Do's and Don't when writing a CV
17 February 2007, 06:02 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In a WRX STi Spec C Type RA
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do's and Don't when writing a CV
Are there any specific do's and don'ts when it comes to writing out your CV. For example - I've always been led to believe that its one page only but I'm struggling to fit everything onto 1 page 
Anything else I should add or keep off a CV and any new 'must use' words to include?
Tips from the real world would be greatly appreciated and from any professional out there.
Cheers
Rob
Anything else I should add or keep off a CV and any new 'must use' words to include?
Tips from the real world would be greatly appreciated and from any professional out there.
Cheers
Rob
17 February 2007, 06:10 PM
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are there any specific do's and don'ts when it comes to writing out your CV. For example - I've always been led to believe that its one page only but I'm struggling to fit everything onto 1 page
Anything else I should add or keep off a CV and any new 'must use' words to include?
Tips from the real world would be greatly appreciated and from any professional out there.
Cheers
Rob
Anything else I should add or keep off a CV and any new 'must use' words to include?
Tips from the real world would be greatly appreciated and from any professional out there.
Cheers
Rob
2 pages is fine for most positions; not much you can put on 1 side!
Don't use a std template- always personalise; your CV has to stand out from 10s -possibly 100s- of others
Don't do anything too flash (especially if it compromises legibility): if in doubt go for an elegant look
Don't lie! You WILL be found it if it's anything important
Don't be shy about singing your praises, but word it so you don't come across like a pompus a**hole. You don't just want a list of posts: make sure you're conveying the skills you bring to the table!
ABOVE ALL:
DON'T SEND THE SAME CV OUT FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS: YOUR CV MUST ADDRESS THE SKILLS AND COMPETENICES REQUIRED BY THE SPECIFIC POST!!
Most people fall down on the above!
Ns04
17 February 2007, 06:12 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
There are plenty of job sites that give advice. Read a few and you'll soon figure out what should and shouldn't go on it. And make sure you use the spell check (UK!! English) and grammer check. Worth also getting someone else to read it and give comments.
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
17 February 2007, 06:12 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
There are plenty of job sites that give advice. Read a few and you'll soon figure out what should and shouldn't go on it. And make sure you use the spell check (UK!! English) and grammer check. Worth also getting someone else to read it and give comments.
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
17 February 2007, 06:24 PM
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are plenty of job sites that give advice. Read a few and you'll soon figure out what should and shouldn't go on it. And make sure you use the spell check (UK!! English) and grammer check. Worth also getting someone else to read it and give comments.
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
That's all from me .....
Dave
PS: 1 page is silly, unless you've just left school! If you've had a couple of jobs then a couple of pages is fine. Mine's just gone to 3 (well, 2 1/2). The further back you go the less detail you'll need as the thinking is that jobs from years ago are less relevant ...
The bit about proper proof reading is critical though: the sad truth is that if you make an obvious typo, spelling or gramatical error, your CV will most likely be rejected there and then!
17 February 2007, 06:42 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Weston Super Mare, Somerset.
Posts: 14,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's worth thinking about having a separate para, perhaps in italics, headed Achievements. List out say 6 lines next to bullet points
* Office boy to Chairman in six months
* Doubled turnover in 18 months by introducing new marketing strategy
etc etc
This makes sense as ALL an employer wants to know is what you can do for the company. And one line comments are easy to digest.
* Office boy to Chairman in six months
* Doubled turnover in 18 months by introducing new marketing strategy
etc etc
This makes sense as ALL an employer wants to know is what you can do for the company. And one line comments are easy to digest.
17 February 2007, 07:07 PM
#7
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 15,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are plenty of job sites that give advice. Read a few and you'll soon figure out what should and shouldn't go on it. And make sure you use the spell check (UK!! English) and grammer check. Worth also getting someone else to read it and give comments.
That's all from me .....
Dave
That's all from me .....
Dave
Grammer?
Trending Topics
17 February 2007, 07:12 PM
#8
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 15,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the first page as well as you biography you can add to David's excellent idea and add a small highlighted box of 4-6 lines as to what makes you special and why they should hire you for this position.
Be original - don't just do the usual 'committed, want to save the world, love children' stuff.
