How do I write a good CV?

[Eddas]

I have worked for my current employer since leaving school and therefore haven't needed to write a cv.

I am now looking at branching out and want to have a CV ready, but I don't know what I should include, or how to set it out

I last did my CV at school and i'm sure the way they showed us to set it out wasn't the best way, so I really would be grateful for any advice on what to include and what not to include.

TIA

[Eddas]

I haev searched past threads and have found some advice already, but how far do I go back with jobs?

I left school in 1997 but prior to that I had weekend jobs going back to when I was 15 or so(i left school at 18) do they need to go on?

[Eddas]

bump

[bellavita]

this helped me

[Eddas]

thanks bellavita, that's the thread I found earlier! and it was really helpful. I have typed out a quick CV, but it's quite short, ie one page long, there must be something i've missed

[Eddas]

one thing i haven't done is listed my jobs with an explanation of what I did. I am an accountant and the jobs(3) were all the same just a different employer. I have done a list of key skills before the list of jobs, so will that be enough?

[bellavita]

Eddas - mine is only one page long

I left school at 15 (many years ago), had a couple of junior jobs, then worked for the same company for years until I had DS1.

[bellavita]

I would have thought so, but maybe keep bumping this for Flowery to come along and help?

[Hassled]

In a previous life I used to spend a lot of time paper-sifting CVs before they were looked at properly. My suggestions would be:

Keep it short and sweet. When you have to read 100 plus CVs in a short time you seldom make it to Page 3, or even the bottom of Page 2. Some CVs I "read" were epics, and most of it completely irrelevent to the advertised job.

After your name, address, DOB and contact nos, start straightaway with your key skills, what you're looking for and why - even if it's just one sentence.

Then list most recent work experience, previous jobs, then qualifications - i.e. work backwards. Then the important stuff is at the beginning and will stand out to employers easily. Otherwise the first thing the paper-sifter will spot is "GCSE in Woodwork" and the fact that you have really useful skills in excatly the right area won't appear until the bottom. Good luck.

[Fanella]

learndirect cv help, with links to other sites

[Eddas]

ok, so sounds like my one page cv is ok then

I'll look at Fanella's link later,when dc are in bed.

Should i put my DOB on there? the other thread said not too bother?

Thank you all for your replies

[bling1]

As Hassled said above, I've also spent many hours reading CVs and after a while you start to skim/speed read so you need to have something which stands out, even if it's an interesting hobby. My pet hates are bad grammar and spelling mistakes especially when people say they have great attention to detail!

I'm in marketing, my CV is two pages, however one of the reasons I got the interview for my current job is I put 'walking a boisterous puppy' as one of my interests. It was just different to the standard stuff people always put on. I like to see evidence of someone's personality as well as the skills and qualifications. I'd also recommend keeping a covering letter short and to the point.

I personally like to see the DOB but I've seen many CVs without it so it's up to you.

Hope this helps

[bergentulip]

Try and stick to just two pages.

[Eddas]

thanks for the tips. I have made mine one page now and included my dob. TBH, knowing the jobs i'm going to go for I don't think it'll matter if it stands out as they are all small accountancy firms. I know my current employer wanted to see my handwriting but that was at the interview when he was looking at my record of achievement.

I won't ever apply to a huge company so doubt my cv would be in a huge pile IYSWIM.

I decided to leave off the jobs from when I was 15 or so, and just left in my most recent after school type job. Although even that seems pointless

The whole CV just seems a little too short and sweet But then again not too much point writing reems of utter rubbish