CV advice

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by Col, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. Fergal1982

    Fergal1982 Petabyte Poster

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    I agree to be honest. Use Arial over courier - its not about what you think is cool, its about what is easiest to read and causes no pause for thought. The fact that Sparky's first thought was about the font is not a good sign, and you can bet others will think the same.

    Besides, every time you hand the cv to an ageny for a position, they will reformat the whole thing anyway, so you are getting no benefit from what you think is "cool"
     
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  2. Col

    Col Byte Poster

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    Alright, alright, Arial it is. (mutter mutter).

    Thanks guys....
     
    Certifications: A+ Network+ MCP MCDST MCITP
    WIP: CCENT Security+
  3. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Lets see the Arial version :)

    Use Verdana myself, personal preference.

    It's definitely an improvement Col, just needs some more tweaking and a proof-read. I've forgotton how many versions mine had that I'd thought "Thats it, done" - only to notice something to be changed.
     
    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
  4. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    Good Lord.

    I still think it's terrible.

    First point is about InDesign. I'm going to suggest sticking to word. I had a fantastic CV in .PDF format, but you would be surprised at the amount of places that require .doc format (not even .docx). I would frequently have to open word and copy and paste or use an online converted. It was a pain in the ass. Stick to using .doc format mate.

    Keep it simple, Ariel for the paragraphs and lists (I use Ariel Narrow at size 10 so I can fit more on) and something simple for the headings (they don't need to be 20 times as large). Just one or two points higher than paragraphs (and in bold).

    Secondly:

    Shift your personal details to the left of the page.

    Thirdly:

    Get rid of the bloody Logos, We know you are certified by your certifications. And get rid of the pending ones personally, anyone can list every MS Certification on their CV and claim they are "In Progress". We care about what you have or don't have. Not what you are considering doing cert wise.

    Fourthly:

    Get rid of the old work experience and leave it to be explained during the cover letter (IE put "Past Career in XYZ") unless it's reasonably relevant. Or simplify it like so:

    Various Companies - XYZ to XYZ
    Editor/Film Editor/Sub Editor

    I have a previous career in whatever (and then list some major achievements) that way it doesn't look like you are a job hopper and doesn't have a dozen jobs listed.

    Fifthly:

    IMO I would have Competencies with Key Skills (in the same list). Because I am going to take one look at your Key skills and think "He doesn't know a lot really) and little do I know there is a list of things you DO know right at the bottom of the page.

    Incorporate it with things such as "Proven Ability to Troubleshoot Windows Operating Systems" for instance. Don't just say "Network Support" because tbh I could put "Milk Man Skills" I'm probably a **** milk man, who can't deliver on time, breaks the bottles and whatnot. But I'm still a milk man. Hiring Managers want to see what you are GOOD at. What you KNOW. Not just some lazy 4 word sentence with "Experience in people management".

    And finally:

    Shift your education to Below Certifications, Merge your Competencies with your Key skills and have the last thing on your CV, your old crappy work experience with IT Experience just before that.

    I hope others agree with what I have said.
     
    Certifications: MCITP:VA, MCITP:EA, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP:EST7, MCITP:SA, PRINCE2, ITILv3
  5. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Various bits snipped

    Agreed, everyone wants Docs, I keep a PDF version handy for handing out when I don't want people easily modifying it but all agencies will want it in .doc

    Agreed, at least in our part of the world people read left -> right, make it easier for them.

    Nope, don't agree here at all. Personally biased as I have mine on the top right of the front page (there's only two at the moment so it still fits), it's an immediate eye grabber, the aim is to hit the hirer in the face and get their attention, a splash of colour from the logos, as well as the logos themselves does that imo and from people who have hired (and hired me). Stating one or two certs in progess also shows the hirer that you are continuing your professional development, especially if you are in the middle of self-paced training. Yes I agree there is no point sticking something you are "considering" but if it is something you are currently actively pursueing then it's relevant, but it needs to be specific, not just MCP, a specific exam or cert.

