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/ma...he-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

[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!

[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.

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'.