CV's, LinkedIn, where do I start?

elsien

My employer is looking to close my workplace and make the team redundant by the end of July.
I ended up as a manager for the organisation via a combination of working my way up from part time and TUPE'ing over from another employer. So although I've only been with this employer for 6 years, I've been out of the job market/have length of service for nigh on 25. My last interview was 6 years ago for the manager's role.
So my CV is 25 years out of date. I have no idea where to start to find a decent template to update it, and I've never used LinkedIn and have no idea how to best use it to search for another job.
All or any tips for a slightly out of touch soon to be unemployed person would be appreciated.
I'm also slightly stumped on the second reference front - I can't really think of anyone outside of the organisation who'd be able to say much other than confirm I am who I say I am. I don't really have any contacts outside the organisation I can think of to use as due to cuts most people I knew have moved on/lost their jobs. Doing shift work for years has meant I've not really got involved in any clubs, activities or voluntary work and I don't think using friends would be a great deal of use - again, any suggestions?
Thanks

Sanne

As for the references - it might be acceptable to have two people from the same organisation; I did that when I got my current job as it was only my second job (and I wouldn't have been able to get references from uni or college). One of these references was my line manager and one was a work colleague. If a company allows personal references, you may also get away with using a friend.

As for LinkedIn - there is a job search where you can specify the area you want to work in and the distance from a particular post code. If you're contacting recruiters, they're often keen to add you on LinkedIn so you can follow them and see any potential vacancies. Other than that, it's only really helpful if you've got a wide circle of connections.

As for CV templates, you can take a look here just to get ideas - http://www.livecareer.co.uk/ - don't pop in your real data! To download the CVs you have to pay but you can easily re-create these in Word. Otherwise, Google has a host of templates, too - or get a good book from the library!

Good luck!

tomterm8

elsien wrote: »

I have no idea where to start to find a decent template to update it, ...again, any suggestions?
Thanks

1. For references: You can use a work reference and a personal reference, or even two references from the same organisation; once you are unemployed you can volunteer and get the second reference.

2. For CV advice: the national careers service might be of use. You can book a session with them as well, once you've done a draft CV. For free. Also, a reasonable sized town library will have recent books with reference CV's - ask your librarian.

WeirdoMagnet

Try looking at the Microsoft templates for CV ideas - you might not use them exactly, but good for ideas and you can always adapt them to suit - I think that is where mine came from years ago and has been adapted ever since!

Tips are:

• Only use two sides of A4 for your CV, and set it out clearly.
• Think about the font you use - make it easy to read, and appropriate. If the company is 300 years old, and relies on heritage, use a traditional font, if they're young, hip and trendy, you can use a more contemporary font. Never, ever, ever use Comic Sans!
• Use the whole of the two pages to sell yourself, so don't include irrelevant info, e.g marital status, number of children.
• don't give potential employers reasons not to employ you e.g. date of birth (if they want they can probably work that out from the year you gained your qualifications etc) and number of children. I know that sounds wrong but if all you talk about is your kids (from you previous posts I don't think you got any, but even so!) then the employer might think you're going to be off every time one has a runny nose IYSWIM.
• I don't include my schools as it's now irrelevant - I do mention University on my qualifications section but only briefly.
• I don't bother writing that I've got x amount of GCSEs and my Cycling Proficiency as that's now superseded by higher qualifications.
• I was once told that when you talk about your previous roles, detail your achievements, rather than your responsibilities. I'm not totally sure about this, but worth bearing in mind - I include a mixture I think.
• If you're applying for jobs with a different skill set from your current role, think about any transferable skills you have and link that to the point above (achievements).
• Only include 'other activities' that are relevant - voluntary work is good.
• write a really good cover letter that REALLY sells you and makes you the right person for that job - personalise it for each application you write so the selector/interviewer can tell you've read the JD & PS.

Finally, make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors! It makes me cringe when people say they have 'an eye for detail' yet their application is riddled with mistakes that no doubt would've had a wiggly red or green line under them!!!


Probably more, but that's it off the top of my head!


Good luck!


WM

robatwork

As someone who reads lots of CVs, unfortunately -

WeirdoMagnet wrote: »

Tips are:

• Only use two sides of A4 for your CV, and set it out clearly.
  Agreed
• Think about the font you use - make it easy to read, and appropriate. If the company is 300 years old, and relies on heritage, use a traditional font, if they're young, hip and trendy, you can use a more contemporary font. Never, ever, ever use Comic Sans!
  Agreed - and don't change fonts or use italic. Bold is OK for highlights.
  
