CV help

mug51

hi,

Just trying to improve my CV. Not sure whether to include a personal profile and objective bit or not.
So if you guys can have a look through my CV for me
http://img75.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cvfu6.jpg
The left hand side one is my current CV, it is all on one page while the one on the right hand side is the same but with a profile and objective bit in.

I feel that the profile does not add anything, can't actually back those up in the CV otherwise it would be too long.

Thanks

Lokolo

Perosnally I think there are too many bullet points. Work Experience maybe explain in sentences rather than bullets points. For instance (taken from my CV):

Gate Promotions (Aug 04 - Sep 07)

26 Magdalen Cresent, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7SR
Programme Seller at Wycombe Wanderers Football Club

I sell programmes for Wycombe Wanderers F.C. and Wasps R.F.C. for all their home games. I also count and cash the money that I have received on the day. When required I would also work for bigger events such as the Vodafone Derby at Epsom Racecourse and events at Twickenham such as Heineken Cup matches and the London Double Header. I continued to work when at home during the summer from university.




I think the profile bit is quite good however so you should keep that. I actually have 2 pages for my CV. I shall upload it and you cna look at it to take some suggestions (my brother and best friend have also used the same layout as me!).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/Lokolo/CV.jpg

cardiffforthefacup

You may want to include the subjects you studied as part of your degree

celyn90

Hi OP,

My first comment is that your CV should reflect the position you are applying for, hence a mission statement/objective will be more useful for some jobs than others. Ideally you should do a new CV for each job that you apply for, writing it and the cover letter around the job description. I don't have a profile on mine as I don't need one, but if you want to keep it then it reads fine.

f I was looking at your CV, I would note the following:
You haven't shown your degree class - It doesn't matter what it is, but you need to show it, if it's pending write that you are currently studying or awaiting grade. If it's relevant to what you are applying for then give some more details about what you studied - did you do a research project or dissertation for example.
You don't need to say you are a non-smoker
I'd put computer skills above your hobbies and interests

As Lokolo says, you maybe want to flesh it out a bit and give more details on some points - but I wouldn't add loads as what you have written reads well. Personally, I would avoid using the 1st person and keep it concise, but again, it depends on the sort of job you are applying for. I would also (again this is just personal taste) give the location of the employer, but not the full address (save it for the reference section) so write - whoever employer, name of town or district. I would be very careful though as it depends on the job you are going for as to what you should emphasise. I saw one a long time ago where an applicant was applying for a scientific post, but her CV had put so much emphasis and a whole paragraph of very shop-specific detail on what she did in a part time job in a eight years previously (even down how products were sorted in the stock room and what she sold). Keeping it non-specific is a key - as an employer is looking for you to tell them what you learnt not what you did. I would add a bit more about your hobbies too, just a few words.

You don't need to mention it is family business. Even if you were related to the employer the work you did was just as valid, so just write what you learnt and where you did it

The chronology is reversed in some sections, so for example in your education section you start from the most recent and work backwards (which is more normal) but in the work section you start from the past and work forward.

The layout is nice and clear - which is a plus, I've trawled through loads over the years that have made me want to cry because they are so cluttered and I've had to fish bits out of paragraphs of irrelevant text.
I think your work section is very good as you've shown a work ethic by being constantly in employment around your studies. best of luck with the job hunting.

HTH, cel x

mug51

thanx very much guys, all points taken on board and will do the changes pointed out.

melancholly

what job are you applying for? that will make a huge difference on how to structure it and what to emphasise.

Bamber19

You know the profile/personal statement of strengths etc part, I've always had this in first person "I am..." but according to a friend who has been involved in recruitment it's becoming the norm to write it in third person "Michael is..." "Lucy is..." I've not seen this but am willing to believe him (although I'm still using 1st person just now) but has anyone else heard or seen this, or even use it themselves...it seems a bit silly to me.

celyn90

Bamber19 wrote: »

You know the profile/personal statement of strengths etc part, I've always had this in first person "I am..." but according to a friend who has been involved in recruitment it's becoming the norm to write it in third person "Michael is..." "Lucy is..." I've not seen this but am willing to believe him (although I'm still using 1st person just now) but has anyone else heard or seen this, or even use it themselves...it seems a bit silly to me.

:eek: :eek: I think you are right - it looks a bit silly. It is *very* strange to write like that anyway but a personal statement should be personal and in the first person only. It may look as if someone else filling in that bit for you too, which is not good.

Saying that, I have seen it before - on UCAS form drafts, usually from students where English was not their native language or students with language or literacy problems. In these cases we would strongly advise the student that it should be changed to something more appropriate before submission. cel x

Bamber19

celyn90 wrote: »

:eek: :eek: I think you are right - it looks a bit silly. It is *very* strange to write like that anyway but a personal statement should be personal and in the first person only. It may look as if someone else filling in that bit for you too, which is not good.

Saying that, I have seen it before - on UCAS form drafts, usually from students where English was not their native language or students with language or literacy problems. In these cases we would strongly advise the student that it should be changed to something more appropriate before submission. cel x

Thanks, yeah it definitely looks silly, but he said he was seeing it more often than not at the time (this would have been 6 months ago) and it was what they were expecting from applicants.

mug51

melancholly wrote: »

what job are you applying for? that will make a huge difference on how to structure it and what to emphasise.

i am applying for something in finance, not sure what yet.

Also, would putting spread betting as an interest be advisable? betting I wouldn't say is good, but spread betting is on the financial markets, betting on the movements of the FTSE, indices, stocks etc. Only playing around with it though with a play account.

melancholly

ok..... my only concern would be that most financial institutions have online forms with specific questions and don't accept CVs. i'd check that out before you spend ages agonising over something that may well be redundant!