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Advice on CV Layout?

  • 25-01-2011 10:47pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349
    ✭✭✭✭


    Hi, I’d like some advice on my CV layout. I have changed, tailored and updated it on a regular basis. It’s two and half pages long. I am just wondering if it’s affecting my chances of a job despite work experience and qualifications. I’ve had loads of advice from family and professional job coaches and career guidance councillors and haven’t helped me much. I have a very detailed cover letter, which I cater for the jobs I apply for. So here it goes, I’ll explain and detail my layout, constructive criticism would be much appreciated.
    Thanks in advance

    Personal Details:
    Includes my name, address, date of birth, email address, home and mobile number, my LinkedIn profile link. Recently added drivers licence – Learners Permit and current location and that I am currently seeking work and open to opportunities.

    Education:
    Includes primary and secondary school, colleges and universities the dates I attended but left out playschool. I have it listed in order of most recent.

    Qualifications:
    Dates, title, qualification awarded and result. Included whether it was 2nd class honours but took out Achieved 2:1. Listed in order of most recent.
    I’ve leaving cert date completed and added that I’ve so many honours and ordinary level and achieved so many points and left out the subjects and grades – was that the right thing to do or should I just state Leaving Certificate 200*

    Achievements:
    ECDL, sport and college societies.

    Work-Experience:
    I have added in my most recent and ones from college and excluded some of those from secondary school, which may not be relevant anymore. Explained duties in detail. Included name and address place of work, job title and dates that I worked.

    Hobbies/Interests:
    Reading books, cinema, walking, GAA, trampoline, interest in computing, painting and photography.

    Skills:
    Includes all the software packages I am proficient in, communication, team leadership skills, IT/programming skills, customer service skills and technical support skills.

    Projects:
    Explaining my projects and assignments completed. Only have a small paragraph.

    Computer Languages:
    Mentioned all computer languages I have learnt.

    Training/Up-skill:

    Explaining I have completed postgraduate study in a higher diploma in computing, goal to complete a professional cert and a Masters in relation to computing.
    Referees:
    Used to have details but have changed it to available on request. I had signed and date at the end but have left that out in my most up to date cv.

    So what’s the verdict what could I do to improve or dumb down my cv?
    Regarding my cover letter I explain my cv and my work experience, qualities and qualifications and skills in more detail explaining I am interested in work and availability and any requirements I may need. So what am I to do, get help from another professional dealing with people who wish to return to work and help with cv’s or what like?!


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,663 wench
    ✭✭✭


    It sounds like there is too much detail in a few areas. Some possible cuts suggested below
    Personal Details:
    Includes my name, address, date of birth, email address, home and mobile number, my LinkedIn profile link. Recently added drivers licence – Learners Permit and current location and that I am currently seeking work and open to opportunities.

    Education:
    Includes primary and secondary school, colleges and universities the dates I attended but left out playschool. I have it listed in order of most recent.

    Qualifications:
    Dates, title, qualification awarded and result. Included whether it was 2nd class honours but took out Achieved 2:1. Listed in order of most recent.
    I’ve leaving cert date completed and added that I’ve so many honours and ordinary level and achieved so many points and left out the subjects and grades – was that the right thing to do or should I just state Leaving Certificate 200*

    Achievements:
    ECDL, sport and college societies.

    Work-Experience:
    I have added in my most recent and ones from college and excluded some of those from secondary school, which may not be relevant anymore. Explained duties in detail - maybe change this to focus on skills aquired. Included name and address place of work, job title and dates that I worked.

    Hobbies/Interests:
    Reading books, cinema, walking, GAA, trampoline, interest in computing if you've done a post-grad in computing, its not still a hobby, painting and photography.

    Skills:
    Includes all the software packages I am proficient in, communication, team leadership skills, IT/programming skills, customer service skills and technical support skills.Many of these skills could be better covered in your work experience section

    Projects:
    Explaining my projects and assignments completed. Only have a small paragraph.

    Computer Languages:
    Mentioned all computer languages I have learnt. Could be grouped with your software skills above. I would avoid listing every language & package you've ever used, just give the highlights.

    Training/Up-skill:

    Explaining I have completed postgraduate study in a higher diploma in computing, goal to complete a professional cert and a Masters in relation to computing.
    Referees:
    Used to have details but have changed it to available on request. I had signed and date at the end but have left that out in my most up to date cv.

