1 Page CV or 2 Page Cv

Gemmzie

I'm currently writing my CV and find this thread interesting if not a bit confusing.

My rough job history is,
Video Shop - may 03 to nov 04
Woolies - july 05 to feb 06
Current job (retail) - may 05 to present

Do I need to put reasons for leaving each job? They are all retail type jobs so should I just put non regular duties for each? Like my present position, I do the rotas for a team of 13.

Also, between feb 06 and may 06 , I worked in a bank for two months but I'm never sure whether to put it in. Pro is that it was a good job, different to the others, but I was there such a short time.

I'm not sure where to put my volunteer work in either, or if it's relevant.

Any help is appreciated.

LittleVoice

Put your work record in reverse chronological order - that is your current one first and then working backwards to your earliest job.

I see you have an overlap (May 05 to Feb 06) or is that a typing error. It seems to me that it's a typing error so take care with the real thing.

There is a gap between the video shop and Woollies. Is this because you were at school/college?

Don't include reasons for leaving. You may be asked at interview but it's not necessary on a CV, though sometimes asked for on application forms.

I would include the bank job. Stress the customer service side of things in the description.

I would guess you have room for the volunteer work. Make it relevant. If nothing else, it should display your ability to work with others for a common purpose - teamwork. (Much better to show you doing teamwork rather than make a bald statement that that's how you work.)

Savvy_Sue

I agree that the skills acquired by volunteering should definitely be on your CV or on an application form - they've certainly stood me in good stead down the years!

CFC

bristol_pilot wrote: »

The first one (1-page) works best at this early stage of your career, the second style (2-page) will be more appropriate when you have some solid experience in proper jobs under your belt, this will be the case for most of your career. You will know you have really arrived when you can revert to a 1-page CV - because you are a household name, or the equivalent in your industry. 3-page plus CVs are for academic positions only.

Incidentally, I would not mention anything to do with politics on my CV.

I'm an employer. I agree with all Bristol Pilot's points.

Except for management roles I would be happy with 3 pages provided EVERY line was relevant (eg so I had a full understanding of your area of management and responsibility in the widget industry (because I am not in the widget industry), including your experience of change management and re-engineering processes.)

Red_Panda_2

I used to be a recruitment consultant and when I re jigged CV's if the candidate had great education (PhD, relevant Degree etc) I would always put that at the top of the CV to sell the person initially. If however your work experience was more relevant to the job than your education I would start by job history and tuck the education at the bottom, this way the employer is sold on you by how fab you were at you last job that the education is not so important.