Writing a professional CV
Discussion
For the first time in a fair few years I find my self needing to write a CV. I have all the experience, skills side of content sorted out but I am probably a few years behind what a prospective employer looks for in a CV. I am particularly interested in layout, how much or how little of personal info needs to be given & how much information in general needs giving.
At what point does an employer get bored with reading about you and how much is enough.
I need to have this finalised by tomorrow afternoon so I can email it for viewing by the prospective employer first thing Monday morning.
Any help greatly appreciated and any blank layouts anyone may have would be great.
Thanks
Mike
At what point does an employer get bored with reading about you and how much is enough.
I need to have this finalised by tomorrow afternoon so I can email it for viewing by the prospective employer first thing Monday morning.
Any help greatly appreciated and any blank layouts anyone may have would be great.
Thanks
Mike
There isn't really one template that fits all situations - depends how long you have been working, how important your education or qualifications are, how much space you need to get all the information about your job history etc, who is going to read the CV - agent, HR dept, hiring manager
The hiring manager will obviously know the most details about what he wants, and will probably be able to read between the lines, if you manage to get his interest. An agent generally doesn't know the details, but they will know certain keywords that their clients are asking for.
For ideas, here is what I currently have on my CV
Header - personal contact details on 1st page, name on subsequent pages
Objective - 3 or 4 lines about what I do, what I want to do in the future. (TBH this is the bit I like least - not sure it adds too much value)
Relevant skills - bullet point list of skills tailored for each job. Sometimes add a bit of narrative if I want to highlight something particular
Job history - companies, dates, whether contract or permanent, sometimes a narrative on the specific project, job title, responsibilities, achievements
Education - 1 line with school and number of A-levels/GCSEs
Qualifications - bullet point list with dates of qualifications
Personal - a couple bullets on passport/driving license (as I work abroard sometimes), marital status, and 2 or 3 lines on other interests.
I was trying to keep it to two pages, but that is now taxing my editing skills.
The hiring manager will obviously know the most details about what he wants, and will probably be able to read between the lines, if you manage to get his interest. An agent generally doesn't know the details, but they will know certain keywords that their clients are asking for.
For ideas, here is what I currently have on my CV
Header - personal contact details on 1st page, name on subsequent pages
Objective - 3 or 4 lines about what I do, what I want to do in the future. (TBH this is the bit I like least - not sure it adds too much value)
Relevant skills - bullet point list of skills tailored for each job. Sometimes add a bit of narrative if I want to highlight something particular
Job history - companies, dates, whether contract or permanent, sometimes a narrative on the specific project, job title, responsibilities, achievements
Education - 1 line with school and number of A-levels/GCSEs
Qualifications - bullet point list with dates of qualifications
Personal - a couple bullets on passport/driving license (as I work abroard sometimes), marital status, and 2 or 3 lines on other interests.
I was trying to keep it to two pages, but that is now taxing my editing skills.
I read many CV's each week, and I agree with the last comments.
Key things:-
Keep in brief - don't bore them
Give slightly more detail for the most recent roles (early roles could just be a one liner)
Bullet points are perfect - I tend to switch off if it's reams of text
If possible, get a spec for the job that you're applying for and bring out your experience that’s specifically relevant to that job within the bullet points
Key things:-
Keep in brief - don't bore them
Give slightly more detail for the most recent roles (early roles could just be a one liner)
Bullet points are perfect - I tend to switch off if it's reams of text
If possible, get a spec for the job that you're applying for and bring out your experience that’s specifically relevant to that job within the bullet points
I have a couple of CV's that have got my collegues new jobs all within 2 weeks (external of current company) and mine has just landed me a job in Corparate Banking, an upgrade from Retail Banking within the space of 4 weeks, although 3 weeks of that was sorting the red tape out........ Watch out Canary Wharf here I come!!!!
If you would like copies I would be happy to email them to whoever would like them.
Si
If you would like copies I would be happy to email them to whoever would like them.
Si
Many thanks - got a lot of useful ideas from that - will probably go with a similar format as the first one.
One small question - I'm assuming I didn't have Word 2000 before on my comp as it asked me to accept the microsoft agreement and to register ( I clicked the register later button) Will I be able to edit the first cv to replace his details with mine?
Noticed the 2nd CV was password protected so was only able to view as a read only file
One small question - I'm assuming I didn't have Word 2000 before on my comp as it asked me to accept the microsoft agreement and to register ( I clicked the register later button) Will I be able to edit the first cv to replace his details with mine?
Noticed the 2nd CV was password protected so was only able to view as a read only file
condor said:
Many thanks - got a lot of useful ideas from that - will probably go with a similar format as the first one.
One small question - I'm assuming I didn't have Word 2000 before on my comp as it asked me to accept the microsoft agreement and to register ( I clicked the register later button) Will I be able to edit the first cv to replace his details with mine?
Noticed the 2nd CV was password protected so was only able to view as a read only file
You should be able to, with regards to the second one simply select all when open in readonly mode, create a new document and then paste it all in the new document, hey presto a document with no password attached.
I can edit the first one - but have had to forward it to my real e.mail addy from my hotmail addy. Tried to save just the 1st one on it's own but it just goes in the temporary internet folder - so I can't delete the others to separate it....and I don't seem to be able to retitle it.
I'm guessing it's because I don't have word 2000 properly.
Could you please just resend me the first one on its own - with the title changed just to CV -I'll then be able to edit it to my needs and send it out.
Many thanks.
I'm guessing it's because I don't have word 2000 properly.
Could you please just resend me the first one on its own - with the title changed just to CV -I'll then be able to edit it to my needs and send it out.
Many thanks.
ProPlus said:
I have a couple of CV's that have got my collegues new jobs all within 2 weeks (external of current company) and mine has just landed me a job in Corparate Banking, an upgrade from Retail Banking within the space of 4 weeks, although 3 weeks of that was sorting the red tape out........ Watch out Canary Wharf here I come!!!!
If you would like copies I would be happy to email them to whoever would like them.
Si
Would you mind sending over to me also? Many thanks!
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