CV advice - mature student

Larianne

So I'm almost finised my degree and want to send out my CV. The problem is I'm a mature student and my previous work experience is quite different to what I'm studying at the moment - from an art background to a health science backgroud.

I'm finding it difficult to know what to keep and take out of my CV. There is a lot of transferrable skills that I can apply to my new career area from my old one. I was very active in college as well so I have experience on committees and class rep stuff and volunteering that I just can't fit it all onto the golden two pages.

Halp!

Pentopaper

Hi Larianne,
I have had a diverse career and many jobs some of which would not be wholly relevant for my cv and the age I am now. So I overhauled my cv having studied an unrelated discipline. It's now 4 pages long. I have picked key areas that would apply in my case social care kept my duties and responsibilities as brief and as common, skill wise as to what I think potential employers are looking for. I have also added an additional information paragraph at the end outlining other work areas and relevant skills. Having done all that I did a cover letter that gives plenty more info of how I came into this area, studies done and skills developed during this time. Emphasising an eagerness to build on skills already accrued and of course saying my skill set I believe can benefit there organisation. Hope this is of some help to you. I have had several interviews the past few months. However as fate would have it I had reapplied to college and have put work options on hold until I know if I get a place on a law degree. Busy with those interviews. As soon as I know whether or not I have a place I'll start re applying for either full or part time employment. With best wishes

Stheno

Larianne,

I'd keep your descriptions of your previous roles brief, and instead do a summary at the top explaining your choice to change and restudy and list the skills that you have previously used that have helped you in your new field.

Does that make sense?

So you could say something like

"Having spend x time in an arts based profession, I chose in 200x to return to study and pursue an area I had a deep interest in. I have found that many of the skills I have built up in my previous roles/career have enabled me with my studies and practical experience of being a health sciences professional. For example, in my previous arts based roles, I developed skills in communication and building rapport, which I have found supported me in developing relationships and trust with patients in my health sciences career. Additionally being involved in college communities and acting as a class rep have been enhanced by my teamwork skills which I developed in my previous roles. These teamwork skills enable me in my current health science role as I have a greater understanding of working in a larger team for the benefit of the patient"

Then list your studies, practical experience during your studies, list the likes of class rep under achievements, then your older arts roles?

That should fit on the golden two pages
Four pages is way too much

microsim

One page for a CV; if that's impossible then two at an absolute maximum. This guy Rohan Manahan explains it well from a recruiter's point of view.