David_Wallis

Would like someone in IT recruitment to take a look at my CV and offer any comments / advice / opinions.

David

alistair

I'm not an agent, but I recruit regularly and see a lot of CV's......

The basics are not to make it too long or to detailed. A CV has only one purpose and it's not to ghet you a job, it's to get you an interview - there's a big difference - you need to give a general overview of what you've done, but not too much detail - you just need to sound interesting enough to interview.

You would be very surprised at how little time each CV gets - I spend no more than a couple of minutes reading one - but then again we're top payers so get loads of good CV's in for most technical jobs. (Good business analysts on the other hand are proving very difficult to find....)

If you're applying direct, then do your homework and write a good 1 page letter too. If you're applying via agencies, then make it simple for them - include a skills summary with the number of years on it - that makes it easier for them to match you against any job specs that they have.

Let me know (PM) if you want me to take a look.

Al

Jap2Scrap

Avoid employing unlucky people by randomly selecting 50% of CV's and throwing them away without looking at them.

Chris L

Alistair's advice is very sound David. I'm not a recruiter, but I am in IT. I have used a successful formula for my CV for many years (I've just landed an extremely good job on the basis that my CV was spotted by the company concerned). I have 14 years+ experience, with more than a decade spent in IT and my CV still only runs to just over 2 pages of A4. Happy to look at your CV, or send you mine. Drop me a PM with your details.

Chris

Dracoro

Top Tip

David_Wallis

Chris YHM.

I know what your saying about CV's, we are just recruiting for the non senior role of what I do, and Ive been involved with interviewing, and I just cant believe that when applying for an IT role, people think we care that they stacked shelves in morrisons..

David

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Saw one CV that had badly re-sized photos on it, such as a mobile phone next to his contact number, and the company logos next to his previous employers.

The images were blocky, re-sized incorrectly and filled up space on a pretty light CV.

Worse thing was that under experience, he dared to put Adobe Photoshop!!

David_Wallis

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

If they were applying for a role in Graphic Design, this would be a positive thing, no?

darren...

David,

I also do a lot of recruitment - some in IT, some not.

Golden rules:
2-3 pages of A4 max.
Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes (I reject over 50% due to these)

A good technique I have seen used in the past is to set out what the key objectives of the role are and how you meet those objectives. That can be done in a covering letter or the CV.

Keep the CV and letter formal - If it's to a HR manager or recruitement consultant just because you know their first name doesn't mean you should use it.

If you want me to take a look feel free to PM it but good luck either way.

Patt@firstime

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Please read the section above that line!

Looking at the CV with blocky, out of scale pictures, it would stop him being a Graphic Designer, let alone the role he was applying for!!!

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

My CV highlights 10 years of my 12 year working life, along with qualifications and accreditations, as well as skills and hobbies. Also includes career aspirations and summary of my skills, in boxes to give impact.

Covers 2 pages of A4, and every skill and claim is highlighted with a real world example.

Been checked over by a few HR Managers in large corporate companies, as well as several agencies. I'm happy with it at the moment, although it needs some updates, but I'm happy with where I am at the moment, so there's no need!