Rate/improve my CV

[toddswain]

Ha, i realise that 90% of people really couldn't care less and thats fair enough, but i know theres a small amount of people on here who employ people or work in building trades like me, im currently looking for work after a year out, and have been asked for CV off a few companies. Just any info/tips that anyone on here could give would be useful, that may actually help get job, have never really done a proper CV so help would be appreciated:

CURRICULUM VITAE

Todd Swain
******
*****
******

Home Phone:        *********
Mobile Phone:         0**********
D.O.B:                15/01/1990
Email:       ********************


PERSONAL STATEMENT

I am aiming for a career that will be interesting, diverse and will provide me with a challenge. I feel I can bring a driven and passionate character into the working environment. Furthermore, I would like my work to improve both my skills, and the skills of those working around me, this will allow me to be proud of my work while endeavoring to surpass them.


Qualifications

Rochdale College   :  

Level 3 in NQV in Electrotechnical Services – Electrical Installation

Trafford College :

AM2 (Achievement Measurement 2)

Gold ECS card held
 


KEY SKILLS

The ability to work individually or in groups

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Good time management skills

The ability and enthusiasm to learn and develop in new working environments

Enthusiastic to develop current and new skill sets


EMPLOYMENT

(July 06 – Dec 2011 - Released due to redundancy)   

AAArnold Ltd, 69-73 Oldham Road, Rochdale, Lancs
Electrician
               
During the first 4 years of my time at AAA i was completing an apprenticeship, this included one day a week at Rochdale College. Over this period I worked in teams on both domestic and commercial properties. I definitely learned a lot from my time at AAA picking up some invaluable skills from my experienced colleagues.


Upon finishing my apprenticeship in July 2010, I was able to handle more responsibility and could perform a multitude of tasks assigned to an excellent standard individually. There were a number of small tasks such as installing security lights or general household tasks. Additionally there were some much larger jobs such as running a new 3 phase mains board into an office plus installing new light and socket outlets.


Full UK driving licence held

Fully CRB checked for work on schools

[AndrewT]

Your personal statement and key skills are all buzzword bullshit.

What do you actually want to do - there's no sense of that from this.

The first question any employer would have is what have you been doing for the past year.

[aaron1867]

I think that does need a total reshape mate.

I had totally reshaped my own over the last 6 months (it was really shit) and the results have been one hundred times better.

I'm trying to think of things to add, but I can't seem to get my own up.

I am not sure about the whole "I am aiming for" and refs? just to start you off. As Andrew said, Key skills section is pointless/not needed.
 
I'm sure there are people on forum that can help you with this.

[toddswain]

Your personal statement and key skills are all buzzword bullshit.

What do you actually want to do - there's no sense of that from this.

The first question any employer would have is what have you been doing for the past year.

Yea i thought this, ive just been playing poker since being made redundant, dunno if i should/where i should include this.

Well basically i can carry out any sparks work, so ill kinda just do whatever work they need doing if that makes sense.

[Woodsey]

I'm semi pissed now but I will tell you off the bat you need to tailor it to whatever job your looking for, rather than the same one for every job. I interview people from time to time and want people to  demonstrate they have succeeded in their prior employment. As Andrew said avoid generic buzzword BS where you can.

[toddswain]

Yea i totally agree it needs work on, this is just something i did in like 45mins yesterday as a quick draft, just saved it to do work on it over weekend before sending out

[muckthenuts]

Work exp before qualifications

Employment history in concise bullet points explaining what you did and what you learnt. Nobody gonna read that shit at present.

Take out the "I" out from your mission statement e.g. "aiming for an interesting, diverse and challenging career" etc.

