CV Design
- Thread starter decmatt
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Associate
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- 8 Jan 2004
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I disagree with the 'one page only' thing. The standard is 2 pages (Never 3!) - if you only sent me 1 page it would say to me that you haven't done much
http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/create-a-grid-based-resume-layout-in-indesign
This turns out good if you can be arsed.
The layout above is going to be a cut about anyone elses in any non-arty jobs. It will draw attention to you at the very least!
I like Ekims more though.
There must be some money in CV designing?
Like £5 a pop. All you have to do is fill in their info, and email it back to them... hmmm a curriculum vitae design consultant?
This turns out good if you can be arsed.
The layout above is going to be a cut about anyone elses in any non-arty jobs. It will draw attention to you at the very least!
I like Ekims more though.
There must be some money in CV designing?
Like £5 a pop. All you have to do is fill in their info, and email it back to them... hmmm a curriculum vitae design consultant?
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Standing out isn't necessarily a good thing judging by that cv...
Correct.
If you see my second post I mention that the 1-page rule doesn't apply to extensive work-experience with multiple companies OR academic positions.
The OP is looking to apply for a job placement relevant to project management. Therefore any advice was tailored to that request. Of course there are exceptions like the one you mention (medics, legals, academic etc) that require different types of CVs.
For entry level positions though a 1 page is more than enough. Also I personally don't think it needs to be 'fancy' and 'stand out'. It needs to convey the right information about you. You need to remember that what is 'fancy' for you might be 'over the top' for someone else - it's down to personal taste. Recruiters (as far as I know) are not looking for fancy cvs, they are looking for someone who has what they want and can convey all the necessary information in a smart, organised and quick way. Fancy can be good if you get it right, but are you sure you can get it right?? It's abour risk taking to an extent.
This is generally true for entry level positions, although the OP hasn't said whether it's an entry level position that he's seeking. For non-entry positions then you should be trying to impress with what you did at each job to show them that you've been outstanding throughout. I, for example, list the job that I've done and then have three sub-headings - Responsibilities, Skills, Achievements. It turns a heading like (this is an example and not what I do) 'Sales Manager' in to
'Sales Manager
Responsibilities: Managed 3 billion staff worldwide, responsible for all strategic decisions and reporting directly to the board
Skills: Project management, presentation, Magic
Achievements: Saved the company £2 million in 12 months, successfully sold a granny an ipod'
The first, whilst accurate, does not necessarily impress - the second does.
If you don't get it right on an objective basis then you should have sense enough to know and move to a more 'standard CV'. If you haven't got it right in their subjective opinion then you're probably not the right fit for that company and you've thus just made the whole thing a lot easier.
Remember finding a job is just as much about finding somewhere that you want to work as it is convincing them that they want you. My last interview I spent just as much time asking them questions as they did me. I have a relatively stylised CV and have never been refused interview for any position I've applied for and, after interview, have always been offered the job- I've not always agreed to take it though.
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I agree on most points, however it seems to me you are putting a hell of a lot of information on your CV. That's what a cover letter should be there for (which you could combine, first page cover letter and second page your CV). It's in the c.letter that you describe your accomplishments and your skills and how these much the role you are after and add value to the company. I really think the CV should be a snapshot of your career so far, not necessarily a full account of everything. Of course it depends on what you have done, if you have done something really amazing then it's always good to put it out there - but I would insist you put it on a cover letter.
as for not being the right fit - keep in mind that your application/cv will pass through the HR people before you get to meet the managers that you will actually be working with. The personal taste of the HR person who vets your CV has usually nothing to do with whether you fit nice with the company team and structure, so it's not as simple as 'they didn't like my style so I wouldn't be a good fit in there anyway'.
P.S I assume the OP is looking for either an introductory position or a low-management level Project management position, otherwise if he was after senior positions I don't think he would need advice on how to build his CV.
I absolutely agree that the covering letter is of importance (I'd say more importance than the CV) and would add that it's difficult to snapshot your career with just job titles alone if your career has been one of outstanding achievements. To clarify, I'm not suggesting several paragraphs listed for each job, but rather what turns in to around 3 short sentences. These act as flags to remind them of how good your covering letter was as shortly before interview it will be your CV they skim read again rather than your covering letter, which will likely be read twice (once when they first get it and once after interview in making their final decision).
I suppose at this stage I should admit to being guilty of assuming that the CV will sail through HR on the strength of qualifications and past experience alone as mine always has. To that extent I consider HR to be more of a sorting function than a potential roadblock. This could be different for those who are not necessarily suitable for the job for which they are applying.
I think you are overestimating the HR!!! by a longshot!!!