Writing the Killer CV

[tripwire45]

Thanks to member Pete01 for originally posting the link to this one. Cheers.

http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00405.html

[zimbo]

nice one trip... even though i managed to nail a job with my current CV (yeah i know!! ) im still looking for ways to improve it in the future lets say... would you or anyone else have an article of entry-level CVs or a way to set it up?

[Sandy]

Interesting posting thanks Trip. Alot of jobs that I go for are by application form only. I was looking at a post this week saw they had a PDF application form but no Word or RTF form - emailed the HR department to be told they don't provide such a form. Looks like I need to buy a pen!

[Phoenix]

with adobe writer you could add form elements to the pdf and thus fill it in that way
if the forms not protected in any way

[Pete01]

After much thought I've substituted 'achievements' (I'm not a programmer or particular project person I just fix things) with 'working practices extablished through experience' which for my CV is more support friendly.

I wracked my brains for a while trying to think of some achievements that would sound better than stuff like 'my users insist on coming straight to me!' without sounding like a hairdresser..

So I tweaked the 'template' to be more support and less coder, mine reads like this:

"WORKING PRACTICES ESTABLISHED THROUGH EXPERIENCE
• Ability to hit the ground running developed by being outsourced to diverse range of sites over 3 year period.
• Proficiency in taking ownership of issues, seeing them through to completion and becoming the point of contact for clients/users with problems and projects.
• Documentation and change control to clinical detail subject to government inspection.
• Acute business awareness and decision making in crisis situations.
• Creative troubleshooting and versatile resourcefulness. "


Not exactly achievements but definitely skills gained from learning the hard way....

[jobless_panic]

Any more pointers for one who has never done an IT Job before or never got around to doing a CV that is good enough to fit in?
I don't know where to start or how I can make my CV work to nail an IT job (even at entry level).
I have an HND and BSc in Information Systems and also am A+,N+, MCSA and MCSE certified. I also have an HND in Business Studies. At the moment I am studying for a postgraduate diploma in Strategic Business IT and hope to top it up an MSc in Strategic Business IT.
I work for a Supermarket at present. It's non-IT Administrator job I am afraid.

[wizard]

Been reading some articles on monster.co.uk about CV writing, saying you should tailor your CV to the job you are applying for, so using a generic CV may not be the best idea.

[Baron210]

Hi, and thanks for the tips,

Since modifying my "Conventional, and professionally re-written" CV, one which was made for me by a Recruiter who specialises in CV creation for clients, I have had quite a few phone calls and interview offers.
My old CV ( the one created by the recruiter - I'll try not to bore U lot too much), looks a little like this (Page 1 of 2 pages),



The above one gained me one interview after possibly 2-300 online applications (I kid U not).

Then I modified it genetically to look like this, same info, but better ordered and "In your face"




Not joking, but since I released this, I've had a barrage of phone calls from newly applied for positions from agencies and recruiters, Now to pass some interviews!
Thanks for the brilliant advice!

[jobless_panic]

Great tips here. I think the sample CV that you've mentioned looks very promising. I will use this as a guide for my own.I do have a few good professional and academic qualifications under my belt but none were ever put to use (BSc, HND, A+, Network+, MCSA/MCSE 2000, MCSA Messaging). I worked at a Supermarket as a Customer Services Supervisor for just under 10 years and am now on the brink of being made redundant or demoted. Alongside I have been studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in IT and Business Studies and should complete that in a month or so.
Just a few weeks for me until the judgement is passed. I do operate a few workstations at my workplace, do a bit of troubleshooting on an standalone machines and printers etc (again at work) but nothing network related. This is in addition to my Customer Services obligations. But I am baffled as to how I can target an IT entry level job (at the very least) from where I am and how my CV should read and where should I start? Can anyone point me in the right direction? Cheers.

[jobless_panic]

Also if I to be made redundant at my current job with the Supermarket, how will this affect my future prospects and my job prospects in applying for an IT job?

[wizard]

I must be a harbinger of doom upon myself, found out yesterday that I'm going to be made redudant by Christmas.

[jobless_panic]

Sorry to hear that Wizard. Hope you get a good job well in time.

[Gaiden]

Just the information i need to jump start my resume and bring it back from the brink of blumbering blurb.
Hope this can at least let me get my foot into the door, i know once i get an interview that i'll have the job, it's just getting my foot in the door.

[leeroy2612]

alreet peeps,

after reading this thread it was obvious that i needed to 'fashion' my cv specifically for the roles im aiming for.
ive had a good go at it and would appreciate your 'constructive' critisism. i hope Pete01 and Baron210 dont mind, but ive used a couple of line uot of yours. seeing that you both have vastly more experience than me and you dont live in my neck of the woods i dont think were in direct competition, but please tel me if you think im a cheeky and ill take them off.

[leeroy2612]

dont try to read the attachment i forgot to change the format from works to word