Check my CV please
Discussion
Hi folks,
any comments on my CV please. Its targetted at an IT field engineer for installing and maintaining hardware, though could probably be easily adapted for many IT Support jobs.
http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/2263/pg1j.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2041/pg2r.jpg
Cheers
any comments on my CV please. Its targetted at an IT field engineer for installing and maintaining hardware, though could probably be easily adapted for many IT Support jobs.
http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/2263/pg1j.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2041/pg2r.jpg
Cheers
Edited by NotConfused on Friday 15th April 17:23
NotConfused said:
Hi folks,
any comments on my CV please. Its targetted at an IT field engineer for installing and maintaining hardware, though could probably be easily adapted for many IT Support jobs.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8183/pg1df.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2041/pg2r.jpg
Cheers
In order of reading (and this is written to be constructive):any comments on my CV please. Its targetted at an IT field engineer for installing and maintaining hardware, though could probably be easily adapted for many IT Support jobs.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8183/pg1df.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2041/pg2r.jpg
Cheers
Profile
You haven't graduated, so don't label yourself as a graduate.
1yrs placement and previous experience as a warehouse operative is stretching the limits of believe when you claim to be "comprehensively experienced in corporate environment".
"Diverse position" reads as 'not sure what I want'.
Employment history
Give examples of when you did something that made an impact/was a success.
Education
When did you study the modules? BSc, HND?
When did you complete the projects? Outcomes? Talk about successes and challenges overcome.
Don't say "very proficient" if you have a skill, list it, if it isn't something you can perform well if asked at an interview to display it, don't list it.
List your social experiences from uni in personal interests.
Relevant skills
Bullet points ok-ish, consider adding a bit of excitement.
Management - how does this connect to your dissertation? You haven't mentioned what it was on, what you received by way of mark or feedback. Reads like you ran out of things to big yourself up about.
Other skills
If you are applying for field role, chances are you'd have a drivers licence. Useless information.
German I AM STUDYING TO IMPROVE, ambitious sounds like bulls
t. Either you are studying or drop it.Hobbies/Interests
DON'T put physical contact sports, as they will be waiting for the day you rock up with a black eye and a split lip.
Current affairs and economy??? BS, give specifics.
Referees - drop.
My assessment, seen a lot of CVs for a wide range of roles. Some of the above is harsh, but you've got one first impression, don't waste it.
fergywales said:
In order of reading (and this is written to be constructive):
Profile
You haven't graduated, so don't label yourself as a graduate.
How should I label myself without waffling on? "Finished university, due to graduate in July 2011" doesnt seem dynamic enough to introduce a CV with.
1yrs placement and previous experience as a warehouse operative is stretching the limits of believe when you claim to be "comprehensively experienced in corporate environment".
I see where you coming from, but its the truth. I dont think a CV is the place to explain it all, would be happy to give examples in an interview, alternatively how would you re-word the fact that I have a good understanding of how the departments in a corporate enviroment operate and liaise?
"Diverse position" reads as 'not sure what I want'.
Just my way of saying, I appreciate a job where no two days are the same
Employment history
Give examples of when you did something that made an impact/was a success.
I have run numerous succesful projects when employed which I think are worthy of sharing, but I'm really running short of room, what would you remove to make space?
Education
When did you study the modules? BSc, HND?
Does it make any difference when? As far as the difference between awards, there isn't, one is just longer than the other, i.e. people from various awards can be in the same class
When did you complete the projects? Outcomes? Talk about successes and challenges overcome.
Finished it only a month or so ago, will add
Don't say "very proficient" if you have a skill, list it, if it isn't something you can perform well if asked at an interview to display it, don't list it.
Not sure what you mean? I am very proficient
List your social experiences from uni in personal interests.
Relevant skills
Bullet points ok-ish, consider adding a bit of excitement.
Ok
Management - how does this connect to your dissertation? You haven't mentioned what it was on, what you received by way of mark or feedback. Reads like you ran out of things to big yourself up about.
I actually mentioned it under projects in the education section, wont receive my mark for another month or two
Other skills
If you are applying for field role, chances are you'd have a drivers licence. Useless information.
German I AM STUDYING TO IMPROVE, ambitious sounds like bullst. Either you are studying or drop it.
Ok
Hobbies/Interests
DON'T put physical contact sports, as they will be waiting for the day you rock up with a black eye and a split lip.
Current affairs and economy??? BS, give specifics.
Point taken
Referees - drop.
I have not seen a CV where no reference to referes is given?
My assessment, seen a lot of CVs for a wide range of roles. Some of the above is harsh, but you've got one first impression, don't waste it.
Would appreciate your further input, or alternatively any example CV's Profile
You haven't graduated, so don't label yourself as a graduate.
How should I label myself without waffling on? "Finished university, due to graduate in July 2011" doesnt seem dynamic enough to introduce a CV with.
