My First Ever CV - Comments Needed!

Actually it was directed at you as my adobe reader wasn't working but got it working now ;) Your CV sounded bizarrely familiar to someone I know who lives in Pulborough minus the education bit so semi wondered if I did in fact know you, but alas no.

And i'm afraid to say I have no general advice for your CV and am thus essentially spamming in this thread, ta ta.
 
In time you will probably gather quite a lot of skills and experience and you'll be wanting to include it all on your CV. Although you may think this will make your CV look great because it will include all you have done, it is likely that it will include things that are not relevant to the position you are applying for, thus less attractive to whoever you've sent it to. Remember that in many cases there are hundreds of CV's sent for just one or two available positions. If you've got a load on there thats not relevant to the job, you've got less chance of getting an interview.
 
When reading CVs, employers like concise bullet-pointed lists rather than stories and waffle.

- Name address contact details. IF relevant to the job, driving licence status/DOB.
- Profile: A FEW words about yourself (don't write crap like 'bubbly personality') followed by a list of your relevant skills
- Concise bullet pointed list of personal/professional achievements
- Job history. Head each with company name and positon held. No need for addresses etc etc, if they want them they'll ask. Bullet point some achievements of yours during your time at this job, then your responsibilities etc. Maxmimum of 5 jobs/5 years whichever is least. Don't waffle on about how you did this every day and that every day.
- Qualifications and relevant training. Where you did it, what year and your result (if applicalble)
- Scrap the interests section and very briefly mention any cool/quirky interests you have in your personal profile bit.
- I don't include references on my CV personally. A CV is to secure an interview, if they want references they'll ask you.

The main idea is to keep everything to the point. Stuff like your skill 'Multi-tasking – dealing and controlling many tasks all at once' no offence, but they know what multitasking is you don't need to explain it to them ;)

At the end of the day all they're really looking for at the CV reading stage is that your skillset matches up and that you don't sound like a complete pleb. They'll pick up on your personality, confidence and communication etc in your interview. They may have a hundred CVs to read through so yours needs to be VERY easy to read vital info, hence all the bullet points. Keep the layout fairly plain but use a modernish font (comic sans is out) and centralise your name, address and contact details at the top. Make your name larger than all other text and bold if necessary.

Best of luck :)
 
Last edited:
For a retail job, I don't think he really needs to go to that much effort in writing his CV. For a more specialized job, yeah. But as long as you don't shower yourself in compliments, you can't really fail at bagging an interview in retail.
 
pedrochop said:
In time you will probably gather quite a lot of skills and experience and you'll be wanting to include it all on your CV. Although you may think this will make your CV look great because it will include all you have done, it is likely that it will include things that are not relevant to the position you are applying for, thus less attractive to whoever you've sent it to. Remember that in many cases there are hundreds of CV's sent for just one or two available positions. If you've got a load on there thats not relevant to the job, you've got less chance of getting an interview.
Click to expand...

I am well aware of this so i will be changing my entire CV again once i have a new job. The reason i have decided to put some much on there is because Tesco is my best assist and the driving force...it is quite rare to have so much experience in one place at such a young age. :)

Can you be more specific in relation to my CV though?

L33 said:
When reading CVs, employers like concise bullet-pointed lists rather than stories and waffle.

- Name address contact details. IF relevant to the job, driving licence status/DOB.
- Profile: A FEW words about yourself (don't write crap like 'bubbly personality') followed by a list of your relevant skills
- Concise bullet pointed list of personal/professional achievements
- Job history. Head each with company name and positon held. No need for addresses etc etc, if they want them they'll ask. Bullet point some achievements of yours during your time at this job, then your responsibilities etc. Maxmimum of 5 jobs/5 years whichever is least. Don't waffle on about how you did this every day and that every day.
- Qualifications and relevant training. Where you did it, what year and your result (if applicalble)
- Scrap the interests section and very briefly mention any cool/quirky interests you have in your personal profile bit.
- I don't include references on my CV personally. A CV is to secure an interview, if they want references they'll ask you.

The main idea is to keep everything to the point. Stuff like your skill 'Multi-tasking – dealing and controlling many tasks all at once' no offence, but they know what multitasking is you don't need to explain it to them ;)

At the end of the day all they're really looking for at the CV reading stage is that your skillset matches up and that you don't sound like a complete pleb. They'll pick up on your personality, confidence and communication etc in your interview. They may have a hundred CVs to read through so yours needs to be VERY easy to read vital info, hence all the bullet points. Keep the layout fairly plain but use a modernish font (comic sans is out) and centralise your name, address and contact details at the top. Make your name larger than all other text and bold if necessary.

Best of luck :)
Click to expand...

Very wise words and i have already acted on most, if not all. :)
The 'Tesco' section is now a very clean list of bullet points so it does look much better. I may add my 'Interests' to my 'Personal Statement' and create a bit more space..not sure, opinons?

Peño said:
For a retail job, I don't think he really needs to go to that much effort in writing his CV. For a more specialized job, yeah. But as long as you don't shower yourself in compliments, you can't really fail at bagging an interview in retail.
Click to expand...

I am going to aim high but obviously i know my 'dream job' isn't entirely possible as i want part time and not full time. :(
 
SideWinder said:
I have two problems now...

