What should a CV look like?

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:07 am

Someone has asked for my CV.

The problem is, I don't have one.

I know what a CV is. (mostly)

But I don't know what it should look like.

Can anyone help?

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:40 am

There are many many *many* ways to make your CV/resumee.

The way I normally do it is list my work experience more or less detailed (starting with newest first) to some 5-10 years ago depending on how much you can write. Then same for relevant education (and courses) - unless you don't have much to write, then you can list irrelevant education/courses as well to display your "versatility".
Lastly I make some mention of keywords about myself (ambitions, eager to learn etc) and an explanation/reason behind these, and also mentions of my hobbies and what I do in my spare time.
Many times you can also add a picture to the start of the resumee where you write your name and adress as well. It creates something to focus on.

As for the actual layout, then it should be kept as simple as possible given the greatest amount of overview possible.

I can try to dig out some of my resumees if you want to view how they look, however, them being in danish I'm not sure how much else you'd get out of it.

Lestat · Post by **Lestat** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:26 am

Apart from the recommandations that Xandax gives, you should always keep in mind the purpose of the CV.

Is it to get a specific job? Then see what the requirements are, and stress those points in your CV, and cut out what is irrelevant (not completely of course but make just brief mention of those experiences which are not strictly relevant to the job). And if it is for a specific job than it's best to keep your CV within reasonable limits (3 pages is an absolute maximum). I've done some job selections, and few things are as annoying as reading throug a long, mostly irrelevant CV for some relevant details.

Is it to be included in a database (like an employment agency, or a more spontaneous application)? Then you better put everything in it.

If you're interested, I can send you the model CV that the EC obliges overseas consultants to use. It is skewed towards people with experiences in different countries, but might be useful as a model.

Denethorn · Post by **Denethorn** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:17 pm

I'd be happy to send you a template of my CV. Rather generic, but its always nice to compare such things when devising your own.

You basically want to display your personal details, education history, qualifications, employment history, skills and hobbies/interest in as simple yet professional a way as possible. Sort of everything you need to say and no more and no less. This is quite daunting at first, but its just things like avoiding long paragraphs of text and a convoluted appearance - you want the employer to be able to get the information s/he wants fast, so it doesn't end up on the reject pile.

I've never thought of Xandax's idea of adding a picture, but it sounds a very reasonable suggestion.

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:46 pm

CV's need to be clean. Very clean. Put important info there, not every single thing you've done (as some kids do at their personal blogs). The boss dont want to know you've taken a nap or something, he wants hardcore info, and that info must be placed in a decent font (Arial works wonders, trebuchet MS is good too) and also you need to direct the info for the place you're heading to. Otherwise, if you dotn have much to show ( no previous xp, nothing speciall really) put what you have but dont try to fill the sausage with every little crap you've done, just send it clean, it'll save the HR people time, and they'll give your CV a shot easier than if you keep inserting daisies on every line or using nice colorfull boxes.

Btw, black font only - dont use colors, it is not professional.

I've selected a few persons, I knwo how it feel to receive a blue CV from a guy who says he's an engineer.

Lestat · Post by **Lestat** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:51 pm

[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]I've selected a few persons, I knwo how it feel to receive a blue CV from a guy who says he's an engineer.

[/QUOTE]Shows he knows the meaning of blueprint?

But spot on for the rest.
Oh, and don't forget your language skills.

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:01 pm

Yes - language is important. And if you have more than one extra language people will know you're resilient and you havent skipped classes on any of the languages

@Lestat, Blueprint, but not a blue display of incompetence and lack of seriousness, aye?

Funny comment of yours.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:34 pm

As mentioned by Lestat, include in your CV pertinent information which you think are related to the job position you are applying for. As much as possible, limit your CV to two pages max.

There is no need to indicate your birthday, age, height, weight, and even religion.

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:11 am

Hello Rookierookie, hope this is going well. For a moment I thought that you had all gone crazy, as I had verified this with DW. Which took up two of the final eight slots of my PM box I had cleared out about two days ago... and filled hers.

