rate my cv

[Solaris]

One thing that stands out for me here - you listed your results (kind of..) for GCSE but not A-Level. This would lead me to believe you have crap A-Level results. Either list both or neither imo.

Fair enough, as it happens I am starting a new job Wednesday, but shall bare that in mind for future use.

[mulhuzz]

One thing that stands out for me here - you listed your results (kind of..) for GCSE but not A-Level. This would lead me to believe you have crap A-Level results. Either list both or neither imo.

Fair enough, as it happens I am starting a new job Wednesday, but shall bare that in mind for future use.

congrats!

I'm job hunting myself atm as well so I spend a lot of time thinking about CVs etc

[Acidmouse]

What is a 2nd class degree? 2:1 or Desmond tu tu?

[Free_Rollin]

What is a 2nd class degree? 2:1 or Desmond tu tu?

Second class is split into upper second, aka 2.1, and lower second, aka 2.2.

Upper second is between 60% and 69% marks, and lower second is 50% - 59%.

[Acidmouse]

What is a 2nd class degree? 2:1 or Desmond tu tu?

Second class is split into upper second, aka 2.1, and lower second, aka 2.2.

Upper second is between 60% and 69% marks, and lower second is 50% - 59%.

I know, but what did he get? he says a 2nd class degree

[millidonk]

Generic CVs are pretty much a complete waste of time imo. Your CV should be advert and role specific. Break down the advert into bullet points then in your CV state how you can successfully fulfill these points. Research the role and display how you have the charachteristics to carry out the role.

Nobody cares about how you did at school, don't put grades in or break it up into modules. 3 A levels A-C Geog, Science, Biology and 12 GCSEs A*-C including Maths and English etc is more than enough.


Writing a proper well thought out and tailored CV should take a good few hours if not a full day.

Also use headings such as:

Professional profile
Objective
Major achievements
Career summary
Education and qualifications
Professional development 
Further skills

Also keep the formatting the same throughout.

You go June 2011 - Present
Jan 2010 - Dec 2010
2008-2010

What did you do between Dec 2010 and June 2011??

Its better to use whole years as it hides gaps in your history.

A lot of the people reading these will pick up the smallest reasons to fob you off. I did a one week CV writing and transitional skills workshop with a woman who spent 35yrs in HR, Above all she said make sure the spelling is correct. UK spelling as well.

[DungBeetle]

I hire experienced finance people these days and my selection policy is simply to look a work experience/professional qualifications and then if I like what they have done then have a cursory glance to make sure they haven't butchered any exams, spending about 5 mins per CV.

However - if you are going for a junior role (graduate intake?) at a bank/accountancy firm then you'll likely be filling out the firm's own application form so most of this discussion is redundant.  These are pretty forumulaic once you have the hang of it, and you'll be able to re-use "winning" scenarios for the extremely dull and frankly useless questions the HR departments like to ask.  After that it will be down to selling yourself at the interview.

If you do need to send a CV I agree that at your stage of career, qualifications are more important than work experience so put them first.  At the moment you just need to show you have had some exposure to the work environment, and your current accounting experience looks plenty.

[DungBeetle]

Try to keep it to one page if you can. This may help.

Education and Qualifications

Lincoln College AAT Diploma(September 2010 - present)           I assume this is some kind of accounting course therefore relevant. Modules don't matter at early stages.
Modules include:
Accounts Prep 1 + 2
Basic Accounting 1 +
Working Effectively in Accounting and Finance
Cost and Revenue
Computerised Accounts + Spreadsheets
Professional Ethics in Accounting and Finance

Leeds business school, Leeds metropolitan university 2004-2007               Degree obviously important. Modules and %'s pretty much irrelevant at early stages.
BA hons Business studies 2nd class honours
Modules                        Grade (%)
Managing data information                  94
Economic awareness                     65
Information system development               65
Quantitative analysis and business planning            64
Client consultancy project                  63         
Managerial finance                     58
Business accounting                     57
Business decision analysis                  56   

Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School (1997-2004)
Level      Subject                  Grade
A Level   Mathematics                  C
AVCE       ICT                     C
GCSE      10 subjects, including Mathematics & English   A-C                    Nobody cares what you did at school once you get past 20 unless school is all you have.

shall i just list what i did for my education?

or say some shit about working in small multi cultural teams working under pressure and tight deadlines? and need to priortise tasks

Imo, A-Levels and GCSE's are important at the moment. When you come out of uni, these are often used as a filter. I would say these, and possibly even degree, are irrelevant after your 3rd job in the industry.

Absolutely - don't leave A-Levels off.  They are often better indicators of potential than degrees especially in finance.

[StuartHopkin]

I always look at GCSE and A-Level results when looking at CV's

You can lie on your CV but never lie on an application form. We use them now as most people will lie on them, that's all good until I need to get rid of you, at which point I will check every fact I can as if anything is untrue I can instantly dismiss.

Also make sure your Facebook is private, as if you apply here I am on my way to your Facebook page to find out if I know anyone to get info, or if you come across as a complete tool.

[DungBeetle]

"We use them now as most people will lie on them, that's all good until I need to get rid of you, at which point I will check every fact I can as if anything is untrue I can instantly dismiss."

I agree not to lie but wow that's cold!

"You've done a great job for 10 years Watkins, but seeing as we are closing your division one of my snoops has discovered that the tapestry society at the University of Sussex didn't exist in 1997 as you claim here.  As a result your contract is terminated without redundancy pay, and please also note that the fact you have been fired will invalidate that redundancy insurance policy you took out through Admiral and have been paying for the last 6 years"

 

[DungBeetle]

Definitely agree with Facebook.

[EvilPie]

Yeah I was a bit hasty with removal of GCSE's. Given that Paul only finished there 8 years ago they're still relevant.

I don't think they all need listing though. 10 x GCSE's C and above + 3 x A-levels C and above would suffice.

Need to keep it down to 1 page if possible.

[Jon MW]

...

You can lie on your CV but never lie on an application form. We use them now as most people will lie on them, that's all good until I need to get rid of you, at which point I will check every fact I can as if anything is untrue I can instantly dismiss.

...

Isn't gross misconduct the only 'safe' reason for instant dismissal?

[mulhuzz]

...

You can lie on your CV but never lie on an application form. We use them now as most people will lie on them, that's all good until I need to get rid of you, at which point I will check every fact I can as if anything is untrue I can instantly dismiss.

...

Isn't gross misconduct the only 'safe' reason for instant dismissal?

what that means is generally defined by contract though, so yeah, if it says 'if you lie to us on your application form we will snap fire you' then you don't have a leg to stand on.

[ManuelsMum]

is printing on coloured paper a nono?

You need to get laid.