Major help needed!

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by J.Hinds, Nov 26, 2010.

  1. J.Hinds

    J.Hinds Nibble Poster

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    I've recently started looking for a role in the industry, but I'm afraid my current CV is just not up to scratch and I have no idea where to begin with updating it. The only IT experience I have is for myself, friends, family and random people I've come in contact with over the years, such as neighbours.

    I've been looking at my CV over the past couple of days and I think it may need re-writing completly, if anyone could have a look and get back to me it would be very much appreciated!

    View attachment Jermaine_HindsCV2.doc
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCTS (Win 7)
    WIP: MCSA (Server)
  2. zet

    zet Byte Poster

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    Hi,

    Firstly, I hope that's not your real address on top of that CV, if so take it off for the purpose of this forum post. I'm not expert when it comes to laying out a CV and I'm also looking for my start in IT. I've picked up a few points on C.V's though and I'm sure others will add.

    Your personal profile has way too much 'I am', try to phrase it in the third person, for example: "A well adjusted and hardworking individual that is willing to put in the necessary effort". I see your CV is more skilled based, I notice you've put down your skills as a person or 'soft skills' but you need to outline your technical skills e.g. if you were a developer you would put down "programming languages: Java, c# c++ etc etc".

    Strip the GCSE grades and just put the subjects. Improve the layout (google for a CV template and follow that).
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2010
    Certifications: BSc, MSc, A+
  3. free.heron

    free.heron Nibble Poster

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    • I think you have spaced it out quite alot and you could restructure to fit it onto two pages - The first page seems a bit of a waste as its only your personal statement and skills sections
    • Your margins and font also seem quite big - if you change to Arial size 10 and make your margins the standard size, you can quite easily fit it onto two pages
    • I think you can expand on your key responsibilities a bit more and try using buzz words
    • I'm not really too keen on Times New Roman - if it was me I'd change it to something like Arial
    • Personal Statement should be written "third person"
    • Remove Hobbies and Interests
    • On your education and training removed the word "Studying"
    • Change the subheading CompTIA to the training centre or place where you took the exam (it doesn't fit in with the rest of the subheadings) alternatively you might want to have a separate section for Professional Certifications if you do more in the future
    • I don't recommend having the headings in italics

    • I'd change that to something like "9 GGCS's including Mathematics (C) and English (C)"

    Hope that helps
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2010
    Certifications: ITIL v3
    WIP: CCENT
  4. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    In addition to the above:

    Use words instead of numbers to describe a number, i.e. "one hundred percent"

    In a few places you have unneeded capitalisation, I.e. Cash, Read etc.

    I'm not a personal fan of underlining, I find that using bold and italic face on their own, along with small caps for selected titles and minor font size differences looks far better.
     
    Certifications: BSc. (Comp. Sci.), MBCS, MCP [70-290], Specialist [74-324], Security+, Network+, A+, Tea Lord: Beverage Brewmaster | Courses: LFS101x Introduction to Linux (edX)
    WIP: CCNA Routing & Switching
  5. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Personally I would organise the CV like this (as you're looking for an entry level position in IT):

    1. Personal details
    2. Post applied for
    3. Personal Profile (short paragraph, not half a page)
    4. Skills (relevant and specific to the job)
    5. Professional Certification (eg A+)
    6. Education: Academic
    7. Employment History
    8. References

    Then a cover letter (1 page max).

    Personally about the layout of your CV:

    1. Don't mix bold and underline
    2. Remove the necessary spaces
    3. Standarise the format and fonts on the CV as well as the layout.

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

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    Some sound comments already made.

    Definately look at your capitalisation - it's all over the place.
    It's also way to long for a 'basic' CV. Your first page could be combined into a single paragraph.

    On a slightly contentious issue - I'd leave out the bit on your CV 'looking after baby daughter'. There is a school of thought that says it's a sin to leave gaps in employment history and we've had a few debates on the subject in the past.

    Right or wrong - if I was reading your CV, this would say to me, single parent responsible for a child. I would then have visions of you being off work every time the child is sick, and running off at midday when she falls over in the playground.

    I know that may be terribly unfair and any decent HR person would never dream of doing so ( :rolleyes: ), but if it was me, I'd leave it out.
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  7. J.Hinds

    J.Hinds Nibble Poster

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    Cheers for all the advice guys I really, really appreciate it! I have now re-written my CV and it looks much better thanks to all of you, I won't be uploading the finshed article as it's quite competitive out there and I don't want to make it any easier for anyone who may come up against me.. but from the bottom of my heart, Thank you! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCTS (Win 7)
    WIP: MCSA (Server)
  8. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Good luck :)

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

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