CV review required

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by simonp83, Apr 20, 2009.

  1. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    I've gone through the CV sticky at the top of the page and take on some of the points but i was just wondering if anyone with experience could do a quick review of my cv?
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  2. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    Attached my cv for review. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  3. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    To be honest, while it's clean, it's too long (4 pages for a CV). IMO, unless you're filling out an application form, a CV should be about 2 pages with a cover letter.

    In general, when an IT manager (or whoever is shortlist propective candidates) goes thru a whole pile of CV's he/she take about 30 sec to decide "yes" or "no". It took me longer than 30 seconds.

    Other's may have different views, but that's mine :)

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  4. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    Agreed. The length is the killer, the content isn't too bad. Try to reduce its size and you'll likely have more success.

    The best of luck to you!:)

    Qs
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCSE: Private Cloud, MCSA (2008), MCITP: EA, MCITP: SA, MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003, MCITP: EDA7, MCITP: EDST7, MCITP: EST Vista, MCTS: Exh 2010, MCTS:ServerVirt, MCTS: SCCM07 & SCCM2012, MCTS: SCOM07, MCTS: Win7Conf, MCTS: VistaConf, MCDST, MCP, MBCS, HND: Applied IT, ITIL v3: Foundation, CCA
  5. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    Any ideas on where i should thin or just drop completely?

    One thing i was looking at doing is moving my IT Certs to the first page, so the first thing they see is that i'm certified? The CV was also built using a template for Office 2007, which is why the Skills and Software Trained in section only takes up the left side of the screen, what about expanding that over the entire page, should save a good few lines as well.

    Thankyou for the responses, reps added to the both of you.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  6. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    If it were me I'd scrap the template - whilst you might think that it's easier it's probably just adding bulk.

    My CV lists important details at the header of the first page. Then the breakdown is as follows:-

    First page -
    Personal summary
    Current Qualifications and those in progress
    Experience

    Second Page -
    Experience cont.
    Small amount on personal interests

    And that's it.

    It doesn't need to be excessively lengthy or fancy so long as the potential employer can quickly and accurately identify key skills/qualifications/experience which you possess.

    My two cents.

    Qs
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCSE: Private Cloud, MCSA (2008), MCITP: EA, MCITP: SA, MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003, MCITP: EDA7, MCITP: EDST7, MCITP: EST Vista, MCTS: Exh 2010, MCTS:ServerVirt, MCTS: SCCM07 & SCCM2012, MCTS: SCOM07, MCTS: Win7Conf, MCTS: VistaConf, MCDST, MCP, MBCS, HND: Applied IT, ITIL v3: Foundation, CCA
  7. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    I'd also drop your non IT work experience because it won't really interest an IT manager. Keep that info in a file tho should you be asked what you did prior to working in IT, but I very much doubt you'd be asked that
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  8. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I agree, unless you had no experience in IT or if they explicted requested a full working history, I would take it out.

    Reduce your references from 3 to 2, at least 1 professional - preferable both of them.

    Combine your two Business Support Experience into one, I'm in two mind about saying this, but remove old dyfunct technology like Windows 95, as while it's great to see it how many businesses still use it? But like I said, I'm in two minds say that.

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  9. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    No I'd agree with you there Ken, if we mentioned everything we'd learned our CV's would be full of useless outdated technology like Windows 3.11 and OS2 Warp etc. Its very rare a company would leave itself wide open by keeping considerably outdated / unsupported systems in place so on that basis I agree with Ken and say get rid of pre Win 2000 experience.
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  10. Majic_Munky

    Majic_Munky Bit Poster

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    Thats a very similar layout to my CV.

    I saved some space on my CV by dropping stuff like GCSE's from my Education section.

    Don't the job centre run a CV checking service (don't know if its any good though!)
     
    Certifications: BSc, A+, N+
    WIP: Lots!
  11. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thats another good point that I didn't pick up on, I just put 10 GCSE's A-C on my CV, and put A Level English Lit, Biology, Chemistry A-C. Saves some space. You've just reminded me to add my Microsoft badge to my CV tho so thanks
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  12. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    Ok, just going through it now. This is the first page only, any updates?

    Completely changed it around so certs are now first, and then skills/experience and then software experienced in. 2nd page would be Computer related work and also formal education and interests, 3rd page will be references.

    The reason i included 3 refs was because the ref from my most recent job is now Indian based, so...
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  13. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    I thought that was loads better Simon, well done
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  14. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    Taken into account everything everyone has said and my final CV is up for review :).
     

    Attached Files:

    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  15. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Spot on mate, much more like it. Dont forget though, as you add more to your CV, don't let it get any bigger in page length than what it is now. Cheers James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  16. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    I would still say it's too long. I was always told to keep your CV to a max of 2 pages and where possible use bullet points instead of long sentences or paragraphs. I also always put for references to be supplied on demand as some people/companies might be cheesed off if they are contacted a lot by agencies checking you out.
     
    Certifications: A+ | Network+ | Security+ | MCP | MCDST | MCTS: Hyper-V | MCTS: AD | MCTS: Exchange 2007 | MCTS: Windows 7 | MCSA: 2003 | ITIL Foundation v3 | CCA: Xenapp 5.0 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 | MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7
    WIP: Online SAN Overview, VCP in December 2011
  17. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Yeah your probably right there slypie. I notice you did the Security +, I'm working on that after 291 myself. Was it any good in your opinion? Is it up to date and useful ya reckon?
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  18. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    All my refs know that they're references on my cv and all have said they're fine with it. None of them have stated they've had any problems so far and i'm not in work at the moment so it's not like they're going to contact my current boss.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291
  19. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Looks good mate.

    I noticed that you were a 2nd line IT support manager in your first IT job but in your second job you are now 1st line. Why the change? :blink
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  20. simonp83

    simonp83 Kilobyte Poster

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    I was 2nd Line Desktop Support for 3 years, final 6 months being the manager, of a computer shop where i live. I say 2nd Line meaning it was hands on stuff, hardware and software fixes, as well as stuff over the phone, so a mix of 1st and 2nd really. Wages were minimum.

    The 1st Line role was a temp contract and offere 24,000 a year, so double the money. Plus, i thought as it was for a company like Centrica in a busy helpdesk role, it would be great experience. I've actually had 1 company reject me though as i had just finished working for 4 months in a 1st line role in a call centre. They said, if i hadn't done that role and just the technician at the computer shop, job would have been mine, but as i had 4 months in a call centre, that's what they didn't like - job i got rejected from was 1st Line Support in a small call centre.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
    WIP: 70-291

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