CVs - helpful tips and advice please?

[SorenLorensen]

Oh I'm all about the asking advice these days

Dh is writing a CV and he hasn't done one for about 16 years. I haven't done one for about 10. Are there any good websites for tips etc? Or anyone got any hints?

Do you still need to put stuff like marital status/hobbies etc or is that old hat?

He says he's doing a "performance CV" - where you start with jobprofile/skills/achievements and work backwards to the dull stuff like qualifications/age/blah de blah.

Oh and he doesn't need to list all his qualifications by name, does he? Is it sufficient to say 9 O' levels, 4 A's etc? Does he need grades? Does he need to mention he got a third or can he just put BSc Hons and MSc?

Any advice gratefully received.

As an HR professional in a finanacial services company, I think "performance cv" is the best style, but it depends what type of job you are going for.

He doesn't need to list all his qualifications by name. It is sufficient to say 9 O' levels, 4 A's etc. He does not need grades. He does not need to mention he got a third (but might be asked at interview).

Start with a brief description of your current role, skills, what you are looking for. Then working backwards in time, each part should stress achievements, not job content.

Finish with personal details, contacts, qualifications etc.

Any gaps should be covered, or will look suspicious. These days some banks check every detail, so do not lie about anything.

However there are many ways to write a CV, and the only right way is the one that gets you an interview.

Good Luck.

Thanks for that, ck - that's pretty much the way he's going about it so it's nice to have confirmation that he's on the right lines. Yes, I'm really hoping for an interview too - his job is looking increasingly unstable and there is an excellent one going nearby - I really don't want to move!