Having read a lot of CVs, two to three pages, 12 point font, plenty of white space, bring out the big points, don't have too much turgid detail.
Rannoch
Be original - don't just do the usual 'committed, want to save the world, love children' stuff.
Having read a lot of CVs, two to three pages, 12 point font, plenty of white space, bring out the big points, don't have too much turgid detail.
Rannoch
17 February 2007, 07:49 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NZ
Posts: 767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I endorse NS04's point about tailoring your cv to the job. If the employer is using a basic points system to select those for interview, then the more skills / attributes you have that match the job ad the better.
So, have your basic cv template and change the emphasis dependent on the skills required by the job.
So, have your basic cv template and change the emphasis dependent on the skills required by the job.
17 February 2007, 09:40 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the first page of your CV dosent grab the readers attention, its unlikley it will go any further.
We would read the first page of of every CV sent, 80% wouldnt get past the first page.
Our 1st line paper cut was as follows
1-2 pages ok
3 or more pages out
2nd cut was also paper based, if the first page of the CV didnt sell the applicant ...out
The third cut was based on the full cv & qualifications
4th cut was interviews
The most we would ever interview for a role was 4-5 people, then possibly a second interview if the standard of candidate was high.
As the others have said, dont lie, but dont be afraid to sell your good bits.
tweak the good bits to match the role on offer,
Be prepared to back up your CV claims at interview, if you make bold
statements on the Cv its likley these will become question points
If you have relevant academic qualys that meet or exceed the requirement for the role, make sure you sell the fact!! For some roles these days, the fact that you have a certian qualification or membership to a professional body, can be the differance between an interview and a thank you letter,
good luck
mart
We would read the first page of of every CV sent, 80% wouldnt get past the first page.
Our 1st line paper cut was as follows
1-2 pages ok
3 or more pages out
2nd cut was also paper based, if the first page of the CV didnt sell the applicant ...out
The third cut was based on the full cv & qualifications
4th cut was interviews
The most we would ever interview for a role was 4-5 people, then possibly a second interview if the standard of candidate was high.
As the others have said, dont lie, but dont be afraid to sell your good bits.
tweak the good bits to match the role on offer,
Be prepared to back up your CV claims at interview, if you make bold
statements on the Cv its likley these will become question points
If you have relevant academic qualys that meet or exceed the requirement for the role, make sure you sell the fact!! For some roles these days, the fact that you have a certian qualification or membership to a professional body, can be the differance between an interview and a thank you letter,
good luck
mart
17 February 2007, 10:05 PM
#11
I have just hired one and and am busy recruiting for a second (Banking) specialist. Have seen around 25 cvs and interviewed about half of the applicants. The selection criteria were given in the adverts e.g. level of experience required, expected education level, technical knowledge, IT ability, languages etc.
The CV details needed to be easy to scan with respect to the verifying against selection criteria, otherwise, the format of the CV was of limited relevance compared to the content. So the advice to read the ad carefully and then tailor your CV is sound.
Relevant and often technical questioning showed up the chancers - so don't lie, a good interviewer and thorough HR search will find you out.
CV layout that I personally like: (on 2 pages)
- Personal details
- Working experience in reverse chronological, which focusses on key points and not that summer job at Tescos
- Education and courses also in reverse chronological
- Languages
- Personal interests.
Your motivation and snappy summary of career achievements etc. should be in the covering letter, IMHO.
HTH!
The CV details needed to be easy to scan with respect to the verifying against selection criteria, otherwise, the format of the CV was of limited relevance compared to the content. So the advice to read the ad carefully and then tailor your CV is sound.
Relevant and often technical questioning showed up the chancers - so don't lie, a good interviewer and thorough HR search will find you out.
CV layout that I personally like: (on 2 pages)
- Personal details
- Working experience in reverse chronological, which focusses on key points and not that summer job at Tescos
- Education and courses also in reverse chronological
- Languages
- Personal interests.
Your motivation and snappy summary of career achievements etc. should be in the covering letter, IMHO.
HTH!
18 February 2007, 07:02 AM
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
18 February 2007, 08:27 AM
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2000
Location: MY00,MY01,RX-8, Alfa 147 & Focus ST :-)
Posts: 10,371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would echo the above - keep it short and concise. As someone who has had to interview people for jobs - there is nothing worse than having to plough through 50+ CVs - anything more than 3 pages won't be looked at - simple as that. There just isn't time.
