Your CV

[Mr.Monkey]

My 5 cents:

Don't bend your school qualifications if you are going for any professional job. At all. Or anything that ends up giving you a qualification.
Cos u could lose it when they find out.

I've had to twice bring along my gcse certificates, A levels, and degree cert (cost me £10 to get the cheap pikeys).
3 references is often required, at least 2 former employees or teachers if u'r a newbie to the job market.

You can flex areas that require interpretation:
"Name a time when you had to lead a group of people to achieve a common goal" etc... FFs I was 20, was my first job, how many global companies have I meant to be CEO of???
So pretend you were the football team captain (or darts if ur a tubby sack).

So don't fib about qualifications. It can actually end up with you in jail, as it's fraud. Obtaining a employmed position by false pretences is a specific identifiable crime.


And at the end of the day, the first thing they will look at is relevant experience and education.
If u pass that, it's interview time. Where you may be quizzed on the remainder of the CV. So remeber what you put in it, have a read before going in.

www.jobsforlondon.co.ku

 

[Sar]

Originally posted by Xtro
Btw - posted new reply rather than edited as i cba, but one thing about O levels/GCSE's. Think of a time you've been asked for specific proof for your O level or GCSE results when applying for a job....how many times?

Odd you should say that Xtro, I recently applied for a job with the Police Service, in a civilian role, and I was asked for proof of my GCSE qualifications (2B's 5C's 2D's and 1 E \o/ - guess who did fuck all revision for his exams as a 16yr old ). And much like Mank, those are the only official qualifications I have atm, although I am doing an A-Level equivalency course atm, and fully expect to come out with a mark equal to 3 As.

The reason I never went beyond A-Level is me beginning work at age 17, not through lack of wanting to complete A-Levels (I'd actually finished my first year of A-Level when I left school for work).

After this I want to go on to a joint honours degree in Psychology and Philosophy, with a view to eventually end up in Criminal/Forensic Psychology.

 

[Scouse]

Originally posted by .Cask
Is it worth investing IT training courses? Like the Cisco and Microsoft ones you can do. I was thinking they might be something good to do during summer but they've got a pretty hefty price tag of around £800 - £1200 for 3 or 4 day courses.

They'd look good on a CV but I suppose might be a huge waste of money if I wanted to do something other than IT or unrelated IT sectors.

I'm desperately looking for a part-time IT job at the moment so I actually have a tiny amount of experience after finishing my degree. I doubt serving on the meat and fish counter in sainsburys and hygiene training will impress many IT employers :/

Sorry to break it to you m8 - but the IT sector is almost completely dead on the job front.

I freelance in just the sort of stuff you're interested in - and if this current contract comes to an end then I'm really in the sh1t - there's absolutely fucking nothing out there.

If you do decide to train in the above then don't expect to get a job off the back of them because there's thousands of better qualified, experienced people sitting at home (unable to claim dole) waiting to jump at the first sh1tty paid contract that comes up.

I know guys that used to charge £45-50/hour who are now getting paid £7/hour. The rest of them are out of work.....

 

[Xtro]

Aye but like I said above Sar, mate, thats the state. If they didn't ask I'd be worried. Good luck with the job and the course though - a close friend is doing Criminal Psych and loves it immensely.

 

[Wij]

IT is teh sux anyway.

 

[.Cask]

mohhh

 

[Sar]

Originally posted by Xtro
Aye but like I said above Sar, mate, thats the state. If they didn't ask I'd be worried. Good luck with the job and the course though - a close friend is doing Criminal Psych and loves it immensely.

Hmm, yeah true. Just hope they're quicker than the current recruitment agency (spawns of satan that they are) that I'm with were with their security check (6 weeks) - I've passed the aptitude test, and the interview, and am somewhere near the top of their merit pool. Just this security check to do (sent off to them 2 weeks ago) then once I pass it then they can (potentially) offer me a job.

Thanks too, Crim Psych looks to be excellent.

 

[adams901]

Originally posted by Xtro

I've signed the Official Secrets Act but I'm not James Bond lol. Its dull but can be interesting sometimes, enough said.

I've signed the offical Secrets act (twice for the same job for some reason), and I have also been security cleared by the MoD, there's nothing to stop me saying what I do or where I do it, but there are certain things regarding information I have access to that im not allowed to talk about.

 

[mank!]

What do you do then adams?

 

[pcg79]

Hmmm CVs eh?

