Comments on my CV

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Soldato
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9 Apr 2004
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Looking for some constructive criticism of my cv. Its far too long and really needs hacked down but due to all sorts of factors my brain is just not working properly.

If people wouldnt mind having a look through and providing some pointers it would be much appreciated. I work as a contractor through my own limited company - hence some of the short working periods.
[FONT=&quot]
PROFILE[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Experienced Financial Services Business Architect with over 7 years experience of working within the Change Environment. Proficient in all areas relating to the continuous process improvement and project life cycle of large change programmes. Based within the business and not IS/IT. Fully conversant with Casewise Corporate Modeller. Familiar with principles of Customer Orientated Architecture, BPR, CPI, Lean and Six Sigma.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]SKILLS

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Business Analysis[/FONT]

  • [FONT=&quot]Strong understanding of modern financial services needs and requirements.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Numerous techniques to gathering, analysing and presenting complex information allowing a best fit approach.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Excellent relationship management skills[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Core understanding of the complexities of the business operations world vs the IS technical world.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Business Process Design & Management[/FONT]

  • [FONT=&quot]Developed a range of dynamic process modelling frameworks.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Developed a suite of process modelling and capture tools & associated techniques.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Provided training in both the techniques and principles of business led process design.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Provided training in terms of workshop facilitation and expectation management.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Business Architecture:[/FONT]

  • [FONT=&quot]Former Thought Leader at BPMG.org.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Former contributor to BPCommunity.org[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Developed a number of approaches to building a customer focused business architecture within the financial services industry.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Process Modelling:[/FONT]

  • [FONT=&quot]Defined thousands of AS IS and TO BE processes over the last 7 years.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Worked from operating model down to procedural level.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Defined a number of custom diagram types covering customers, documents and strategy.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Familiar with numerous diagramming and process information capture approaches including, SIPOCs, CTQs, FMEAs, RACIs.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Casewise:[/FONT]

  • [FONT=&quot]Over 6 years experience of using CM 9.3.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Over 3 years experience of using CM 10.3[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Model Manager and administrator level.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Familiar with all customisation options.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Web publishing as well as document publishing.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=&quot]Familiar with bolt on options especially Requisite Pro for requirements gathering and management.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
WORK HISTORY

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sept 2006 - Present[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Director[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]My Ltd Company[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]West Calder[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Established XXXXX Consulting to move into the contract market and further my career and develop a viable business architecture and consulting company.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Contracts:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]May 2008 – Present[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]XXXXX
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Responsibilities[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Led a team of three senior business analysts and two business analysts[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Workstream Lead for Target Operating Model Process Re-engineering Design[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Model Manager of Corporate Modeler Repository for Project[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Production of Process Definition Documents[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Lead and Develop Project Resource[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Liaison with Senior Management Team[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Provision of Templates, Materials and Training.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Development of Corporate Modeler meta Architecture for XXXXXX division.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Promotion of best practice methodology.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Working with third party overseas suppliers[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Achievements[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Redesigned XXXXX Division Processes in 5 months through a customized business focused, customer orientated approach.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Diagnosed and redesigned 27 core processes (including Originations, Annual Reviews, Covenants, Credit Assessments, Redemptions) over 10 days through back to back workshops involving over 70 subject matter experts with an average of 30 attendees per day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Defined numerous contextual diagrams to clearly demonstrate the links between business objects (process, documents, locations, teams etc) and technical objects (applications, databases, etc)[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]November 2007 – May 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]XXXXXXXXX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Responsibilities[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Model manager for regulatory change programme.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Process modeller and designer providing support and guidance across multiple streams.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Creation of process design and business design specifications.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Achievements:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Improved the use of Casewise Corporate Modeller gaining significant improvements in reusability and impact analysis.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Provided a series of input templates to allow information to be quickly and easily imported into Corporate Modeller with the minimum amount of rework.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Created a number of new objects and relationships within CM to allow greater return on effort.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Defined, designed and implemented web version of project operating model allowing full review and feedback across the company via the intranet.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]July 2007 – November 2007[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]XXXXXXX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Responsibilities:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Process Modelling Lead across a multiple work stream programme.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Liaise with business areas and senior management to ensure buy in and understanding of work underway.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Capture and model high risk processes within the operational environment[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Provide up skilling and mentoring to permanent members of staff.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Achievements:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Developed new tools and techniques to improve efficiency and data capture.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Worked with key senior stakeholders to develop a road map for next stages.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Created a draft operating model and architecture published to local intranet.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]April 2007 - July 2007[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]XXXXXX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Responsibilities:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Development of the Process management framework for COBEP, working closely with the US[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Drives key business and functional stakeholders to a strong baseline of process management competency across the organisation[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Provision of tools, methodologies and infrastructure[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Provision of support and advice to the business[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Understand, share and champion industry best practice[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Development and maintenance of tools, methodologies & infrastructure working closely with US team[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Common standards, techniques and language for process mapping, requirements definition, risk assessment, controls requirements[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Develop and implement the process management infrastructure (tools, forms, data repository etc) for process owners and managers[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Promote the use of Lean / Agile / Six Sigma techniques across the organisation as appropriate to improve efficiency, speed and quality.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Central monitoring of process remediation activities[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Develop training materials aligned to tools, methodologies and infrastructure[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Achievements:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Delivered architecture within time and budget.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Full suite of tools and techniques developed and communicated.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Architecture management and maintenance processes defined. [/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Sept 2006 - April 2007[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]XXXXXXXX[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Responsibilities:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Facilitating the re-design of business processes with the business.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Working as part of several project teams to provide specific business process analysis skills and services - this included running large workshops, mapping processes, supporting the development of process derived UAR plans and identifying training needs. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Working with the business to clarify processes, identify issues and facilitate change. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Identifying the root of business problems and creating strong and rational business cases for change / no action. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Preparing detailed documentation (process diagrams and reports)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Supporting the management, development and maintenance of the XXXX Corporate Process Model.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Facilitating Sessions with customers to identify process improvements.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Helping develop how twe do things and helping transfer these skills to the business where appropriate.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Helping develop training courses, workshops and methods to support process management.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Finding ways of re-using the process information we have to support other key business activities - e.g. business continuity, control self assessment, understanding risk, training and knowledge development. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Achievements:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Consolidated 11 independent process models into one centralised knowledge store.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Created styles and standards guidelines manual.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Introduced a range of new diagrams and objects to improve team offering.[/FONT]
 
