I am currenlty in the process of getting my cv up together an updated... But i'm being told that i should put this and i should have put this there etc...

Just wondered if anyone could give me some advice on how to lay out a cv... as in the past i have been told that my cv is of a great standard?

All help will be greatly received :)

Many thanks

42 people have looked at this thread... and no one wants to give any friendly advice?

Hiya, are you a student? You may seek for help from the Career Services Ctr (just near to the Hick Bldg). I am going to ask for help too... Good luck

Stick up your CV so we can all see it :P

it's very difficult to give general advice, as different industries expect different things in a cv.

personally, i try to highlight relevant technical experience, including particular tools and even versions of tools, I try to keep my cv on no more than 2 pages, I no longer emphasise my earlier educational qualifications as they don't matter very much.
I also tailor my cv for any given job when applying, fleshing out the parts that i think are more relevant for each position.

Speaking as someone who has waded through hundreds of CVs in the past. As long as there is no spelling mistakes or lots of " 's " on the end of words which shouldn't have them, you shouldn't have much trouble.

All positions we have advertised, always attract hundreds of appalling CVs from long term unemployed people in job club who don't want the position or who are totally unsuitable. Everyone who had a chance, we saw at interview.

If you are being offered interviews then you will be heading in the right direction.

It's worth remembering that most employers haven't had the benefit of the advice which all your advisers have, who are giving you conflicting tips. They just want a neat CV which is easy to read and not too flash, with no obvious mistakes and a ledgeable covering letter in handwriting. They are just people doing a job, don't think bad of them if they don't pick you.

They are going to see,
for instance :-
horrible scrawly sideways illegible writing on lined paper torn off from a ring bound pad that smells of tobacco smoke despite claiming to be non smoking.

I re-arrange mine according to what parts I want to have the most visual impact for the particular job I'm applying for.

If it's a job agency 'offering advice', change it to suit their format so they can easily extract relevant info without having to look too hard. If it's a friend, thank them for their help and tactfully do nothing.

If you know anybody who conducts interviews, ask them to read your job ad, then check your CV to see it matches up well and that the most relevant points leap out of the page at the reader

Hiya
Keep it to two sheets if at all possible
Staple it - don't copy double sided
Use good quality paper
Use a traditional font
Put things you want to highlight in the centre of the page
Depending on the job you may want a functional cv which highlights achievements (ie reduced costs by 25% through streamlining purchasing) rather than Purchasing clerk which doesnt give too much away
Make a generic cv but make sure if you are faced with a person specification that you meet all (or as many as possible) of their criteria (ie if they ask for a driving licence and access to car make sure you say this in the cv or on your covering letter)

Its about making it easy for the recruiting manager - if you are explicit and make sure that they can put ticks in boxes its so much the better!

If you want any specific advice pm me

Lots of sites and tips to explore from google :

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=cv&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Nomme

Thank you so much for all your help an advice... It will all be taken on board

Thanx again :)

ps I knew about the 2 page thing but i'm sure i heard somewhere that its now down to one? :?

As people have already said, you need to make it clear, simple and easy to read. Always get someone to proof read it for you to check for any grammatical & spelling errors.

If you have a lot of information it is better to put it on two pages rather than use a small font and squeeze it onto one page.

The usual format goes along the lines of:

Personal details (name, address, telephone, e-mail)
Qualifications and/or training (start with the earliest and work forwards)
Work History (start with latest and work back)

I personally don't like to see hobbies/interests on a cv unless they are of particular relevance to the job.

Happy to look through one and offer feedback if you want it.

If you go onto reed.co.uk they have a CV builder you could maybe use. Just copy and paste from your existing CV to save you typing everything

pm me with your email address and i will send you a Cv template and a "joe bloggs" version so you can see the type of info that goes on them. I used to produce Cv's and help people find employment (and helped employers recruit) so at least i know that the layout is simple and the type of things employers are looking for. Some very good advise on here as well particulaly about tailoring the cv to fit the job, ensure any competencies on the vacancy advert met or point out that you are willing to train.

I don't know who you are or what kind of work you're looking for, but I thought I'd share my advice with everyone cos I've had three interviews in recent months for 'dream jobs' that most people wouldn't even dare to apply for.
If you're looking for work in the media or music industry, don't feel like you have to put voluntary or unpaid work in a different section. It doesn't matter whether you've been paid or not, it's the experience that counts.
Under 'employment', I put student radio station and local paper work experience and people now assume I must be a really experienced media mogul.
So my advice is: don't sell yourself short and big up your acheivements. As long as you tell the truth, of course.
Good luck.

Thank you to all... for your help and advice...

My cv is now complete an looks ace... :)

Thank you to one person... (who shall remain nameless) :thumbsup: