The Perfect CV

[Sark79]

It would help sark if you stated what type of career you have or what is your target job market.

I put sales and customer service. I think this takes in a wide mix of jobs

[weller001]

I dont know if you have microsoft word or not, but there is a template available called 'professional resume'.

the layout is already done for you, you just have to click and change the various fields and add your own text.

That is the one I use, its plain, but it is to the point and looks the part.

[mikkyT]

Okay it looks like you are moving into a new sort of job then? List what sort of things that would be appropriate for those jobs. Long lists of what sort of things you did in your old jobs are not appropriate but listing what you where good at, what responsibilities you had would be good. Especially if it was any sort of management role.

Again, don't bother listing absenses from work - you can explain these at interview stage. Unless of course it was for something worth while mentioning, like "I went on a 6 month sabatical to do voluntary work with XYZ charity in Africa".

[Sark79]

Always mention a criminal record, they will find you out if you dont.

I am a dweeb, dweebs don't know about crime 


thanks Andrew.  I will definitely get someone to check my spelling as it is normally bad

Impressive CV mikky

[Sark79]

Okay it looks like you are moving into a new sort of job then? List what sort of things that would be appropriate for those jobs. Long lists of what sort of things you did in your old jobs are not appropriate but listing what you where good at, what responsibilities you had would be good. Especially if it was any sort of management role.

Again, don't bother listing absenses from work - you can explain these at interview stage. Unless of course it was for something worth while mentioning, like "I went on a 6 month sabatical to do voluntary work with XYZ charity in Africa".

Yep, I was kind of thrown off guard this morning when I called the bank.  I had been given a number to phone for an application form, instead of an application form she said we would do a 20 minute phone interview then and there.  I wasn't really prepared, but did the best I could at the time.

Thanks Weller, I will have a look at those

[Acidmouse]

All Universitys have excellent career services that go through and create cv's for you. I kept mine from Uni and its best done me proud. The key it tailoring it to the specific job your going for.

[boldie]

I have had to hire many people, a couple of things I look out for;

1; Lay out and spelling of the CV is essental. if it doesn't look good or has errors..it's out.

2; make sure it catches the eye. if it doesn't it's in the anonymous pile (therefore list your strenghts that apply to the job your going for) I don't give a crap about bricklaying or poker skills when I am looking for a man-manager.
And make sure you know what they want in a person. Look at their web-site and all that.

3; Don't over do it with the lying. you will get caught out. everybody exagerates a bit and that's fine but for the love of God don't tell people you worked for a company when you haven't...(It's been tried on me)

4; chase me up. you are one of a hundred people applying for a job. Make sure you speak to me or one of my staff (preferably before applying). IOW Call HR of a company in advance so they can tell managers to look out for a certain CV. It will get you noticed...well more then otherwise.

5; whereever you can..do NOT use recruitment agencies. they charge a fee for submitting your CV to employers if you get the job.  If a company/team has a budget they will go for the cheaper option unless you really stand out (a % fee, depending on your wages will run into a couple of grand easily). If you can go direct go direct.

6; the old rule of no more then three pages per CV is good UNLESS you are looking for something in Program/ Project management TOwards senior management feel free to list every relevant job that you have done. (don't over do it but 5 pages is fine for a position like that IF your past justifies it)

[mikkyT]

Always mention a criminal record, they will find you out if you dont.

I am a dweeb, dweebs don't know about crime 


thanks Andrew.  I will definitely get someone to check my spelling as it is normally bad

Impressive CV mikky

Thats because it doesn't mention a criminal record....

Seriously though, CVs are for making you look good. If you have a driving licence, you state it. If you don't then you don't mention it at all. You don't say "I have no driving licence" just as you wouldn't say "I don't have a Masters degree". If you are applying for a job which will require government/security clearance then do make sure you declare unspent convictions at the earliest opportunity to avoid embarassment of yourself and the potential employer. And if you are applying for those jobs which require higher clearance (exempt from the rehablitation of offenders act), make sure you declare ALL run ins with the authorities however trivial, down to the parking ticket level.

Having held a number of jobs requiring military security clearance I know that the employer will find out, it might take them 6-7 months, and you will start work before the clearance is granted, and once it is knocked back you could be in trouble. I've seen guys being marched off site with a P45 in hand sacked for gross misconduct, which doesn't look good in a future job interview!

[Sark79]

All Universitys have excellent career services that go through and create cv's for you. I kept mine from Uni and its best done me proud. The key it tailoring it to the specific job your going for.

I dropped out after 2nd year, I think I will leave my Uni time off it  .  Actually I was thinking of writing that due to financial circumstances, I could no longer continue at uni full time and instead I will complete my course through the OU. This is mostly true

[TightEnd]

I have had to hire many people, a couple of things I look out for;

1; Lay out and spelling of the CV is essental. if it doesn't look good or has errors..it's out.

2; make sure it catches the eye. if it doesn't it's in the anonymous pile (therefore list your strenghts that apply to the job your going for) I don't give a crap about bricklaying or poker skills when I am looking for a man-manager.
And make sure you know what they want in a person. Look at their web-site and all that.

3; Don't over do it with the lying. you will get caught out. everybody exagerates a bit and that's fine but for the love of God don't tell people you worked for a company when you haven't...(It's been tried on me)

4; chase me up. you are one of a hundred people applying for a job. Make sure you speak to me or one of my staff (preferably before applying). IOW Call HR of a company in advance so they can tell managers to look out for a certain CV. It will get you noticed...well more then otherwise.

