Questions on CV's

ford fiesta

Hi I'm doing up my CV from scratch, I have been working in IT for 3 years and I have had no need to send it on or apply for jobs. I'm thinking now of getting one ready just in case I need to apply somewhere. Yeah I know I should always have a current CV ready but thats just me..

Just a few questions (that I haven't found in the CV stickys)

I graduated from college a few years ago...

Do you really need to list the subjects you have studied in college year-by-year and do you mention jobs that you have worked in at weekends summer etc or is that a bit juvenille?

Also whats the story if you dont want your current employer/manager being contacted for references or are they contacted after you accept the job? Do you say "References available on request" to state that you dont want them contacted yet?

I would like some help here..Its been a while. Thanks!!

seamus

Purely my own opinion.....

Originally posted by ford fiesta
I graduated from college a few years ago...

Do you really need to list the subjects you have studied in college year-by-year and do you mention jobs that you have worked in at weekends summer etc or is that a bit juvenille?

List each of your qualifications, so if you did a cert then diploma, etc, list each of them, most recent first. Include the institution you did it in, the years you were there, and the result you obtained (if it was a decent one). The last one on the list will usually be your leaving cert - just say how many honours, how many passes, don't bother with a subject list or the amount of points you got.
As for work experience, I would think you really only need anything that's relevant or that will stand good to you. Your weekend job in the local statoil is really only useful as a space filler. If you're struggling to find relevant jobs, try put in the best 3/4. Always put your most recent work experience first.

Also whats the story if you dont want your current employer/manager being contacted for references or are they contacted after you accept the job? Do you say "References available on request" to state that you dont want them contacted yet?

I always have "References available on request". Firstly, listing off names and addresses takes up valuable real estate, but you may also never know what the person reading your CV thinks of your referees. It's a variable that you don't need to include, but could influence your chances. I've never heard of anywhere that asks for references until they offer you the job.

Never let the CV go over two pages.
My current formula is to list off personal details, Key skills, qualifications, and then launch into work experience. If you get most of that on the first page, you can grab their attention, then you can put stuffing in the second page. Including things like hobbies or irrelevant awards ("Awarded gold medal for lifesaving") on the first page doesn't do any good when there's a guy looking to trim the fat from the big pile of CVs in front of him.

All my 2c.

ford fiesta

Thanks Seamus. I did the Cert, Diploma etc...I was thinking these wouldnt be relevant and that you would only mention the degree to save space i.e. - If you got a degree you must have got a cert..etc etc?

seamus

Originally posted by ford fiesta
Thanks Seamus. I did the Cert, Diploma etc...I was thinking these wouldnt be relevant and that you would only mention the degree to save space i.e. - If you got a degree you must have got a cert..etc etc?

Nope. I did a degree direct. To say you got a cert first and kept going can reflect well on you in that you kept with it, and did well in your other qualifications to keep going to degree level.

Kernel32

For the IT world a resume style seems to be just fine, which is basically what Seamus is describing. Get all the good stuff, work experience, skills etc within the first half to three quaters page, chances are most people won't read much beyond that and if you don't grab their attention there then they definitely won't keep reading.

ford fiesta

Originally posted by seamus


I always have "References available on request". Firstly, listing off names and addresses takes up valuable real estate, but you may also never know what the person reading your CV thinks of your referees. It's a variable that you don't need to include, but could influence your chances. I've never heard of anywhere that asks for references until they offer you the job.

There is a job that I'm applying for that "Must name at least 3 referees"...What'll I do, I dont want any of them contacted while I'm still working here?...Or am I being too cautious?

seamus

Is this on an application form or on your CV?

I doubt anywhere would contact referees before they offer you the job. Give them a ring and ask them if they will.

ford fiesta

No, its on the advertisement for the job...yeah I might ring them

Our man in Havana

Use normal caution if you ring them! Don't use your real name:)