Preparing a CV?

[yungatart]

Can anyone help me prepare a CV.
I have never had one as I have just "walked/fallen" into jobs in the past.
I really need a change in direction and more money...greedy bloody teenagers!
Can't really afford to pay anyone to do one, so what kinds of things do I need to put iin it to make the best possible impression on a future employer.
Thanks in advance peeps.

[Joni]

There is a thread somewhere with some great advice about CV preparation....

I can help if you need.

I would suggest you start here: http://manpowerprofessional.co.nz/manpower-for-job-seekers/get-the-skills.aspx

It helps with CV prep.
Cover letter
Interview tips etc.

[Waxxa]

When employers read C.V's today, they are wanting to see the potential employee has something to contribute to their company and position that is going.

In your C.V, what ever job you have had you need to show how you either improved that position or effeciency to that position, any and every initiative that you had and has been of benefit to your previous employers.

Dont just list your previous jobs, show how you improved that position. This will put your C.V into the interview pile. Good luck Yungatart :woohoo:

[Winter]

I dont know, but I like to think I have a nice, well thought out CV.

I dont mind emailing you a copy if your just after ideas or whatever. Of course, everyone else say mine is laid out wrong, and the font size is half a point off - but whatever.

I like it, and its not failed me yet.

PM me if you want a look.

[James Deuce]

If it's more than two pages long they go in the bin these days.

[LardEmbargo]

What kind of job are you going for? If it's a specific one then you'll want to tailor it to the role a bit, and emphasize the skills you have and the things in your work history that are applicable to it (and the employer, and what you think they might like). If you're thinking of trying for several different jobs you may need to have several slightly different versions that highlight different things.

Alternatively if you're registering it with an agency and seeing what comes up then you perhaps want a more general-flavour one too. It'll give you a better chance of matching whatever searches they run against their list of candidates than if you've been a bit specific.

So, anyway, what makes a good CV will be different for different jobs I reckon. I work in IT so if it's not an IT job you're interested in I may not be able to tell you if it's any good for the job, but happy to proof-read it if that's any use. Get someone to cast fresh eyes over it anyway, they might pick something up that you just can't see any more :/

(On a related note, when I get dragged into recruiting I throw away CVs with spelling mistakes in straight off. It's your one chance to catch the potential employer's attention, you've had the opportunity to take as long as you needed to prepare it, there's no way they can know if someone helped you with it and you're telling me you didn't bother to use spellcheck? If you're not taking your application seriously then why should they?)

[James Deuce]

(On a related note, when I get dragged into recruiting I throw away CVs with spelling mistakes in straight off. It's your one chance to catch the potential employer's attention, you've had the opportunity to take as long as you needed to prepare it, there's no way they can know if someone helped you with it and you're telling me you didn't bother to use spellcheck? If you're not taking your application seriously then why should they?)

Are you trying to get banned from KB?

[gav]

Yip, I use to be the same, any spelling mistakes and I didn't take them further. Harsh, but true. Keep it fairly simple, your covering letter is where you should sell your skills for the position your applying for. Only send written references if asked for, and follow instructions. If advertised position asks for handwritten applications don't send in typed application, these use to get rejected straight away. Mind you, always ended up with truck drivers getting their partners to write out the letter! :yes:

[jrandom]

Yo tart.

I've had to update my CV recently; believe it or not, applying for wage-earning positions at companies isn't the only situation where one needs one (http://www.frst.govt.nz/).

I've used a style over the last several years that's served me well; you're welcome to a copy of my CV if you're interested in using it for pointers. I try to go for the zero-bullshit lightweight narrative approach.

Chuck me a PM if you're interested...

[Oakie]

PM sent ...

[yungatart]

Thanks for all the replies folks.
I have sent a pm or two..and will have a look at that link tomorrow, Joni.

[Conquiztador]

I have over 50 staff. I see CV's almost daily. You are welcome to PM me if you need help.

Some small considerations re a CV:

- A CV's only job is to get you to the interview. Then you are on your own!
- Keep it simple and straight to point. Less is more.
- Do not add colours, fancy font or any other crap.
- Numbers. Use numbers when telling them what you have achieved.
Here:
Ex.1. I doubled the sales of the departmet. (Says nothing)
Ex.2. I increased the sales from $45.000 to $90.000. (This one gives the info!)
- Customize it for the job! DO NOT USE A GENERIC ONE.
- Read the information re the position and answer ALL requests in your covering letter.
Ex: "You need to be a leader, have good negotiation skills..." In your covering letter you will write something like: "I have gained my superior leaderships skills by..., and I am an experienced negotiator having successfully..."

Remember: "Tha'll do" when completing a CV is never good enough. You have to look at it and be able to say: I can not make it any better! And have others read it. The more the better. And listen to their feedback.

Good Luck!

[breakaway]

I dont know, but I like to think I have a nice, well thought out CV.