1yrs placement and previous experience as a warehouse operative is stretching the limits of believe when you claim to be "comprehensively experienced in corporate environment".
I see where you coming from, but its the truth. I dont think a CV is the place to explain it all, would be happy to give examples in an interview, alternatively how would you re-word the fact that I have a good understanding of how the departments in a corporate enviroment operate and liaise?
"Diverse position" reads as 'not sure what I want'.
Just my way of saying, I appreciate a job where no two days are the same
Employment history
Give examples of when you did something that made an impact/was a success.
I have run numerous succesful projects when employed which I think are worthy of sharing, but I'm really running short of room, what would you remove to make space?
Education
When did you study the modules? BSc, HND?
Does it make any difference when? As far as the difference between awards, there isn't, one is just longer than the other, i.e. people from various awards can be in the same class
When did you complete the projects? Outcomes? Talk about successes and challenges overcome.
Finished it only a month or so ago, will add
Don't say "very proficient" if you have a skill, list it, if it isn't something you can perform well if asked at an interview to display it, don't list it.
Not sure what you mean? I am very proficient
List your social experiences from uni in personal interests.
Relevant skills
Bullet points ok-ish, consider adding a bit of excitement.
Ok
Management - how does this connect to your dissertation? You haven't mentioned what it was on, what you received by way of mark or feedback. Reads like you ran out of things to big yourself up about.
I actually mentioned it under projects in the education section, wont receive my mark for another month or two
Other skills
If you are applying for field role, chances are you'd have a drivers licence. Useless information.
German I AM STUDYING TO IMPROVE, ambitious sounds like bulls
t. Either you are studying or drop it.Ok
Hobbies/Interests
DON'T put physical contact sports, as they will be waiting for the day you rock up with a black eye and a split lip.
Current affairs and economy??? BS, give specifics.
Point taken
Referees - drop.
I have not seen a CV where no reference to referes is given?
My assessment, seen a lot of CVs for a wide range of roles. Some of the above is harsh, but you've got one first impression, don't waste it.
Comprehensively experienced in a corporate environment? What are you trying to achieve with that statement? At the moment all it says is that you're a bullstter. I've got over 20 years experience in various corporate environments and still wouldn't use it. You've got some work experience, more than the average grad but this is clearly shown on your CV.
Instead of saying you've studied a wide range of modules state what they are.
Lose the hobbies and interests, unless you've been ABA area champion or similar. Lose the referees section, it's superfluous.
...and somehow you've not stated a great deal of achievement, find some way of putting in what you have achieved rather than saying that you're good.
tter. I've got over 20 years experience in various corporate environments and still wouldn't use it. You've got some work experience, more than the average grad but this is clearly shown on your CV.Instead of saying you've studied a wide range of modules state what they are.
Lose the hobbies and interests, unless you've been ABA area champion or similar. Lose the referees section, it's superfluous.
...and somehow you've not stated a great deal of achievement, find some way of putting in what you have achieved rather than saying that you're good.
Morning, hows this? Admittedly not spell checked it as thoroughly as I should but will wait for comments first. Only thing i'm not 100% keen on is my relevant skills, the writing isn't particularly flamboyant.
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/6347/pg1eg.jpg
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4889/pg2j.jpg
cheers
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/6347/pg1eg.jpg
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4889/pg2j.jpg
cheers
Appears better, but doesn't quite flow seemlessly.
However, you keep referring to 'vacancy'. Have you spent over 24hrs fecking about personalising your CV for 1 job advert? If so, don't put time management on your CV, EVER!
In all seriousness, go and read some CV writing tips websites, as your structure (whilst I'm not au fait with the IT industry) is very basic and bland.
Oh, and lose 'Other', it is not required information, like I said before, if you are applying for a field role, it is expected that you can drive. If an employer wants references after offering you a role, they will ask. It is just unnecessary guff.
However, you keep referring to 'vacancy'. Have you spent over 24hrs fecking about personalising your CV for 1 job advert? If so, don't put time management on your CV, EVER!
In all seriousness, go and read some CV writing tips websites, as your structure (whilst I'm not au fait with the IT industry) is very basic and bland.
Oh, and lose 'Other', it is not required information, like I said before, if you are applying for a field role, it is expected that you can drive. If an employer wants references after offering you a role, they will ask. It is just unnecessary guff.
I'm confused by the statement that it is targeted at IT Field Engineer, there is very little in there that says Field Engineer to me. (FWIW I own several companies in the IT sector from software development to IT services)
You read like someone who is heading towards IT Support or software development, I don't see much hardware in there, I also wonder if you have any thoughts as to how you want your career to progress, Field Engineer is pretty limited as a career path.
As for the CV itself, you have to remember that the people like me who get these things skim through them fast, if I have a pile of CVs I'm not going to spend long on each one so you have to keep it simple for me. In your case this CV would be in danger of going on the reject pile because it isn't clear what you have been doing.
