CV Critique

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 11:04

Hi all, please take a quick look, not had to make a CV for a while so here is my attempt.

Please ignore the part with amp&amp on it, seems to be a bit of a bug with the software but will obviously not be there when printed out.

[FnG]magnolia · 28 May 2012 at 11:09

That is a terrible CV and I trust you haven't sent it to anyone yet. It is littered with spelling and grammar mistakes and tells us nothing about you. You also have to be absolutely outstanding in your field to get away with a one page CV; 2 pages is standard for most professions.

I can only suggest using one of the many templates available online because you really need to up your game. Most recruiters would put that in the bin after the first two sentences.

BDEE · 28 May 2012 at 11:12

That layout

Advice point 1 - Don't use rubbish free CV makers. If you aren't confident in formatting one / putting it together yourself then invest in a CV writing company - For your CV you are probably look at no more than £50 and it makes a good investment. If your CV came across the desk in my place I'm afraid it wouldn't get a second glance.

Also you have listed your work experience, but not included any of your responsibilities and achievements? This is your chance to blag about how good you are - Simply listing your jobs does not do that and tells nothing about you. Do this properly under each of your past jobs, then remove the section "business skills" as as this should all be covered under your acheivements in each job.

Education and additional qualificaitons should come together in one section at the end and do not require commentary.

Please also advise what type of job you are looking for, as this makes A LOT of difference to what your CV should look like.

mufc802 · 28 May 2012 at 11:20

Don't start every sentence with "I", looks very unprofessional.

[DOD]Asprilla · 28 May 2012 at 11:21

[FnG]magnolia;22015339 said:
You also have to be absolutely outstanding in your field to get away with a one page CV; 2 pages is standard for most professions.

Not really true. If something is relevant and adds value then it should go in. My CV now runs to 4 pages and has yet to fail me.

At first glance, apart from cleaning up the spelling, etc, I would reverse the work experience chronology and add some details about what you did in those roles alluding to how it can be relevant to the roles you are applying for.

gambitt · 28 May 2012 at 11:34

The "2 page rule" is a myth. Nothing wrong with 2 pages and it's fine for people who or just starting out or have only been working for a few years, but there's no way I could fit 9 years of relevant work experience onto 2 pages (along with everything else). 1 page CV just doesn't look right to me - at least make it a page and a half.

Ascendancy · 28 May 2012 at 11:37

Did you actually read any of that back to yourself after writing it? =/

[FnG]magnolia · 28 May 2012 at 11:39

It's not a hard and fast rule but for most people in most professions a 2 page CV is sufficient. Of course there'll be those who either need more or can't self-edit but it's a decent yardstick.

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 13:13

Okay had another go, probably will take another few attempts to get it right, can't afford to get one professional made so will change the layout myself, but for sharing purposes please have a read through and re-critique

Ascendancy · 28 May 2012 at 13:15

First line.

"I am hardworking, positive and efficient person with an amition to always better myself."

Basher · 28 May 2012 at 13:19

Walkerie said:
Okay had another go, probably will take another few attempts to get it right, can't afford to get one professional made so will change the layout myself, but for sharing purposes please have a read through and re-critique

http://cvmkr.com/DOk

Waaaay too much text. No one will read it. Bullet point the most important bits.

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 13:19

Ascendancy said:
First line.

"I am hardworking, positive and efficient person with an amition to always better myself."

I fixed that last time, just re-saved it.

Ascendancy · 28 May 2012 at 13:20

Walkerie said:
I fixed that last time, just re-saved it.

Still says 'amition'

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 13:22

Ascendancy said:
Still says 'amition'

Fixed, typing on my bed mattress, not easy! Thanks

Ascendancy · 28 May 2012 at 13:24

One of my main roles included viewings, in which I would take prospective tenants on viewings of the properties and discuss the properties with them in order to gauge what there requirements were, I would then recommend certain streets and properties upon there reaction and take them on further viewings if necessary.

Should be 'their'

gambitt · 28 May 2012 at 13:26

1. You used the word very 4 times in 6 sentences.

2. “to always better myself” is not really an ambition.

3. ”I am very creative and open to different ideas and methods from which I can improve my own approach to work and day-to-day life.” – huh? :confused:

4. “I have a keen interest in business outside of work and follow various business journals/papers. My main passion lies within advertisement/marketing and P.R. I also have a very keen interest in the property market and its movements with an outlook to develop my own properties.” – This doesn’t flow at all because your sentences are too short - reads like a list.

This whole first paragraph doesn’t say anything about what you can offer to a prospective employer. What job are you applying for?

dl8860 · 28 May 2012 at 13:26

Personally, as a graduate one page for me is sufficient. Unless you have more material you wish to add, for the vast majority of graduate jobs you can say enough on one page. Oh, i see it's actually 2 pages. No problem.

Your grammar and sentence structure isn't fantastic, so that is something to work on.

Layout wise, I would suggest education first, but that is just preference. What is important is chronological order, you always want most recent first. Strangely, your education is set out in that way, but not your experience.

What kind of jobs are you looking to apply for?

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 13:28

gambitt said:
1. You used the word very 4 times in 6 sentences.

2. “to always better myself” is not really an ambition.

3. ”I am very creative and open to different ideas and methods from which I can improve my own approach to work and day-to-day life.” – huh?

4. “I have a keen interest in business outside of work and follow various business journals/papers. My main passion lies within advertisement/marketing and P.R. I also have a very keen interest in the property market and its movements with an outlook to develop my own properties.” – This doesn’t flow at all because your sentences are too short - reads like a list.

This whole first paragraph doesn’t say anything about what you can offer to a prospective employer. What job are you applying for?

3. It basically means there's ways of doing things, some companies have very different practices. Will re word that bit.

4. Ill re-word and sort it.

5. About a thousand marketing jobs.

Beerbaron · 28 May 2012 at 13:32

your work experience should show most recent first

Walkerie · 28 May 2012 at 13:47

I am a hardworking, positive and efficient person with an ambition to always better myself, I feel that via my experience outlined below from my previous jobs that I can bring a variety of skills to the workplace. My experiences have helped me to improve my customer relationship skills, they have guided me to be able to work self sufficiently without need for guidance and also helped to mould my skills as a leader in various work related situations. I have a keen interest in marketing and advertising outside of work from following various business journals/papers which in turn helps to keep my knowledge levels current and suited for any role I undertake.

Changed this somewhat, hopefully it ties in everything I say in my employment part?