CV writing tips

[LeoZwalf]

Hi all,

I've been putting together my CV (I've never had one before...!) and think it's looking fairly good but would like some advice from those who know.

Would you be so kind as to have a look at it and give me any tips/pointers etc?

I don't feel like I'm very good at the "selling yourself" thing, I'm not really one to blow my own trumpet too much!!

I'm really struggling with the personal achievements bit (last section) - thinking of putting some blurb down about the car and all the work I've put into it over the past 4 years, but not sure... seems awful that I can't think of any personal achievements!!

PDF, right click save as...
http://www.zwalf.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CV_web.pdf

I've faked/removed my address, email and phone numbers just for this version

Many thanks in advance,
Leo

[BigAlinEmbra]

Looks pretty good to me, although possibly a little heavy on detail. (If you're looking at lots of applications for a job then anything with masses of text doesn't sink in as quickly as those with say 10-15 main points). Don't take the 10-15 as being gospel and an absolute max, just a rough indicator.

One thing that might be helpful is quantifying a bit more. What's a "strict deadline" for example? One person's interpretation might be very different to another's. If you say how much work you got over what amount of time, then this is easier to understand.
Same goes for the monitoring of response rates. Try to say what the volume of data was, and how much it was improved by. It doesn't matter a great deal if you weren't the sole reason for this, as an interviewer that's interested and worth their salt will ask what contribution you made to the improvement.

Also, be prepared to answer a question on anything you put in. That's where quantifying things on the CV helps. If you say you've "improved" something, "streamlined" it, or whatever then expect to be asked how you did it, why you chose that option and what the outcome was.

Bit vague on the writing of control procedures too. If you say what it was then it helps give people a better idea about what you've done. If the procedures relate to security controls, then say that. If it's to make existing procedures more efficient then say that and how they are improved. If it's financial control then get it in there too.

As well as saying what you've done, it's often worth saying what you've learnt. Eg working with other teams improves interpersonal and communication skills, whilst also broadening knowledge of the business.
I know it sounds a bit wanky, but employers do like that guff. People can do things just because they are told to do it, but if you're interested you learn from it.

Don't get too hung up on personal achievements, it's not mandatory to stick it in there. If you have done something like Duke of Edinburgh, got more scout badges than you can shake a stick at or were treasurer/secretary or whatever of some society all well and good. Part of that is just to make you look like a real person rather than a work obsessed automaton, but you've covered that with hobbies and interests.

Also, if you do quantify something then make sure it's reasonably accurate and stands up to a check. 60+ wpm is farking quick in my book, so make sure that is real world rather than just typing the same sentence over and over. Not doubting you, but the last thing you want is to get locked in a room and tested and it spews out 45 wpm. Employer then thinks "Aye aye, what else is he telling porkies about?!".

Final point is to tailor your CV to the job. If one area of your experience is particularly relevant, then use more of your space hammering those points home. Most irritating thing in the world is to get feedback saying "we went for someone stronger in this area", when you're actually really good at it but just didn't say enough about it.

Just realised that's a massive post and looks like I'm ripping you to shreds, when I'm not really. Decent layout and well written. Just needs some more on the output type side.

And in true Columbo stylee, just one more thing...
You are young, and you will come up against more experienced folk in the application/interview process and get knocked back. It happens to everyone so just stick it out. Take it nicely, be polite and ask for any feedback on how you can improve. Personality does count for a fair bit in interviews, and by being nice and seeming keen can get folk more interested when you think the game is up.
Just because someone doesn't appoint you first time round, doesn't mean they wouldn't want you for another job, so it pays to keep as many people as possible sweet.

[kirsty-SC]

That's a fantastic response with a lot of helpful info . . . off to investigate whether mine needs tweaking

[BigAlinEmbra]

Glad I can help. Been sitting on the "other" side of the application/interview desk a lot recently and it's made me look at the process in a totally new light.

[LeoZwalf]

BigAlinEmbra said:

Loads of fantastic stuff!

Wow! Thank you so much Certainly didn't seem like you were ripping into it, everything you said was very helpful.

I've made some changes to it and uploaded the new version if you would like to see it.

