Writing a CV

[BaileytheQuitter]

I seem to remember there was a similar thread a little while ago on here, but couldn't find it.

I'm putting my CV together atm to send off to companies for a part time job while I'm in uni at Leicester.

If anyone could message me with a format and vital (the most important parts employers look at), then that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Use this rough guide to a format & see how you get on.

Name/address/phone details/email address(es)

Personal Statement

Key Skills/Achievments

Experience

Education/Qualifications

Personal Info/Interests

After you've done one & you want somebody to give you a honest opinion then by all means send it to me. I've helped loads of people do theirs (was a People Champion whilst going through a redundancy programme with 90 other colleagues a few years ago).

 

[Aberdeen Shrimper]

Try not to produce more then 3 pages if possible

 

[steveo]

Try not to produce more then 3 pages if possible

That's a good point. A long cv is boring. Put stuff that is applicable to the job you are applying for - even if it means lying. As an employer I look for someone who will turn up on time every day and not give me any aggro. I assume if they are reliable and semi intelligent I can teach them the job quite easily - and try and be enthusiastic about it.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I was always told a CV should be no more than two pages long, as the average employer will spend no more than 30 seconds glancing through it.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Noticed today, Game and one or two others already advertising in branch for Christmas cover.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I was always told a CV should be no more than two pages long, as the average employer will spend no more than 30 seconds glancing through it.

I'd agree with that, we've advertised positions and received the equivalent of War and Peace from some applicants.

Glasgow has got the basics about right.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I'd agree with that, we've advertised positions and received the equivalent of War and Peace from some applicants.

Glasgow has got the basics about right.

As would I. Two is good. A common and very sloppy mistake is for a CV to go on to a third page, but for that third page to only have a couple of lines on it.

Good luck with your job hunting Bailey!

 

[Slipperduke]

Spell-check it and read it out aloud before you send it. You'd be amazed at some of the CVs I've seen. My favourite was from the chap who'd just finished his Journolism course.

Also, for the benefit of Shrimperzone's fairer sex, don't stick a sexy picture of yourself in a bikini on it. My mate's had four or five of those in his last batch of applicants. You get noticed, for sure, but not in a good way.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Spell-check it and read it out aloud before you send it. You'd be amazed at some of the CVs I've seen. My favourite was from the chap who'd just finished his Journolism course.

Also, for the benefit of Shrimperzone's fairer sex, don't stick a sexy picture of yourself in a bikini on it. My mate's had four or five of those in his last batch of applicants. You get noticed, for sure, but not in a good way.

:whistling:

 

[OldBlueLady]

Bloody hell you lot! Stip toking the pass out of each other.....

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

and if you have downloaded one, make sure its got your own name on it...hahaha

 

[Uncle Leo]

Spell-check it and read it out aloud before you send it. You'd be amazed at some of the CVs I've seen. My favourite was from the chap who'd just finished his Journolism course.

Also, for the benefit of Shrimperzone's fairer sex, don't stick a sexy picture of yourself in a bikini on it. My mate's had four or five of those in his last batch of applicants. You get noticed, for sure, but not in a good way.

The one about spell-checking is very good. If I see a spelling mistake on a CV, off to the bin it goes.

In terms of CV photos, they're a legal requirement in Spain and not nearly enough feature bikini shots. In Sweden, I believe they are not, but are very popular. The Swedes do love a cheesy CV pic.

This thread reminds me of an old joke/story about a recruiting manager who always chucks half of all CVs in the bin straight away without even looking at them. When asked why, he said: "I don't like unlucky people"

 

[Aberdeen Shrimper]

The requirement of photos on a CV are ridiculous.

The third most successful employment agency in the UK suggest 3 pages for a CV with the basics that Glasgow suggested at the beginning of this thread.

Incorrect spelling is obviously a no no, but my wife has just informed me that on some of the Recruitment and Selection courses that she used to run at Shell, she used to stress that you can fall in to the trap of missing the bigger picture by scrutinizing the quality of the CV instead of the substance.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Part time job at university = working behind a bar.

You don't need a CV - just visit all the bars in the area and speak to the manager.

 

[londonblue]

The one about spell-checking is very good. If I see a spelling mistake on a CV, off to the bin it goes.

In terms of CV photos, they're a legal requirement in Spain and not nearly enough feature bikini shots. In Sweden, I believe they are not, but are very popular. The Swedes do love a cheesy CV pic.

This thread reminds me of an old joke/story about a recruiting manager who always chucks half of all CVs in the bin straight away without even looking at them. When asked why, he said: "I don't like unlucky people"

With a boss potential like that, maybe they're the lucky ones!

 

[Mad Cyril]

If you can make your CV stick out a bit and grab recruiters attention then you are halfway there.

I have written a song that details my skills, experience, qualifications and interests which sounds a bit similar to 'Camouflage' by Stan Ridgeway and I just send employers an iTunes link.

I have not been offered many interviews recently but that isn't surprising in the current financial climate.

 

[please delete my account]

don't stick a sexy picture of yourself in a bikini on it.

Bollocks.

I wish I'd read this before attaching a picture of myself in a pair of tight speedos, rubbing a nipple with an ice cube...

Still, maybe it'll actually help me get a job at that day care centre.

Kind Regards

 

[Pubey]

The two page rule is a common one... don't leave any blank spaces. If there are gaps where all you did was sat around at home and didn't work or whatever then expect someone to pick up on that.

I'd highlight key skills and experience you gained in education, so projects you did, roles you had etc etc. Then for jobs you can list responsibilities and achievements for each one... make sure they are relevant to the job you're applying to. At the bottom save a couple of lines for personal interests.

Make sure you tailor your CV to the types of jobs you're applying for (i.e. with me I was applying to work at a Uni, so info on my education was very important, whereas for another job then relevant work experience would need to be the focus).

Don't lie.

Also every couple of months find an hour just to go through and update it, otherwise it's a right hassle when you need it at short notice.

Another tip is that many jobs have online forms that you fill in (always make sure you save a copy or print screen the form so you can have a copy and see what you wrote if you get an interview), saving all your responses to the fairly standard questions they ask helps speed up the process if you're doing lots of applications. If you're sending speculative CV's to employers then I'd suggest that it's all about selling yourself on the covering letter, saying why you'd be good at working there and why you're applying and your key skills and experience.

 

[Mad Cyril]

A technique I use is to practice responses to common but tricky interview questions such as 'what is your biggest weakness' before the actual interview.

This creates the impression that you can think on your feet because bon mots such as 'Mind your own ***ing business you nosey ***' rarely pop into your mind during high stress situations.