Yet another CV critique request...

mrbios

mrbios

mrbios

Soldato
Joined
7 Jun 2003
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Location
Gloucestershire
Please take a look, and tell me all the problems with this, this is basically a first draft. I've not had to do one in over 5 years...infact i've never had to do one! All my previous jobs have had application forms :p

So here we go:
https://rapidshare.com/files/4256257076/CV_template.doc

I know the current employment bit currently chops off in the middle of one job, i do plan on changing that bit....and before he comes in and says it, yes someone on here i did steal your personal profile sentences and just chopped a bit of the end :p i thought it was good enough to use so please don't hate :D

I think mainly what i'm looking for is advice on the following:
People in similar jobs to the one i'm currently in, technical skills, anything i should add to that? (I'm thinking i may have left something basic off)

Key skills, is that enough? Are they good enough?

Should i change the personal profile at all?

Is it wrong of me to have key achievements under my current employment as well as technical skills as they're very similar?

Thanks for any advice, feel free to be as brutal as you like.
 
mrbios said:
Bump, fell back to the 3rd page, anyone? pleeease
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Im not very good at CVs and don't have much time but here is a 2 minute critque.

The layout is quite ugly. I use latex for such work, and I really like the template by Xavier Danaux, it looks like thr following:

http://garrett.im/pages/resume

Do a google search to find the template. You will also need to install latex and learnt eh basics - but this is easy, worth while and soemething you can add to your CV. The address can be shortened to less lines. Make sure your name is very prominent.



As for the content, after your personal profile start with you education followed by work experience, then list the key skills. Try to prioritiye key skills and technical skills only listing the most important, tailored to each
job application. E.g., is MS offfice a valuable skill for the jobs you are applying for?

In general I find many of the statements to be fairly empty or just listing a keyword. E.g. • TCP/IP Networking. What real skills here do you possess, have you programmed networked software systems, have a certification? Similarly, Ability to follow instructions, confidence and good attendence are basic requirements for almost all jobs so and would be expected- I don't see how you have to advertise this. More important would be a good demonstartion of your organisation and timeliness. Good people skills.
and Interaction with people/colleagues is a duplication surely? It would eb good to give an example of team work or inetrperosnal skills.

Watch your punction, sometimes you have a full stop and sometimes not. Be consistent.

For the hobbies it is best to only list those that may support the job. Playign football, especially if somewhat serious in a club, is a good example of teamwork. Listenign to music is not a benefitial skill for most jobs. Other good exampels would be charity work etc. Not always easy to do, my own CV is limited in this regard.

Also, don't forget that a covering letter is just as important if not more so than the CV. This takes a lot of time and energy to write for each application and involves doing good research on the job, company and personel.
 
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^Some good advice.

Just a general point, anyone that describes themselves as "highly articulate" instantly has me analysing their writing style and looking for grammatical errors etc - but maybe that's just me :D
 
Thank you D.P some sound advice :) I'll modify it this evening and then reupload, hangtime do you think perhaps another word is best substituted in place of articulate? I was thinking dependable or dedicated could be put there instead.
 
I've taken some advice in to consideration, gone away and changed it a bit, though i think i'm not happy with it and think you'll probably say the same:
https://rapidshare.com/files/2869192797/CV_template_new.doc

I wanted to try that LaTeX program, but sadly on my internet connection downloading 1.1GB would take far too long and 2 other people use this internet connection so i just tried to make it a bit more interesting to look at

I've changed the hobbies (should not from my link i changed the hobby of "gaming" to "team based gaming" as it is... but in my link that change isn't made)

I've made the technical skills a bit more interesting, rather than just a buzz word i've put a bit more depth in to each one, and the technical skills by the way are very much directed at what the job i'm going for is! including the key achievements section, they're all relevant to the job being advertised.

Finally i've changed around the key skills a bit, still just using key words but words that i think have a bit more behind them, let me know if i need to change this though.

Again all criticism is welcome and appreciated :)
 
Hi Mr Bios.

Send me your e-mail addy and I'll send you my C.V. I like to think it's pretty good.

Just looked at yours mate and no offense but it's pretty poor. it's my responsibility at work to forward applications to the HR department and yours would be one of the ones I'd just delete in its current status.
 
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I'd put employment education before the rest of it. The important stuff should go first.

"Competent in both numerate and literate skills" sounds really bad :p. In plain English, you're basically saying "I'm numerate Numerate and literate" which everyone should be really - I'd leave it out.

You've put "on own initiative or as part of a team" three times. Maybe try to re-word it.
 
p4radox said:
I'd put employment education before the rest of it. The important stuff should go first.

