CV Options

[Kaust]

I have my first 'real' job interview tomorrow (career, rather than job) and my CV is a lot less flash than my suit.
So where I'm going with this is probably pretty obvious, do any of you have any particularly good tips or templates to make me stand out a little more, and a little better, than my interview?
I've never been much of a 'sell yourself' guy so having to write on nothing but myself is just plain unpleasant.

[kaz]

I have my first 'real' job interview tomorrow (career, rather than job) and my CV is a lot less flash than my suit.
So where I'm going with this is probably pretty obvious, do any of you have any particularly good tips or templates to make me stand out a little more, and a little better, than my interview?
I've never been much of a 'sell yourself' guy so having to write on nothing but myself is just plain unpleasant.

It is "sell yourself" but without being a big head.

Plain and simple layout, no more than 2 pages.

List your positive characteristics.

Give short of examples of where you have worked as a team or gone the extra mile.

Make it easy to read and understand and tailor it for the job, for example I work in finance so below is the section I have for communication

• Developed a sound communicative ability negotiating with clients in my role as Accounts Manager. Have since applied and enhanced this ability in my current role.
• Developed an accomplished inter-personal ability working in a succession of challenging customer-facing roles.
• Experienced in the compilation of monthly financial reports and their communication to management.
• Experienced designing and approving official documentation, e.g. application forms, ensuring compliance with relevant statutory regulations.

ps ,Never lie

Oh and good luck

[Licentia Per Ori...]

Don't worry to much about the 2 pages rule.

Your CV doesn't get you an interview, your covering letter will.

Having said that keep it as brief as you can.

Layout should be.

1. your details and contact info
2. an opening statement - headed personal statement:

here is an example - taken from a very old CV which was tailored to a sales manager position (which i got btw)

I am a well spoken individual who gets on well with others. Whether working in a team environment or using my own initiative as a sole agent I am able to get the job done with minimal fuss.
When working in a team environment I will always do what I can to keep spirits up and enthusiasm levels high. Staff mindset is very important, especially in a sales environment. So I always try hard to keep those around me feeling and thinking positively.
While not motivated by money. I am easily motivated by targets, my own competitive streak and my need to be the best. Regardless of the environment.
I have a good understanding of sales. I know why people buy, why they don’t buy and which signals mean what.

Some say it should be written in 3rd person - but as someone that hires and fires as part of my job, I can assure you it matters not.

next up comes the work history.

Here i strongly advise you to detail your jobs in the following way.

I am currently working at COMPANY as JOB TITLE
My duties included

Thing 1
Thing 2
Thing 3

This role furthered my SOMETHING and SOMETHING ELSE experience.

3. end with education and hobbies

now when it comes to interview techniques.

1. mirror body language
2. research the company and the market place they exist in.
3. When asked "do you have any questions"
get the person to explain in detail what your exact duties would be if you got the job.
they will now talk you through the job, as they do, assure them (with evidence if apropriate) that you can do it.

so they might say.
well first thing you would need to do is run through client emails and respond to them.
your answer would be.
"ok, I did that in X PREVIOUS JOB, so that shouldn't be a problem"
then you will need to update the excel spreadsheet with relevant information
"well I'm good with Excell so thats cool"

etc. etc. etc.

but most importantly - let your personality shine through.
A Job interview is not so much about hiring a good person - the most important thing to bear in mind is will they fit in.
and as a head of department - thats one of the most important things when it comes to hiring.

I've turned away skilled people because they don't drink
sorry, we have a pub culture and we don't need some health nazi - we want someone that we can get along with

who will go to the pub after work - who we can have a laugh with.
and if your female and pretty then bonus points!

thats about it.
focus on making a new friend
and you will get the job.

