IT CV question - tech lists?

[ImpossiblyDaft]

I know a lot of people on here are in IT, so figured it'd be a good place to ask.

I've been sending my CV out the last couple of weeks and not hearing anything back. I'm suspecting that the formatting of my CV is making it get weeded out before anyone really reads it - I've not got a giant long list of technologies in it, but I've got them as bullet points under each position I've held.

The problem is that I'm after an entry-level development job & the jobs I've had (application support and system setup/upgrades/customisations) have all been with rather niche stuff - the 'usual' Java/C++/C# is all listed under the education section (page 2 and not especially impressive - a 2.2 5 years ago), though I do make it clear in the cover letters & link it into what I've been doing and make sure its pointed out I've been dabbling in this sort of thing during my spare time so it isn't like I've not touched it for years. It's obviously a little light on all the extra frameworks etc. as a result though.

So, is it just the lack of a nice clear list causing it to be binned, or the content - either in that there's a whole load of people with more mainstream experience going for all these entry level jobs, not having the right 'extras' in that there's the odd piece of a particular technology stack missing (ie. I've used Sybase but not Oracle, etc.), or getting typecast as 'a support guy' or something like that?

Thanks

[rog007]

It could be a number of things; unless you've received specific feedback,you'll never know. The best thing is to eliminate as much risk from your CV as possible by making it excellent in all aspects; content (outcomes based) and layout. As to getting to interview; make sure you're applying for roles that you can do and where you meet as much of the essential criteria as possible stated within the person specification. I and others on here can provide formal support with these things if needed.
Good luck!

[crazy about cars]

Depending on the level you are going after I'd recommend keeping the CV to a page. List your working experience (past projects etc) which matters more than what you dabbled in your spare time.

[Gargamel]

ID

you are assuming a human reads your cv and cover letter. this is a mistake. many tech firms use text search.

Try this approach

Experienced in java, C++ and pascal. looking for a role utilising my skills in java, C++ and pascal.

Key Skills

Java, C++, Pascal

Current role

Using Java etc etc

Crude but effective on ranking based text search crawlers, especially if you are posting on monster etc...

[robsdesk]

I have a bullet list of technology I'm skilled in (IIRC titled skills profile) after a summary about me, as others have said IT recruiters are skills focused, make it easy for them - I'm a contractor & make it very clear where my strengths are, this will prompt a call where I can talk the recruiter through my experience (which is detailed further on in my CV). I try and work on the basis of making the recruiters job as easy as possible - get them on the phone & sell yourself.

[MagicalTrevor]

robsdesk said:

I have a bullet list of technology I'm skilled in (IIRC titled skills profile) after a summary about me, as others have said IT recruiters are skills focused, make it easy for them - I'm a contractor & make it very clear where my strengths are, this will prompt a call where I can talk the recruiter through my experience (which is detailed further on in my CV). I try and work on the basis of making the recruiters job as easy as possible - get them on the phone & sell yourself.

Welcome

I also make a bullet list of skills, so for example:

• Oracle 9i, 10g, 11g - 2 years
• VMware - 1 year
• Being generally awesome - All my li

But as an extra do things like:

• Oracle RAC (Real Application Cluster)

To cater for searches for both 'RAC', 'Cluster' or 'Real Application Cluster'

[dibblecorse]

Ping me a PM, I'm a client side tech recruiter, ex agency side with more than ten years experience, I doubt we have anything that might suit you at the minute but get me your CV and I'll happily critique it for you.