CV help

[40isthenew20]

Hi, I know this isn't the relevant board, but there seems to be more traffic!

I'm 40 years old and considering going back into employed work after 20 years of being self-employed.

I worked in an office from age 16-20. I have transferable skills, but no qualifications other than my GCSEs.

I've been looking at how to do a CV, but there is so much conflicting advice.

A few questions.

1. Do I add my age?
2. 1 page or 2?
3. I can't remember my GCSE results. How important is this at my age?
4. What makes me stand out and be considered for admin/office based work with no recent experience? Will I even be considered with no A levels to my name?
5. Any other relevant info to add or leave out?

Lastly, how reliable are agency apps such as Indeed, Reed?

Thank you in advance!

1. Do I add my age? NO
2. 1 page or 2? 2
3. I can't remember my GCSE results. How important is this at my age? It's not, just refer to them as GCSE passes in x subjects.
4. What makes me stand out and be considered for admin/office based work with no recent experience? Will I even be considered with no A levels to my name? I think you might find this harder with 20 years of being self employed, can you make reference to the admin duties you've been carrying out for 20 years for yourself?
5. Any other relevant info to add or leave out?

I've used the likes of Reed/Indeed they are fine. They'll also help if they think your cv needs some work.

Don't include age or address. Include email and phone number
Put "9 GCSEs at grades a to c" and the year you got them.
I would do 1 page as it doesn't sound like you have enough to fill 2 pages.
Have a skills section where you list your skills . Tailor it to the job. Try to use the same language as the advert. Make it easy for them to see that you have the necessary skills such as experience of relevant software. Make sure the spelling and grammar is perfect and the layout attractive.
Whether you get the job depends who else applies really - they would probably prefer someone with recent experience all else being equal but someone like that may not apply.

Indeed are fine, no experience with Reed

If you want to work in admin, you should list your computer skills. Also the version of Word, Excel, Outlook etc that you’re used to using.

If you don’t have any recent computer experience then consider doing a college or online course. They will look good on your CV.

GCSE results will depend on the company. I always get asked for them & I’m a similar age to you. However, I’ve seen lots of people post on here saying they were never asked.

Do you have your GCSE certificates squirrelled away somewhere, eg attic, back of a cupboard? It would be worth looking for them, or look into whether you can get copies.

I would definitely have a skills section on your CV, where you can list transferable skills, especially as you don’t have a lot of qualifications or recent experience.

One thing I always look for when recruiting is a team player. People want someone who’s going to be easy to work with and get on with.

Don't 1add your age and I probably wouldn't add the year you attained your GCSE's as the gap may give recruiters an idea of your age range. Is there any way you could do an admin course? I did this at my local college and it improved my employability greatly. If you've been self-employed for almost 20 years, you will have so many transferable skills, soft and hard skills, that could make you appealing to an employer: ability to set and manage own targets etc, you will likely have done all your own admin, communications, customer service, marketing etc. Did you do your own business banking, accounts/tax returns? Admins with some accounts/book keeping experience are highly sought after.

Make a list all of the software you have used and how you have used it as when I interviewed for admin in my local government office they wanted explanations in depth of what I'd used, how I'd used it and with examples, I also had to do a skills test to prove it. So, I would focus on brushing up on your IT skills if anything, as this is the real area of competency that could determine if you are successful in being employed.

1. Do I add my age? Hell no. Absolutely not. Just your name, email address and main contact number. Make email address professional. (so no slang, Xx’s, random words) E,g [email protected]* *
2. 1 page or 2? 1. Most CV’s don’t get read fully. Just skimmed over.
3. I can't remember my GCSE results. How important is this at my age? Not important at all. If you have a degree or further education qualification just put that. No need for GCSE results. I don’t put them on, and I’m 30.
4. What makes me stand out and be considered for admin/office based work with no recent experience? That you are IT/computer literate e.g Microsoft Office package and other systems. You have organisations skills, can prioritise, good time management, good attention to detail, good communication skills, multi-tasking, work with own initiative. Will I even be considered with no A levels to my name? Yes. I should think so.
5. Any other relevant info to add or leave out?Leave out hobbies, interests. Use a standard and easy to read font. No bright colours.

What was your self employed work?

No need to put your age and please don't include a picture of yourself. I know most people wouldn't, but we seem to have an influx of people including them at the moment. We don't care what you look like at all - we aren't a modelling agency!

If you passed your GCSEs, mention that. Plus any additional qualifications you've picked up since. .
Include info about the skills you've gained as a self employed person - motivation, problem solving, examples of where you've exceeded (but factually, rather than it looking like bragging).

Tailor your CV to each place you apply for. Do your research and carefully note down the skills they're looking for. Match them with examples where you can show you fit the bill. Keep the layout simple - use bullet points for easy reading. Write a good cover letter.

Best of luck - it's a minefield out there, but lots of businesses are looking for decent staff.

Thank you for all the help.