I've been working for 16 years and my CV still only runs to just over 2 sides of A4. It takes quite a lot of time and effort to get it looking right.
Format I use is:
Page One
Personal details / contact numbers / email address
Paragraph on what I do
5 or 6 bullet points highlighting achievements / positive actions
Page Two
Employment history with dates (2 or 3 lines max on what the job entailed)
Qualifications / Training
Education
Personal interests
1 professional and 1 personal reference
That's it. As you get older, your school education becomes less important and your recent qualifications and experience matter more, so if you are short for space, cut down on education and give more space to the recent stuff (the fact that I've got 9 O levels and 2 A levels, is not really that relevant to my job as an IT security consultant!).
Golden rules:
Spell check everything - twice! Check grammar and get someone else to read through it. Use UK not US English (if I see organization on another CV, I will kill someone)
Always use positive language and examples - CVs are sales documents - you are selling yourself, so don't be afraid to promote yourself, but don't lie. Be prepared to talk about anything you put on your CV.
CVs don't get jobs - people do. The point of a CV is to get you an interview. It's then up to you to impress the company.
Good luck!
Chris
I've been working for 16 years and my CV still only runs to just over 2 sides of A4. It takes quite a lot of time and effort to get it looking right.
Format I use is:
Page One
Personal details / contact numbers / email address
Paragraph on what I do
5 or 6 bullet points highlighting achievements / positive actions
Page Two
Employment history with dates (2 or 3 lines max on what the job entailed)
Qualifications / Training
Education
Personal interests
1 professional and 1 personal reference
That's it. As you get older, your school education becomes less important and your recent qualifications and experience matter more, so if you are short for space, cut down on education and give more space to the recent stuff (the fact that I've got 9 O levels and 2 A levels, is not really that relevant to my job as an IT security consultant!).
Golden rules:
Spell check everything - twice! Check grammar and get someone else to read through it. Use UK not US English (if I see organization on another CV, I will kill someone)
Always use positive language and examples - CVs are sales documents - you are selling yourself, so don't be afraid to promote yourself, but don't lie. Be prepared to talk about anything you put on your CV.
CVs don't get jobs - people do. The point of a CV is to get you an interview. It's then up to you to impress the company.
Good luck!
Chris
18 February 2007, 08:35 AM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Doh!!! And SN even underlines it for me ....
Back on topic - I sort of agree with the tailoring your CV to the job bit. Unfortunately I am absolutely cr5p at writing CVs so when I'm happy I leave it as it is. I tailor the letter that accompanies it to the job. Let's be honest, unless you're applying for a tree surgeons job after 20 years in the IT business, most of the time your experience will fit. You just have to assume that the guy reading your letter/CV is a total wassock and can't see this ....
Dave
PS: but try not to be obviously condescending .....
Back on topic - I sort of agree with the tailoring your CV to the job bit. Unfortunately I am absolutely cr5p at writing CVs so when I'm happy I leave it as it is. I tailor the letter that accompanies it to the job. Let's be honest, unless you're applying for a tree surgeons job after 20 years in the IT business, most of the time your experience will fit. You just have to assume that the guy reading your letter/CV is a total wassock and can't see this ....
Dave
PS: but try not to be obviously condescending .....
20 February 2007, 09:11 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In a WRX STi Spec C Type RA
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I've submitted my CV and got an interview at the recruiting agency following a telephone conversation with them.....
But now I've found out more about the job (far better than I expected it to be and 50k a year to boot!!) should I tweak my CV further before the interview? I'd only be adding more stuff that I'd done and achieved and that was relevant to the potential job. - and it would still fit onto 2 pages.
I assume the CV would get passed on to the prospective employer???
Cheers
Rob
I've submitted my CV and got an interview at the recruiting agency following a telephone conversation with them.....
But now I've found out more about the job (far better than I expected it to be and 50k a year to boot!!) should I tweak my CV further before the interview? I'd only be adding more stuff that I'd done and achieved and that was relevant to the potential job. - and it would still fit onto 2 pages.
I assume the CV would get passed on to the prospective employer???
Cheers
Rob
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
