Can anyone help me write a CV?

[nappyaddict]

I've only ever had 2 jobs - one over the summer when I was 15/16 and have worked in my current job for almost 9 years. I now want to try and get a new job but I haven't got a clue how to do my CV. I tried to do one but because I've only had those 2 jobs I think I tried to overcompensate and it ended up way too long and wordy and now I don't know how to summarize what I've written and which bits to cut out. Help!

[GrendelsMum]

Are you replying to a specific job advertisement?

If so, you can use that advert as the guidance for the CV - list what skills and experience they're asking for in the advert, and then demonstrate how your current job uses those skills and has given you that experience.

e.g. the advert might say 'social media experience', to which you would say something like 'responsible for company Twitter account, including identifying and responding to customer feedback in an appropriate manner'.

[nappyaddict]

I will try and tailor each CV I send out to the job advert but I need a general one to start with.

[AlyssB]

Bullet points are your friends!! Keep it to the point and factual, what your duties are/were and your key achievements. Prose/paragragraphs should be avoided!!

Feel free to PM me and I will happily tweak yours or send you an example!

[nappyaddict]

Mine has ended up being long paragraphs which I know is no good. Would you be able to PM me your email address. I just don't know which bits to get rid of. Every time I start cutting stuff out I worry that I've cut out a vital part!

[nappyaddict]

BTW AlyssB, you didn't used to be KacyB did you?

[AlyssB]

PM on its way! No I've always been an Alyss, the B is my middle initial. Not very imaginative!

[EBearhug]

John Lees's book Why You? is useful, as it's got advice for all sorts of CV types, including where you don't have much varied work experience and so on. Look for it in your local library.

[Ruffello]

Google CV templates to get an idea of formats and the kind of language used. This is one example. It should be clear and easy to read, starting with a killer personal profile. Definitely avoid long paragraphs, and as others have said use bullet points to highlight key skills. Good luck!