CV advice, please can anyone help?

Aryndeneth

katies_mum wrote: »

Does he need `interests`.. as travelling, gardening and walking the dog isn`t over exciting or eye catching? not sure about this bit.

Thank you

In terms of interests, the advice I normally give is to have them (as they show you’re a person, not just a worker) but to say more than just “I like A, B and C” Doesn’t have to be loads of info but something like “I like playing football to relax and get some exercise. I read, especially historical novels as I’ve always been interested in history” Sorry, those are rubbish examples but I’ve not had enough coffee to get creative yet.


The reason I advise this is, otherwise, “I like A, B and C” is just one very short pointless sentence that doesn’t tell the employer anything useful or interesting about you. If they’re not telling the employer anything, why are they on the CV? Ditch them and use the space for relevant skills/experience etc. that they WILL care about.


BUT… While I normally say have interests on your CV, I couldn’t claim to be an expert in the companies your husband is applying to so couldn’t honestly say whether or not they even care about the interests section and will just be concerned with “can you do the job we need you to do” Your husband is probably the expert here, what does he think?

katies_mum

Hi, not really sure what companies he will apply to - think he will start applying for any Class 2 vacancies (quite a few jobs seem to be thru the agencies or via job centre link) he doesn`t play football, rugby or anything like that. Gardens, walks our Old English Sheepdog and likes to travel. Maybe gardening and walking the dog to relax and get some exercise etc or are we just padding it out un-necessarily?

What would you suggest about the references?

Slinky

The advice I read is you shouldn't bother with hobbies as nobody is really interested.

Re references, don't put down the names of the people, you don't even NEED to put references available upon request, unless you're desperate to fill up some space.

You don't want to be going on for more than 2 pages.

katies_mum

Everything I have typed so far fits nicely only one A4 sheet (its not cramped togther)..could just about fit the one line about references but would not fit anything about interests as well. Unless anyone disagrees, might just leave what I have typed. Is one page enough? because unless I use a massive size type can`t expand....lol

Today I have something hopefully he will be proud of and will hopefully help get him another job, thanks to everyones help and advice.

Aryndeneth

katies_mum wrote: »

Everything I have typed so far fits nicely only one A4 sheet (its not cramped togther)..could just about fit the one line about references but would not fit anything about interests as well. Unless anyone disagrees, might just leave what I have typed. Is one page enough? because unless I use a massive size type can`t expand....lol

Today I have something hopefully he will be proud of and will hopefully help get him another job, thanks to everyones help and advice.

I'd leave interests off if they're not adding anything useful to the CV.

As for something he will be proud of, never mind the CV, I hope he's proud of YOU! You've worked really hard to help and he owes you a huge thank you! :T

katies_mum

Thank you so much Aryndeneth that is really kind. :beer:

Couldn`t have done it without help so massive thank you to everyone who has offered advice its really appreciated

SueC_2

Just to reiterate what has already been said - unless hobbies and interests have some kind of work-related relevance, leave them off.

katies_mum

Thank you.

katies_mum

I`m after some help and advice again please. Hubby did manage to secure a job at the end of October 27.5 hours driving a small van delivering for local company. Which was brilliant. The bad news is he was laid off on Friday after 6 months due to quiet times. (he was never made permanent and he has a reference off the manager)

I have added this company to his CV to show no gap in employment, but am wondering if he should consider changing the CV a bit to show that he is adaptable and has been driving small vans rather than the large ones he drove for nearly 19 years. (would really like to try and find another local driving job if poss!!!)

Also he would do any job just to get work..whether it be cleaning, labouring etc - do we need to show this on CV or send/hand out a covering letter to everyone he gives his CV to. (hope this makes sense?)

CV below:

Profile:
An experienced, hardworking, reliable andadaptable driver with 19 years’ experience of driving within a multi drop and multicollection role. I hold a full clean UKdriving licence and am able to work flexibly to accommodate necessary hours andshift-patterns as required.
Duties andExperience:
· Experience ofdriving small vans, transit, 7.5 tonne and LGV Class 2 vehicles
· Tachographtrained and I hold a tachograph card
· Fully conversantin tracking/barcode devices
· Proficient in operatingvehicle tail lifts and using a pallet truck
· Driving in heavytraffic, unsociable hours and all weather conditions
· Ability to plandelivery route, organise and prioritise parcels and loading of van dependent ondrop to ensure successful delivery
· Used to workingquickly and to deadlines
· Manually liftingand carrying goods from the vehicle to a customer’s premises
· Responsible foraccuracy and completion of all paperwork and safety and accuracy of all loadscarried
· Working in a busydepot has enabled me to work under pressure
· Able to pass security checks and procedures
· ExcellentCustomer Service, delivering a polite, friendly and professional service to allcustomers

Workhistory:

Oct 2012 – xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxx
April 2013

1993 – xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sept 2012 (formerly known as) xxxx
(redundancy) (formerly known as ) xxxx

1970 – 1993 H.M. Forces

Education:

1965 – 1970 xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PersonalStatement:

In the last 19 years the style of driving andthe types of vehicle have moved on and I have been able to have a positiveattitude to any change and been willing to learn. I am committed, punctual, honest and reliableand a valid member of a team.


This is the letter we have come up with to send / give out with CV but I`m unsure as to if it sounds ok...want it to say he is reliable, flexible and will do anything.. (please be gentle with me, didn`t think was going to have to do CV`s etc again so soon and its hard knowing how to word everything properly)

'Dear Sirs,

Please find enlcosed for your consideration a copy of my CV and reference.

Due to my temporary contact coming to an end with my present employer, I now find myself in the unfortunate position of having to seek employment elsewhere.

I look on myself as a reliable and trustworthy person with a flexible attitude towards work, and am prepared to consider any position which you would deem me suitable for.

Trusting you will give my application your fullest consideration, and I shall remain hopeful of hearing from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely,


Any help anyone can offer to point us in the right direction would be really appricated. Thank you.

Slinky

Sorry but your letter 'smacks' of desperation. You need to tailor your letter to each individual job he is applying for showing some interest and enthusiasm for the role. Being too general will lead people to think he will move onto another job as soon as something better comes along.

TBH he'll find it a tough challenge to convince anybody that he's going to stay in a cleaning job if he's never done it before. Sad fact is there are loads of people with experience of whatever type of job is being advertised, and employers dont want/need to take chances with people wanting to switch industries.

Hopefully something suitable for his skills won't be long in coming along.