CV

[Stephen Coates]

ALWAYS put at least two references on there, make it as easy as possible for the reader. Any excuse can be used to disregard a CV, and the 'effort' of having to request references from you may well be enough for them to pick another CV out of the pile, particularly if they have a big pile of them.

Interesting. I have been advised in the past to not put references on a CV, but I can see why it would make things easier for the employer.

Have you considered the covering letter? You MUST ALWAYS do a covering letter if this is for a serious career job.

Not yet, as this would have to be unique to the job being applied for. I am really just trying to get the CV looking/reading good at the moment as I needed one to give to the signing on job centre this morning. As it is computer based it can easily be modified for certain jobs.

If you are submitting electronically, consider doing it by PDF as well as .doc, just in case formatting goes awry (it often does with word).

Very true. One of the reasons I am very reluctant to either accept or send any communication via the internet with people who may not know what they are doing. Although having said that, I asked for some feedback on some work from my old college teacher, who is very good at using Microsoft Office, and it arrived as a 'DOCX'. Fortunately OOo rendered it fine. I noticed a big increase in the amount of DOCX and similar files, as well as an increase in the use of Calibri since college changed to Office 2007 .

'Grade: Distinction Distinction' is that a typo or are you referring to two asssessed components? it doesn't scan too well.

Nope, that is the grade I got. On a National Certificate you get two grades which will be a combination of passes, merits and/or distinctions. DD is the highest possible .

Other things are maybe you should consider spicing up your language a bit more, as some of it sounds a little too passive. Instead of, for example, 'Kept the sales floor tidy. Assisted with customer's enquiries' you could try a something a little more dynamic.... let me think.... 'Responded to customer queries, assisted fellow staff and learned how to resolve problems encountered in a retail environment, as well as maintaining the quality appearance of the shopfloor'

Has someone been training you on how to write CVs?
I'm not sure if there is a name that anyone else uses, but I'd say that your idea just borders on what I tend to describe as 'CV crap'.

It would probably be OK to say something like that if I was there longer, but I was only there for three days, and all I genuinly did was tidy the stock, and tell customers where the downstairs escalator is. Why they don't put a sign up, I don't know. When I was a customer there for the first time a few years ago, I couldn't find it and almost had to walk down the upstairs escalator.

Hmm, it was quite a long time since I disected someone's post like this.

[J T]

Interesting. I have been advised in the past to not put references on a CV, but I can see why it would make things easier for the employer.

I'll be frank, I'd bin a CV that didn't have any references already detailed on it.

Not yet, as this would have to be unique to the job being applied for.

Absolutely right, the covering letter is a real chance to flesh out the parts of the CV that make you shine (if you have any).

I am really just trying to get the CV looking/reading good at the moment as I needed one to give to the signing on job centre this morning.

Oh. Maybe I shan't bother to continue, if it isn't for a 'reason'.... But I know you can do better.

Nope, that is the grade I got. On a National Certificate you get two grades which will be a combination of passes, merits and/or distinctions. DD is the highest possible .

I'm not familiar with those qualifications, so I've not heard that before, and I'm 29 so not that old, possibly it needs re-inforcing as someone older than I might be even less aware that this is a real high point of your CV (well done BTW) and you should really emphasise that this is a very good thing you have achieved.

Has someone been training you on how to write CVs?
I'm not sure if there is a name that anyone else uses, but I'd say that your idea just borders on what I tend to describe as 'CV crap'.

It would probably be OK to say something like that if I was there longer, but I was only there for three days, and all I genuinly did was tidy the stock, and tell customers where the downstairs escalator is. Why they don't put a sign up, I don't know. When I was a customer there for the first time a few years ago, I couldn't find it and almost had to walk down the upstairs escalator.

I had to do mine not so long ago, and someone at work (a section director with almost a whole alphabet after his name) helped me re-write it and he pushed me to also overcome my reluctance to be more forthcoming in my CV.

While what I put in there is definitely on the ****y side of CV lingo (and it was lashed with hyperbole so meant to be taken with a pinch of humour) you are right to steer away from trying to be too flashy... But remember, bosses -especially in retail- are often absolute tosspieces and really buy into that ad-speak style crap.

Regardless, My point still stands though that the language you used in those job descriptions may be accurate; but it comes across as complete disinterest in those jobs. Everyone knows that temp-retail jobs are shite, but you can't let on in a CV! Be more positive!

You have to use a CV to sell yourself, make them want to interview you. Try not to give them any reason to file your application under 'B'

Hmm, it was quite a long time since I disected someone's post like this.

If by that you mean thank you, then you're welcome.

[Buleste]

Don't forget Font is important. If you can try to get Helvetica. It's classy and simple and really improves the looks of any document as it's font perfection. (If oyu can't get hold of it let me know and I'll create a rar for you.)

[Harrison]

Very true. Fonts are very important. Only ever use one font in the CV. Never user underlining if you can, it is not needed for titles, instead just use bold text and change the font size of importance of titles. Underlining should only ever be used to enforce a point, and in a CV the whole document is an attempt to do this, so it isn't needed.

A San-Serif font such as Helvetica, Tohoma or Futura are good. They make it much easier to read than Serif fonts like Times, and if sending a CV as a printed document, many employers look to OCR scan then in for future reference, and San-Serif make OCR recognition a lot easier.

Also avoid colour. You do not need coloured text within a CV. The only colour that you may use will be in the paper you pick. And this is another good point. Don't just print your CV onto standard photocopy paper/printer paper. It looks horrible and like no care has been taken. Go to a paper shop (The Paper Shop, or the Paper Mill Shop are 2 I know of country wide) and look though their extensive selection. The texture and type of paper you present your CV on can make a big difference, and can make it stand out a long way on its arrival at the employer. But I'm not suggesting coloured paper. I'm instead talking about textured or off white paper. Something that will feel higher quality when handled, and give focus in a pile of white generic CVs.

[Stephen Coates]

I print it onto 100gsm 'inkjet' paper. Looks much better than copier paper.

Any reason to choose Helvetica over Arial? I know they are different, but I tend to find that at first glance, they tend to look the same.

[Harrison]

Helvetica is slightly thinner and looks a little more published, whereas Ariel normally works better on the screen.

[Buleste]

Also Ariel is one of the most commonly used fonts with office but as Helvetica is a font you are supposed to pay for it is used a lot in professional documents.

Download the attachment and change your CV to one of the fonts and compare it to your old one. It's a minor tweak that may require some reformatting to get the CV looking spot on but it does make a real difference. Especially when you think that most of the CV's in a pile will be using Ariel so yours will stand out and look special. (plus it was always the font of choice on the Amiga for me )