Hows mine?

 

[mank!]

You're a nerd :|

btw your address is in the footer still

 

[leggy]

Originally posted by Wij
*keep wallet closed*

I'm far too much man for your tiny body

 

[pcg79]

Originally posted by mank!
You're a nerd :|

btw your address is in the footer still

;p I was actually talking about placement and stuff.

 

[mank!]

Originally posted by pcg79
;p I was actually talking about placement and stuff.

You deleted it from the main bit on purpose I presumed

 

[pcg79]

Originally posted by mank!
You deleted it from the main bit on purpose I presumed

well i dont want any of you nutcases coming and paying me unexpected visits now do I.

 

[mank!]

heheh ¦¬)

Don't blame you tbh, I wouldn't let any of you psychos know I live at 23 Pococks Close.

 

[Greef]

Originally posted by pcg79
Hmmm CVs eh?

Hows mine?

tbh I don't like the tabulated format m8!

Stick to basic presentation.

Oh and don't use those large fonts lads. It implies whoever is reading it is either part blind, or a bit simple.

I had to knock up a CV quick over the weekend just gone. Had it examined very closely in inerview today by a very sharp area manager. I think he thought it was OK. Shame about the career on it though!

My Name in Bold,
Tel (Home & Mobile)
Addy
Email
IQ (never sure about putting that in or not!)

Education

1995 to 1998 University, BEng in Mechanical Engineering.
1994 National Extension College. Distance learning course. A Level Physics Grade B.
1993 ICS Home Study Diploma in Fitness & Nutrition.
1989 to 1991 6th Form College, Hampshire.
1987 to 1989 Secondary School, Hampshire.
GCSEs: Maths A, Physics A, French A, Chemistry B, Geography B, English Language B (ii), CDT. Technology C. A/S Level Pure Maths Grade D.
1983 to 1987 Secondary School, Hampshire.


Employment

SNIP---------Censored sensitive info (whre I work now & last job!)
My duties included: forecourt sales, serving customers in the parts shop, servicing and repairing trailers, fitting hub bearings, fitting towbars and trailer assembly.
6/98 to 5/99 Temporary Warehouse worker with Securicor Recruitment Agency.
1994 to 1997 Part time work for Teamwork, Vacation work with various temporary agencies including Right Associates.
1991 to 1994 Landscape Craftsman/ Chargehand, ******** Landscape Design & Construction.
1990 to 1991 Part time Barman. Elephant & Castle,
1990 Temporary general labourer and industrial worker.
Betterstaff employment agency, TAV recruitment agency and Webbs Country Foods


Interests

Weight training and keep fit.
Hi-Fi and many types of music.
Own and use a PC for various activities, including Graphics, Games and Internet
Reading various magazines and books.


References

S. Syngellakis, Academic tutor, Landscape Design & Construction,

Cut & Paste from word! It looked better & had a bit of formatting!

Edit: slightly censored - don't want my boss finding out I've had an interview ---- yet!

 

[Greef]

To put it another way:

True story: Lad hates menial job. Lad does home-study A-level, Lad does 'mature student' thing at uni, while lad is at uni he thinks 'Wouldn't it be great if, one day, I got headhunted for a job'(dreams a bit), lad wakes up & thinks 'that'll -never- happen'. Lad flunks degree in final year (of bloody four!). Lad goes for even more menial agency work. Lad gets menial (more than the first place) job working for madman councillor. Lad is helped to get a better, semi-menial job in office by best mate's dad. Lad makes the best of it, thinking 'this is the best I'll ever get'. Lad rises in small company. Lad gets HEADHUNTED by large rival firm!

 

[old.RedVenom]

Isn't this back to the "lets post my cv so I can gloat!" thread?

Back luck, you unemployed LOSERS.

 

[mank!]

Originally posted by old.RedVenom
Isn't this back to the "lets post my cv so I can gloat!" thread?

Back luck, you unemployed LOSERS.

I for one posted my CV as I thought I could improve it with peoples wise advice. I did.

There's not really much to gloat about on mine.

 

[Greef]

Originally posted by old.RedVenom
Isn't this back to the "lets post my cv so I can gloat!" thread?

Back luck, you unemployed LOSERS.

tbh I don't think I've got that much to gloat about m8!

I'd like to think my story is more about inspiration than boasting. As in I rose from menial work/carreer failure twice, so can you.

I posted my CV, because it is the style of CV that I prefer to see if I am looking at someone's application. Basic and simply put, but informative. And it fits on a side of A4.

 

[Meatballs]

Different people, and different jobs are gonna want different things on your CV.

Example, If you wanted to apply for the Barrysworld job, as well as having the right experience and qualifications as software engineer, if you say you regularly into playing online games, and setting up some servers every now and again as a hobby, that could win it for ye.

Other employers may want to know more about your personal life if they are trying to keep a certain atmosphere in the workplace, say its a small firm were everyone knows and gets along etc.

Try and find out a bit about the company before you write cv, and put down what you think they might be interested in, without too much superfluous crap Reread cv, and have a couple of questions to ask the employer at the interview, impresses a bit (well its a lot better than having a one way meeting), but you may not even want the job if you find out a bit more.

 

[Testin da Cable]

troo dat. try to have a few informed Q's ready to pop when they eventually ask you if you have any more questions.

 

[(Shovel)]

Me too!

So, you lot with like, jobs and experience and stuff...

What did you do in your initial CVs? How do you sell yourself when you've only got qualifications?

Here's mine. Generally I'd say it might be ok... maybe. But I would happily admit that some of it is teh shite. Quite likely the "About me" bit at the end. Having said that, I'm still at uni, this was to try and get summer work from IT firms. 3 of them said no space, one said "we wish we could but only small" and two of them had gone of out business by the time I mailed them.

My main worry is that the writing style is crap. I don't know. I know that when I write it it sounds fine, and when I read it a few weeks later is is somewhat less good. I don't know how to get around that though.
I particular hate this piece of bullshit:

Although not computer related, this job built on my interpersonal skills and customer relations. I was sometimes given organisational responsibility over other members of staff. Customer relations involved handling of personal complaints and serving customers.

But what else do I write when I've got one job stopping Twister falling off the top shelf and assembling the Daily Mail...?

 

[Scouse]

CV TIPS FOR MONKEY'S

• You don't need to put CV or Curriculum Vitae at the top of your CV - it's pretty fucking obvious what it is
  
• Put your EXPERIENCE FIRST unless you're straight out of school
  
• Put your MOST RECENT JOB FIRST
  
• If you've got good experience PLEASE don't list all your GCSE's/A-Levels with their grade down the page. Just list a line of subjects you passed
  
• Don't bother with hobbies etc unless you think they're a massive boost for the particular job you're applying for
  
• If it's a job you *really* want - don't lie. If you look like a liar they'll never employ you
  
• If you have ANY spelling mistakes or bad grammar in your CV then you're asking for it to be binned
  
• Keep it short and concise. Mine is currently 3 pages and it's the absolute maximum as far as I'm concerned. Two's probably best for someone with good experience, one if you're starting out
  
• Don't try to jazz it up with colour or graphics. You'll look gh3y

 

[wolfeeh]

mmm

experience is everything to be honest... as has previously been said, if you don't have experience of work, embellish personal stuff to make it sound like experience... e.g. football team captain etc... keep it concise... less is more...

nothing above a size 10 font for body text, 12 for headings... ALL in one colour, all one font... you may use bold and italics where appropriate... cull any grades less than a D, if you have enough grades cull D's as well...

if you've done any form of higher education, e.g. HND, degree, embellish the organisational skills necessary in this (this is if you did well, clearly if you did badly you have no organisational skills)

only emphasise communications skills if you've actually worked in customer service or something... otherwise don't bother...

spelling and grammar are EVERYTHING...

places like halifax, lot of banks, etc are more interested in your skills, not your qualifications, so make sure you emphasise them...

 

[Mr.Monkey]

Originally posted by Scouse
CV TIPS FOR MONKEY'S
You'll look gh3y

Thanks.

 

[nylex23]

Originally posted by Scouse
If you have ANY spelling mistakes or bad grammar in your CV then you're asking for it to be binned

You say that and have a mistake at the top of your post?

 

[nath]

Originally posted by Xtro
/edit: I forgot the most important thing - a year's actual work in the job area > 20 billion qualfications and no experience.

Super. In 3 days I will have finished my years industrial placement, then I go back to uni to finish my degree.

Do you get many applications from students who did a sandwich course?

 

[Scouse]

Originally posted by nylex23
You say that and have a mistake at the top of your post?

In case you hadn't noticed - that post wasn't my fucking CV.