CV doesn't quite fit!

breadmonkey

Hi all,

If I try for two pages, things start to get a bit waffly which I definitely don't want. However, I really don't think I can fit everything on one! 1.5 pages just looks and feels wrong. Would I be correct in thinking 1.5 is a cardinal CV sin?

BuffyBot

2 is generally fine I think. If it's waffly, look at bullet points to condense what you're saying and also spacing it differently so it makes a better page fit.

P_1

A slightly larger font and a slighter higher line space sound like that they'd solve your worry.

Having said that if its structured nicely and properly formatted a bit of white space at the end wouldn't do any harm really.

L.Jenkins

Don't feel too bad. Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to condense my education and experience to anything less than 5 pages. With that, I have choice of making the font smaller, which at the end of the day, would look a bit ridiculous.

Creamy Goodness

P_1 wrote: »

A slightly larger font and a slighter higher line space sound like that they'd solve your worry.

NO!

Any CV I read that has > 12pt font and > 1.0 line spacing goes in the bin. They look horrible.

L.Jenkins

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

NO!

Any CV I read that has > 12pt font and > 1.0 line spacing goes in the bin. They look horrible.

Classic case of padding a CV with white space to stretch out ones abilities over more pages. Not a fan of that idea either. Usually keep it simple with a font of 12 or less and Times New Roman.

another question

Have you got MS OFFICE Word? They do fantastic CV templates at correct space, font size, headers, footers and borders. I have been complementated every single time for my CV with most interviewers saying it's the best looking CV they had ever seen and it wouldn't contain much in the line of reems of experience or education, in addition 8 times out of 10 I've been offered the job.

Creamy Goodness

another question wrote: »

Have you got MS OFFICE Word? They do fantastic CV templates at correct space, font size, headers, footers and borders. I have been complementated every single time for my CV with most interviewers saying it's the best looking CV they had ever seen and it wouldn't contain much in the line of reems of experience or education, in addition 8 times out of 10 I've been offered the job.

Again CV's from templates, ugh. Your CV is meant to stand you out from the crowd of sheep, not blend you in.

If they are complimenting you on your CV, it's for your experience and content rather than layout, or that they just haven't read CV's that much at all.

Wishbone Ash

breadmonkey wrote: »

Would I be correct in thinking 1.5 is a cardinal CV sin?

Not for me- I prefer short CV's. Just don't use larger font - it gives the impression you are a child.

(In saying I prefer short CV's, I've seen it taken to extremes lately when I got one which was half of one page!)

Itzy wrote: »

I can't seem to condense my education and experience to anything less than 5 pages

I'm afraid I'd lose the will to live if I had to read that!

Itzy wrote:

With that, I have choice of making the font smaller, which at the end of the day, would look a bit ridiculous

Have you tried changing the font to Arial Narrow? It takes up less space without having to reduce the size.

galwayjohn89

I've received a few CVs and the quality of some are hilarious. Anything over then 2 pages is too much for me. I had one guy who had a first in Computer Science and still included his Junior Cert Results including CSPE?! Mind boggling.

Stheno

Two pages or less, OP I'd not be worried about it being a page and a half long to be honest.

another question

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Again CV's from templates, ugh. Your CV is meant to stand you out from the crowd of sheep, not blend you in.

If they are complimenting you on your CV, it's for your experience and content rather than layout, or that they just haven't read CV's that much at all.

Well that's your opinion. Your idea of a template is obviously back in the dark ages compared to mine. I have seen hundreds of CV's and they are always your typical black on white with CURRICULUM VITAE plonked top middle. Basic paper in an A4 manila envelope, people don't even seem to bother putting them in the CV covers your can get in most stationary shops anymore.

And each time my CV was complimented it was for the effort put into its presentation and how it stood out from the pile. So you may be entitled to your opinion but your wrong with reference to mine.

Creamy Goodness

My CV is my GitHub profile with all the work I do for myself; Here's my blog post where I talk about things that interest me, and here's my presentations/talks that I've done.

I can't remember the last time I actually submitted a 2 page bog standard CV, but I know a rubbish one when I see one.

If that puts me in the dark ages I don't know what the new wave will be

L.Jenkins

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm afraid I'd lose the will to live if I had to read that!

Have you tried changing the font to Arial Narrow? It takes up less space without having to reduce the size.

My problem is now after years of work in a couple of industries that all tie together, most recruiters want more detail regarding my role within each job. I try to keep it as minimalistic as possible, but it just doesn't work out that way sadly. My CV seems to be a blob of bullet points and all of it is relavent to my experience.

I've often provided condensed CVs, but each employer and recruiter wanted an indepth explaination of what I did in each role and skills acquired. So realistically, I just send the larger CV and if they don't want to read it, fair enough, I won't go about twisting anyones arm.

Wishbone Ash

another question wrote: »

people don't even seem to bother putting them in the CV covers your can get in most stationary shops anymore

CV presentation covers are unnecessary and time-consuming for the prospective employer if they intend to make copies for an interview panel.

Stheno

Itzy wrote: »

My problem is now after years of work in a couple of industries that all tie together, most recruiters want more detail regarding my role within each job. I try to keep it as minimalistic as possible, but it just doesn't work out that way sadly. My CV seems to be a blob of bullet points and all of it is relavent to my experience.

