Yet another CV check thread:

Trifid · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:01

I am searching for my first full time job in IT and not having much luck getting to the interview stage. I'd appreciate it if you could look over my C.V. and covering letter and give me a few pointers?

My C.V. can be found here:
.doc: http://www.ultimateunity.co.uk/Trifid/ocukCV.doc
.PDF: http://www.ultimateunity.co.uk/Trifid/ocukCV.pdf

And my covering letter:

Dear Sirs,

Vacancy for IT support engineer.

I am interested in the above position and am submitting my application for consideration.

My two years' Cisco CCNA course gave me experience of working with Cisco 2600 series routers and 2950 series switches. I achieved my CCNA qualification on the 27th June 2008 scoring 923, the highest in the class.

I have a temporary employment contract with Shoeburyness High School finishing the first week in September relocating the core network, performing upgrades and general maintenance to the IT systems, and am looking for a permanent position to follow this.

I hope you will find my application of interest and look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Samuel Wright.

Obviously if I have a name I would replace Sirs with that and end on sincerely.

So, what do you think?

Thanks.

______________________________________________

post 15 changes:
I've made some corrections:

http://www.ultimateunity.co.uk/Trifid/ocukCV.doc

Dear ...,

I am applying for the vacant position ... .

I am Cisco CCNA certified achieving 923, the highest in the class and have experience working with Cisco 2600 series routers and 2950 series switches. I am currently employed in a contract ending on 1st September 2008 within the IT department of Shoeburyness High School as an IT Technician.

I have enclosed my C.V. for your consideration and would be extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be interviewed for this position.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Samuel Wright.

Click to expand...

I am not keen on describing your self ("I am a quick learner" etc.) and prefer to keep the covering letter factual.

Grrrrr · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:11

As a personal preference i don't like CVs that use bullet points with just a word or phrase. For instance Windows XP is not a skill and where you have listed some of the tasks you performed for your work experience it would sound much more formal incorporated into a paragraph.

On the other hand you might say bullet points allow your prospective employer to more easily spot relevant skills

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:11

"Other Interests:
These include photography and music. I took ABRSM violin at grade 7 on the 10th July 2008 and am currently awaiting the result"

That's a bit rubbish... go into more detail about photography. Also "these include" is just wrong. Use "I enjoy" or "I am an avid photograph/musician" or, if you must "my hobbies include"

Your covering letter isn't very good> you don't talk about the company you are applying for at all. Most of what's in your covering letter is in your CV, do make mention of a key point or two, but the focus should be on the job you are applying for, not what you do currently.

Also, phone them up and get a name

Roland0 · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:25

I reckon thats a good CV mate, im sure you will get a job, maybe not straight away but you will deffo get one!

Not very usefull I know, but i couldnt see anything that seemed bad and that you needed to change, other than maybe put Excellent knowledge of XXXXX, or Good experiance of supporting XXXXX, in the additional skills section

Trifid · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:35

Grrrrr said:
As a personal preference i don't like CVs that use bullet points with just a word or phrase. For instance Windows XP is not a skill and where you have listed some of the tasks you performed for your work experience it would sound much more formal incorporated into a paragraph.

On the other hand you might say bullet points allow your prospective employer to more easily spot relevant skills

Shall I change 'Additional Skills' to 'Additional knowledge'? Or the likes.

I'd say bullet points allow the prospective employer to quickly see my skill set and also breaks up the C.V.. I'm not a fan of a complete bulk of words in C.V.'s where they are most likely to get lost reading through it. They are not going to extract information out from wordy paragraphs (probably...).

Ben M said:
"Other Interests:
These include photography and music. I took ABRSM violin at grade 7 on the 10th July 2008 and am currently awaiting the result"

That's a bit rubbish... go into more detail about photography. Also "these include" is just wrong. Use "I enjoy" or "I am an avid photograph/musician" or, if you must "my hobbies include"

I agree that it is a bit feeble. The starting was a failed attempt at not using 'I'.

I'll work on this paragraph.

Ben M said:
Your covering letter isn't very good> you don't talk about the company you are applying for at all. Most of what's in your covering letter is in your CV, do make mention of a key point or two, but the focus should be on the job you are applying for, not what you do currently.

Also, phone them up and get a name

Not overly sure what to do for the covering letter.

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:38

Trifid said:
Not overly sure what to do for the covering letter.

I can e-mail you a copy of a covering letter I used to get my summer job this summer if you wish. It wasn't for a job in IT, but it (along with an interview) did help me to get a job which you wouldn't expect most 17 year olds to have.