    So what’s the verdict what could I do to improve or dumb down my cv?
    Regarding my cover letter I explain my cv and my work experience - this shouldn't need explaining in your letter other than to perhaps highlight any particularly relevant section, qualities and qualifications and skills in more detail explaining I am interested in work and availability and any requirements I may need. So what am I to do, get help from another professional dealing with people who wish to return to work and help with cv’s or what like?!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 egennery


    Bottom line - if your cv is not getting you interviews for jobs for which you are qualified, it needs reworking.

    I believe in tailoring specifically for each job and I like a summary up front.

    I am ano "career coach" but if you want to send me your cv and a job for which you wish to apply, I will review and give you feedback.
    Elaine


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 starlit
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    egennery wrote: »
    Bottom line - if your cv is not getting you interviews for jobs for which you are qualified, it needs reworking.

    I believe in tailoring specifically for each job and I like a summary up front.

    I am ano "career coach" but if you want to send me your cv and a job for which you wish to apply, I will review and give you feedback.
    Elaine

    I tend to tailor the cover letter to suit the job application but find many of the jobs I am applying for are similar and are in the same sector and tend not to tailor the cv for the job as much depending whether its an IT or business job then I would adjust the cv to suit the job application. Thanks, I'll PM you my CV and see what you think but won't be adding in any personal details if that's ok!? Thanks a million.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,743 MrMatisse
    ✭✭✭


    Would second removing primary school details


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,772 woolymammoth
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    I have a very detailed cover letter, which I cater for the jobs I apply for.
    how about, you leave the detail to your curriculum vitae, and more (but not lots) of the wishy-washy done this, doing that goals and achievements stuff on your covering letter.

    What i mean is, you're doing it wrong. :cool: FYI, my advice doesn't mean sh!t to some people, but it hasn't failed me yet. others will always disagree, that's just part of the fun! :p

    Your letter should be a gentle introduction of yourself. Your CV should be able to explain itself, by clearly and consicely outling your educational and professional achievements to date, not your aspirations for the future. You certainly don't need to include every single detail of your life, such as your b'day, or that you like to have the girls flap around on the tramampoline! But you may need more focus and attention on things you've accomplished in the jobs you have done. Do not dumb anything down.

    the forum is full of looooooooong discussions on CVs.. dos, don'ts.. etc., and i know you think asking the question yourself may get you your own personalised, individual answer, but it won't. The advice on CVs here is repeatedly regurgitated! Lay it out this way, write it that way, add this kind of thing, remove that.. So no matter what thread you read, it's relevant to you. Please don't let that discourage you from coming back to ask questions, just read a couple of threads and come back with an informed opinion/question.

    hope that helps.. You seem nice and like you've put a good bit of effort into this already, but you'll only get real constructive criticism if we can see exactly what you wrote and how you wrote it. pm if you like. personal details entirely optional ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 maglite
    ✭✭✭


    Personal Details:
    Includes my name, address, date of birth, email address, home and mobile number, my LinkedIn profile link. Recently added drivers licence – Learners Permit and current location and that I am currently seeking work and open to opportunities.

    Education:
    Includes primary and secondary school, colleges and universities the dates I attended but left out playschool. I have it listed in order of most recent.

    Qualifications:
    Dates, title, qualification awarded and result. Included whether it was 2nd class honours but took out Achieved 2:12.1 woudl be better. Listed in order of most recent.
    I’ve leaving cert date completed and added that I’ve so many honours and ordinary level and achieved so many points and left out the subjects and grades – was that the right thing to do or should I just state Leaving Certificate 200*

    Achievements:
    ECDL, sport and college societies. If you can program ECDL is not an achievement,

    Work-Experience:
    I have added in my most recent and ones from college and excluded some of those from secondary school, which may not be relevant anymore. Explained duties in detail. Included name and address place of work, job title and dates that I worked.

    Hobbies/Interests:
    Reading books, cinema, walking, GAA, trampoline, interest in computing, painting and photography.What makes Computing a hobby, can you explain that in an interview and make it would interesting?

    Skills:
    Includes all the software packages I am proficient in, communication, team leadership skills, IT/programming skills, customer service skills and technical support skills.

    Projects:
    Explaining my projects and assignments completed. Only have a small paragraph.

    Computer Languages:
    Mentioned all computer languages I have learnt.

