? - and hopefully get an interview at least?

LE3

I regularly reviews CVs & to be honest you haven't actually told me what you achieved in any of your roles, and what you were actually responsible for. I suspect it's a classic example of under-selling yourself - either that or you have overinflated what you actually did!

what did you actually bring to each of your previous jobs? What did you achieve? What was different when you left to when you started?

Let's take your current one:
Ok, you work in a busy call centre. Is this relevant for the job you are applying for or are you looking to bring transferable skills? Have you actually improved any processes or won the department award or ....

If you want to highlight the stressful environment, accuracy etc I would expect to see something more like:

March 2012 – Present <companyname> – Information Officer (A customer Facing Telephony Role)
Demonstrated excellent levels of accuracy in a high pressured environment and met all deadlines whilst ensuring the best outcomes for customers are achieved in accordance with the company procedures.
(I'm already seeing high pressure, accuracy, deadlines, customer, company procedures - all good ...)
Through my involvement in xxxx I achieved yyyy
(You are telling me what you brought to the company, what difference you made) Did you achieve any awards or commendations or ....?

"Worked in collaboration with finance in organising payment schedules and payment of invoices within the NHS" - so you took a piece of paper to the finance person and said "please pay this"? or did you do something more?
"Was responsible for supervising the production of reports" - so you told a junior to print the report? Or did you have "responsibility for the reporting ...." - huge difference!


Was the "senior commissioning" role with the same dept/company as the one below? If so, then start by saying "promoted to senior commisioning role, with line management responsibilities for 5 staff. Increased duties included developing payment schedules and reporting for the joint commissioning arrangements throughout South Yorkshire." You are telling me that you were good enough to be promoted, that you took on responsibility, that you had management experience, that you developed payment schedules & had responsibility for reports etc etc ...)

If the Monsoon & Student Union roles are not directly relevant to this job, then a simple one liner is sufficient - they are too long ago to be particularly of interest.

(I've written this quickly - please excuse any grammatical or smelling pistakes )

LE3

Just seen that you are applying for a shop job (checkout? small store?) - in which case some of my comments are not so relevant ... I will look later tonight when I have more time & do you a rewrite that may be more relevant!
A good CV can be 2 sides of A4 if it's for a professional - but only in very exceptional circumstances should it ever exceed this. Better to go to a 2nd side (never a 2nd page, that could get lost!) than make the font too small.
A good CV also has a couple of sentences about you as a person, your hobbies/volunteering etc, - sometimes this helps to make you a person not a number to the employer & sometimes those hobbies & interests can make the decision to interview or not!

nimbo

And again!!!!!!

Seriously this is so appreciated.

However I should say that I am applying for work part time in a shop - there is nothing else....

Hence leaving Monsoon and the bar on - I want them to know I have worked on a shop floor.....

[EMAIL="U1162375&#64;unimail.hud.ac.uk"][FONT=&quot]k[/FONT][/EMAIL]

[FONT=&quot]Personal Profile[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]An enthusiastic motivated individual who is conscientious, punctual and hard working. Who always strives to achieve an extremely high standard of work. Good with working in a team but also capable of working on own initiative. With over ten years experience in dealing with customers and members of the public, and five years of working handling cash. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Excellent with the public with great customer service skills.[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Outstanding dedication and drive. [/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Polite, patient and understanding personality.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Career Summary[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]M*****arch 2012 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Connects – Information Officer [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Present Customer facing telephony role[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Working to ensure high levels of accuracy in a high pressured environment. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Logging jobs within strict time constraints, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]whilst providing excellent customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working to ensure that the best outcomes for customers are achieved in accordance with company procedures. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]February 2010 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Support Officer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]April 2011 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Providing papers and intelligence supporting strategic targets for the department to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensured ongoing personal development, to guarantee that appropriate knowledge was assimilated and that the changing needs of the business were met. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]August 2009 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Senior Commissioning Analyst[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]February 2010 Promoted to senior analyst with line management responsibilities for three junior team members[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Worked in collaboration with finance in organising payment schedules and payment of invoices within the NHS to ensure accuracy and meet tight deadlines. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Was responsible for the production of reports supporting the joint commissioning arrangements throughout South Yorkshire. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]January 2008 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Analyst [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]August 2009 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Developed processes to validate costs attributed to Barnsley by other PCTs, and communicating any issues to management as well as other trusts in order to save money where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Submitted monthly and weekly reports to the Strategic Health Authority through online reporting tools,[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Produced monthly updates to be circulated through the department and to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Provided line management support to junior members of the team.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]July 2006 – ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS Foundation Trust[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Administrative Assistant [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]December 2007 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Acted as receptionist on a busy Genito Urinary department and had a range of responsibilities including administrative tasks. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Contact with customers over the phone and face to face often dealt with people in difficult situations. . [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Team working was a key element within this role as well as the need to follow processes and protocols for a structured, secure environment. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]June 2005 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Monsoon Accessorize[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Sales Assistant[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]June 2006 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Key responsibilities included cash handling in a customer based environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Providing a high quality of customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensuring an extensive product knowledge [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High quality of work when completing all store administration to policy guidelines as indicated by the company. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High achievement on mystery shopper reports was always achieved, as well as positive feedback from customers.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working around the country on several shop refits, in demanding situations to ensure shops reopened on time. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]September 2003 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Student Union Bar Supervisor [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]November 2004 T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]he Colleg[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Extensive experience of working in a busy environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Dealing with difficult situations in a professional and effective manner. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Gaining knowledge and understanding of cash handling in a busy customer based environment. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Education/Training and Qualifications[/FONT]