Trifid · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:38

Ben M said:
I can e-mail you a copy of a covering letter I used to get my summer job this summer if you wish. It wasn't for a job in IT, but it (along with an interview) did help me to get a job which you wouldn't expect most 17 year olds to have.

That'll be excellent. Thanks.

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:40

I'm going to need an adress

Trifid · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:42

Ben M said:
I'm going to need an adress

Should have added, 'email in trust' on last reply.

[email protected]

Thanks again.

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:43

Trifid said:
Should have added, 'email in trust' on last reply.

[email protected]

Thanks again.

I'm blind and couldn't see the trust button -.-

will be with you shortly.

MattandJet · 30 Jul 2008 at 21:25

what job do you have then ben

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 21:29

I'm working (for the summer) as a quality control technician at a company that manufacture resins. So I do a series of tests (varies by resin) on batches of resin and hardener as the manufacturing process is completed.

half of the time I am on my own in the lab, because the QC manager is often in different areas of the site, or away seeing clients/ holiday.

Considering that I am 17, and havn't got my A level results yet, it ain't bad in my opinion.

SideWinder · 30 Jul 2008 at 21:29

Ben M said:
I'm working (for the summer) as a quality control technician at a company that manufacture resins. So I do a series of tests (varies by resin) on batches of resin and hardener as the manufacturing process is completed.

half of the time I am on my own in the lab, because the QC manager is often in different areas of the site, or away seeing clients/ holiday.

Considering that I am 17, and havn't got my A level results yet, it ain't bad in my opinion.

[email protected] for the covering letter please.

Ben M · 30 Jul 2008 at 21:30

sure, no problems.

Trifid · 3 Aug 2008 at 12:39

I've made some corrections:

http://www.ultimateunity.co.uk/Trifid/ocukCV.doc

Dear ...,

I am applying for the vacant position ... .

I am Cisco CCNA certified achieving 923, the highest in the class and have experience working with Cisco 2600 series routers and 2950 series switches. I am currently employed in a contract ending on 1st September 2008 within the IT department of Shoeburyness High School as an IT Technician.

I have enclosed my C.V. for your consideration and would be extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be interviewed for this position.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Samuel Wright.

I am not keen on describing your self ("I am a quick learner" etc.) and prefer to keep the covering letter factual.

What do you think?

Jive-Zombie · 3 Aug 2008 at 13:55

That CV is a hell of a lot better looking than mine ever was ( deleted yesterday as i'm making brand new one ) I'm sure they'll take a second look at that when it comes through their letter box!

Jeez i'm 3 years older than you. I've got nothing compared to that apart from a few years experience in IT Support.

I'm sure you'll get a job easily!

Although I do like using bullet points instead of all the numbers. Makes it look more tidy

Robert · 3 Aug 2008 at 14:00

Grrrrr said:
As a personal preference i don't like CVs that use bullet points with just a word or phrase. For instance Windows XP is not a skill and where you have listed some of the tasks you performed for your work experience it would sound much more formal incorporated into a paragraph.

On the other hand you might say bullet points allow your prospective employer to more easily spot relevant skills

I went for an interview and the tech guy said using bullets is the preferred way. They don't want paragraphs of spiel, they can ask questions in the interview - that is exactly what it's for.

He had my CV in front of him and went through each bullet asking details, afterwards he was happy and just told me that I had a good technical knowledge.

Trifid · 3 Aug 2008 at 17:07

Jive-Zombie said:
That CV is a hell of a lot better looking than mine ever was ( deleted yesterday as i'm making brand new one ) I'm sure they'll take a second look at that when it comes through their letter box!

Jeez i'm 3 years older than you. I've got nothing compared to that apart from a few years experience in IT Support.

I'm sure you'll get a job easily!

Although I do like using bullet points instead of all the numbers. Makes it look more tidy

Do some industry recognised courses in your spare time, can't hurt and I really enjoyed the CCNA.

I am happy with my C.V. now but think maybe my covering letter is still not up to scratch...? I've done tiny change below:

Dear Sirs,

I am applying for the vacant position ...

As a Cisco CCNA certified achieving 923, the highest in the class, I have experience working with Cisco 2600 series routers and 2950 series switches. I am currently employed in a contract ending on 1st September 2008 within the IT department of Shoeburyness High School as an IT Technician.

I have enclosed my C.V. for your consideration and would be extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be interviewed for this position.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your attention.

Yours faithfully,

Samuel Wright.