I need a job! Can someone check my CV?

Tobes

Tobes

Tobes

Soldato
Joined
27 Mar 2004
Posts
6,693
Location
Devon
Hi,

I think my CV sucks. I don't think it's very impressive and I am asking for comments on how to improve it. I have read countless CV guides and they all seem to contradict each over.

A couple of questions though.

What counts as a GCSE qualification. A "C" or above? Should I list the grades?

Have I listed too much or too little information on anything? Sex/DOB etc. Should I write information about myself? Interests etc.

Should I include a couple of references?

I have been asked to write a cover letter as well. I'm not sure how I go about writing this. It's for a computer games store. Should I geek it out or play it cool?

CV can be found in .doc format at www.tob3z.com/stuff/cv.doc

Thanks for your time,
Tobes
 
Lose the "Curriculum Vitae" title. No need to patronise the reader ;) Just have your name as the heading

For the education just put "x GCSE grades of C and above" (where x is the number) or something. Put the most relevant experience and qualifications to the job you're applying for at the top. This way the reader doesn't have to sift through waffle to find the relevant info and they'll be less likely to chuck it to the bin pile ;)

I'd also be doubtful as to whether or not it's worth including the waiter/shop assistant jobs, these aren't really classed as a "career" and aren't relevant. Instead perhaps head it as "Relevant work experience" or something?

If you find yourself taking out too much then yes perhaps a sentence at the top describing yourself, and a few short bullet points outlining your main interests/pastimes

Also when you're sending it to people, use PDF. :)
 
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That could easily be one page (actually, half a page). Ask yourself, what is superfluous? Alternatively, question what would the employers want to see. Do you think they will care you were born in Cornwall, clean bathrooms, and have specifically a double award GCSE science? Short, concise, to the point.
 
Use times new roman and indent things to make it easier to identify sections. It's probably not useful for prospective employers to know you cleaned up in a wash room unless you are applying for waiting jobs.
 
Over the last 3 days I've become quite experienced at interviewing young people.
In fact 61 of them.
I was obviously sitting with an expert so I know what they're after and today sat in a meeting discussing the 30 young people we will take on.
Tomorrow I have to upset 31 of them:(

Anyway, you need a small section describing yourself.
You definitely need a section with your hobbies and interests because that says more about you than anything else.
You need a small section with a Person Specification for the job you're applying for eg I feel that I'm suitable for the job because I've had lots of experience dealing with the public when I worked at X & Y and with my computing courses etc etc.
Definitely keep the sales assistant stuff in because that is what you're applying for.
If you have references then pop them in too.

You have to hit them hard with the most important stuff first and don't make your CV more than 2 pages long.

There are also people on here (like Admiral Huddy) with far more experience than me.
 
Education

Secondary School name 1999 - 2006

2 GCSEs
3 GCSE: Double Awards
1 GNVQ

Cisco Qualifications

CCNA 1 (Cisco Certified Network Administrator) - Network Essentials
ITE 1 (Information Technology Essentials) – PC Hardware and Software
ITE 2 - Network Operating Systems

College name 2007 – Present

4 AS Levels (current education)


Becomes:

Education

AS levels (current): X Studies, Y Studies, Z Studies.

6 GCSE/GNVQs (Edit: add something like A-C here, or whatever).

CISCO Certified Network Administrator (CCNA 1, ITE 1, ITE2)




Perhaps? (Although I'm not sure how the CISCO thing works)?
 
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dmpoole said:
Anyway, you need a small section describing yourself.
You definitely need a section with your hobbies and interests because that says more about you than anything else.
You need a small section with a Person Specification for the job you're applying for eg I feel that I'm suitable for the job because I've had lots of experience dealing with the public when I worked at X & Y and with my computing courses etc etc.
Definitely keep the sales assistant stuff in because that is what you're applying for.
If you have references then pop them in too.
Click to expand...
Should I leave this out and instead include it in the cover letter?

OK another version is now up. Same link.
 
Tobes said:
Hi,

I think my CV sucks. I don't think it's very impressive and I am asking for comments on how to improve it. I have read countless CV guides and they all seem to contradict each over.

A couple of questions though.

What counts as a GCSE qualification. A "C" or above? Should I list the grades?

Have I listed too much or too little information on anything? Sex/DOB etc. Should I write information about myself? Interests etc.

Should I include a couple of references?

I have been asked to write a cover letter as well. I'm not sure how I go about writing this. It's for a computer games store. Should I geek it out or play it cool?

CV can be found in .doc format at www.tob3z.com/stuff/cv.doc

Thanks for your time,
Tobes
Click to expand...

KK m8, had a look, re-writing yours for you & will email it to you in a bit should give a good idea of a template / content
 
Ahh thanks very much dude. Appreciated :)

A cover letter, does that just follow the standard layout of a normal letter? Then write about why I think I am good for the job, why I want to work for... and what I hope to achieve should I work there?
 
Tobes said:
Ahh thanks very much dude. Appreciated :)

A cover letter, does that just follow the standard layout of a normal letter? Then write about why I think I am good for the job, why I want to work for... and what I hope to achieve should I work there?
Click to expand...

Sent you your CV now. As for the cover letter that sounds like the right sort of stuff, feel free to send it my way once you have drafted something if you want.
 
try and show them how you applied your skills to your relevant job i.e have a list of programming languages you know and say what you have done maybe provide examples. on the cover letter it is usually recommended that you make each one individual and show you know about the company and explain to them how you would fit into there company
 
PCDave said:
try and show them how you applied your skills to your relevant job i.e have a list of programming languages you know and say what you have done maybe provide examples. on the cover letter it is usually recommended that you make each one individual and show you know about the company and explain to them how you would fit into there company
Click to expand...

It's for a store that sells games. Plus I hardly know HTML! But I understand what you mean and it's what I have planned.

mrk1@1 has helped me out so much with this and is a star. As well as everyone else. Thanks everyone :D

If I don't get the job it just means that I am too good for them or that they want someone who is more flexible with times. :p
 
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