You don't stay in a job for long, do you? :/

Not sure I'd put down the entire employment history with so much depth.. perhaps just mention the top 3, and name the others..

E.g.

Recent employment,
[blurb]

2nd most recent employment,
[blurb]

3rd most recent employment,
[blurb]


Employer, 2005-2006
Employer, 2004-2005
Employer, 2003-2004
 
EVH - i think you're confusing his contract history with his employment history, by the sounds of his CV, he's only ever had one job as a director of his own company despite having over 6 eyars experience in CM 9.3 (championship manager)!

previous employment beyond your current position would help, i would also cut down a lot of the contract work blurb as some of it should be implied - such as liasing with senior management etc.
 
In the minority but it's far too long, responsibilities lists are too large. If people want to know that amount of detail they'll ask you at interview. Page 1 of your CV is going to be a bland bullet pointed list which isn't a great start when they're looking to hire a person not a machine.

Paragraph 1 has too many short sentences, can't you break them up with "and" and a comma rather than full stops? I'm assuming. You don't. Talk like that. In real life. All you've done is make a horizontal list rather than bullet pointed it as with the rest of your first page.

It's still better than mine :)
 
Thanks for the feedback so far.

The full CV is unfortunately 8 pages long and almost 2000 words once I have included full job history and qualifications. (which I know is far far too long)

I worked as an employee for 9 years and then started contracting.

CM stands for corporate modeler which is an enterprise architecture tool that I use - I cant play Championship Manager to save my life!
 
CV should be a Maximum of 2 pages !

Bullet points for each of the duties, and a small information of what the company did.

also include what PC skills you have I.E

Microsft Word, Excel blah blah.

What outside activities do you have like, running for a charity ect.., don't put going out and getting drunk ;)


i also include my email address, and telephone number. address so that they can get hold of me.

also school qualifications

hope this helps
 
dave1983 said:
CV should be a Maximum of 2 pages !

Bullet points for each of the duties, and a small information of what the company did.

also include what PC skills you have I.E

Microsft Word, Excel blah blah.

What outside activities do you have like, running for a charity ect.., don't put going out and getting drunk ;)

I also include my email address, and telephone number. address so that they can get hold of me.

also school qualifications

hope this helps
Click to expand...

2 pages? For a new graduate with little actual experience or someone cramming everything close together maybe but 2 is owhere near enough for someone who has been contracting for a few years and as such will have several jobs to cover.

Mine is 5 pages (the 5th being Business and Personal References).

I kept my employment (newest first working backwards) and education history on the first 3 pages, my personal statement and other activities + current status on the 3rd and 4th pages.

My section spacing and layout is quite generous otherwise it would easily fit on 3 pages I guess.

I've been told it's best to have more than one CV, each one tailored to a specific job description - it looks like you spent time on that CV for that job rather than a general CV that could well have been sent out as a feeler to x number of companies!
 
Trouble is my CV is 2 pages and give it another 18 months or so and it will be about another page worth. Its all bullet points (bar a statement) and neat and concise but even them I'm running out of space. it's an interesting point, don't think I'd want to go over 3 pages + covering letter though

- Pea0n
 
My 2p worth -

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to achieve with the CV. Are you looking to move into industry or join a consulting practice?

It is an impressive list of achievements but you seem to missing the point a little bit, if you are applying for business analyst roles then most companies will want to see UML experience / if process improvement then six sigma green/black/master black belt.

I would also want to see what sort of RoI these companies were getting based on the changes you have made.

Think about your CV not as what you have done, but what an employer would want to see when filling a role. Complete your CV with that in mind and leave the rest as discussion points in interview...
 
If you've been contracting, lump that together as one "employer" with some of the key skills and achievements, perhaps noting that full details of major contracts are available upon request?
 
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