· [FONT=&quot]Diploma in Higher Education – English Literature and Media[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Certificate in Higher Education – Health and Social Care[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]AS levels – English, Psychology, Philosophy and General Studies[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]GCSE’s including English, Maths and Science – Grade C[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License Advanced (ECDL) in Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Databases[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License (ECDL)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]References[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]References available on request. [/FONT]

LE3

Nimbo I have sent you a PM

Slinky

Ignore the advice above which says include DOB, marital status and dependents

LittleVoice

nimbo wrote: »

And again!!!!!!

Seriously this is so appreciated.

However I should say that I am applying for work part time in a shop - there is nothing else....

Hence leaving Monsoon and the bar on - I want them to know I have worked on a shop floor.....

[EMAIL="U1162375&#64;unimail.hud.ac.uk"][FONT=&quot]k[/FONT][/EMAIL]

[FONT=&quot]Personal Profile[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]An enthusiastic motivated individual who is conscientious, punctual and hard working. Who always strives to achieve an extremely high standard of work. Good with working in a team but also capable of working on own initiative. With over ten years experience in dealing with customers and members of the public, and five years of working handling cash. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Excellent with the public with great customer service skills.[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Outstanding dedication and drive. [/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Polite, patient and understanding personality.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Career Summary[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]M*****arch 2012 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Connects – Information Officer [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Present Customer facing telephony role[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Working to ensure high levels of accuracy in a high pressured environment. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Logging jobs within strict time constraints, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]whilst providing excellent customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working to ensure that the best outcomes for customers are achieved in accordance with company procedures. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]February 2010 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Support Officer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]April 2011 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Providing papers and intelligence supporting strategic targets for the department to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensured ongoing personal development, to guarantee that appropriate knowledge was assimilated and that the changing needs of the business were met. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]August 2009 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Senior Commissioning Analyst[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]February 2010 Promoted to senior analyst with line management responsibilities for three junior team members[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Worked in collaboration with finance in organising payment schedules and payment of invoices within the NHS to ensure accuracy and meet tight deadlines. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Was responsible for the production of reports supporting the joint commissioning arrangements throughout xxxxxxxxx. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]January 2008 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Commissioning Analyst [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]August 2009 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Developed processes to validate costs attributed to xxxxxx by other PCTs, and communicating any issues to management as well as other trusts in order to save money where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Submitted monthly and weekly reports to the Strategic Health Authority through online reporting tools,[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Produced monthly updates to be circulated through the department and to be taken to the board where appropriate. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Provided line management support to junior members of the team.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]July 2006 – ***** [/FONT][FONT=&quot]NHS Foundation Trust[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Administrative Assistant [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]December 2007 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Acted as receptionist on a busy Genito Urinary department and had a range of responsibilities including administrative tasks. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Contact with customers over the phone and face to face often dealt with people in difficult situations. . [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Team working was a key element within this role as well as the need to follow processes and protocols for a structured, secure environment. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]June 2005 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Monsoon Accessorize[/FONT][FONT=&quot] - Sales Assistant[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]June 2006 [/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Key responsibilities included cash handling in a customer based environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Providing a high quality of customer service. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Ensuring an extensive product knowledge [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High quality of work when completing all store administration to policy guidelines as indicated by the company. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]High achievement on mystery shopper reports was always achieved, as well as positive feedback from customers.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Working around the country on several shop refits, in demanding situations to ensure shops reopened on time. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]September 2003 – [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Student Union Bar Supervisor [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]November 2004 T[/FONT][FONT=&quot]he Colleg[/FONT]

· [FONT=&quot]Extensive experience of working in a busy environment.[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Dealing with difficult situations in a professional and effective manner. [/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Gaining knowledge and understanding of cash handling in a busy customer based environment. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Education/Training and Qualifications[/FONT]


· [FONT=&quot]Diploma in Higher Education – English Literature and Media[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]Certificate in Higher Education – Health and Social Care[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]AS levels – English, Psychology, Philosophy and General Studies[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]GCSE’s including English, Maths and Science – Grade C[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License Advanced (ECDL) in Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Databases[/FONT]
· [FONT=&quot]European Computer Driving License (ECDL)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]References[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]References available on request. [/FONT]

Read what it says on your ECDL card/certificate. Check the spelling.

GCSEs (no apostrophe - it's plural, not a possessive)

I have a dislike of personal profiles on CVs which state opinions (like hard-working). I also find the "working on own initiative and as part of a team" statements worthless: almost every CV produced by Jobcentre advisers seem to have that as a stock phrase. It's trying to cover all bases, just let the CV job descriptions demonstrate it. Certainly don't use "but" in that series as it suggests you wouldn't work using initiative if you were in a team. But, if you must:

· enthusiastic, motivated
· conscientious, punctual, hard working
· always strives to achieve an extremely high standard of work
· good working in a team and on own initiative
· over ten years experience dealing with customers and members of the public and five years handling cash.
· [FONT=&quot]Excellent with the public with great customer service skills.[/FONT]

[I've used xxxxxx to replace location.]