Any recommendations for CV template site

[Topbird29]

Hi. Am looking to get back into workplace after redundancy. I was at last role for 15 years, and I understand CV templates may have evolved from the last time I needed to do one. Can anyone recommend any websites that have a good template to use (pref free). And any top tips? Is for a local admin role, and not high salary, so doesn't need to be CV for a CEO! Thanks in advance.

Look at askamanager.com she doesn't have templates but does have excellent advice on how to write a CV that is customised to the job you want. an online template will almost certainly be rubbish because it is too general to apply to your circumstances.

It is an american site so it says 'resume' instead of CV
www.askamanager.org/category/resumes

www.askamanager.org/2020/02/my-step-by-step-guide-to-writing-a-resume.html

There are quite a few free resources available if you google admin CV template UK. The trick is to customise it so it sounds like you and highlights your qualities rather than make it too generic. Once you do that, do a keyword check against the kind of role you're applying for.

This shows a good basic structure - www.monster.co.uk/career-advice/article/admin-cv-template

In addition, do a sense check of language used, syntax and grammar. I'm sure it's obvious but generally speaking avoid colours, use a clean font and format, and no photos or wacky borders.

Don't include your date of birth, nationality, whether you drive, or references. This isn't really customary anymore.

For an admin role, I would have 1 page CV.

A couple of lines personal statement at the top . Eg I am an experience administrator who brings xx xx skills. I like to xxxx xxx and am proud of my reputation of xxx xxx

Then a Bullet pointed “Key achievements” section (I like to use ticks or stars for the bullet points but not for everyone) then below that jobs. Keep it brief: jog title, company, dates worked and then a line or two on the role including a little something specific to the company. Eg my responsibilities were to do xxx xxx within a traditional manufacturing organisation where punctuality, efficiency and accuracy were imperative.

Finish with qualifications and say references available on request. Do a covering letter/email with each job tailored to their job advert and company.

Get as many people as possible to check for grammar & spelling errors.

Thanks. Will check the recommendations out.

Yes, remember to focus on achievements not responsibilities. For admin roles, it may well be that you need to show that you have all the skills - office management, diary management, travel arrangements or whatever - but you should also be able to show that you add value eg did you cut the travel costs by finding and neogitating with a new supplier or reduce turnover in admin staff by implementing improved processes etc.

the monster template looks pretty good I think.

Definitely no photo, no drivers license info. You don't have to put full address - just where you are available to work eg London or Greater Manchester etc.

Also, bear in mind that there's a big element of computer analysis in first instance so attempt to use as many of the words from the job description in your CV as possible and use them exactly as they do. So if they say, key skills include, "diary management" you must write "diary management" not something like, "managed diaries for 10 key executives".

I used Canva - really nice templates.