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[waspy]

I've just been to the Job Centre and I have an appointment for the 11th to get my C.V done properly, F.O.C

How did you manage that you jammy sod :-? When i asked, all i got was "we don't do that here"

[cem_devecioglu]

Kris9128, applying for and getting a job is a full time job. Writing your CV is something you should do yourself, if it takes 8 hours a day for a week, then so be it.

Why not get yourself down to the local library and have a look at some books on CV writing, there are plenty out there.

I read CVs and application forms most weeks and I'm amazed at the sloppy way most of them are compiled and presented. My opinion is, if someone can't be bothered to take time over their application, what are they going to be like if I employ them?

The 'bottom line' is, they have about 30 seconds, if they're lucky, to make the right impression. If they pass that test, I will put them in the pile that I read again. I will then slim that down to a maximum of 6 to invite for interview. Interviewing takes a huge amount of time and is a very costly business so I just won't 'take a chance' on someone who presents a poorly constructed application.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to spend as much time as it takes to compile the best CV you can. Also, if you send your CV to a company and you don't get an interview, call the person to whom you've sent the application and ask them for feedback on why you didn't get an interview. I am only too pleased to spend a couple of minutes helping someone who has bothered to pick up the phone and ask.

A real gentleman...

[cem_devecioglu]

I'm afraid 2 pages of limitation not very correct..

In some techie jobs I've seen CVs with many pages..(even like a

book and I wonder who read them )

However,especially if you are going to get a job on project basis you

need to explain the details of your previous finished projects in

time order (new to old)..And these take considerable space ..

At the first page your name,age, marital status, phone numbers ,
email etc etc but important is to give a good clean picture..

Brief of your previous jobs in time order..and their dates..

Then project details..

Sorry CEM, but I have to disagree with the highlighted bit. We need to be clear - the purpose of the CV is to get an interview, not a job.

You will naturally be asked to expand on your brief CV during the interview. This is when you (hopefully) get the job.

yep...exactly..

but problem is between hundreds or thousands of CVs if you want be interviewed you must catch their attention..I believe some technical details about a specific project can do this ..Which I think I have succeeded a few times..

[Jay w]

i have about 5 or 6 of them, all laid out in different formats....

One thing i have learnt is just because you have a CV don't sit back and let it do the talking for you, change the CV to highlight the strengths you have for THAT job, this will help you get you foot in the door.

The contract i have just landed is writing a lot of training material, for this i looked at all the jobs i have done and took all the instances of me being involved in writing material and put them to the top each job role.

I have no doubt recruiters know this goes on, but if it gets my foot in the door then so be it....

I have a few old CV's you are more that welcome to have as templates or examples, PM me with your email addy if you want  

also have a look here

http://www.cvtips.com/
http://www.cv-service.org/cv_example_sales.html (there are a number of different examples, you may be able to make one work for you)
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_015509.pdf (this one has some good advice and a couple of templates as well)

Good luck  

[Vamps]

keep a CV simple, 2 pages no more really.

First page top, key fact information about you, driving licence any passport holder ect, address, brief list of previous jobs.

Then take the last 2 or even 1, and explain in detail the role, key skill sets, applications used, big up working in a team thats always a bonus.

[/highlight]

Agreed, but you also need to be able to work on your own initiative as well...
A lot of jobs still ask for an application form to be completed.

[kris9128]

many thanks guys. some great advice and links. looks like i'm gonna be busy for a little while getting a cv done. jayw pm sent cheers mate  

[Elite Pete]

I've just been to the Job Centre and I have an appointment for the 11th to get my C.V done properly, F.O.C

How did you manage that you jammy sod :-? When i asked, all i got was "we don't do that here"

My local Job Centre has someone that comes in once a week. He will have a look at your existing CV and tell you how to improve it

[Marks DTM Calib]

I have some guide notes I could possibly scan in for you.

Key thing is that you write a core CV.

Then for every job you tailer the CV to the job advert and keep a copy of hat tailored CV clearly marked (idealy stapled to) the job details so if you get called for interview then you have the reference CV

I.e.

Here is an advert at my local council.

Job Vacancies: Customer Services Centre
Position 1: Receptionists £11,962 to £15,717 (pro rata)
Position 2: Customer Service Advisors £16,038 to £17,223.
Closing date: 21 November 2008.

Rushcliffe Borough Council is an excellent council, one of a handful of boroughs judged by the Audit Commission to be performing at this top level. Our residents also think we are excellent, voting us top for resident satisfaction in the last national survey. This exciting role is key to maintaining our status as an excellent provider of essential services to residents in Rushcliffe.

We are looking for enthusiastic, committed and customer focused individuals to be part of a dynamic customer service team, delivering a high quality services in person, over the telephone and electronically. With previous experience of front line service delivery within the public or private sector, you will have an excellent understanding of the principles of customer service excellence, and a willingness to learn new skills.

We are holding two open events at the Customer Services Centre, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pavilion Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5FE. This is your opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and find out more about these exciting opportunities:

Tuesday 11 November 2008 between 2.00pm and 6.00pm and
Wednesday 12 November 2008 between 10.00am and 2.00pm
 

So, reading through the above (only quickly as part of this example), they are looking for a number of key attributes:

They are looking for the following behaviours and buzz words:

• enthusiastic, committed and customer focused individuals
  
• able to deliver high quality services in person, over the telephone and electronically
• willingness to learn new skills

And the following must haves:

• previous experience of front line service delivery within the public or private sector
• understanding of the principles of customer service excellence

So, for your tailored CV, you need to be mentioning the behaviours (listed as key attributes) and also giving examples of the must haves in past employment/qualifications.

Remember that the CV will be examined by an agency/HR and possibly even a computer before it even arrives at the person selecting for interview!

[kris9128]

cheers mark, starting to understand a bit clearer now.  

[SteveMJ]

to reinforce some of what is said here:  keep the CV simple and concise.  personal information first and an outline of you recent experience.  I add a small section about who I am what I do (I do electronic and system design).  Remember that it must say to the reader 'pay for me' in a only a few seconds.

There must be no spelling or gramatical errors, nothing too technical, no TLAs (ha, ha).  Never be disparaging about previous employers/clients.

Get someone else to read and ask them to tbe critical, then repeat this.  Re-view it again after.  If this doesn't bring in work or interviews re-visit its content and presentation.  Look for holes and gaps - try to interpret it as someone who has never met you.  Try to put a positive spin on aspects - no BS though, don't over sell yourself either.

Your best points can be you worst points too - so be careful emphasisng something that another person may not want.  E.g attention to detail - may mean that someone takes a long time and doesn't get tasks finished.

If it helps, I have recently found that the recession means that clients are unwilling to take on permenent staff, but are seemingly keen to take on a 'contractor' who they feel they can dismiss at short notice.

Good luck.

Steve