- References?
- Should my 'Relevant Skills' be short paragraphs instead?
Click to expand...
References, do you mean whether or not to include them? Its up to you, I don't for two reasons really:
- They're not helping you to market yourself which is what the CV is for (if references are required, the employer will ask you for them - usually after the first interview, print your references and take to all interviews with you along with spare CVs etc of course :))
- Secondly one referee is usually current/previous manager etc, if you're currently in employment you don't really want your potential new employer calling/writing to your current boss for references when he/she doesn't know you are looking to leave :) Most employers will not expect referee details on a CV

As for the relevant skills, its completely up to you - there is no set in stone way to do anything but the easier/clearer things are to read, the more chance you have of someone paying attention or picking up on something that they would have lost by skimming huge paragraphs. If you are writing paragraphs, keep them to a minimum, keep the sentances fairly short and try to avoid unnecessary waffle. I personally find that bullet points have worked for me, i.e. my relevant/key skills are listed as bullet points in a two column layout.

Also remember that it IS important to change your CV for each job. I'm not on about bending the truth, but for some positions certain skills will be more important than others - rearrange your bullet points or paragraphs to make sure those most relevant are first.
Also, if for example in one of your job histories you've written a paragraph about it, you may need to write more about a certain aspect of that role for each different job you apply for - i.e. your previous role at the MoD, if you're apply for network admin, you'll want to say more like the part where you speak about mission-critical systems and minimising downtime, and less about MS office. Not trying to patronise you but just clarifying what I'm saying ;)

Other final thing is do not do any silly layouts which I know you haven't (i've seen some horrendous clipart 'borders', multi-colour headings and all sorts). Turn off any border lines from tables etc.
The only thing that should stand out more than anything is your name, everything else on the CV should be as important as everything else - if its not, chances are it isn't needed.

Oh and you may find that quite a few employers will request your application in Office .DOC format rather than PDF for various reasons, best to stick to legacy office format (2003 and earlier) if possible.
 
Last edited:
Peño said:
For a retail job, I don't think he really needs to go to that much effort in writing his CV.
Click to expand...
No offence chap but I disagree. Retailers must get hundreds of applications when advertising a vacancy, so why not give youself a better chance? Gotta remember that no matter what the job, you're also 'competing' against other candidates, not just impressing the interviewer(s). There will be a maximum number of interviews they're going to arrange, and if they have 20 'good' CVs and only 10 slots, you'll want to be the one with an excellent CV that stands out from the rest.

I'll stop waffling now :p
 
L33 said:
References, do you mean whether or not to include them? Its up to you, I don't for two reasons really:
- They're not helping you to market yourself which is what the CV is for (if references are required, the employer will ask you for them - usually after the first interview, print your references and take to all interviews with you along with spare CVs etc of course :))
- Secondly one referee is usually current/previous manager etc, if you're currently in employment you don't really want your potential new employer calling/writing to your current boss for references when he/she doesn't know you are looking to leave :) Most employers will not expect referee details on a CV

As for the relevant skills, its completely up to you - there is no set in stone way to do anything but the easier/clearer things are to read, the more chance you have of someone paying attention or picking up on something that they would have lost by skimming huge paragraphs. If you are writing paragraphs, keep them to a minimum, keep the sentances fairly short and try to avoid unnecessary waffle. I personally find that bullet points have worked for me, i.e. my relevant/key skills are listed as bullet points in a two column layout.

Also remember that it IS important to change your CV for each job. I'm not on about bending the truth, but for some positions certain skills will be more important than others - rearrange your bullet points or paragraphs to make sure those most relevant are first.
Also, if for example in one of your job histories you've written a paragraph about it, you may need to write more about a certain aspect of that role for each different job you apply for - i.e. your previous role at the MoD, if you're apply for network admin, you'll want to say more like the part where you speak about mission-critical systems and minimising downtime, and less about MS office. Not trying to patronise you but just clarifying what I'm saying ;)

Other final thing is do not do any silly layouts which I know you haven't (i've seen some horrendous clipart 'borders', multi-colour headings and all sorts). Turn off any border lines from tables etc.
The only thing that should stand out more than anything is your name, everything else on the CV should be as important as everything else - if its not, chances are it isn't needed.

Oh and you may find that quite a few employers will request your application in Office .DOC format rather than PDF for various reasons, best to stick to legacy office format (2003 and earlier) if possible.
Click to expand...


Thankyou! :)
I am planning to change my CV after i get a new job as obviously i can include less about my work experience and include more about my 'new job'. I have copied and saved what you have written as it is really useful. :o

I only put it as .pdf just to show it, it will be presented in .doc. :)

L33 said:
No offence chap but I disagree. Retailers must get hundreds of applications when advertising a vacancy, so why not give youself a better chance? Gotta remember that no matter what the job, you're also 'competing' against other candidates, not just impressing the interviewer(s). There will be a maximum number of interviews they're going to arrange, and if they have 20 'good' CVs and only 10 slots, you'll want to be the one with an excellent CV that stands out from the rest.

I'll stop waffling now :p
Click to expand...


Makes sense...so many different views about how much should go on a CV and personally, after realising one post had 250 applications, i really need to put myself out there...scary. :(
 
Any more comments? Getting close to printing time and i am going to prepare a simple covering letter with my details on, when i can work...um, do i say what position i want if i am handing them in blindly or will they alocate a place for me?
 
I'd want to know what the grades were for your latest qualifications. They certainly will for graduate jobs in a couple of years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom