CV writing tips
Discussion
I know a lot of PHers are pretty successful people, so they must know how to write a decent CV (in theory).
I'm just about to enter my fourth (perhaps final) year at University (in an Engineering/Computer Science related degree) so my thoughts are turning towards applying for graduate jobs as well as a part time job with a software development company that's become available.
I've a fair bit of work experience - 3 industrial placements related to my degree, a couple of part time jobs (one current for the past 2.5 years, one before then - largely customer service focused in both). Also spent a good part of my gap year between school and Uni working in IT support / administration.
Any advice as to how to present this to a prospective employer in order to stand out but without barraging them with pages of how amazing I am that'll end up in the bin?
Cheers
I'm just about to enter my fourth (perhaps final) year at University (in an Engineering/Computer Science related degree) so my thoughts are turning towards applying for graduate jobs as well as a part time job with a software development company that's become available.
I've a fair bit of work experience - 3 industrial placements related to my degree, a couple of part time jobs (one current for the past 2.5 years, one before then - largely customer service focused in both). Also spent a good part of my gap year between school and Uni working in IT support / administration.
Any advice as to how to present this to a prospective employer in order to stand out but without barraging them with pages of how amazing I am that'll end up in the bin?
Cheers
Unfortunately there are as many "right ways" to construct a CV as there are recruiters. I know from personal experience that what one person considers perfect, another will consider to be awful and a pile of garbage. Recruitment agencies often re-compile your details into their own format anyway, so they are probably the people to take least notice of.
Briefly, two sides of A4. No more, initially anyway, unless they ask for fuller details of your skills and employment history. Write your employment history and qualifications sections with the most recent first, the most recent having most detail and the oldest least detail. Don't list the pass mark for every module in your Degree, but it may be appropriate to list some of the modules pertinent to the role.
Obviously, detail each covering letter and CV to each application if you can.
Briefly, two sides of A4. No more, initially anyway, unless they ask for fuller details of your skills and employment history. Write your employment history and qualifications sections with the most recent first, the most recent having most detail and the oldest least detail. Don't list the pass mark for every module in your Degree, but it may be appropriate to list some of the modules pertinent to the role.
Obviously, detail each covering letter and CV to each application if you can.
As above.
I'm a recruiter, I format every single CV I send to my clients. My Clients always comment on how easy they are to read etc and appreciate the time I spend on them (I guess a lot of recruiters just take off contact details) but there are many recruiters who like a different format.
In brief I'd say...
1) 2 pages max
2) Font has to be Arial 10, use bold for your name, titles of paragaph, job title and company.
3) For a Grad I'd go with Profile > Education > Career History > Interests
4) Use bullet points in Career History.
In my opinion, hiring managers just want to see that you have the skills / experience / education to do the job, so keep your CV short, snappy and to the point... that should get you an interview (providing you're applying for suitable roles!) and that is where you can expand on what you did at Uni / personality / likes / dislikes etc etc.
I'd be happy to spend 10 mins on your CV if you want to email it through to me. ssmith@tecgroup.co.uk
I'm a recruiter, I format every single CV I send to my clients. My Clients always comment on how easy they are to read etc and appreciate the time I spend on them (I guess a lot of recruiters just take off contact details) but there are many recruiters who like a different format.
In brief I'd say...
1) 2 pages max
2) Font has to be Arial 10, use bold for your name, titles of paragaph, job title and company.
3) For a Grad I'd go with Profile > Education > Career History > Interests
4) Use bullet points in Career History.
In my opinion, hiring managers just want to see that you have the skills / experience / education to do the job, so keep your CV short, snappy and to the point... that should get you an interview (providing you're applying for suitable roles!) and that is where you can expand on what you did at Uni / personality / likes / dislikes etc etc.
I'd be happy to spend 10 mins on your CV if you want to email it through to me. ssmith@tecgroup.co.uk
Holy thread resurrection Batman.
Rather than start a new thread thought I would chip in here too. It has been sometime since I had my CV out in the wild and I could do with some guidance on the format of it. I am aware that preferences for CV format and style can vary with time and company but it is so long since I have had to seriously revlaidate my current CV layout I am a bit lost.
My situation is somewhat different to that of the OP, I am currently employed at a relatively senior level and would be looking to move slightly up the ladder with my next postion, probably into a Senior Management/Director postion.
Is this guidance given above still valid and is there a 'pro-forma' style anyone can reccomend?
Many thanks.
Rather than start a new thread thought I would chip in here too. It has been sometime since I had my CV out in the wild and I could do with some guidance on the format of it. I am aware that preferences for CV format and style can vary with time and company but it is so long since I have had to seriously revlaidate my current CV layout I am a bit lost.
My situation is somewhat different to that of the OP, I am currently employed at a relatively senior level and would be looking to move slightly up the ladder with my next postion, probably into a Senior Management/Director postion.
Is this guidance given above still valid and is there a 'pro-forma' style anyone can reccomend?
