CV Structure Help Needed Please!

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi Guys!

I would like to do a CV for myself and havent done one in years. Actually the last time I paid someone to do it:o I have numerous qualifications but need some help in structuring them onto a CV...any pointers I am unable to work ATM due to severe illnesses but am not willing to give up on myself just yet:rotfl:

I am 32 and need to use a wheelchair most of the time, would this need to be included in the CV. I dont think its relevant as my mind is not effected IYKWIM and do think this would put me at a disadvantage if I stipulated it on the CV. I dont want to be a disabled statistic and want to be hired for experiance and qualifications...not because I am disabled:p

Any help greatly appreciated:D

Hugs

PP
xx

AnnieH

I just googled cv templates and came up with loads of options. Maybe try one of these sites out to help with structuring of it.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=slv8-adbe&p=free+cv+templates&rs=0&fr2=rs-top

I'm afraid I haven't had a cv in years so I wouldn't know where to start:o

Bean_Counter

As AnnieH said, there are loads of CV websites out there.

I recruit quite a lot and see lots of CVs, some of them pretty aweful.

My points would be:

1. Put your name at the top, NOT "curriculum vitae". It is obvious that it is a CV

2. Make sure what it is easy to read. Space this things out and use bullet points rather than long sentences

3. Start with your most recent experience and work back from there. That is the most relevant, not what O grades you got 16 years ago

4. Try not to leave gaps in the time line. If you were out of the workforce for 5 years raising kids, put that in

5. As an employer, I don't want people who appear to move jobs every few months. You someone who will stay for a while after you have trained them. If you have had a few jobs or had to move quickly, then put a reason for leaving e.g. relocation, redundancy etc. It's OK to have the odd job and then immediately regret it, not too many

6. Emphasise your relevant experience and don't dwell on irrelevant experience. Tailor your CV to each job you apply for.

7. Get someone to proof read to make sure it reads correctly and has no spelling mistakes.

8. Have a covering letter, but don't make it too long as I only usually have a quick glance at the covering letter. Again use it emphasise relevant experience.

On the subject of the wheelchair, I know that company's can't discriminate against you for it, but again they only have to make a reasonable effort to accommodate you. This is usually easier for bigger companies than smaller companies who could claim that the cost of modifying offices etc could be prohibitive. Depending on the company, I would mention this in the covering letter rather than in the CV.

Let me know if you want more info.

hobo28

I would argue in this day and age that the fact you are wheelchair bound should not need to be included unless it was directly relevent to the job.

Quite rightly there are laws to stop discrimination and any right minded employer would support that. So why raise it from the start?

As for a CV, I've always been told to keep it to 1-2 pages with just the facts. So on my CV, I have my personal details and qualifications on one page then work experience on the second. For that, its just name of company, dates and a short paragraph of my day to day duties.

I've read some rambling ones in my time and its no fun if you have loads to read through. Oh and always always spell check! Its unbelieveable the amount of people who can't even get their basic spelling right on their CV.

daphne_descends

The above are all good tips, so nothing to add there - but to repeat, KEEP IT SHORT! No one wants to read an autibiography, just enough to decide whether to interview.

Speaking of which, I agree with hobo28, the fact that you're a wheelchair user is not relevant at the application stage. The time to tell a prospective employer (imho) is when you've been asked to attend an interview - for access reasons, they can choose the best room to interview you in for example. Again imho good employers will ask at this stage if you have any 'special' requirements for interview.

TOON-MOMMA_2

I am in one of the governments deprived areas and there are various organisations to help you back into work. I saw one last week and they are doing my CV for me and helping with interview techniques. Its 5yrs since I have worked and its helped boost my confidence. I dont get benefits so wasn't really aware that there were organisations who would help me for free.

Dont know where you live but maybe with your disabilities there is an organisatioon you could access that offers similar help.

aussielle

We have just had feedback from a large corporate HR department, regarding CVs from mature students. They said they immediately discard those with:

spelling mistakes

more than 2 pages

gaps in employment which are not accounted for

The best advice when writing your CV would be not to rush it. Get everything you want to include down, then keep going over it, make sure the layout is easy to read and has 'white space', check the spelling and grammar and make sure it's concise...all those hours spent 'tweaking' will make all the difference.

Adapt the CV for each job application, once all the hard work has been done, it shouldn't take too long.

aussielle

I forgot to mention there are some templates on microsoft office online, just type resume or CV into the search bar when in microsoft office