CV layout

Mrs Garth Brooks

Im looking for some advice. My cv is 2 and a half pages long. I cant shorten it any more to fit the usual 2 pages.

What takes up most of the space is the work experience.

I've got 5 work places down, 1 of them not relevant but I spent 6 years there, so I cant leave that out.

I've got 3 work places down like this

Company 1, Dates
-Duties
-Duties
-Duties

Company 2, Dates
-Duties
-Duties
-Duties

Company 3, Dates
-Duties
-Duties
-Duties

But i've done the same duties in them all.

Would it be acceptable to group the lot together? Something like this

Company 1, Dates
Company 2, Dates
Company 3, Dates
-Duties
-Duties
-Duties

Help!

Aineoil

Hi HardLuckWoman,

Just a few pointers on the CV area, (as I see it)

Don't worry if the work experience takes up a lot of space, include it, it may trigger something in the interview panel

Remember, they want to know your story....so your cover letter is so important. If you are locating because of a boyfriend or whatever write that down. People want to know why you are relocating....if that applies to you.

Make your CV personal! Show passion...My favourite book is...., My favourite soccer team is........ Bland CVs get parked.

I travel a lot Don't go there. They will think you will not stay in the company.


Write down all you diverse experiences, you never know, you may be a keen surfer for example, and your future boss may be as well.

Humour works too.... My husband was at the end of his tether re jobs. In his personal letter he wrote would it be able if his suit could get to an interview.

He got an interview but not the job.

Best of luck to you

tatli_lokma

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

But i've done the same duties in them all.

Would it be acceptable to group the lot together? Something like this

Company 1, Dates
Company 2, Dates
Company 3, Dates
-Duties
-Duties
-Duties

Help!

yes absolutely! in fact it is much better than repeating yourself over and over. When I read a CV I get so fed up reading the same thing under each employment section, or the same thing just worded differently. Group them together as you say, it shows that you can focus yourself and extract information in a sensible and organised way. It will also give you space then to highlight particular achievements in each role, not just your duties. So if you won any awards or recognitions, or if you implemented a new system, or took on any additional duties etc.

Aineoil wrote: »

Hi HardLuckWoman,



Write down all you diverse experiences, you never know, you may be a keen surfer for example, and your future boss may be as well.



Humour works too.... My husband was at the end of his tether re jobs. In his personal letter he wrote would it be able if his suit could get to an interview.

Be careful about some of these things - humour is often subjective, so what is funny or charming to one might just seem weird to someone else. Personally I would avoid it unless you are applying for a job with a creative slant. It is risky as you could just as easily alienate someone as endear them to you.

As for giving too much 'personal' information on your diverse experiences - again use caution with this. No problem mention a few things if you wish, but again, it is a professional application for a job. Whilst the 'old boy network' might work in your favour, it can sometimes do the opposite. Also, personally, at CV stage I really only care about your ability to do the job. Your personality and information about you is gleaned from the interview. I actually don't even bother reading the 'personal interests' sections of CV, because you can unconsciously make determinations about people based on this. So I prefer to entirely base my decision to call for interview on the professionalism of the CV. I have never included the 'hobbies/personal interests' section on my CV, with the exception of cases where my hobbies have a direct relationship to the job I am applying for. Use the interview to get your personality accross and mention things that might be of interest. That is my opinion on it anyway.


Best of luck with the job hunting!