It's quite a big thing for me as I have never really written a CV before and in fact this is the first time I'm really going to need it. As you might have been able to tell from the CV, I've never had a big serious job - my current one is certainly the most serious. I'm going to be moving to Germany in August - I've wanted to change jobs and move away from here for a fair while and I now have the chance to do it... only thing which is worrying me is finding a (decent) job.

Thanks again for the huge and hugely helpful reply, I hope it'll be helpful to someone else in future

Leo

[BigAlinEmbra]

Your CV is probably better written than mine now, I'll need to follow my own advice.

[NewNameNeeded]

BigAlinEmbra said:

lots of fab stuff

I'd also add that your CV ought to fit on to one page. I know that isn't set in stone. But I think you could condense it quite easily and you'd come across as just as impressive, but it would be easier to digest.

It can be hard throwing stuff out but looking down many of your bullet points and they achieve the same goal (i.e. several support your ability to work to daily / weekly / monthly deadlines and several support you liasing with others - so maybe only include one bullet point which supports these skills). As BigAlin says - 10 or so bullet points ought to be enough. You don't have to detail ever thing you did in the job - just the key skills you have developed or used in that role.

I'd also be tempted to bullet point your IT skills - these can often be very important.

Apply the constructive comments mentioned in this thread and I think your CV will look ace. I've reviewed quite a few CVs in last few months and you'd be amazed how many of them are so poorly presented and the content is way over that required to sell yourself clearly and concisely.

[LeoZwalf]

Thanks

Haven't started sending it out yet so can do a few more tweeks. I quite like the idea of it being on one page although I've seen plenty which fit nicely on two.

One of the hardest things I've found with writing this CV is the differing advice from various people. It's impossible to follow it all, so I'm trying to take the bits that I feel are best and apply those.

It's great reading all these tips though and I am very appreciative that you people have taken the time to read mine and give your advice - thank you

Leo

[Planet Claire]

Just seen this thread and here are a couple of my inital thoughts (without really reading the detail)

• Dob, driving licence - move to the end
• Create a Personal Statement at the beginning - just a couple of sentences highlighting your key skills.
• I put my name in the Header and contact details (address/tel/email) in the Footer, which means it gets copied onto the second page. I did a stint in an HR office and we had to copy hundreds of CVs for shortlisting packs. People aren't perfect and if the two pages got separated then they'll know who they belong to, plus, over the page they are reminded of whose CV it is.
• Bold the job titles, it's very hard to see as it currently is.
• I too would recommend reducing the number of bullet points.
• Create a Key Skills section - in mine I put in things like IT skills, communication (written and verbal), team player etc etc. You've sort of done this already in between Education and Hobbies, but it's kind of sat in limbo there.
• I HATE Times New Roman font. I would suggest selecting something a bit more modern looking (eg Arial, Tahoma, Verdana), but that's my preference.
• If you're going to put in Hobbies and Interests I would bullet point each one and pad it out a bit as they just read like any other CV - give them something to pick up on and talk about).

Hope that's useful.

[slartibartfast]

i opened a thread but no one gave me any advice so could one of you guys do me a favour and have a look through my CV please?
i'd tried to make it using the advice above.

http://www.geocities.com/pdj15/PJexample.doc

Thanks

Paul

[Planet Claire]

slartibartfast said:

i opened a thread but no one gave me any advice so could one of you guys do me a favour and have a look through my CV please?
i'd tried to make it using the advice above.

http://www.geocities.com/pdj15/PJexample.doc

Thanks

Paul

Right, I've had a quick look, again, without reading too much of the detail...

• Expand your profile, a couple of more sentences I would say.
• Where do you work at, you've missed this off (or was that deliberate?)
• Drop the 'I did this..', 'I was responsible..' kind of phrases and replace with 'Responsible for...', 'Achieved...', 'Experience in ...' or whatever.
• Need to make your bullet points more snappier.
• Eduction - put most recent first as that is usually most relevant. Drop the primary school bit.
• How many CSEs did you get?
• I would just tart up the formatting a little, for example, put another return after your education and before the start of your next heading, Hobbies. You could even start the Key Skills section on the following page so it's not broken up.

I agree that a CV should be tailored to each job but most of it is going to be standard (education, hobbies etc). You should be changing the profile and work experience for each job you apply for. Also, I would expand on your work experience and show how this is relevant and why you're the best person for the job in your covering letter.

Hope that is of some help.