Although I suppose we can now wow you by telling you that we just have too many accomplishments for a two page CV. Or I could tell you that mine is dangerously climbing through the double digits. If they were only the same thing for all of us.

Anyways, here's a few sites you might find useful.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resume"]Wikipedia[/url] - Fast forward through the North America stuff, it isn't pertinent.
[url="http://newsweaver.ie/recruitireland/e_article000494356.cfm?x=b6hmJNb,b3QKVDh3"]Article[/url] - Useful link into why some CVs get dumped.
[url="http://www.preseleccion.com/resume.htm"]What Looks Like an Extremely Helpful Site[/url] - This site provides some tips and what an average Resume might look like, but note that many people provide many different kinds of CVs. It also provides links to some other useful sites.

Note- Some of these sites might be American, so stick to resume and stay away from the CV portions unless you are sure it is a Non-North American site.

[QUOTE=Lestat]Is it to get a specific job? Then see what the requirements are, and stress those points in your CV, and cut out what is irrelevant (not completely of course but make just brief mention of those experiences which are not strictly relevant to the job).[/QUOTE]

It's unlikely he is supposed to make a Targeted Resume (my accent keys do not work) if he is learning how to make one... nor is it a great skill to learn either, IMHO, but that's just me.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:22 am

@Hill: The way I see it, top-level positions would always call for more than just a two-page CV... especially when there is the need to emphasize and assure one's credentials, credibility and competence

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:27 am

[QUOTE=Maharlika]@Hill: The way I see it, top-level positions would always call for more than just a two-page CV... especially when there is the need to emphasize and assure one's credentials, credibility and competence[/QUOTE]

I agree, but I'd just like to point out that I know people with 40-page CVs. Whereas for you guys the words 'resume' (Friggin' accents!) and curriculum vitae interchangably, we can't, the two things are totally different, and in many cases is what the employer's actually look into over the resume. At least, in my line of work.

Recommended Reading: Wikipedia, the '[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resume#Different_forms"]Different Forms[/url]' paragraph.

So forgive me if I post something that sounds slightly out of place, or wierd in your opinion.

Lestat · Post by **Lestat** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:25 am

@ Hill: you'd be amazed at how some people with almost no experience are capable at writing CV's of several pages... *looks at files in the cupboard facing his desk and shakes head* And if I read Rookierookie's post well, someone asked for his CV, and I assume is considering him for a job so a targeted resume might be what is needed.

As for hobbies: I don't put them, but hey, that's because of my general work environment. But be aware that to put your hobbies in a CV can look unprofessional, and it would depend very much on who is asking for it or if their is any relevance to the job.

Contrary to what Mah says, you usually need to include your birth date or at least your age. Weight, Height, Religion, Ethnic group, Health status etc. though, is not necessary, no

. Now if someone could come and tell that to people here *sigh*. Marital status & number of children is sometimes asked, though that probable doesn't concern you yet.

Oh, and if you did higher studies, like university level, and you haven't got that much work experience yet, it can be useful to mention larger projects you worked on or your thesis.

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:36 am

@Mah - age and birthday help to fit someone on a desired profile, so I say age and b-day in. Religion, as you've said, is secondary.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:12 am

Hello Rookierookie, hope this is going well. For a moment I thought that you had all gone crazy, as I had verified this with DW. Which took up two of the final eight slots of my PM box I had cleared out about two days ago... and filled hers.

It's nothing particularly important, merely that my dad's friend said he might be able to get me a summer job at a newspaper, and asked for my CV and some sample writings. Not sure how much was lost in mom's retelling, though; she might be giving me entirely irrelevant info and leaving out crucial stuff

I don't have much (or anything, for that matter) to put on my CV other than my name, since I have zero work experience and is not very active in anything. Not that they would expect anything impressive from a student, but I'd be fairly hard-pressed to do anything more than three lines.

How about something like this?

Name: Rookierookie
Age: 2
Birthday: X-Jun-2004
Level of education: Form 5 (Grade 11/12)
Work experience: None

Excellent English and good Chinese skills
Knows a little French and Japanese
Always punctual

Courses taken? (in any area)
Activities previously taken part in?

