Need help with CV

Stoolbend

I've recently been made unemployed. The garage I worked for closed so I need to write a CV. I left school in 5th year without a leaving cert (obviously) and went straight into the garage to do an appreticeship. I already worked there part time and didn't need a cv or job interview.

Now nearly 10 years later in a non franchise garage, no manufacturers training, all I really have for a cv is 4 years apprenticeship followed by almost 6 years experience.

So basically I could do with a few pointers,
-Should I still put down secondary education?
-Part time jobs before the garage, at least 11 years ago?
-Is one page enough? I think I'd really be struggling to get a full page.
-Is one reference enough?

Any input would really be appreciated.

Harpic

I was in the same boat as yourself.I hadnt done a CV for years and being unemployed,had to do one up .
I stuggled with it and still wasnt happy;it looked as if it was missing something.
Anyways,I decided to pay to have it done professionally and it looks great and am really happy with.It gives me more confidence in looking for a job.

Just a thought for ya

Hellser

Hi,
First I'm a newcomer to Boards - so you should know that you're my first posting!

Don't under estimate your abilities. With all your experience you would be surprised what you will get down on paper. I've helped a number of people like yourself with amazing results. Its extremely hard to blow your own trumpet, but start stripping down what you do in a typical week and you'll be surprised what you can achieve. I would imagine that your responsibility and technical ability has changed over the last 10 years so that should stand to you.

With regard to the length - quality and not quantity.
Most CV's, even those without a list of professional qualifications can easily run into a second page (without the unnecessary spoof).
Can you obtain references?

It would be worthwhile taking a look at jobs adverts in the trade and see if you can pick up some of the general requirements and language that might prompt you.

Hope it helps a little & good luck.

Sleepy

I know nothing about garages but I know a bit about CV's so while the format of this might be worthwhile, disregard the contents where I'm way off mark and focus it on demonstrating your knowledge of running a garage

Put down the school you attended, always worth having as the guy hiring may have gone to the same school and that can sometimes be enough to get you an interview. Just something like this would be fine:

EDUCATION:

FÁS (1999 - 2003)
[Your mechanic qualification]
Any relevant details

St. Wherevers CBS (1994 - 1998)
Junior Certificate
6 Honours

I'd leave out the details of the previous jobs and go into detail on the 10 years with the garage - highlight areas did you specialise in, what did you do to add to the business e.g.:

Murphy's Garage (1999 - 2009)
Senior Mechanic

* Performed routine services on a wide range of vehicles... [give details of some models you know are regarded as difficult to work on / if you did buses/vans etc. as well as cars]
* Specialised in brake work
* Promoted the business by initiating a direct leafleting campaign in the local area
* Reduced costs by sourcing spurious parts for clients / moving the company onto a different phone/electricity/parts provider
* Assisted with invoicing and ordering of parts (note any computer use involved in this)
* Provided training to new apprentices after gaining my own.

One page is plenty for most jobs, in general a CV that is too long will do you more damage than one that's too short.

Don't be afraid to spin the fact you weren't working on a single manufacturer's cars to your advantage. You may not have gotten the training but you've a broader range of experience to guys workign on only VAG or Ford cars. That should have taught you to figure your own way around an engine better than guys who knew the a given thing would always be in a set place etc.

Good luck with the job hunt and be grateful you're in an industry where you should be able to pick up a few nixers if you're out of work for a while!

Oh, and if you've only one reference (i.e. your old boss), there's no harm in asking one of the other mechanics you worked with (preferably someone more senior) or an instructor from your FÁS training to be a referee for you.