Writing a CV - what format should a software developers CV take

[PaulStat]

Ok so basic format at the moment is (I think it's a bit too generic, I'm wanting to make it more development based), I've been working for seven years, not sure if that makes a difference to the format?

Objective - brief blah about the role I'm looking for and how wonderful I am etc.

Employment history - Jobs held, with brief description of what the company does, what my duties include and my achievements

Professional Qualifications

Education

Technical skills

Interests

Referees

I'd like to include a section on personal projects to really show off stuff that I haven't been able to do (or rather as much as I would have liked to do) in work. The employment history section is just too generic if you know what I mean?!?!

Any tips?

 

[datalol-jack]

I'd like to include a section on personal projects to really show off stuff that I haven't been able to do (as much as I would have liked) in work. The employment history section is just too generic if you know what I mean?!?!

This is easy. Create an online portfolio of work a prospective employer can download and run, then provide a link to it in your CV - only one line needed. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about your projects in detail without taking up any more space than is needed in your CV, covering letter or application form. Since, if the hiring manager is interested in the work in the portfolio, chances are, they will give up a few more minutes of their time to explore the site and the projects.

You can also make career and personal achievements a separate section to really take the attention away from the 'generic' parts. I would put technical skills above qualifications to grab the recruiter's attention, too. People who tend to scan CVs will use it as a check list against their requirements before diving in at the deep end. It is also advisable to link your claimed achievements to concrete examples of work done where possible, as per portfolio tip above.

Even if you have worked for a while, the education section is still quite important to have tacked on somewhere (unless you included your degree / the rest under pro. qualifications). Employers these days are very picky and you may get an awkward interview question if you miss details out, some time down the line. It normally goes something cheeky like this, "Oh, by the way Mr X, what have you done with yourself before becoming a professional software developer?"

Other than little advice above, I don't see any major problems with your basic structure. If it is presented well and is not too long, it will be good to go.