• I don't include my schools as it's now irrelevant - I do mention University on my qualifications section but only briefly.
• I don't bother writing that I've got x amount of GCSEs and my Cycling Proficiency as that's now superseded by higher qualifications.
  I want to see GCSEs or O levels if you aren't degree qualified. Not each grade, but I would put eg. GCSE Maths B, English B if you are below degree/postgrad.
• I was once told that when you talk about your previous roles, detail your achievements, rather than your responsibilities. I'm not totally sure about this, but worth bearing in mind - I include a mixture I think.
  Agreed
• If you're applying for jobs with a different skill set from your current role, think about any transferable skills you have and link that to the point above (achievements).
• Only include 'other activities' that are relevant - voluntary work is good.
  Depends - I want to see a rounded person, but won't believe you work 50 hour weeks and also have 5 hobbies.
• write a really good cover letter that REALLY sells you and makes you the right person for that job - personalise it for each application you write so the selector/interviewer can tell you've read the JD & PS.

Finally, make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors! It makes me cringe when people say they have 'an eye for detail' yet their application is riddled with mistakes that no doubt would've had a wiggly red or green line under them!!!

This. x100. I am actually surprised when I see a perfect CV - perfect in terms of spelling and grammar. And I am saddened that I am surprised.

WeirdoMagnet

Yes, should've clarified to include GSCE grades if nothing higher.

Good point about hobbies from Rob - yes, don't list too many (even if you have them), just give the most relevant ones that might add to your application.

makeyourdaddyproud

Finally, make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors! It makes me cringe when people say they have 'an eye for detail' yet their application is riddled with mistakes that no doubt would've had a wiggly red or green line under them!!!

That is if you trust Amercan grammar. A wriggly line means nothing.

A "clinical" CV, as the above poster championed, would be firmly at top of the grey and uninspiring pile.

If I was reading CVs, I would be looking for a degree of character, spoil and charisma. The above example would fail in that regard.

melysion

Have you thought about a career coach? It costs a bit of money - but might be worth the investment if you have it. Mine helped with my CV, introduced me to LinkedIn, showed me how to job search and network effectively and gave me a practice interview. As I say, it costs a bit, but it is definitely worth it in my view.

And good luck! Hope you get something ASAP

Abbafan1972

https://www.reed.co.uk have a cv template where you can type in all the information and then you can save it as a word document.

Direct link http://www.reed.co.uk/cvbuilder/

National_Careers_Service

Hi Elsien, sorry to hear that you’re facing redundancy in July. After being with the same employer for many years, getting back into the employment market can seem daunting. The good thing is that you’ll get lots of support from the many helpful people on MSE and we’ll do our best to support you as well.

As mentioned by tomterm8 you can talk to one of our advisers for CV/careers advice either over the phone or you can book a face to face session. Just give one of our careers advisers a call on 0800 100 900.

If you’re calling off a mobile it’s probably best to book a call back to avoid mobile charges. You can book a call back from the following link http://goo.gl/mz2LD8

There’s also some information about CVs on our website and a CV builder to help you get started. Another source of CV info is the Guardian Careers website which I think you’ll find useful.

When you come to write your CV, as you’ve been in service for 25 years, listing everything that you’ve done in that time will result in a pretty lengthy CV. I’d suggest limiting your work history to the last ten years or so as this should be the most relevant information to any roles that you are applying to.

I’d also suggest thinking about any quantifiable achievements or responsibilities that you can include. As you’ve been working in a managerial role you could include information about the number of employees that you’ve been responsible for. You could also include info about how you’ve helped employees to progress within their roles such as improving efficiency, meeting targets etc. Employers love quantifiable results as they offer real evidence of your skills.

With regards to LinkedIn, now is the perfect time to develop a profile. Below I’ve included a link to a good starter guide that’ll talk you through the initial stages of building a LinkedIn profile.

The Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn

Once you’ve built up your profile and you’re ready to start networking with colleagues past or present or with new connections I’d suggest reading this guide on LinkedIn etiquette.

The Complete Guide to LinkedIn Etiquette

The next thing you’ll need to do to build up your profile is to get some recommendations from colleagues. I often find that LinkedIn works best if you help others, that way they’re encouraged to help you. You could start by writing recommendations for some of your team members or previous colleagues that are already on LinkedIn. For some info on how to write a really effective recommendation check out this guide.

5 Steps to Writing an Amazing LinkedIn Recommendation

With regards to references, most employers will happily accept 2 references from the same employer. Do make sure that you talk to your references before you give out their details though, so they know to expect an approach from a prospective employer.

I hope you find some of this information useful and do let us know how you get on.
Good luck with it all
Leo

Abbafan1972

Thanks. I have a Linkedin account, but don't have a clue how to use it. I am looking for work.