CV Help - I know we all love these threads!

sgx.saint

sgx.saint

sgx.saint

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As the subject states, I am after some help in updating my CV.

After reading through many of the other CV related threads, I am confident that members more knowledgeable than me in such matters will be able to help me create a dazzling and impressive CV.

So, thank you in advance to all that participate on this thread and provide me with ideas, advice and suggestions.

I am usually pretty good with writing, so I am not too concerned with the content of the CV, rather more the presentation and layout.

My current stumbling block is that I am a mature full time student studying a degree in computing at University. However, being a mature student I have quite an extensive career history prior to University.

How do I go about representing this on my CV?

Do I just put down my current role as a student, then list previous places of work, or should I separate them somehow?

I want to make it obvious that I am currently at University, and therefore not in paid employment.

I await to hear your feedback!
 
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Assuming you were in I.T. before university, I would add it in the places of work area, then it should look like natural career progression. Also put in the qualifications area that you're currently studying a fulltime degree at your university.

I couldn't get the CV you linked to open for some reason, but it's easy to find a CV that you know has had good feedback and change it to suit your own experiences. Just remember to bias your CV to the job you're using it to apply for. Also don't put anything in that you're not willing to answer questions on!

I probably wasn't too much help but hopefully some of the management types will help you further. :)

Paul
 
I spent hours on some guys CV here without even a thanks or an ackowledgement afterward. I was pretty ******** about it and thought it was very rude.

There are plenty of websites that can help you with your CV. The key is to keep it short and concise. Use it as preperation for your interview.
 
The layout of that CV you posted is good. However its very cluttered. Im sure it wouldnt look that good printed off.

Show your natural carrer progression if you date your experience and education then it will be self explanitory. Any questions will come up in interviews about it. Come up with a good flow of events and reasons for going back to university etc.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
I spent hours on some guys CV here without even a thanks or an ackowledgement afterward. I was pretty ******** about it and thought it was very rude.
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Sorry to hear that, there's nothing worse than when you spend ages doing something for someone and don't even get an acknowledgement.

In fairness to the rest of the OcUK community I've looked over a few people's CV's recently and all of them (except 1 iirc) have said thanks before I've looked at it and thanks upon receiving the feedback which is appreciated.


Quick impression of the CV above: - good but cluttered.

I would centre the name as a title with personal details below that and move skills further down the page. If you were to change references to'available on request' then it may still fit on 1 page.
 
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Admiral Huddy said:
I spent hours on some guys CV here without even a thanks or an ackowledgement afterward. I was pretty ******** about it and thought it was very rude.
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Sorry to hear that Huddy, I for one have appreciated reading what you have had to say in the past on people's CVs, and your Interview Guide is still regularly used by many, including myself.

Also stumbled upon the thread where you built that shed/office/PC workshop, this has further inspired me (to my wife's distress however :D ).

edit: @OP, maybe you can put in your personal statement why you became a mature student, what you gained from it and how you plan to put it into practice. Then continue with the work experience, work skills, qualifications, hobbies and interests sections as normal.
 
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Hey.

I really appreciate the replies I have received so far, and sorry for the delay in replying, been in bed all day, feeling sick :(

My employment history is a bit cluttered really, my previous position was an IT based position. However, prior to that, I worked in the financial sector, and also the sales and customer service sectors. I have worked for 5 previous employers to date.

So, based on this, how best do I display my work history not forgetting my current situation as a student.

I do like the idea of perhaps mentioning in my CV about why I have returned to University, however as I am keeping the CV as concise as possible, I wonder if this would take up valuable space?

I was actually looking at some of the layouts of CV's from Office Online via Word 2007 and there are a few on there that look pretty decent, or is it a big no no to use such a template, albeit if you customise it for your own needs?
 
I will throw together a draft version of my CV together over the next few hours and will then post it up for you guru's to have a look :)

Thanks.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
I spent hours on some guys CV here without even a thanks or an ackowledgement afterward. I was pretty ******** about it and thought it was very rude.

There are plenty of websites that can help you with your CV. The key is to keep it short and concise. Use it as preperation for your interview.
Click to expand...

that sucks tbh

i like to think im very gratefull for help i recive from others

name and shame i say
 
Hey.

Right, a few weeks after initially starting this thread, I managed to get around to rejigging my CV.

So, I would be most grateful if you knowledgable folk would take a look, scrutinize, nit pick, and help me create a new beautiful and professional CV.

I've uploaded my first draft version which is available at the link below:

CV V1.0

Now, I know before anyone mentions it that it is too long, but I just don't know how to cut it down. Most of the information on there I think is critical when applying for new jobs.

At the moment, I am after a part time job to fund me whilst at University, so I 'm not exactly aiming for professional roles just yet, but I do want my CV to convey professionalism.

Also, I do feel I have an advantage over most students as being a mature student, I have experience under my belt.

Anyway, I'm rambling on, do your worst ..... I look forward to feedback, and I've got my eraser ready :)

P.S. Obviously I've blanked out any personal information and I have not written my Personal Profile yet as I wanted to leave that till last. See what suggestions and ideas come my way from OCUK first.
 
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Updated following your advice. :)

Still over three pages though, and do you think the 'Key Listing' section was un-necessary?

New version:

CV V1.1

P.S.

I'd love some advice regarding the content as well, such as the language used etc.
 
sgx.saint said:
Updated following your advice. :)

Still over three pages though, and do you think the 'Key Listing' section was un-necessary?

New version:

CV V1.1

P.S.

I'd love some advice regarding the content as well, such as the language used etc.
Click to expand...

Shameless bump :)
 
How about a personal statement. Put in there why you want a job in the industry you are applying for and how your current skills would benefit you in that area of work.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
How about a personal statement. Put in there why you want a job in the industry you are applying for and how your current skills would benefit you in that area of work.
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I intend to put that in after the CV has been ripped apart on here, because I want to base it on the final product.

It is actually already in place at the top of the CV, but all that it contains at the moment is "blah" "blah". :)
 
I maybe being picky, but could you make the text inside the boxes 2 points bigger, bit hard to read i find... Then again, maybe just me?

Also, one of my pet hates, not having the whole box on the same page or even worse, a sentance that starts on one page and finishes on the other.Maybe move the boxes around a little to see if you can get the pages to start and end on the same page, if you know what i mean.

Then again, im no expert on CV's!

<ColiN>

PS - other than that - looking good :)
 
I'll have a play around with the layout now :)

Thanks for your comments.

I was a little concerned about including my current status as a mature student and including it as if it was my occupation on my CV.

Which strictly it is not, but I want any potential employer to know what I am currently doing.
 
Me again ..... sorry to bump/rush you guys but I would really like to have my CV complete by later tonight as I've got a backlog of jobs that I want to apply for.

So I would really really appreciate if you CV gurus could take some time out and help me create a masterpiece :)

P.S.

Giving away free stars to all those who help :p
 
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