"Competent in both numerate and literate skills" sounds really bad :p. In plain English, you're basically saying "I'm numerate Numerate and literate" which everyone should be really - I'd leave it out.

You've put "on own initiative or as part of a team" three times. Maybe try to re-word it.
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Would simply changing it to "Good numerate and literate skills" sound better?

Can't think of what to change for the responsibilities/description of the two **** jobs :p can't think of anything i can put that's really relevant to my application for a new job, any help there?

Gustov - sent a message to your trust

Thank you everyone :)
 
Cheers Gustov and will do, your CV now throws up one important question though, no personal profile type section?

Looks very good though, i keep seeing so many nice CVs that make me think "maybe i should do it this way" and then another one comes along and makes me want to do it another way, it's all so confusing! :(
 
Meh, personal profile is always just blabber. People trying to find the most impressive adjectives they can to describe themselves to a person they've never met.

I'd rather get straight in with professional experience.
 
D.P. said:
Im not very good at CVs and don't have much time but here is a 2 minute critque.

The layout is quite ugly. I use latex for such work, and I really like the template by Xavier Danaux, it looks like thr following:

http://garrett.im/pages/resume
Click to expand...

Now your mix of skills made me chuckle - especially when categorised incorrectly :D

Gustov said:
Meh, personal profile is always just blabber. People trying to find the most impressive adjectives they can to describe themselves to a person they've never met.

I'd rather get straight in with professional experience.
Click to expand...

I hate personal statements too but my wife wrote in a personal statement and it's always a talking point at interviews - FML :rolleyes:

I think you need one if you've got a lot of experience - just so it acts as a basic synopsis for the reader
 
mrbios said:
Thanks for any advice, feel free to be as brutal as you like.
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O kkkay ... You've asked for it but here's the obvious...

WTF have done for the past 5 years - There seems to be a big gaping hole there !?

When I read you CV it says ' 9 - 5 person / Does the bare minimum / is a follower, not a leader / no accomplishments / not innovative ' ( please don't say that you're punctual it suggests what I've just mentioned )

Have you not suggested projects to management ? Even if they've not been implemented - they should be mentioned.
 
mrbios said:
Would simply changing it to "Good numerate and literate skills" sound better?
Click to expand...

"Good numeracy and literacy skills".

Subliminal Aura - to be fair, it does say that he's been working as a senior ICT technician since 2006, so that's what he's been doing for the last 5 years :). Although I do agree that it sounds a bit "generic". Most of the skills you mention: numeracy, literacy, punctuality, quick learner - everyone will put on their CV. You need to personalise it a little by saying what you've learned from each job and experience. Give examples.:)
 
Quick question...

The job i'm applying for is through an agency, the online submission form for your CV etc has section titled "Supporting comments" .... hate to sound stupid but what exactly are they expecting in this box?

EDIT: also cover letter....as it's through an agency, i have the name of the agency consultant but not an individual within the company i'm applying to, should i start it with the name of the agency consultant or ring them tomorrow and see if i can get a name?
 
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Personal Profile is far too generic, and some odd English in there. It doesn't tell me anything about who you are or what you want.

Competent is a weak word. Otherwise try to demonstrate those strengths with concrete examples - even if it's hobbies / school (work is best though).

I'd drop that whole section to be honest and put the tech stuff at the top, recruiters are scanning for that first and foremost before making a decision whether to read further. Tech stuff should be straight bullet points / keywords. Leave the descriptive stuff to your work experience.

Try to fatten up your work experience, discuss how you achieved stuff to reinforce the bullet points you made above.

no one wants to know about Internet gaming as a hobby. Hobbies are useful to pad out a thin CV, but make sure they are supportive of your career goals otherwise ditch them.
 
mrbios said:
The job i'm applying for is through an agency, the online submission form for your CV etc has section titled "Supporting comments" .... hate to sound stupid but what exactly are they expecting in this box?
Click to expand...

Why do you think you are the best choice for this job? What experience do you have that is relevant. Your CV should be in general an argument as to why you are good for a group of roles, cover letters or supporting comments are for personalising it to a specific role.
 
Thank you sldsmkd, i've gone back and added a bit of the personal profile, hopefully it makes it slightly more interesting though i haven't exactly made a huge change to it.

Competent has been replaced

I'm unsure on your advice regarding the technical skills section, some people have said making it too basic isn't giving enough information, while others agree with you, seems 50/50 in that respect

changed hobbies to better the job I'm applying for :)

As always, thank you for the input, and for the explanation on the supporting comments field
 
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