    Training/Up-skill:

    Explaining I have completed postgraduate study in a higher diploma in computing, goal to complete a professional cert and a Masters in relation to computing. Hetac Levels maybe...... Would the masters/Cert be an obstacle to work or will the type of companies your applying to support it
    Referees:
    Used to have details but have changed it to available on request. I had signed and date at the end but have left that out in my most up to date cv.

    Keep the cover letter short and make them want to open the CV. Also Font shoudl not be Times New Roman, and at least size 10/11


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 starlit
    ✭✭✭✭


    Hi guys, Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I'm really grateful thanks. I will take everything into consideration and your advice has opened my eyes. I can understand now that I need to make the necessary changes and approach my CV layout differently and to exclude and include a few things here and there. It gave me a spring in my step knowing that its just a matter of making a couple of tweaks with my cv and hope I be able to sell myself better.

    Just wondering if I should include my learners permit in my cv at all i.e in achievements section? Say I might exclude linkedin profile link. Would it be worth just putting down third level education only then? What kind of hetac course as in another cert or degree course maybe Maglite? Would I bother putting in goals/objectives at all or would that suit the cover letter more?
    Would taking out the college projects section and putting them in my cover letter be better? Ya I'll tone down the hobbies and interests section maybe add in that I like to do puzzles and sudoko?

    Will do a review of CV again, make a few adjustments and see what ye think then.

    Any other recommendations to improve my CV would be much appreciated.

    Thanks again
    Snuggs


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 egennery


    I still think you are missing a key fundamental. You are still concerned re what you should put in cv or leave out about 'you '- you need to instead consider what you should put in cv or leave out based on the particular job requirements - which you should have fully researched before submitting. Be brutal. wear the employers hat and you will see just how attractive or boring your cv is..

    Elaine


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 starlit
    ✭✭✭✭


    maglite wrote: »
    Keep the cover letter short and make them want to open the CV. Also Font shoudl not be Times New Roman, and at least size 10/11

    Ya I have it as Ariel Narrow. I have a tendancy to have it at different font sizes depending on the section of the CV its referred to such as heading and main text.

    I wouldn't see completing a Computing Masters or a Professional cert like compita+/Microsoft cert/Apple MAC cert etc that would be an obstacle when it comes to work. I wouldn't mind doing a computing masters part time or at night if that were feasible on the other hand I'd do it full time and take a year out working. Well a professional cert I coud do that any time depending on a job if its a major requirement that I'd have a deadline to get certified then I would otherwise I'd take my time completing the cert and get it completed in the coming year. It wouldn't be a big deal to study for the cert while working either. I probably self learn and just do the exam when ever I could rather than do a course and go to classes.

    I intend to do some kind of back to work course in the near future before contemplating going back to college. I'd rather work on getting the work experience as I feel I need to be a bit more mature and worked in industry a little longer to do a masters. Its not the right time in terms of the job market, IT changes so much over a short space of time new courses be coming out by the time I be doing a Masters when ever that will be, I'm in no rush to do it.

    In terms of a hetac course you mean a higher cert, diploma course or another degree course? You wouldn't think a fetac course be any benefit to my qualifications?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 starlit
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    egennery wrote: »
    I still think you are missing a key fundamental. You are still concerned re what you should put in cv or leave out about 'you '- you need to instead consider what you should put in cv or leave out based on the particular job requirements - which you should have fully researched before submitting. Be brutal. wear the employers hat and you will see just how attractive or boring your cv is..

    Elaine

    So you mean to tailor the cv for the job requirements? For example I just mention IT related items for an IT job, just mention multimedia items for a multimedia type of job, and so on for a shop/business/office administrator job (I'd inculde business related items and exclude IT and multimedia related items). But is the work experience not relevant to most jobs though? Like exclude working in a shop as part of work experience when applying for an IT job but include working in a shop as part of work experience when applying for a business related job? Is the employer not looking for employees not just with the qualifications and skills to match the job requirements but do their qualities not matter like people and soft skills?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,772 woolymammoth
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    just mention IT related items for an IT job, just mention multimedia items for a multimedia type of job, and so on for a shop/business/office administrator job
    no, you just need to focus on and emphasise IT for IT, multimedia for multimedia, etc., you should still include anything and everything else that's relevant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 712 Devia
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    Keep it simple is what I always say. All employers will look for is relevant qualifications, experience and skills. Honestly, I doubt they'll want to know about your hobbies, interests and any achievements or qualifications that are irrelevant to the job. If its not going to help you get an interview then you're almost better off leaving it out.


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