    Agreed, you want them to be looking at your IT work/skills, not the previous career.

    Semi Agree (merging) - in this instance since the quantity fits yes. Once the technical skills area increase it can look messy having everything in one place if it's not laid out correctly.

    Agree on the wording, you need positive can do words, without overusing the buzzwords such as "experience in" and "working knowledge" as they don't acutally say how much experience etc (hmm, did I read that in this thread or elsewhere? Canna remember :) )

    Aye

    Mostly :biggrin
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
    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
  6. Col

    Col Byte Poster

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    Not that I'm not grateful but I feel like Jake La Motta at the end of Raging Bull. Only with a crap CV.
     

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    Last edited: Apr 11, 2010
    Certifications: A+ Network+ MCP MCDST MCITP
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  7. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    I'd make the titles smaller and capitalise each word.

    Bullet point the training / education. Is that MCITP an exam your currently going for or are you self training for an exam thats part of it? I'd only list what you are working on.

    The contact detail looks a bit confusing still, get shot if the "Ph." "email" and the website address in it's entirety unless you feel that the site adds to the CV as people may look at it.

    I'm feeling that the logos at the bottom create too much of a split, I'd try repositioning them elsewhere, going down one of the sides maybe, but only if you've got other content to go under them, seen a few that use the remaining space under them to list technical competencies. Or leave them at the bottom, rest of content above but put a think horizontal line between the text and them.

    Looking at the length now, if you reduce the heading sizes it should all fit on one page, nicer than having just a little bit on a second page.
     
    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
  8. westernkings

    westernkings Gigabyte Poster

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    Here you go col, I have simplified it into a nice, clean minimal one page CV for you.

    With regards to your relivant experience, you really need to add more detail. Right now, you have just listed your role! "I was a part of this, my name was that". You need to add detail. That part of the part of the CV where the employer looks to see what you have accomplished in times gone past regarding your IT career. He knows what a Desktop Support Technician does, he knows that someone with that title is going to be "Part of a team supporting users" if you catch my drift. The CVs job is to let them know why, on paper, you are the best *insert job title here* around. And you are not doing that by just saying:

     

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    Certifications: MCITP:VA, MCITP:EA, MCDST, MCTS, MCITP:EST7, MCITP:SA, PRINCE2, ITILv3
  9. Col

    Col Byte Poster

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    And once again, thanks guys. Everyone's been brilliant with their help and advice. Really appreciate everyone taking the time with this.
     
    Certifications: A+ Network+ MCP MCDST MCITP
    WIP: CCENT Security+
  10. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Nod, looking good. I had the struggle of slimming from three down to two but it looked far better for it in the end.

    Worth expanding the MCP / MCDST initials to their full names you reckon? Fill up a bit of the blank space in the middle... never sure on mine so it's got both.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
    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
  11. SimonD
    Honorary Member

    SimonD Terabyte Poster

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    Actually the older you get the more acceptable it is to have a longer cv, I was advised that due to the type of work I do now clients want more information, not less.
     
    Certifications: CNA | CNE | CCNA | MCP | MCP+I | MCSE NT4 | MCSA 2003 | Security+ | MCSA:S 2003 | MCSE:S 2003 | MCTS:SCCM 2007 | MCTS:Win 7 | MCITP:EDA7 | MCITP:SA | MCITP:EA | MCTS:Hyper-V | VCP 4 | ITIL v3 Foundation | VCP 5 DCV | VCP 5 Cloud | VCP6 NV | VCP6 DCV | VCAP 5.5 DCA
  12. GSteer

    GSteer Megabyte Poster

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    Can only agree on that Simon.

    Various guidance I've found indicates 1 page for entry, 1-2 for below 10 years exp and 2+ pages for more, for right or wrong.

    Once I've got one more job to add on mine then I'm going to have to roll over to three pages as there's no way it all fits one two, then I'll have the opposite problem of filling three instead of tweaking to two.

    But anyway, this is about Cols, mines in it's "final" status for the moment.
     
    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

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