[millidonk]

yea as said;

rewrite statement saying what you actually want to do.

education: people don't care where you got it from  just state what you have.no harm in putting 9x GCSEs including maths and science etc.

key skills are standard, put what separates you from the average monkey.

put employment at the top and give specific examples of the work you have done.

agencies and stuff do ask for generic CVs but where possible tailor it to suit the advert/position you are going for.

get rid of I/me references.

year gaps are not too uncommon on CVs these days you just have to be able tp show how you tried to better yourself in that time.. I personally would never mention poker unless I knew first hand that my interviewer/future boss was a poker fanatic.

Glglgl

[ScottMGee]

education: people don't care where you got it from  just state what you have.no harm in putting 9x GCSEs including maths and science etc.

Disagree that people don't care where you went to school. I got my current job in part due to having been to the same school (local comp not Eton!) as my boss.

[Waz1892]

First thing I thought was its taken from a Buzzword CV site.

All very predictable. With greatest respect you could be any number of people, nothing tells me anything different to the 100s on my desk.

Tips- keep it on 1 page. Use bullet points and maybe even a little colour. If you handing it in. Put it in a see-through folder with cover note.

Personal statement- if you can't avoid buzzwords don't do a personal statement. But if doing one don't use words like "aiming" "feel". Too wishy-washy. I want I can much more strong, dynamic words.

Job descriptions- keep very simply and plain. These will be glanced over. I prefer to "list" my skills gained/used rather than what job it was.

Defo cover the year off, and what you've learned etc.

Be ready for the "why should I employ you"

CV gets you in the door, gets them interested in you, so for me it's more about presentation than content. The content you sell yourself when u 3ft across the desk

[millidonk]

education: people don't care where you got it from  just state what you have.no harm in putting 9x GCSEs including maths and science etc.

Disagree that people don't care where you went to school. I got my current job in part due to having been to the same school (local comp not Eton!) as my boss.

Would suggest this is an anomaly, probably akin to finding an employer who openly admits to liking poker in your interview. Obv disregarding Eton, top/specialist universities or what have you, employers won't really care where you got your qualification from, and listing every school, college or uni you went too is just taking up vital space which could be used to sell yourself. This is all disregarding the fact that going to the same school shouldn't really enter into a factor for employing someone.

[pleno1]

I've been hiring over the last couple months and had around 70ish cvs.

Personal statement >>>>>>>>>>> cv

Just make the cv really good visually and have everything in it but make it short and not tldr.

[Sheriff Fatman]

I've been hiring over the last couple months and had around 70ish cvs.

Personal statement >>>>>>>>>>> cv

Just make the cv really good visually and have everything in it but make it short and not tldr.

Couldn't disagree more with this!

I want FACTS about your education, qualifications and career history.  I couldn't care less about you describing in your own words what you think you are good at or what you think you want me (as an employer) to hear.

If you sacrifice the CV content for a wordy statement I'd be suspicious of what you were trying to hide.

[kinboshi]

I've been hiring over the last couple months and had around 70ish cvs.

Personal statement >>>>>>>>>>> cv

Just make the cv really good visually and have everything in it but make it short and not tldr.

Couldn't disagree more with this!

I want FACTS about your education, qualifications and career history.  I couldn't care less about you describing in your own words what you think you are good at or what you think you want me (as an employer) to hear.

If you sacrifice the CV content for a wordy statement I'd be suspicious of what you were trying to hide.

Agreed. When you're recruiting for someone who needs to have certain skills and experience then the CV is the first check for this. For any skilled position personal statements are a complete waste of time.

[Doobs]

I've been hiring over the last couple months and had around 70ish cvs.

Personal statement >>>>>>>>>>> cv

Just make the cv really good visually and have everything in it but make it short and not tldr.

Couldn't disagree more with this!

I want FACTS about your education, qualifications and career history.  I couldn't care less about you describing in your own words what you think you are good at or what you think you want me (as an employer) to hear.

If you sacrifice the CV content for a wordy statement I'd be suspicious of what you were trying to hide.

This, personal statements are a good opportunity to hang yourself though.  I don't see any harm in putting your school in.  It s fine if you keep it brief.  Work experience first before education.  Try and put some achievements in that bit too.