Many thanks.
my advice - tailor the CV for a specific company/opportunity - dont waffle on and make sure you check your spelling and FFS make sure ALL your contact details are there too!
A CV is like a car brochure - if you go and get a micra brochure its full of bulls
t and numbers/mpg etc and a few crappy pictures of a model (hoping to take your eye away from the micra) - not very sexy and the chances of you having any unanswered questions about said heap of st are pretty slim so you probably wont call the dealer anyway.
An upmarket car brochure has all the sexy pictures and a few tit-bits needed to make your juices flow - making the reader WANT to test drive and ask more questions.
So ask yourself - what kind of CV can you write that will get a prospective employer to WANT to call you - simples!
khushy
A CV is like a car brochure - if you go and get a micra brochure its full of bulls
t and numbers/mpg etc and a few crappy pictures of a model (hoping to take your eye away from the micra) - not very sexy and the chances of you having any unanswered questions about said heap of st are pretty slim so you probably wont call the dealer anyway.An upmarket car brochure has all the sexy pictures and a few tit-bits needed to make your juices flow - making the reader WANT to test drive and ask more questions.
So ask yourself - what kind of CV can you write that will get a prospective employer to WANT to call you - simples!
khushy
Edited by khushy on Thursday 15th September 20:26
ArmaghMan said:
If there is a specific job at a particular co. that you REALLY want, I would suggest writing a cv specifically for it. Read through the ad for specific requirements and address those in your cv.
I'd say this was a requirement for EVERY vaguely professional job.Also, avoid putting loads of "Buzzwords" in unless you actually have a point to make and you can back them up.
I've been updating my CV and am struggling to get the layout right and I'm hoping the collective PH wisdom will help me out.
In a nutshell I joined my current team about 10 years ago. After 4 years we were outsourced, still doing the same role at the same desk etc. After 5 years of that we were insourced, same role etc. What's the best way of displaying this on a CV?
In a nutshell I joined my current team about 10 years ago. After 4 years we were outsourced, still doing the same role at the same desk etc. After 5 years of that we were insourced, same role etc. What's the best way of displaying this on a CV?
CobolMan said:
I've been updating my CV and am struggling to get the layout right and I'm hoping the collective PH wisdom will help me out.
In a nutshell I joined my current team about 10 years ago. After 4 years we were outsourced, still doing the same role at the same desk etc. After 5 years of that we were insourced, same role etc. What's the best way of displaying this on a CV?
Good question. If there was any change in the role I'd be inclined to list it three times, if not I'd ignore the outsourcy bit and put it down as one job. You can explain it at the interview if necessary.In a nutshell I joined my current team about 10 years ago. After 4 years we were outsourced, still doing the same role at the same desk etc. After 5 years of that we were insourced, same role etc. What's the best way of displaying this on a CV?
As space is usually tight on a CV and employers are more keen to know what impact you have made rather than religiously listing the various job titles you held in an organisation, I would concentrate on the former. If space is not an issue, then naming each role is fine, but it's the impact you made what is important. Happy to provide feedback on your CV if that would help. Good luck!
As a recruiter and headhunter specialising in sales and senior management I'll make the following suggestions.
We receive a lot of applications for jobs we advertise, and we also have access to CV databases with 2.3 million CV's registered on them with everything from brand new CV's to CV's which were submitted years ago.
Time is short and I do not spend 5 minutes reading a CV unless and until I believe that the appliant/CV is excellent. Make sure you include job titles, preferably in bold - if I read your CV I will scan for relevant experience and expertise.
Don't just include your employers name. If you sell furniture, say so. I will not be searching CV's by employer names but rather by what you do. This is especially the case if your employer is not a market leader.
Also do not assume the recruiter will be a specialist in a field. So even if your employer is a massive organisation that everyone in your field will have heard of, do not assume a recruiter will have done.
An example would be: In my present role I have 5 years experience as a business development manager selling B1 and B2 print for Danwood, who are one of the leading suppliers of print solutions from inception to the fully finished product. Building my business from scratch, I have hit my targets each year, and am presently 116% of this year's target, with a sales portfolio of £1.5m.
We receive a lot of applications for jobs we advertise, and we also have access to CV databases with 2.3 million CV's registered on them with everything from brand new CV's to CV's which were submitted years ago.
Time is short and I do not spend 5 minutes reading a CV unless and until I believe that the appliant/CV is excellent. Make sure you include job titles, preferably in bold - if I read your CV I will scan for relevant experience and expertise.
Don't just include your employers name. If you sell furniture, say so. I will not be searching CV's by employer names but rather by what you do. This is especially the case if your employer is not a market leader.
Also do not assume the recruiter will be a specialist in a field. So even if your employer is a massive organisation that everyone in your field will have heard of, do not assume a recruiter will have done.
An example would be: In my present role I have 5 years experience as a business development manager selling B1 and B2 print for Danwood, who are one of the leading suppliers of print solutions from inception to the fully finished product. Building my business from scratch, I have hit my targets each year, and am presently 116% of this year's target, with a sales portfolio of £1.5m.
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