#shocking but true

edit - also - tailor your cv to the job your applying for.
and lie as much as you can get away with. my cv is a work of fiction. (within reason)
It's not about the CV. it's are they smart. do they have what it takes. are they not a twat.

and just so you know.
Educational grades and stuff NEVER get checked. so if you got a B in something. may as well turn it into an A :-)

This post has been edited by Licentia Per Oris: Jun 8 2012, 06:05 AM

[Lato]

Are we supposed to know what CV means? We besides that I can only give advice on the interview, never hesitate on your answers, think of the boring questions they will ask ahead of time, I had the great benifit of being in the infantry before I did civialin job, so when they ask me question I have a automatic response that civials just eat up THATS how I have gotten every civl job I have ever had.

[kaz]

Don't worry to much about the 2 pages rule.

Your CV doesn't get you an interview, your covering letter will.



but most importantly - let your personality shine through.
A Job interview is not so much about hiring a good person - the most important thing to bear in mind is will they fit in.
and as a head of department - thats one of the most important things when it comes to hiring.

I've turned away skilled people because they don't drink
sorry, we have a pub culture and we don't need some health nazi - we want someone that we can get along with

who will go to the pub after work - who we can have a laugh with.
and if your female and pretty then bonus points!

thats about it.
focus on making a new friend
and you will get the job.

#shocking but true

edit - also - tailor your cv to the job your applying for.
and lie as much as you can get away with. my cv is a work of fiction. (within reason)
It's not about the CV. it's are they smart. do they have what it takes. are they not a twat.

and just so you know.
Educational grades and stuff NEVER get checked. so if you got a B in something. may as well turn it into an A :-)

With the risk of sounding like a troll - I have no idea where you work - but based on these comments - would not want too.You are not only coming over as sexist, but encouraging people to lie on their CV

Let us take it section by section

I've turned away skilled people because they don't drink
sorry, we have a pub culture and we don't need some health nazi - we want someone that we can get along with

Sorry - you do realise some people cannot drink, or it is against their religion. Not drinking does not meant that someone cannot still be fun at the pub, if fact more fun than an individual that comes in hungover every morning.

Educational grades and stuff NEVER get checked. so if you got a B in something. may as well turn it into an A :-)

Yes they do many companies ask for copies of certificates, better to tell the truth than be exposed as a liar, the same applies to job history and experience, be honest.

and if your female and pretty then bonus points!

Shallow or what.

A Job interview is not so much about hiring a good person - the most important thing to bear in mind is will they fit in.
and as a head of department - thats one of the most important things when it comes to hiring.

Surely a combination of that and skills? no point fitting in but being shite at the job??

[Lato]

watch out that bunny has claws!! lol, I didn't think much of what he said before until after reading Kazs post. Being a guy Im not sure how I feel about the "sexist" comments, but then again I don't drink or go to pubs and stopped talking to girls a LONG time ago. While its good to keep a open mind on all things in life when it comes to getting a job I think being respectful and having the right skills are the most important thing, but thats just me and what has gotten me all my jobs.

[kaz]

watch out that bunny has claws!! lol, I didn't think much of what he said before until after reading Kazs post. Being a guy Im not sure how I feel about the "sexist" comments, but then again I don't drink or go to pubs and stopped talking to girls a LONG time ago. While its good to keep a open mind on all things in life when it comes to getting a job I think being respectful and having the right skills are the most important thing, but thats just me and what has gotten me all my jobs.

I have my moments-

being respectful and having the right skills

That is spot on.

[Misanthrope]

If you want a nice template, use Europass. It's fairly complete and thorough, and it allows for many edit options. At least I've never had any problem with it.

[Kaust]

I should probably let you know that I didn't get that job in the end, though the woman interviewing me liked me so she said she'd stick me on a reserve list. And CV means Curriculum Vitae Lato, its basically like an advert of yourself.
Thanks for the advice though guys =]

[Lato]

Ah that sucks, getting a job just isnt the same anymore...then again I guess it would change ever 20 years or so lol. The one job I thought that was always hiring(ARMY) isnt even hiring anymore lol, unless I wanted to do SF. You might want to check into different types of work, I ended up landing a pretty strange job from what ive done most of my life but then again you gotta pay the bills right.