5; whereever you can..do NOT use recruitment agencies. they charge a fee for submitting your CV to employers if you get the job.  If a company/team has a budget they will go for the cheaper option unless you really stand out (a % fee, depending on your wages will run into a couple of grand easily). If you can go direct go direct.

6; the old rule of no more then three pages per CV is good UNLESS you are looking for something in Program/ Project management TOwards senior management feel free to list every relevant job that you have done. (don't over do it but 5 pages is fine for a position like that IF your past justifies it)

excellent stuff

[Sark79]

I have had to hire many people, a couple of things I look out for;

1; Lay out and spelling of the CV is essental. if it doesn't look good or has errors..it's out.

2; make sure it catches the eye. if it doesn't it's in the anonymous pile (therefore list your strenghts that apply to the job your going for) I don't give a crap about bricklaying or poker skills when I am looking for a man-manager.
And make sure you know what they want in a person. Look at their web-site and all that.

3; Don't over do it with the lying. you will get caught out. everybody exagerates a bit and that's fine but for the love of God don't tell people you worked for a company when you haven't...(It's been tried on me)

4; chase me up. you are one of a hundred people applying for a job. Make sure you speak to me or one of my staff (preferably before applying). IOW Call HR of a company in advance so they can tell managers to look out for a certain CV. It will get you noticed...well more then otherwise.

5; whereever you can..do NOT use recruitment agencies. they charge a fee for submitting your CV to employers if you get the job.  If a company/team has a budget they will go for the cheaper option unless you really stand out (a % fee, depending on your wages will run into a couple of grand easily). If you can go direct go direct.

6; the old rule of no more then three pages per CV is good UNLESS you are looking for something in Program/ Project management TOwards senior management feel free to list every relevant job that you have done. (don't over do it but 5 pages is fine for a position like that IF your past justifies it)

thanks for this.  I will take this on board

[mikkyT]

I have had to hire many people, a couple of things I look out for;

1; Lay out and spelling of the CV is essental. if it doesn't look good or has errors..it's out.

2; make sure it catches the eye. if it doesn't it's in the anonymous pile (therefore list your strenghts that apply to the job your going for) I don't give a crap about bricklaying or poker skills when I am looking for a man-manager.
And make sure you know what they want in a person. Look at their web-site and all that.

3; Don't over do it with the lying. you will get caught out. everybody exagerates a bit and that's fine but for the love of God don't tell people you worked for a company when you haven't...(It's been tried on me)

4; chase me up. you are one of a hundred people applying for a job. Make sure you speak to me or one of my staff (preferably before applying). IOW Call HR of a company in advance so they can tell managers to look out for a certain CV. It will get you noticed...well more then otherwise.

5; whereever you can..do NOT use recruitment agencies. they charge a fee for submitting your CV to employers if you get the job.  If a company/team has a budget they will go for the cheaper option unless you really stand out (a % fee, depending on your wages will run into a couple of grand easily). If you can go direct go direct.

6; the old rule of no more then three pages per CV is good UNLESS you are looking for something in Program/ Project management TOwards senior management feel free to list every relevant job that you have done. (don't over do it but 5 pages is fine for a position like that IF your past justifies it)

Not much I can add to that. Having hired a nuber of folks myself thats pretty much the gist of it. Sad but true, the pretty ones are the ones you read. But make sure it has some beef in it. Pretty is useless if its irrelevant.

If possible, tailor your CV for every company you submit it. Takes more work, but you will stand a chance of standing out (again, dont go overboard and dont lie!)

[boldie]

I have had to hire many people, a couple of things I look out for;

1; Lay out and spelling of the CV is essental. if it doesn't look good or has errors..it's out.

2; make sure it catches the eye. if it doesn't it's in the anonymous pile (therefore list your strenghts that apply to the job your going for) I don't give a crap about bricklaying or poker skills when I am looking for a man-manager.
And make sure you know what they want in a person. Look at their web-site and all that.

3; Don't over do it with the lying. you will get caught out. everybody exagerates a bit and that's fine but for the love of God don't tell people you worked for a company when you haven't...(It's been tried on me)

4; chase me up. you are one of a hundred people applying for a job. Make sure you speak to me or one of my staff (preferably before applying). IOW Call HR of a company in advance so they can tell managers to look out for a certain CV. It will get you noticed...well more then otherwise.

5; whereever you can..do NOT use recruitment agencies. they charge a fee for submitting your CV to employers if you get the job.  If a company/team has a budget they will go for the cheaper option unless you really stand out (a % fee, depending on your wages will run into a couple of grand easily). If you can go direct go direct.

6; the old rule of no more then three pages per CV is good UNLESS you are looking for something in Program/ Project management TOwards senior management feel free to list every relevant job that you have done. (don't over do it but 5 pages is fine for a position like that IF your past justifies it)

Not much I can add to that. Having hired a nuber of folks myself thats pretty much the gist of it. Sad but true, the pretty ones are the ones you read. But make sure it has some beef in it. Pretty is useless if its irrelevant.

If possible, tailor your CV for every company you submit it. Takes more work, but you will stand a chance of standing out (again, dont go overboard and dont lie!)

yeah..I forgot (whereas it's ussually the first bit of advice I give) adapt your CV to the post you are going for. I advocate having 3 different ones..outlining different strenghts

[Sark79]

Thanks everyone for their help

[Claw75]

Good luck Sark - I've only skimmed the thread, but Tantrum's advice looks spot on.