To ask for cv help? Life after long service job

[polkadotneedsachange]

I need a change but I've not done a cv in years and have got the fear.
I don't know where to start and wondered if anyone in recruitment or hiring roles can help me with CV advice on stupid stuff like:
Layout? Are you looking for or actively avoiding particular things.
Qualifications- I did my degree in the 90s. Do I still mention it?
Hobbies- do you care , will I sound boring if I truthfully say I like cooking and running ?
Photo- yes or no?
Template? Are there ones you recognise a d hate people using ?
Looking for a move into purchasing and supply chain which I've done before but a few years ago (i do still manage suppliers now still)
I'm very nervous about a move but I've had itchy feet for a while and feel if I don't have a CV I'll never take that first step.
I only half heartedly use LinkedIn but do seem to get people viewing my profile and have been approached but at a time I wasn't interested in moving. I'd be so grateful for anyone who has time and the inclination to help a woman still prove she's worthwhile and more than just a mum !

If you are in the UK, no photo
2 sides of A4, no more
No further back in your employment history than 15 years
Concentrate on what you have done not what you can do i.e. I was on Apollo 11 and landed on the moon versus, I am a trained astronaut
No hobbies
Only put your highest academic results but no dates so they don't age you

As an aside supply chain and purchasing are really in demand at the minute. Do you have your CIPS at all?

No photo.
List work history from most recent to oldest
No need for hobbies
In terms of lay out the simpler the better. Personal info at the top, personal summary, qualifications (degree only No need for A Levels etc) then work history

Recruiters review a lot of CVs a day so may only quickly scan your CV for the relevant criteria. The clearer your CV the better.

Definitely update your LinkedIn and select open to work. You'll have people reach out pretty quickly I'd say

Good luck!

So no date of birth or education dates? Is that accepted (I mean I know it should be but when I've read them with my boss they usually have this info on there)
No CIPS sadly
I've had this job for 15 years but 4 different roles. So just use all those 4? Will I be discounted for being in one place too long ? If I'm honest and say kids getting older and I'm ready for a move will they think I was someone who played it safe. Why is it so hard being a mum and trying to work too?!

I recently left a job and had outplacement advice including advice on a CV re-write. However these can depend on the style of the sector you work in.

Mine has:
A general statement summarising my career with bullet points of my key skills.

Then it works through each role I've had. Job title, organisation and dates. Summary of the role with Key achievements in bullets.

Only mentioned early roles in brief.

Education
Includes degrees not A levels and O Levels

I then have a section on Non Exec experience. No hobbies or personal info about family. It's 3 sides.

Also it's important to replicate your CV on LinkedIn for my sector. Recruiters can print your profile off as a CV so it's important to put all the details in that you would on your CV.

As pp mentioned say what you achieved in each role don't list the tasks you did.

If you look on Reed or Indeed, they have lots of info and ideas on CV writing

Yep no education dates or photo. Simple and short layout. Lay out all 4 roles as it shows your skills and progression, plus any formal training. I don't think it matters at all.that it's one company or even if it was one role. Just show what you've learnt and delivered

Look at the job specification and show how you meet those - some will be essential some you’re willing to learn .

So Job 1

I organized,
I managed
I arranged

Throw in some software/tech you’ve used etc

Make sure you do a covering letter and state something like

I have been working for x and have progressed to Y level, I am now in a position to expand my skill set and ready for a new challenge.
I meet your specification for being organised, professional and whatever ….

All very good advice. Agree.

No date of birth. Under your name on your CV put your basic location I.e Bath (recruiters like to know where someone is based, you'd be amazed the people who apply for jobs from too far away), your mobile number and your email. Also add in a link to your LinkedIn profile if if is up to date.

As pp said look on Reed or other similar sites for CV templates.

Make sure you add in a list of skills which includes software you use that may be relevant to your role. Have a snappy personal statement too.

Two key tips; one is to reflect the language used in the job advert. If they use the word enthusiastic and on your CV you use keen, change to enthusiastic. Two is read the job advert and description and adjust your CV accordingly. For example I use bullet points to describe my work achievements under each role. I reorder these if the job description emphasises one desired skill over another.

Well thanks for all the advice. I'm past the first hurdle and have got an interview! 😬😬😬. I'm frankly terrified but trying to think of good answers and will be preparing like a lunatic.
I also need an outfit (that sounds weird - I won't go as a clown or anything ) and some confidence from somewhere...
I'm most worried about dredging up good examples on spur of moment. When I prep I'm ok but I panic when asked on the spot.

Well done!

For the interview just do what you are doing, prep like mad. Prepare answers and learn them off by heart. Good luck 👍

Congratulations! Make sure you research the company and have a good look at its website. Have an opinion about it (what you admire, and perhaps a piece of constructive feedback in case you are asked).

One thing I hate when I interview candidates is when they haven’t bothered to look into the business and have nothing to say about our product.

Other tips from me are:
Don’t criticise your previous employer.
If you don’t understand a question, then stay cool and ask them to clarify. If you still aren’t sure, instead of getting really flustered, ask if you can come back to that one later.
Take your time - as most of us speak more quickly than we think we do, especially when nervous.
Look up standard interview questions and prepare answers to common ones.
Particularly think of an answer for why you were in the same company for so long, so you can put a positive spin on it - eg they were always developing you and giving you new responsibilities and you just loved it so much.
Ask about salary, benefits etc but don’t make demands until you get an offer.
Think of a couple of good questions to ask them about the business/culture/progression et

Good luck!

For interviews I make notes of examples which could cover a few different questions and refer to them if my.mind goes blank. I find even just having written something down helps me to remember.

Search STAR technique for answering questions.

for your clothes, wear something you feel. Comfortable in, especially if it's going to be hot

Definitely don’t include any dates and for gods sake don’t mention your children! Would a man mention his children on his CV?

keep it professional and impersonal.

@Merryclaire

@polkadotneedsachange congratulations I am in a similar situation, well done on passing through to interview stage.

@Merryclaire I have seen I would like to apply for, the job was 3 days WFH (it was done by a friend previously) but the role is advertised as been FT 3 days doing x 2 days doing y all in the office. How would you feel if you received an applicant wanting 3 days WFH ? Do I mention it on the application or at interview or just not bother applying?

@Landlubber2019 if the WFH is essential to you, then I would make a pre application enquiry. You don’t want to waste your time if it’s not an option. Even if it was previously a split role, perhaps they decided this now needs to be an office based role.

If WFH is an ‘ideally I would like’ then I think it’s fine to ask at interview whether that would be an option. I would just be wary of pushing it too much until an offer is made, at which point they want you so you can negotiate.

Sometimes companies don’t like to let people WFH until they get to know them a bit better and they have settled into the role. So it really depends how flexible you feel you can be about this issue.

Thanks @Merryclaire , I have already made a pre application enquiry but they were not particularly flexible. I've completed the application stating pt, wfh is the preferred so I guess it's all down to the amount of applications that are received and whether they can reconsider their position.