Do you have pics of your swollen balls on it?

[Chickadee]

Good luck with the change of career Janet!

Whatever you do you'll do awesome, an employer would be lucky to have you.

Go get some more moula and shine!

[HungusMaximist]

The best advice I can give is keep it short, simple but powerful.

2 pages is sufficient, anymore they usually chuck in the bin.

I've seen people fax their high school maths championship certificates and their principal awards for being 'the most improved'.

[Dilligaf]

- Customize it for the job! DO NOT USE A GENERIC ONE.
Good Luck!

Best advice so far :niceone:

[mynameis]

To the ones that have replied to this thread and who are actively involved in interviewing/hiring people do you really chuck away CV's which are more than 2 pages?

[Ocean1]

To the ones that have replied to this thread and who are actively involved in interviewing/hiring people do you really chuck away CV's which are most than 2 pages?

Well I've replied now. :)

It depends on how specialised the role is, if more is genuinely needed to describe applicable experience then so be it. What's not OK is interminable waffle, stick to the facts, the relevant ones. The only rider to this is if the CV is for an agency, the lazy bastards often just do a text search of their database so make sure all the relevant buzzwords are in there somewhere.

If it's for a specific job and you've got a job description, (or even just the add) try to match your skills and experience to the same format, make it easy for them to just check off their relevant requirements. If it gets you a phone call it's done it's job, the rest of it's up to how well you can sell yourself in person.

Good luck Tart.

[Her_C4]

To the ones that have replied to this thread and who are actively involved in interviewing/hiring people do you really chuck away CV's which are most than 2 pages?

I hadn't replied to this thread to date and haven't read ALL the responses, but for my 0.02c worth:

No is the short answer.

The longer answer involves an algorithm that includes the following must haves / have nots:

Tailored to the actual role advertised
Addresses core competencies outlined in the full and detailed Job Description (hey there is a LOT of work goes into those JD's!)
Provides specific (and VALID!) examples of experience
No spelling mistakes
Concise and to the point
Up to date
No false claims to experience / fudging of facts (IT is a very small world in NZ)
Not long winded (who the hell wants to read that in 1970 you worked in Burger King / KFC / McDonalds when that experience has no relevance to the role you are applying for now?)

In fact I have a checklist produced for each role advertised and have someone go through the initial culling, so I don't even see them.

For example, if the JD asks for a minimum of 3 years experience in the role, or a specific qualification then that would be on my checklist, (alternatively because of the specific role I had advertised I might ask for 3 years but my checklist would note '2+ years' - and the qualification check might read 'qualification as stated else x background or other relevant experience')as would all of the above in some form or another. Ticks in all the boxes means it goes through for me to review.

[Oakie]

To the ones that have replied to this thread and who are actively involved in interviewing/hiring people do you really chuck away CV's which are most than 2 pages?

Certainly not. I'll reject them for the info that's ON those pages, but not just because there are more than two pages. Any employer who biffs a CV just because it's more than two pages needs their head read, especially in today's tight labour market (which is not to say that a 6 page CV is better than a 2 pager ... or that a 2 pager is no good ... it's just that it's the content that's important, not the amount of printer ink that's used.) Personally, my favourites are 3 or 4 pages of well spaced information. This usually gives me enough information to get a reasonable picture of the whole person and their history and make a resonable decision as to whether they are worth an interview or not.

[mynameis]

Riiiight now we're getting somewhere with this, thanks guys. Just taking a pun at the guys who replied on the first page I think it was mentioned 2 or 3 times, if a CV is more than 2 pages it's in the bin !! :brick:

[mynameis]

Again engineered CV's and initial letter are a great way to get attention which is about only 30% of the work, the phone call after, the first 30 secs of meet and greet and the first 2 minutes of the interview is the other 70% I'd say. :)

[Conquiztador]

To the ones that have replied to this thread and who are actively involved in interviewing/hiring people do you really chuck away CV's which are more than 2 pages?

No

"The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters."

[Oakie]

Again engineered CV's and initial letter are a great way to get attention which is about only 30% of the work, the phone call after, the first 30 secs of meet and greet and the first 2 minutes of the interview is the other 70% I'd say. :)

In our case it's about 10% application/CV, 45% interview, 45% reference checking. I've had a couple of great CVs followed by interviews who were shot down by their referees.

[Conquiztador]

In our case it's about 10% application/CV, 45% interview, 45% reference checking. I've had a couple of great CVs followed by interviews who were shot down by their referees.

And I had very resently a good CV that was followed by a excellent interview that was supported by ok references, but was shot down by a scary police vetting...

The moral of the story: Be up front (saves everyone time) as it will come out.

[yungatart]

There has sure been some interesting reading on here...thanks so much, everyone for your help. I actually have put together a brief CV that covers all the relevant points and will drop it in tomorrow to an outfit that has advertised a positon which I know I can do and sounds very different from my current job, with more money, less stress and a totally different field. Applications close tomorrow, so it really is a bit rushed!! I may have some inside help tho.....