You seem to be trying to compete with people who graduated a few years ago and have a bit of experience, but you didn't graduate a few years ago and your experience is a placement year and a couple of years being a 'warehouse operative' which, I guess, was work you did whilst studying. That's fine, but be clear about it.
Lead with the most recent thing you have done, your degree, then go backwards through the other things that you have done. As it is at first glance you look like someone who has had a couple of jobs with big periods of unemployment, only if anyone gets to page two and takes the time to piece the dates together does it become apparent what you have actually done. Even then it's confusing because you seem to be claiming to have been in full time education and full time employment at the same time.
Experience first followed by education works when your experience is more recent than your education, it doesn't work when your education is the most recent thing you've done.
BTW be prepared to explain your path, I understand people who got GCSEs, went on to A levels then did a degree with some placement and other work thrown in. But an 'A level equivalent', and HND then a three year degree with a placement year is bit odd. Not saying it's bad, just that it's a bit unusual and may need some explanation come interview time.
You read like someone who is heading towards IT Support or software development, I don't see much hardware in there, I also wonder if you have any thoughts as to how you want your career to progress, Field Engineer is pretty limited as a career path.
As for the CV itself, you have to remember that the people like me who get these things skim through them fast, if I have a pile of CVs I'm not going to spend long on each one so you have to keep it simple for me. In your case this CV would be in danger of going on the reject pile because it isn't clear what you have been doing.
You seem to be trying to compete with people who graduated a few years ago and have a bit of experience, but you didn't graduate a few years ago and your experience is a placement year and a couple of years being a 'warehouse operative' which, I guess, was work you did whilst studying. That's fine, but be clear about it.
Lead with the most recent thing you have done, your degree, then go backwards through the other things that you have done. As it is at first glance you look like someone who has had a couple of jobs with big periods of unemployment, only if anyone gets to page two and takes the time to piece the dates together does it become apparent what you have actually done. Even then it's confusing because you seem to be claiming to have been in full time education and full time employment at the same time.
Experience first followed by education works when your experience is more recent than your education, it doesn't work when your education is the most recent thing you've done.
BTW be prepared to explain your path, I understand people who got GCSEs, went on to A levels then did a degree with some placement and other work thrown in. But an 'A level equivalent', and HND then a three year degree with a placement year is bit odd. Not saying it's bad, just that it's a bit unusual and may need some explanation come interview time.
Thanks gents, some great advice and I hope to get it right on my third attempt.
Few things, the second job was actually targetted at IT support (sorry should have said). Though once the layout is comfortable I can just change the paricular skills and what not to cater.
You are dead right about putting education first, thats actually what my careers adviser told me to do but I couldnt find this anywhere else to back this up. I think it will flow better like that though.
But yes, I was in full time education and employement at the time, which probably explains my 2:2...
As for my path, FYI - I didnt have the grades to do a BSC hons so did a 2 year HND, I then did a 3rd year to get a BSc, then a placement, followed by a final year disseration to receive an HOns. Probably not the best way to do it but oh well.
Look forward to hearing feedback from you both in due course.
Few things, the second job was actually targetted at IT support (sorry should have said). Though once the layout is comfortable I can just change the paricular skills and what not to cater.
You are dead right about putting education first, thats actually what my careers adviser told me to do but I couldnt find this anywhere else to back this up. I think it will flow better like that though.
But yes, I was in full time education and employement at the time, which probably explains my 2:2...
As for my path, FYI - I didnt have the grades to do a BSC hons so did a 2 year HND, I then did a 3rd year to get a BSc, then a placement, followed by a final year disseration to receive an HOns. Probably not the best way to do it but oh well.
Look forward to hearing feedback from you both in due course.
Ok I've had another go, following the advice given here and a CV template form Monster. I think I'm getting somewhere now.
My theory is the personal profile will hopefully get the readers attention, the key skills will confirm I have what they are after (these have been grouped as necessary)and my latest degree is on the first page.
If they read the second page then they will see the rest of my education, followed by my employment history which is laid out much better. Personal interests are there just to make the bottom of the page look less empty.
http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/8526/pgr1.jpg
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7706/pgr2.jpg
Question about the dates, is the name of each month prefered or will MM.YY suffice, and should I include the months for my education (everyone knows when the academic year starts and begins)?
Thanks all.
My theory is the personal profile will hopefully get the readers attention, the key skills will confirm I have what they are after (these have been grouped as necessary)and my latest degree is on the first page.
If they read the second page then they will see the rest of my education, followed by my employment history which is laid out much better. Personal interests are there just to make the bottom of the page look less empty.
http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/8526/pgr1.jpg
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7706/pgr2.jpg
Question about the dates, is the name of each month prefered or will MM.YY suffice, and should I include the months for my education (everyone knows when the academic year starts and begins)?
Thanks all.
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