Job specific CV?

shifty_uk · 7 Jan 2007 at 18:20

Just a quick question:

When applying for job vacancies in different industries, should you always make your CV specific to the role your applying for?
For example, the information on my current CV is design and multimedia specific. If I was to apply for a part time role outside this industry should the personal statement, attributes and other information change?

Ta!

Killa_ken · 7 Jan 2007 at 18:21

shifty_uk said:
Just a quick question:

When applying for job vacancies in different industries, should you always make your CV specific to the role your applying for?
For example, the information on my current CV is design and multimedia specific. If I was to apply for a part time role outside this industry should the personal statement, attributes and other information change?

Ta!

I would guess so. when i was applying for a Pharmacy Internship and a Hospital internship i changed several key points and qualitys.

Just use things that might help support the different roles

edit: Whos the bird in your sig?

Glaucus · 7 Jan 2007 at 18:29

Yep, the cv should change of every type of job and also possibly within the same job depending on description. I'm crap at writing them though.

Daveyboy · 7 Jan 2007 at 18:33

Yes, tilt it so that it it tailored to fit each job. The reader of said CV will be looking for that. Don't lie about anything, just tilt it.

Imagine if you had lots of CV's to read through, you'd certainly go for the well written ones that seem the most relevant to the job you've advertised.

Oh and add on some more sports etc that make you look great.

Good luck

shifty_uk · 9 Jan 2007 at 17:45

Thanks guys.

I actually forgot I'd made this thread. Got a couple more questions:
When applying for a job via email, should I start the email with just "Hi", or should I just amore formal phrase like "Dear sir or Madame"?
I'd usually just go with "Hi, blah blah".

Also, I'm having a bit of trouble making my personal statement/profile to fit the job. Should I just tell them about myself, what I'm studying, what I intend to do in the future etc?

Thanks.

Glaucus · 9 Jan 2007 at 17:48

Neither, If you really want the job phone up or email asking who to address it to.

BennyC · 9 Jan 2007 at 17:53

Personally i'd always address it 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To whom it may concern'. They cant get a negative impression if its a formall address, however it you just say 'hi/yo/sup' it doesnt look profesional.

shifty_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 15:42

One final thread bump!

I was wondering if someone could give me a little hand with my personal statement and proof read etc. I'm having a bit of trouble making it relate to role I'm after.

My msn address is: me[at]ryanarts[dot]co[dot]uk
I'd rather do it over msn, than posting the details on the forum.

Thanks in advance!

Freefaller · 13 Jan 2007 at 16:13

I always thought it was the covering letter that should carry the weight on the job application and the CV would be fairly generic if it's been done well.

shifty_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 16:18

Freefaller said:
I always thought it was the covering letter that should carry the weight on the job application and the CV would be fairly generic if it's been done well.

What exactly should a covering letter contain?
I thought the personal statement section on a cv should give a basic overview of what you've been doing, what you aspire to and how/why you want/would be good for the job.

shifty_uk · 13 Jan 2007 at 16:48

Is there anyone that could help me atall?

Nazbit · 13 Jan 2007 at 17:02

Freefaller is right, the CV although you might change it slightly to be weighted towards a different job, would be almost identical.

In your covering letter, that is where you will gear your writing towards the particular job.

Morba · 13 Jan 2007 at 22:59

I have always wrote the general parts of my CVs to be in line with the job spec of that I am applying, while the technical stuff is generic for all.

Tom1138 · 13 Jan 2007 at 23:06

and remember to not include your Date Of Birth. Legally now you don't have to have it, as employers can't ask your age due to the age discrimination act. Which is great IMO.

Morba · 13 Jan 2007 at 23:35

Tom1138 said:
and remember to not include your Date Of Birth. Legally now you don't have to have it, as employers can't ask your age due to the age discrimination act. Which is great IMO.

rofl, not asking your age doesnt stop them not employing you because you are young, they would see that you are some new out of college or school person at the interview if you are worried about age.
the legalities of age are more involved than not being allowed to ask your age.

Tom1138 · 14 Jan 2007 at 15:42

Morba said:
rofl, not asking your age doesnt stop them not employing you because you are young, they would see that you are some new out of college or school person at the interview if you are worried about age.
the legalities of age are more involved than not being allowed to ask your age.

Well its harder to tell the age of someone without first asking 'how old are you?' which is not allowed now because of the law they passed early last year. Seeing your young, and knowing your young are two entirely different things. The law is that you cannot be asked your age or have it in a application form or CV. This is because no person being 18 or 80 should be denied a placement because of their age, should be on their qualifications.

For young people I find it very unfair they are denied jobs because of lack of job experience. They have the qualifications, but don't have the experience. How is someone supposed to get a job if they can't get experience from a job in the first place?

Anyway I just thought i'd point that out as its not a legal requirment on a CV or application form and no employer should ask for it. Basis is on your skills than your age...

Morba · 14 Jan 2007 at 22:44

Tom1138 said:
Well its harder to tell the age of someone without first asking 'how old are you?' which is not allowed now because of the law they passed early last year. Seeing your young, and knowing your young are two entirely different things. The law is that you cannot be asked your age or have it in a application form or CV. This is because no person being 18 or 80 should be denied a placement because of their age, should be on their qualifications.

For young people I find it very unfair they are denied jobs because of lack of job experience. They have the qualifications, but don't have the experience. How is someone supposed to get a job if they can't get experience from a job in the first place?

Anyway I just thought i'd point that out as its not a legal requirment on a CV or application form and no employer should ask for it. Basis is on your skills than your age...

again, not asking age means nothing. if an employer doesnt want to recruit a noob then they will cut them after the interview.

we all know that experience is as much (if not more) important to most employers to qualifications.
Knowing something and doing it are two different things.