What other things should I add?

Greg. · Post by **Greg.** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:24 am

Try adding relevant hobby/interests/school clubs etc.

Was there an application form as well? Set it out like a letter in this case. Then next year (or when you apply for a long-term job) you can use a similar letter with a CV of qualifications and previous work experiences attatched...

Do not list things...

Antharias2k · Post by **Antharias2k** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:06 am

When it comes to the interview, make sure that you do not do the following please:

A survey of top personnel executives of 100 major American corporations asking for stories of unusual behavior by job applicants revealed the following low-lights:
1. ''... stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application.''

2. ''She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the music at the same time.''

3. ''A balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece.''

4. ''... asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate.''

5. ''... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office - wiping the ketchup on her sleeve''

6. ''Stated that, if he were hired, he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.''

7. ''Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering specific interview questions.''

8. ''When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started tap dancing around my office.''

9 . ''At the end of the interview, while I stood there dumbstruck, went through his briefcase, took out a brush, brushed his hair, and left.''

10. ''... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him.''

11. ''Said he wasn't interested because the position paid too much.''

12. ''While I was on a long-distance phone call, the applicant took out a copy of Penthouse, and looked through the photos only, stopping longest at the centerfold.''

13. ''During the interview, an alarm clock went off from the candidate's brief case. He took it out, shut it off, apologized and said he had to leave for another interview.''

14. ''A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this: '''Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?' I said, 'I assume you're not interested in conducting the interview any further.' He promptly responded, 'I am as long as you'll pay me more.' I didn't hire him, but later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam to get a higher offer.''

15. ''His attache [case] opened when he picked it up and the contents spilled, revealing ladies' undergarments and assorted makeup and perfume.''

16. ''Candidate said he really didn't want to get a job, but the unemployment office needed proof that he was looking for one.''

17. ''... asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture on my desk. When I said it was my wife, he asked if she was home now and wanted my phone number. I called security.''

18. ''Pointing to a black case he carried into my office, he said that if he was not hired, the bomb would go off. Disbelieving, I began to state why he would never be hired and that I was going to call the police. He then reached down to the case, flipped a switch and ran. No one was injured, but I did need to get a new desk.''

Antharias

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:33 am

Well, I AM a physically and mentally sound person

(mostly...

)

Lestat · Post by **Lestat** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:34 am

[QUOTE=Rookierookie]

It's nothing particularly important, merely that my dad's friend said he might be able to get me a summer job at a newspaper, and asked for my CV and some sample writings. Not sure how much was lost in mom's retelling, though; she might be giving me entirely irrelevant info and leaving out crucial stuff

I don't have much (or anything, for that matter) to put on my CV other than my name, since I have zero work experience and is not very active in anything. Not that they would expect anything impressive from a student, but I'd be fairly hard-pressed to do anything more than three lines.

How about something like this?

Name: Rookierookie
Age: 2
Birthday: X-Jun-2004
Level of education: Form 5 (Grade 11/12)
Work experience: None

Excellent English and good Chinese skills
Knows a little French and Japanese
Always punctual

Courses taken? (in any area)
Activities previously taken part in?

What other things should I add?[/QUOTE]Here is an example how to present your language skills (taken from the official EC-form)

Darzog · Post by **Darzog** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:02 pm

[QUOTE=Lestat]Here is an example how to present your language skills (taken from the official EC-form)[/QUOTE]

So make with the whole EC-form.

And it can depend what field you are going into. My wife is a Social Worker and her resume looks vastly different than mine (Mechanical Engineer / Manager).

Hill-Shatar · Post by **Hill-Shatar** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:21 pm

@ Rookierookie: Sorry for the confusion. On this side of the pond, we have a different sort of CV. Having one which is two or three pages doesn't bode well for you... it should be at least five pages long for us. Two pages CVs are garbage materials here.

This is what we both call a 'resume'. Not what we call a CV, but for you, the word is interchangable. It's best not too think on it.