I've often provided condensed CVs, but each employer and recruiter wanted an indepth explaination of what I did in each role and skills acquired. So realistically, I just send the larger CV and if they don't want to read it, fair enough, I won't go about twisting anyones arm.

Are you in an academic field? I'm in IT and after fifteen years, I'm still on two pages, I've removed detail from older roles, and just have the title and employer in there. For more recent roles I'll have up to eight bullet points highlighting the main areas.

daniels.ducks

I'm going to apply to a few hotels and pubs for bar work. Any tips about the CV making process. I'm not long finished school and have no real work experience except working on the family farm.

Eoin

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Again CV's from templates, ugh. Your CV is meant to stand you out from the crowd of sheep, not blend you in.

If they are complimenting you on your CV, it's for your experience and content rather than layout, or that they just haven't read CV's that much at all.

Nothing at all wrong with using a nice template. It's a nice change from the wall of Times New Roman text that I often receive.

L.Jenkins

Stheno wrote: »

Are you in an academic field? I'm in IT and after fifteen years, I'm still on two pages, I've removed detail from older roles, and just have the title and employer in there. For more recent roles I'll have up to eight bullet points highlighting the main areas.

I'm in an IT role, but I've been self employed and have worked in Electrical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering roles as well as Management in the past 12 years. Every potential employer and recruiter seems to want a brief description of the work involved in each role every time I apply.

I put all of the above roles on my CV as they are usually related to what I'm applying for and I can leverage the skills required for each to demonstrate my abilities and suitability for the role offered. It may be a bit much to read at times, but more often than not, usually works to my advantage in securing an interview.

bijou

Was just wondering about CV's and the question of "how long or how short"??

How much employment history do you put on a CV??

For example, is it the norm for people to only put say, their last 10 years employment on the CV or a complete employment history that could date back to the ice age .

Just interested in folks thoughts on this.

Wishbone Ash

bijou wrote: »

is it the norm for people to only put say, their last 10 years employment on the CV or a complete employment history that could date back to the ice age

It really depends on the age of the applicant and the nature of the position applied for.

For example, if I'm interviewing a relatively young person for a basic position, I wouldn't expect much employment history - perhaps a few part time jobs etc.

If the person was in full time for 30 years I would expect a history covering most of that period but not part-time employment while at school/college etc..

I would add however that I would be asking questions regarding a person who is in the workforce for a long time but appears to change employment regularly.

Stheno

Itzy wrote: »

I'm in an IT role, but I've been self employed and have worked in Electrical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering roles as well as Management in the past 12 years. Every potential employer and recruiter seems to want a brief description of the work involved in each role every time I apply.

I put all of the above roles on my CV as they are usually related to what I'm applying for and I can leverage the skills required for each to demonstrate my abilities and suitability for the role offered. It may be a bit much to read at times, but more often than not, usually works to my advantage in securing an interview.

Slightly different from me so, I've ten roles over 16 years, and the "old" ones have one or two bullets, the more recent ones have up to ten. That said, apart from contact details, work background and qualifications, I've nothing else on my c.v., and the font is small it's 10pt. It's a royal pain in the backside keeping c.v.s updated with the right mix of info.

If I shunt it up to 12 I'm up to three pages straight away.

Wishbone Ash

Stheno wrote: »

It's a royal pain in the backside keeping c.v.s updated with the right mix of info

I've had to update mine 3 times in 25 years!

P_1

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

NO!

Any CV I read that has > 12pt font and > 1.0 line spacing goes in the bin. They look horrible.

8.5 pt font and 1.5 pt line spacing in Ariel works well for my CV.

It all depends on how you structure it really

L.Jenkins

I usually structure my CV in the following manner:

Name and Contact Information (Name, Address, Email and Number)

Education and Certifications (College and Certs Only. Nothing from second level)

Employment: Company, Role and tasks, dates or length of time at company

Publications and Patents

Skills, Summary of only (Java, C++, Supervisory, etc)

Interests (Usually generates a talking point to show I have a life outside of work)

No cover pages, just my information presented in a clear and concise manner.

Deliverance XXV

On the topic of CV length it really depends on what you are applying for.

My CV was three pages until I applied for a job and the recruitment company said I should include a little amount of talk about my college projects and what I covered in college. I now have a five page CV (no JC or LC results) and I just got offered a job and had two more interviews lined up before accepting the first offer. This is the IT sector where presumably, projects previously done carry a lot of weight.

This is my CV layout - It is designed with some nice subtle colours and structure to give it a little extra.

Page 1: Name, Details, Objectives, Achievements & Qualifications
Page 2: Employment History
Page 3: Third Level Education
Page 4: Professional Education, Secondary Level Education, Projects & Portfolio
Page 5: Computer Skills, Activities/Interests, Driving Licence, Online CV/Portfolio Link, Reference Statement

Five pages will be far too many for a lot of jobs but if you are going into a project based career then I would want to differentiate myself from the rest.

L.Jenkins

Was browsing the net and found this handy little article.

http://news.dice.com/2011/06/10/job-search-3-reasons-no-one-is-asking-you-for-a-job-interview/