CV Advice

[CharlieCrocodile]

I'm currently writing my CV for the first time in 15 years as I'm closing my business and looking for regular, stress-free work (if there's such a thing). My question is how far do I go back on my CV? Do I need to go all the way back to 1989 when I left school or just go back to the job I had before I started my own business which was 2001.

Thanks,

[Troubleatmill]

Last 10 years max.
Everything beyond that is meaningless.

Just do 1 liners for your job in years 11 through 15.

[rog007]

For a paper/electronic CV, 2 sides maximum for a whole host of reasons works best in my experience (as both a hirer and advisor). Therefore you can only go as far back as that constraint allows. For on-line job applications, you may be required to show more or less; each organisation tends to be different. Good luck on your journey.

[anonymous-user]

I'm in a similar position. I think you need to at least show you've worked for people other than yourself, so definitely back to the previous "jobs".

I don't know about you, but I'm getting the feeling that running my own business is putting quite a few potential employers off.

[CharlieCrocodile]

Forgot that I started this thread, thanks for the advice so far. I suspect that working for myself might go against me, about to send out my CV today *gulp*

Edit - Rog, could I send over a CV to cast your eye over?

[rog007]

CharlieCrocodile said:

Forgot that I started this thread, thanks for the advice so far. I suspect that working for myself might go against me, about to send out my CV today *gulp*

Edit - Rog, could I send over a CV to cast your eye over?

Most certainly. And working for yourself should have the opposite effect to what you're anticipating if packaged correctly on your CV (assuming of course it wasn't a total disaster!!). Good Luck!

[DUMBO100]

I was recently told by a recruitment consultant that a generic cv was no longer considered appropriate and that each application required a complete rewrite of my cv to match the job spec as closely as possible. While I agree it's sensible approach I haven't really had the time to do it

[rog007]

DUMBO100 said:

I was recently told by a recruitment consultant that a generic cv was no longer considered appropriate and that each application required a complete rewrite of my cv to match the job spec as closely as possible. While I agree it's sensible approach I haven't really had the time to do it

This is exactly right. I would add though that if the CV is of a high quality to start with, minor tweaks to match the role being applied for should not be onerous. Good luck!