Im just about to undertake my first proper CV. I have no idea where to start with it because I have heard many different things about their makeup.
Should a CV be short and to the point or should it be a long detailed account of my employment and academic history?
Is there certain should and should not's with CV's nowadays?
If anyone has a modern template for one could they send it my way? Any help would be much appreciated.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043371033.aspx (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043371033.aspx)
You'll find all the guff you need online. I think it is extremely difficult to construct a generic cv as they could easily be tailored to suit the type of job you are after and the qualifications/experience you have. In my experience, keep them short (2 pages) and don't include a photo.
We received one into work there last week, and it was tough reading. Excellent qualifications etc and theres no doubt this girl was a smart cookie but it was the most pretentious 5 pages i ever had to read.
I know cvs are surely about selling yourself but this just made this girl look extremely big headed and it was terrible.
defo no more then two pages, have also been told by friends in HR and personnal that including referees is a waste of time on the initial CV as if your successful then only then will they even bother with the refs.
Good luck anyway - wouldn't fancy going out into the job market atm.
Quote from: tyrone girl on August 25, 2009, 02:43:16 PM
We received one into work there last week, and it was tough reading. Excellent qualifications etc and theres no doubt this girl was a smart cookie but it was the most pretentious 5 pages i ever had to read.
I know cvs are surely about selling yourself but this just made this girl look extremely big headed and it was terrible.
What do you work as TG?
Sorry not saying, prefer noone knowing who i am and could be outed too easily
Quote from: ziggysego on August 25, 2009, 02:33:26 PM
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043371033.aspx (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043371033.aspx)
You need Microsoft Word 2007 to get these templates working. Unfortunately I don't have it. Thanks for the link anyway.
I'll give the rest of the internet a browse and see what I come up with.
The only thing important, in my opinion, (apart from the obvious) is
SPELLING
Make one error (or say it's when you mean its or except when you mean accept or there when you mean their) and into the bin it would go if it came onto the desk of Shamrock Shore.
Spelling and basic grammar mistakes will get you into the Boots bin too.
I always read the accompanying letter first - it's much more important than the CV, for me anyway.
The more senior the position you're applying for, the shorter your CV should be too. The last job I got (many moons ago, a Managing Director job), my CV was one page long.
Quote from: Billys Boots on August 25, 2009, 03:35:14 PM
Spelling and basic grammar mistakes will get you into the Boots bin too.
I always read the accompanying letter first - it's much more important than the CV, for me anyway.
The more senior the position you're applying for, the shorter your CV should be too. The last job I got (many moons ago, a Managing Director job), my CV was one page long.
What is the purpose of an accompanying letter?
I was doing interviews last week, one of the applicants gave a reason for leaving his last job as not having enough time to run his errands, needless to say when pressed on this he bombed.My point is be careful of what you but on your CV, make sure you can back it up if pressed to so.
In terms of the all important gender divide, male bosses will tend to employ comely maidens before ugly goats with brains. Qualifications can often be in the eye of the beholder. Female bosses tend to employ ugly weemin for less competition - hard to know who is right.
QuoteSpelling and basic grammar mistakes will get you into the Boots bin too.
A bug bear of mine also. CVs are more important as a record of previous work to get you in the door for the interview.
Quote from: DownFanatic on August 25, 2009, 03:39:50 PM
Quote from: Billys Boots on August 25, 2009, 03:35:14 PM
Spelling and basic grammar mistakes will get you into the Boots bin too.
I always read the accompanying letter first - it's much more important than the CV, for me anyway.
The more senior the position you're applying for, the shorter your CV should be too. The last job I got (many moons ago, a Managing Director job), my CV was one page long.
What is the purpose of an accompanying letter?
It explains who you are, why you are applying for the job and why you think you are a (or the most) suitable person for the position.
PM me if it is a legal CV you are after, I have loads saved.
Good folks,
I've been in the same job for nearly 20 years and its boring the bollix out of me at this stage (and isn't very fulfilling given the inordinate amount of time I spend on here). I've recently seen online something that interests me and the 1st part of the application process is the uploading of a CV. Can someone point me in the direction of a suitable template for a 'modern' CV as I'm sure the criteria has changed greatly since I last had one.
Any other advice of do's/don't also gratefully received..
Quote from: Boycey on November 07, 2017, 11:47:19 AM
Good folks,
I've been in the same job for nearly 20 years and its boring the bollix out of me at this stage (and isn't very fulfilling given the inordinate amount of time I spend on here). I've recently seen online something that interests me and the 1st part of the application process is the uploading of a CV. Can someone point me in the direction of a suitable template for a 'modern' CV as I'm sure the criteria has changed greatly since I last had one.
Any other advice of do's/don't also gratefully received..
One idea is to have a short profile at the start describing yourself in an overview plus what you are looking for. This gives HR people a good steer. You can vary the text to suit each individual job you apply for.
Try to keep the CV to 2 pages.
1 page cover letter (4 or 5 short paragraphs on career to date and how this job appeals to you and your skillset)
2 page CV with academic qualifications, experience (relevant projects) and key skills.
