Absolutely not an AIBU - apologies

[GeorgiesBoat]

Posting for traffic

I was hoping someone could point to the relevant board (I have looked, I promise, but have yet to find a thread for my needs).

I need a lot of help regarding my cv. I haven't written one for approximately 20 years as all my working life I've been in retail/hospitality which, in most cases, requires an application form rather than a cv. I'm desperate to get out. Im also terrified, but I know I need to make the jump. I hate waking up dreading work. I hate finishing a shift only to be dreading the next. It's become, sounds dramatic, but soul destroying. Wow, that does sound dramatic!

In an attempt to find a career rather than a job, I'm looking to apply for positions in areas other than retail (my comfort zone, admittedly, but not where I want to stay), and so far a cv is seemingly a must.
Is there anywhere on MN that provides a guideline to cv writing?

Thank you for any replies, sorry for waffling. I'm just feeling a great urge to do it now.....before I convince myself, once again, that I can't.

[CaulkheadNorth]

Have you decided on the sort of job you'd like to do, will apply for etc? I'm only asking as I've only had to use a CV for waitressing jobs, everything else has had its own application form specific to the role. It seems a shame to use time writing one only to find you never actually use it.

Obviously if you've found jobs you want to apply for and they require a CV then just ignore me.

[CaulkheadNorth]

I've just googled "how to write a CV" and there are a lot of sites and pages set up to this, especially from employment agencies and universities. These may well help.

[PuffTheMagicDragon1]

Employment issues or the staff room maybe? There are agencies that help with cv writing and some charities although most charities usually only help those unemployed as that is what their funding is for. Can't name any agencies of the top of my head but maybe look for recruitment agencies in your area and just start calling around. Start by typing up your job history with dates and a short personal statement with your skills nothing too big though as a lot of companies prefer you to fill in an application rather than submit a cv so they can ask how your skills would be suitable for the specific job you have applied for. Sorry to not be much help. Good luck

[FatBottomedGal]

I keep my CV fairly up to date and have helped a number of friends with theirs, so hopefully I can give you some helpful advice!

This is the layout I use:

• Name/ address/ contact number at the top in the Header
  
• Bullet point list of responsibilities/ skills and achievements
  
• Work history (most recent first) with key tasks and responsibilities listed out. I tend to change these slightly dependent on the job I'm applying for
  
• Education history with highest education first
  
• 'References upon request' instead of listing them out
  

Try to keep it to 2 pages maximum, and don't worry about adding in your interests or hobbies - employers don't seem to be interested in these!

Hope this helps!

[GeorgiesBoat]

Thank you for all your helpful replies

I'll have a look at the MN boards mentioned.

I have googled somewhat, but I was hoping for a little more than just a format. It's been an absolute age since I last wrote a cv, I was going for a bit of feedback rather than just a template. I will certainly look to see if there are any services I can use.

Thank you for the formatting pointers. When I'm finished today's neverending shift I'm going to draft up a basic cv. That way all the basics expected will be there, and all that will hopefully be needed is some extensively tweaking.

The jobs I've been interested in have all been office based, with the opportunity of further education/training to continue upon a career path. I'm not entirely sure what id like to do; I've never known and this has been a sticking point for me. However I do know that waking up dreading every shift isn't an option. Time to do something about it.

Thank you for your well wishes

[GreenFingersWouldBeHandy]

Hi GeorgieBoat!

Obviously depending on the types of job you are applying for, but I always think that the role of the CV is just to get you invited to an interview, and that's where you can really sell yourself. Do include a short 'profile' para at the top, before you get into the work experience, that just gives whoever reading it a flavour of who you are. E.g. if you're a team player, happy working on your own initiative, confident presenting to groups, or a with any particular skills you feel are relevant to the role you're applying for.

I tend to have a 'core' CV which I can then adapt and tweak into different versions, depending on what role/company I am applying for (I might exaggerate certain projects or re-order some skills in terms of priority).

Good luck!

[ProseccoBitch]

YABU for posting this in AIBU.

[araiwa]

your CV should be individual for each job youre applying for with only relevant information to that application included

if its the same jobs at different places ie cashier at morrisons and sainsburys then they will be the same

also yabu to post here

theres literally thousands of websites about how to write a cv

lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+write+a+cv

[FatBottomedGal]

Use job descriptions to help you write your CV - you know the part where it says 'what we're looking for' ? That's been a trick of mine for a while