First time C.V (help needed)

Irishpimpdude

Hey people so i left school after the junior cert, yes i know a big huge mistake... i have applied for a course which i did not get, so i have decided to try and get a job. I have never writen a cv before and need some help... im actually loosing hope as to how hard it is going to be to get a job as i have no work experiance and no leaving cert.

Help much appriciated

iremex

a good CV opens many a door. if you know someone in HR, they might be able to help you construct one.
give all details of jobs you have worked with. long winded explainations are not needed but bullet points that the interviewer can ask you to explain in more detail.
i.e. Sales Role, generated 100k in two months, twice my target figure..

i dont know if this helps you but hopefully its a start

best of luck

Millionaire

if you google on how to write a resume or CV.. you will find tons of resources.

Can you not speak to FAS...can they not help you or advise you? www.fas.ie

You need to grab a job, and stick in it for at least a year or 2, and get a proven track record.

If you do not have the leaving cert, all you will have to show (for now until you make a better break for yourself), is your track record of being a dedicated, hardworking, loyal employee, and that you stayed in a job for a decent period of time.

Empolyers really hate it, when people like 3 different jobs in a year, so they think you will leave them within a few months too, and waste their time.

So get in somewhere and stick there until you got a proven track record.

CiaranC

Go down to your local FAS office and make an appointment. Those guys are excellent.

envelope

Definitley i agree, Fas will help you out, better off getting a training course under your belt especially before you start earning money as then you wont want to do without the money and will find it hard to start a course. Most FAS courses have work experience built in at the end as well. Best of luck.

Dave!

Yeah, head to FÁS.

If you're not going to head down the apprenticeship route, then it might be wise to think about going back to do your Leaving Cert.

Irishpimpdude

I did go down to the fas office several months ago and applied for a course, as far as i was aware there was no waiting list and the course wasnt full... only to be told a few days before the course started that i didnt get in... ( i wasnt a happy camper ) i have attached my cv to this post if anyone can make even the slightest changes to help me get me first job i would be very happy.

Thanks,

Darrell

nesf

I'd echo the above, if you are not going down the apprenticeship route go back and get your Leaving. Even if you are planning on an apprenticeship I'd say go back and finish it.

This is of course just my own opinion but with the way this country is going education-wise not having your LC might make life quite difficult in the future. Plus you're young yet.

Dave!

Irishpimpdude wrote:

I did go down to the fas office several months ago and applied for a course, as far as i was aware there was no waiting list and the course wasnt full... only to be told a few days before the course started that i didnt get in... ( i wasnt a happy camper ) i have attached my cv to this post if anyone can make even the slightest changes to help me get me first job i would be very happy.

Thanks,

Darrell

Your cover letter, I would change to something like this....

I am an X year old male living in Y.

I am currently looking for work on a full-time basis.

I would consider any jobs that might be available in your company, and can begin work immediately.

Enclosed is a copy of my C.V.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Maybe someone else would be able to get some more details in there, I can't think of anything else. You're on the right track, but don't say "I am currently unemployed". It paints a bleaker picture of you than you would like.

And the CV...

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: ..........
Date of birth: 25-08-1990
Telephone: 01-*******
Mobile no: 085-*******

Education:

1994-2002: PRIMARY







2002- 2004: secondary


2004-2005:

Achievements: Junior Certificate


Subject Grade Level
Maths A Foundation
C.S.P.E A Common
Irish B Foundation
English B Ordinary
Art C Ordinary
History B Ordinary
Geography B Ordinary


Did you do anything else in school that might be considered an achievement? Merit award? Play any sports? If you were on a team then say something like “I won medals for my participation in the school football team, including league and cup honours.” Anything you can pretend is an achievement, lash it in there. I wouldn’t embellish too much if something is totally untrue, because you haven’t got any previous experience, so the school will have to be your main reference, and the employer does’t have a lot to ask the principal or whatever, so they might ask about your participation in the school equestrian club, and your referrer might f*ck it up for you.



Hobbies and interests: I have several hobbies which include building/repairing computers, listening and keeping up to date with all the latest music, I also keep up
to date with all the latest movies and games.

Try something like:

I am an avid music fan, and have recently began teaching myself guitar. I hope to begin lessons in the future. I attend concerts regularly and am enthusiastic about keeping up to date with the current bands. I have a keen interest in electronics and have taught myself [I assume you did] how to build and repairs computers. I watch football games on a regular basis and play 5-a-side matches with friends. I enjoy reading regularly, and also maintain an interest in films.


At the moment it’s still very empty, so I think you should stick in a Skills section. Mine is based on my previous jobs at the moment, but because you don’t have any yet, you’ll have to refer to skills that you have developed in school or in your own time.
Eg.
Computers – I have extensive computer experience. I am proficient in the use of program packages such as Microsoft Office. I am a competent typist and can type at 23592345 words per second (that’s pretty impressive!). I am comfortable navigating on the internet and using email.

Electronics – Might wanna give this its own section, since you’re trying to spread it out.
I have taught myself basic electronics from books as well as the internet. I have built working circuits, and have experience in building as well as repairing computers.

I think 3 will be enough for you, so pick another and embellish it, since they can't really check if you actually play an instrument or not, once you have a bit of information about it.

Maybe pick something like Teamwork or Communication if you can think of examples.

The aim is to have it no more than 2 pages, and that shouldn't be a problem for you. But having it 1 page might make it look a bit flimsy, and likewise barely getting over 1 page looks a bit sh*t. So if you're able to stretch it out without making it too obvious, then try fit it to 2 pages exactly.

Also neaten it up alot. I have a black border around my CV and it makes it look savage! lol. Most people's I've seen don't have that, so I think it's a good idea since it neatens it up immensely, and it's different, which would be a good thing for yourself.

And finally once you've got it perfect, and you give it out to a load of places, then print yourself out a copy, and then go through it with a pen and mark what you think they'd ask you about.

eg. They won't be asking "So you're 16, eh? Good age?" but if they see you play an instrument they might ask about that, so have a spiel ready on each point of interest. The electronics would be another interesting one.

Good luck to you mate!

BTW I don't work in HR or anything, so this is all just my opinion and my limited experience