isitafox Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 In the new year our company changed the way we have to apply for jobs internally, before there was an application form which I generally kept filled in ready to send off for the various positions that came up but now we have to send in a CV. I've had a go at writing one going off the template supplied on our internal website but I'm still a bit unsure about a few bits so could do with few pointers. The template has the headings for the various sections, personal statement, personal details, previous employment, qualifications and additional information, but do I put these on the actual CV or do I just write the actual parts without the headings?? Also should I have it say Curriculum Vitae at the top of the page or leave that off as well?? Finally, what kind of stuff should I add in the additional info section? The only thing I can think of that's relavent to the position is the fact I have a full clean driving licence but that just looks a little empty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewEH1 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) This is some general advice when I wrote my CV about three years ago... Leave the headings in, including Curriculum Vitae at the top. It makes it easier for any potential employer to read and reference your application. I wouldn't worry too much about the 'Additional Information' section as you should have put the majority of the relevant information in the 'Personal Statement' & 'Personal Details' sections. One of the main things with CVs is making sure that your working life is displayed well and is easy to read so someone can easily see if you are up to the job. You wouldn't write your CV on the back of scrap of paper. Another thing that you might have to worry about is writing a cover letter to attach to your CV. Check these links out if you haven't already: 1 2 3 Edit: Get some references to! Definitely someone from where you work at the moment and maybe someone from a previous job either within your current company or before you joined. Edited February 7, 2012 by AndrewEH1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Swales Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hi Dave, The above is decent advice, and online templates etc. can be helpful. Your CV is a summary of your working life that shows your experience, qualifications, etc. but you can tailor it to each job that you apply for to highlight certain bits of info that are more relevant to each job. Your cover letter is where you lay out why you're the right person for the job how you meet the requirements (with examples from previous professional experience). We're recruiting at work at the moment and I'm applying for new jobs as well, so if you want to email me you CV and cover letter (along with the spec/advert for the job you're applying for) I'd be happy to have a look at it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I'd say just be honest, don't use cliches and be relatively direct. Thinks like good timekeeping.....no point, it should go without saying. Good inter-personal skills....get out of here. Say what you do, what you're good at and what you can provide for them (employer). My last CV was my best. Really direct, no flowering, no bullshit. Just what I can do, where i've done it and how good I am at it. Being a graphic designer I also made it look bitchin' and if you know anyone that can help, then why not...but it's not a necessity. I adopted the same approach for the covering letter and my interview, and I was offered the job based on that. Let your personality show and remember the employer has to be right for you as much as you right for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I'd say just be honest, don't use cliches and be relatively direct. Say what you do, what you're good at and what you can provide for them (employer). Can't stress this enough. My CV would always be pretty much bullet points about what I'd done, what I planned to do, how I could help them (more than the other applicants, don't shy away from the fact you're in competition for the job). Does an employer give a rats arse what you got for GCSE? No, so don't bother (unless it's where your education finished). Likewise, if you got a degree don't waste space by putting your A Levels - they'll know you've got some, and if they care what then they'll ask. I can't wait to be really harsh with CVs I receive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 it's my goal in life to wait as long as possible before ever having to send a CV, mostly because mine would suck (no GCSE's, A levels etc) not much help from me I'm afraid, but good luck if you change position. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 What everyone else has said really, plus I'd try not to answer questions they may ask on your CV. They want to be able to quickly compare 200 people and choose 20 for interviews. That's when they'll ask you stuff. Re-doing mine tonight, as it's rather shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Also I meant to add that 'additional activities/interests' etc is genuinely a very important area where you can stand out form the crowd. With my line of work it's easy to distinguish yourself as your work speaks for you. I literally can graphically depict what I do well and what i've done for others. It also has an additional consideration that my CV is actually judged graphically also, but if you're any good that shouldn't worry you. My point is that in a more traditional job where there will be tonnes of applicants all with relevant experience, all equally good and all worth of the position so you need a way to poke your head above the crowd. This is where this section is useful. The two examples I can give is in my CV I put a bit about my social interests such as musician, ride the odd bike or two to just highlight I'm not a drone and I enjoy a life outside work. I also think this is especially good for graphic design as I get sick of people saying they dedicate there life to design and it's all they do, as I don't know how this leads to a well-rounded designer. Anyway....on my latest interview the owner of the company spoke to me for about 30 minutes about guitar players, music, bands, playing techniques, styles and what not before starting the interview. After the whole thing he clearly was left with a strong impression of me and on some level had (and i use the word shudderingly) bond. Our mutual interest outside of work helped in his decision as he was able to get a clearer picture of my character, which in turn gave me a heads up against the competition. This was a job that well over 200 applied for, so you needs to do a bit to get ahead. My other example comes from my uncle who is a partner at a law firm. When recruiting a new solicitor tonnes had what they needed but eventually the position was given to a guy who had a small chicken farm. He'd put that on his CV and the owner of the law firm thought it was a nice thought and it was just 'something' that made him stand out. My point is don't think of that section as useless, as you never know what someone might be attracted to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 While we're adding things we forgot... A lot of hirers are told to 'hire character, teach skill' because it can't be done the other way round - it's important to get your character across as Matt said because ultimately these people have got to spend a vast amount of time with you (generally, unless they're putting you in a signal box somewhere else) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 dedicate there life Don't do that on you're CV either. wooo irony maaann 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Also don't come across as a pedantic arse who is a complete humourless void of a human with the charm and wit of a rotund northern woman with a cold! Check this as well: There/They're/Their P.S. Muel is an ass, well not strictly an ass, but you know.... Edited February 7, 2012 by Matthew62 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Come on dude, my post made you giggle, admit it. Crack a smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Come on dude, my post made you giggle, admit it. Crack a smile. Factually your post did not raise a smile i'm afraid, however I am able to realise and appreciate the humour behind it. Kudos to you! Also the rep point you received for your comments leads me to believe that your attempt at humour wins public favour, so again, very-well-done-indeed! Edited February 7, 2012 by Matthew62 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Aye I know, it were right clever wan't it? Hur hur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss-Higgy Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) I was told quite recently to put my working history first then education the personal profile last so that people look at the key things first and they can read on it they like the first bit? Don't know how sound that advice was but i got a job about 2 weeks after the cv update.. P.s that advice was from a job centre assistant so could be right but more than likely she made it up on the spot lol Edited February 7, 2012 by Miss-Higgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Well thanks for all the replies but I took non of your advice as I put the application in at around 1am this morning before I'd had any replies. It's a bit of a bad question really on my part as the way we apply for jobs and get picked here isn't your usual way I guess. The job I was applying for is basically a relief signaller to cover about 5 or 6 local boxes and it's with the same manager I've already got. The way the jobs used to work was the position would come up, anyone interested would let the manager know and he would ring their managers to get some info and decide who he'd want to interview. Now to make it all fair we have a specific application form (which has just been changed) so that people in the offices can apply for signaller jobs and show possible skills in the areas required, such as doing nothing for a long time and acting in an emergency. The CV bit is basically for the office staff to show their skills on as I already have the skills and qualifications being in the job currently! If anyone does want a quick browse to laugh at my CV though I'll be more than happy to send one across so as you can point out my errors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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