Urgent help with CV, pretty please.

[SingleHandSue]

I’ve been trying to edit my CV for 2 days now as I’ve been given an opportunity to apply for a completely different role.

Long story short, I’ve had a huge knock of confidence because of Covid and losing my perfect job and now my anxiety is starting to take control.

I have a job but I don’t like it and it’s making my anxiety so much worse so I need to get out of there. This opportunity is just what I need but I have to sort out my cv and cover letter.

But I literally can’t think of words to use! I only need to update it and tweak it but I’m staring at the screen with tears in my eyes being reminded just how useless I am.

Is there anyone who’s good with words who can help?

Thanks so much

Hello

When do you need this done by?

What is your experience, and what sort of job are you applying for?

What type of role are you going for?

Look at the job descriptions for the role you're interested in, and you'll get a feel for the kind of language recruiters speak. You say there's a specific role you're looking at, but do a search on a recruitment site for the same role in other companies, so that you can familiarise yourself with other perspectives and it might spark ideas of things to bring to the recruiters' attention.

Generally speaking, you need hard action words, rather than soft, emotional language. So think of things like : achieved, negotiated, managed.

Look at the work you've been doing and write down the action statements, pulling out the ones you're strongest in. If possible, add in some stats to demonstrate how good you are - reduced downtime by x%, responded / dealt with x number of customer enquiries per day, achieved x% customer satisfaction by doing.

In your cover letter (prob email!) be clear on why you think you can do the job, and what you will bring to their team/company.

Job hunting is tough but you will get there, good luck!

@MIW01

Hello

When do you need this done by?

Today, right now really!

I’ve been trying to sort it for the last couple of days it have found it so overwhelming.

@TorySteller

What is your experience, and what sort of job are you applying for?

I’ve been in retail for 20 years, started as CSA, then supervisor at one place, assistant manager at another and been a store manager at another for the last year.

I’m hoping to get a role in NHS customer helpline/admin

@Bananarama100

What type of role are you going for?

Look at the job descriptions for the role you're interested in, and you'll get a feel for the kind of language recruiters speak. You say there's a specific role you're looking at, but do a search on a recruitment site for the same role in other companies, so that you can familiarise yourself with other perspectives and it might spark ideas of things to bring to the recruiters' attention.

Generally speaking, you need hard action words, rather than soft, emotional language. So think of things like : achieved, negotiated, managed.

Look at the work you've been doing and write down the action statements, pulling out the ones you're strongest in. If possible, add in some stats to demonstrate how good you are - reduced downtime by x%, responded / dealt with x number of customer enquiries per day, achieved x% customer satisfaction by doing.

In your cover letter (prob email!) be clear on why you think you can do the job, and what you will bring to their team/company.

Job hunting is tough but you will get there, good luck!

Thank you.

The thing is I know what I need to do but the words just don’t form in my brain. I keep looking at cv examples but none of them are quite right so I just don’t know what to write and I’m getting so frustrated it’s just making me cry.

Can you take a look at the job descriptions for the NHS helpline/admin roles? I’m sure they’ll require things like “dealing with the public in a calm and polite manner”, “dealing with difficult/sensitive information”, “working in a fast paced environment”, “general admin duties/paperwork/software” etc.

It’s also worth noting that most NHS trusts have their own set of values, so when you apply make sure to use their values in their answers. They’re normally things like compassion, teamwork etc.

I would write something like:

After spending 20 years’ in the retail industry, I have experience of communicating clearly and effectively with customers and the general public. I spent X years working in a customer service role where I used my initiative to deal with complaints promptly and politely, while ensuring customer satisfaction. I also spent X years working as a store manager, taking responsibility for a team of X people, where I did X, Y, Z.

I have also used X computer/software system(s) and I am proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.

I feel like my previous skills and experience make me a strong candidate for a role in the NHS. I would like to work for the NHS because X, Y, Z.