Happy to send through mine if you want to PM me.
Quote from: seafoid on November 07, 2017, 12:22:15 PM
Quote from: Boycey on November 07, 2017, 11:47:19 AM
Good folks,
I've been in the same job for nearly 20 years and its boring the bollix out of me at this stage (and isn't very fulfilling given the inordinate amount of time I spend on here). I've recently seen online something that interests me and the 1st part of the application process is the uploading of a CV. Can someone point me in the direction of a suitable template for a 'modern' CV as I'm sure the criteria has changed greatly since I last had one.
Any other advice of do's/don't also gratefully received..
One idea is to have a short profile at the start describing yourself in an overview plus what you are looking for. This gives HR people a good steer. You can vary the text to suit each individual job you apply for.
Try to keep the CV to 2 pages.
I agree with this. A short blurb about yourself, and especially highlighting areas you think are of interest. I am an IT professional with 20 years experience with a proven track record in blah blah blah. If that is snappy and relevant, it makes people read the rest of the CV as Walter describes, with more interest.
Is your Linked In profile up to date?
Quote from: AZOffaly on November 07, 2017, 03:36:12 PM
Quote from: seafoid on November 07, 2017, 12:22:15 PM
Quote from: Boycey on November 07, 2017, 11:47:19 AM
Good folks,
I've been in the same job for nearly 20 years and its boring the bollix out of me at this stage (and isn't very fulfilling given the inordinate amount of time I spend on here). I've recently seen online something that interests me and the 1st part of the application process is the uploading of a CV. Can someone point me in the direction of a suitable template for a 'modern' CV as I'm sure the criteria has changed greatly since I last had one.
Any other advice of do's/don't also gratefully received..
One idea is to have a short profile at the start describing yourself in an overview plus what you are looking for. This gives HR people a good steer. You can vary the text to suit each individual job you apply for.
Try to keep the CV to 2 pages.
I agree with this. A short blurb about yourself, and especially highlighting areas you think are of interest. I am an IT professional with 20 years experience with a proven track record in blah blah blah. If that is snappy and relevant, it makes people read the rest of the CV as Walter describes, with more interest.
You can also use it to distinguish yourself from.the competition..
Quote from: Orior on November 07, 2017, 03:39:11 PM
Is your Linked In profile up to date?
I figured someone would ask something like this. No would be the honest answer, I registered one time in nosiness and have some contacts. I seldom look at it.. is it now an essential?
Just on the profile a few have suggested, does this form part of actual CV or is it in the form of a cover letter. The online application just specified 'Attach CV'
Jaysus I'm miles out of practice at this.
The problem I have now with linkedin profiles is that when you update it, and other people in your company see you have, it sticks out like a sore thumb!!
Quote from: screenexile on November 07, 2017, 03:48:32 PM
The problem I have now with linkedin profiles is that when you update it, and other people in your company see you have, it sticks out like a sore thumb!!
There's an option on LinkedIn to make employers and recruiters aware you're interested in new opportunities without making it public. There's nothing suspicious about keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date.
Quote from: Boycey on November 07, 2017, 03:46:57 PM
Quote from: Orior on November 07, 2017, 03:39:11 PM
Is your Linked In profile up to date?
I figured someone would ask something like this. No would be the honest answer, I registered one time in nosiness and have some contacts. I seldom look at it.. is it now an essential?
Just on the profile a few have suggested, does this form part of actual CV or is it in the form of a cover letter. The online application just specified 'Attach CV'
Jaysus I'm miles out of practice at this.
It's usually a little blurb at the top of the CV, just under name, date of birth, etc. The CVs can be hard work for people to review, and they are all very samey. So if you are looking through them, you are looking for terms and experience that is meaningful for you. So if a candidate has a little profile at the top, and it hits the right notes, it's a sure fire way of making sure your CV gets the attention it deserves.
Quote from: Syferus on November 07, 2017, 03:54:24 PM
Quote from: screenexile on November 07, 2017, 03:48:32 PM
The problem I have now with linkedin profiles is that when you update it, and other people in your company see you have, it sticks out like a sore thumb!!
There's an option on LinkedIn to make employers and recruiters aware you're interested in new opportunities without making it public. There's nothing suspicious about keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date.
Depends on the business you're in. . . when someone in our place has a raft of new skills/experience appearing on the profile it's a sure sign they're looking out the door!
Quote from: screenexile on November 07, 2017, 04:13:09 PM
Quote from: Syferus on November 07, 2017, 03:54:24 PM
Quote from: screenexile on November 07, 2017, 03:48:32 PM
The problem I have now with linkedin profiles is that when you update it, and other people in your company see you have, it sticks out like a sore thumb!!
There's an option on LinkedIn to make employers and recruiters aware you're interested in new opportunities without making it public. There's nothing suspicious about keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date.
Depends on the business you're in. . . when someone in our place has a raft of new skills/experience appearing on the profile it's a sure sign they're looking out the door!
Even if that's the case, why would you give two fecks what people at a place you wanted to leave thought?