[Her_C4]

There has sure been some interesting reading on here...thanks so much, everyone for your help. I actually have put together a brief CV that covers all the relevant points and will drop it in tomorrow to an outfit that has advertised a positon which I know I can do and sounds very different from my current job, with more money, less stress and a totally different field. Applications close tomorrow, so it really is a bit rushed!! I may have some inside help tho.....

Good luck - remember that a final review before you drop it off may pay dividends :sunny:

[Cr1MiNaL]

good info, cv's take a while to prepare as well, mine took me little under 4 months and countless hours of drafting and researching to prepare, and now 3 months down the line I have the job that I wanted and it will need an update again... kinda like learning I suppose it never stops. Good luck.

[Big Dave]

I've worked as an Art Director for 20 years and I had a career as a sales manager before that.

The things I sought in sales people were stability - professional and personal, and a suitable personality for the position.

In creatives it's comprehension/interpretation skills and their portfolio.
And as little baggage as possible.

Try and convey those if you aim there.
HTH

[Conquiztador]

One thing that really gets me when I interview is when the interviewee puts any of the previous companies down. Straight away a BIIIIGGGG minus in my books.

[The Pastor]

When I prep my CV's I always remove them from the bike, take them a apart soak them in carb cleaner and blast out any crap with an air compressor.

Then new seal kit + reassemble and bobs your uncle.

[FJRider]

When I prep my CV's I always remove them from the bike, take them a apart soak them in carb cleaner and blast out any crap with an air compressor.

Then new seal kit + reassemble and bobs your uncle.

I see your computer hasn't increased in value

[The Pastor]

I see your computer hasn't increased in value
Neither is your faild IQ test, you should really take it off trademe. No one cares.

[FJRider]

Neither is your faild IQ test, you should really take it off trademe. No one cares.

spell check don't work on cheap computers ???

[karla]

No one has mentioned yet that a picture speaks a 1000 words. Put a small black and white pic in the top corner - it may not sell you to the prospective employer, but if you do get past first base to the interview stage the person interviewing you will have already seen you once.

This has the effect that when they meet you they feel more comfortable with you - tests show that they will like you more than someone they haven't already seen. (the more we see someone the more we like them). It helps with the second stage - as does laughter, or at least a smile.

Good luck with the interview ~

[kerfufflez]

[QUOTE=karla;1450909]No one has mentioned yet that a picture speaks a 1000 words. Put a small black and white pic in the top corner -


Two questions:
Why black and white, and not a colour photo?
What if you're as ugly as sin?:sick:


(the more we see someone the more we like them).
/QUOTE]


I can think of a few instances where that last part is definitely not applicable.

[sweetp]

You need to be carefull with a photo. My advice is to never stick one in as all it does is discriminate against you. Yeah I know it is not suposed to happen but we are all human and do it.

You need to be judged on the content of your C.V. rather than what you look like but if you stick a photo on there this doesn't happen.

You also need to be carefull about personal information, wafflely personal statements (like these are actually read by the person) and hobbies. Classic example a recent application listed the matital status as single and a hobbie as cats! Never stick in info that is personal such as dob, marital status, number of kids, religion etc.

There is no easy way to create a C.V. but this would be my advice:
4 pages max
keep it simple
lots of white space
get someone to review it

In my work I review thousands of C.V.s a year and I spend less than 30 seconds on the first cut. I just read the work experience and toss it if it doesn't have what I need.

I do look for transferable skills but if you are up against someone else who has what I am after it is hard to get to the next round. What does help is if I have had contact with you previously e.g. a phone call or email asking for a p.d (only if not supplied!).

Could waffle for hours but wont, good luck YTart and let us know how it goes.

[Big Dave]

When I prep my CV's I always remove them from the bike, take them a apart soak them in carb cleaner and blast out any crap with an air compressor.
.


Do you do it a the same speed every time?

[Big Dave]

Photo?

The whole process is a sale. You selling you.

The best result from submitting a CV is getting an interview.
It doesn't get you the job - it's in play for the first and last steps in the process.

So that should be the objective - give the information that is best likely to convince them to interview. That's where you close the sale.

Showing them what you look like up front removes one reason to call you in.

(unless of course you have visual assets that promote the contrary)

[Mikkel]

I would think that everything pertaining to CV (http://www.scootercommunity.com.au/photos/yamaha_jog/picture792.aspx)s would belong in the Scooter forum.

Unless you had a pair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2CV) of them of course... ;)

[Conquiztador]

Photo?


Showing them what you look like up front removes one reason to call you in.

(unless of course you have visual assets that promote the contrary)

And that's it. Have it, flaunt it.

[kevfromcoro]

yeah got to one.....not to sure how to format it..
can someone pm me with a bit of a hand......
thanks ...