Always make sure to tailor a CV to the job description as well. It means more work but companies will generally have a knock out criteria for shortlisting. So go through the job description thoroughly and make sure you highlight aspects that are relevant in your CV.
Always remember the CV is what the company are basing their opinion of you on. So if you've done something that relevant, but you didn't have it in your Cv they'll assume you don't have that skill/ experience.
A scatter gun approach by just sending the same CV out across multiple roles will be easier but you'll find a better response if you tailor it.
Also on Linkedin, I'd definitely recommend taking the time to have it updated. It's easy to update then you can be tortured contacted by businesses/ Agencies that will do some of the hard work for you. Just reply to the ones that look interesting. Takes some of the work away from you.
(Just waiting on Punt Kick to come on to comment)
If you have been out of education 20 years, no one cares and it's not relevant unless you are required legally to have it eg. Law, medicine etc.... Professional experience and certifications are what the recruiters will look for, not a GCSE in advanced mathmatics. Lead with your contact details and profile; then current role and previous roles/experience relevant to role you are applying for. Sometimes it worth adding a technical skills summary next (if relevant) and then professional certifications/education. Don't add references, a simple line saying they will be provided on request will suffice.
2 or 3 pages max. 3 pages is sometime is acceptable if you are an (IT) contractor moving around roles and the experience is relevant. In your case you've been in ten same role for 20 years, stick to 2.
I'd argue that any experience outside your current job is irrelevant as it was so long ago; maybe you have some voluntary work etc... you could add as experience as long as relevant. Also try show some sort of progression in your current job over the 20 years (I'm assuming by job you meant the same role and not different roles in the same company); looking objectively at a cv where a person has been in a long term role and happy to to do same thing day in day out for 20 years could be interpreted as a lack of ambition (no offence intended, just giving the benefit of my experience of reviewing and initially filtering out cv's to people I'd like to speak to).
If you have had different job titles/roles within the same company, make sure this is communicated/emphasised. Otherwise maybe think about adding a skills summary section to show relevant skills aquired from your 20 years experience. Less is more too, be succinct and don't waffle just to fill the space.
Unless you have been asked for a covering letter, then don't bother as it won't get looked at.
Quote from: AZOffaly on November 07, 2017, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Boycey on November 07, 2017, 03:46:57 PM
Quote from: Orior on November 07, 2017, 03:39:11 PM
Is your Linked In profile up to date?
I figured someone would ask something like this. No would be the honest answer, I registered one time in nosiness and have some contacts. I seldom look at it.. is it now an essential?
Just on the profile a few have suggested, does this form part of actual CV or is it in the form of a cover letter. The online application just specified 'Attach CV'
Jaysus I'm miles out of practice at this.
It's usually a little blurb at the top of the CV, just under name, date of birth, etc. The CVs can be hard work for people to review, and they are all very samey. So if you are looking through them, you are looking for terms and experience that is meaningful for you. So if a candidate has a little profile at the top, and it hits the right notes, it's a sure fire way of making sure your CV gets the attention it deserves.
You can use the profile to highlight words in the job description as well.
Go through the job description and make sure that you've mentioned all the required skills / experience listed in it (verbatim for the major ones). The person reading it will be familiar with the job description so if your CV resonates with it, you'll have a good chance of getting an interview
Good luck with it
Quote from: macdanger2 on November 07, 2017, 06:34:04 PM
Go through the job description and make sure that you've mentioned all the required skills / experience listed in it (verbatim for the major ones). The person reading it will be familiar with the job description so if your CV resonates with it, you'll have a good chance of getting an interview
Good luck with it
I remember paying big money to get mine updated around the year 2,000, I recently brought my details to my local job centre in Armagh and got a ticket to see someone to get help with updating and indeed doing up A CV for people and again he said they did not, at this point I asked him to check, five minutes later he returns and tells me that they do in fact fact do up a CV for people but he is unwilling to update mine because 'I am here to help the unemployed, not the employed' I could believe my ears given the fact this tube was uselss and walked out in disgust.
A week ago I was told to go in and ask to speak to a well known employee down at the dole office, I know this lad well, he comes from a great Harps family and is a great lad, after explaining the situation to him he told me 'No bother stew' and had the thing done in less than a day, and it is far better than the one I paid $100.00 plus for in 2,000, it is first class and when I see him in the club next weekend there will be a few jars floated in his direction.
Thanks big NC, I really appreciate the help and I wish everyone was as obliging down there as you are mate!
There's this thing called the internet. No one should be paying someone to do their CV for them, or even look over it.
Thanks folks, especially those who went the extra mile and messaged me :)
Quote from: Syferus on November 07, 2017, 09:32:36 PM
There's this thing called the internet. No one should be paying someone to do their CV for them, or even look over it.
It was in the year 2000 and I didnt really use the internet back then, is that ok?
Quote from: stew on November 08, 2017, 10:15:20 PM
Quote from: Syferus on November 07, 2017, 09:32:36 PM
There's this thing called the internet. No one should be paying someone to do their CV for them, or even look over it.
It was in the year 2000 and I didnt really use the internet back then, is that ok?
Wow. You really have come on. Soon you will be able to walk to school by yourself