Help my CV needs titivating!!!

[Katymac]

I have been offered a job doing some consultancy and my CV needs rewriting - I'm OK as far as the Personal specificantion....now I need help. So far I have.....

I have also worked in administration, in banking and during college, in catering. These jobs have given me the ability to work within strict guidelines and give me confidence to administer my business plan and accounting. I am also a Mum to an 8 year old and that has provided the most hands-on experience for dealing with young children.

I have extensive knowledge of business planning and administration combined with an accurate and insightful ability to manipulate numbers and financial matters. I increased the turnover for my business by 300% over 2 years, and have been an unofficial mentor to several chilminders during the 3 years I have been registered.

But I think it sounds a bit disjointed and not necessarily relevant

Can anyone help...I have an appointment this afternoon and must leave my 11 am
TIA

OK already on version 2

I have extensive knowledge of business planning and administration combined with an accurate and insightful ability to manipulate numbers and financial matters. My pervious jobs have given me the ability to work within strict guidelines and give me confidence to administer my business plan and accounting. I increased the turnover for my business by 300% over 2 years, and have been an unofficial mentor to several chilminders during the 3 years I have been registered.

And does this consultancy/advise/mentoring role need a business name?

And is there a current opinion on colour and different fonts within CV's nowadays

Does it make a difference that this is a "sales" document ie I am expevting people to pay me.....that's silly isn't it all CV's are sale document - they help you get a job

bump

A couple of things that occur to me:

1. don't say "manipulate numbers and financial matters" - makes you sound like a crook!

1. drop the "unofficial" - just say you mentored several childminders

I think in general it's a bit wordy - needs to be more snappy and "to the point". You seem to be focusing on two separate sets of skills - business admin and childcare - in that case I would start off with the business side, then finish off with a sentence or two talking about childcare- being a mum and registered childminder.

sorry i can't come up with anything more constructive - I am suffering nappy brain today!!!

Thank you I'll work on that

Hi katymac, I don't have experience with consultancy CVs. I am just a fresh pair of eyes FWIW.

For the personal spec, can you tailor it to the job you are going for? eg respond to specific qualities they are looking for in their ad.

Typo in second draft: "pervious" = "previous"

"Ability to manipulate numbers" sounds a bit dodgy. How about "I am comfortable working with numbers and experienced in managing financial matters."

Can you elaborate on what your business is? And elaborate on how you managed to increase your turnover so spectacularly.

"work within strict guidelines" - how about "work to your specific requirements as to [timelines], [budget]".

Same for "give me confidence to administer my business plan and accounting". To relate it to how you can help them.

As for unofficial mentor, can you specify which areas you helped them in?

I think it is fine generally but I am just naturally sceptical of fluff. So more examples, specifics, would give more credibility to your abilities.

Thanks for that blueshoes
My CV has info about my childminding business - should I put something about my current turnover

I am setting up in business as an advisor to childcare settings locally advising on marketing, business planning and policies and procedures (ie how to set up a childcare business)

So I've taken your ideas and added them

I have extensive knowledge of business planning and administration combined with an accurate and insightful ability to work with numbers and experienced in managing financial matters. My previous jobs have given me the ability to work within strict guidelines and can work to your specific requirements as to timelines and budgets. I have the confidence to administer business planning, marketing and accounting. I increased the turnover for my business by 300% over 2 years, and have been an mentor to several newly registered chilminders during the 3 years I have been registered.

I'd put it in bullet points so:

• administration, banking and catering experience
• Proven ability to work within strict guidelines
• Experience in business planning and accounting
• As a mother to an 8 year old, hands-on childcare experience
• Strong (is it?) experience of understanding and presenting financial data
• Increased my business turnover by 300% over 2 year period (you could add by doing xyz here but keep it brief)
• Mentor to x childminders

You don't need this bit imo, it's repeating above "I have extensive knowledge of business planning and administration" - you've already said that above. HTH.

Thanks WWW

It's too late for this afternoon - but I do like your idea....next draft?

katymac, I like WWW's bullet points. You say that your consultancy is that of an "advisor to childcare settings locally advising on marketing, business planning and policies and procedures (ie how to set up a childcare business)".

That being the case, I think all your childcare related experience is very relevant and should be right at the top of the bullet list ie childminding/increased turnover, mentor, hands-on experience. Put in figures for turnover if you are comfortable and if you think they are big enough to impress, depending on your expected clientele.

Can you flesh out, briefly, how you increased your turnover and helped the other childminders and what that did for their business. If you can relate it to "marketing, business planning, policies and procedures", even better.

Can you get references, positive quotes from those childminders? Particularly if your target market is other childminders.

Well my turnover is £37K this year.....so I'm quite impressed with that (not sure anyone else will be)

I went to see a business advisor today - but I wasn't terribly impressed - he was very nice but kept saying
"well you seem to know what you are doing"

"Look on the internet to find a company to provide PLInsurance"

"look on the internet to find out if you need to be a sole trader or a ltd company"

?

BTW still working on my CV

Katymac - my dh, who is a Managing Director and recruits regularly, says that he would want an understanding of the profitability of a business, not just turnover, and whether there was a return on any investment.

He also says that if you are going for consultancy work, a CV based on demonstratable skills and achievements is quite useful.

Thanks TP - unfortunatley (as you know) childminding doesn't make much profit...so I was hoping to avoid that question

It provides DH & I with enough income to buy clothes, food, petrol & holidays (tho' perhaps not in that order) whilst only working part time. But in real cash terms it's not so hot

( & I'm not sure I have any demonstratable skills or achievements )

How about this version

I can
· Administer business planning, marketing and bookkeeping
· Work to your specific requirements with regard to timelines and budgets
· Help with establishing or amending effective policies and procedures
· Produce publicity and promotional literature to inform parents about your new service
· Evaluate the current service and
· Arrange or coordinate events to publicise your new service
· Ad hoc mentoring and advice services
· Provide a knowledge base and link to other professional and advisory services.

Does that sound any better?

Much better, katymac . Your clients now get a much clearer sense of what you can do.

And the reason I can is because

I have
· Received “Outstanding” in my latest OFSTED report
· Hands-on experience for dealing with young children
· The ability to work within strict guidelines
· Extensive knowledge of business planning and administration
· An accurate and insightful ability to work with numbers
· Experience in managing financial matters

· Worked in administration, in banking and during college, in catering
· Increased the turnover for my business by 300% (to £37K p.a.) over 2 years
· Mentored several newly registered childminders during the 3 years I have been registered

except I've missed a bit on the evaluate line....need inspiration

Evaluate the current service and ... provide strategies for improvement OR provide turnaround strategies (if you are into troubleshooting and all that).

Ooo I like that - this all makes me sound great

What happens if I'm cr*p

BTW it's not a CV anymore it's a "Service Prospectus"....posh or what?

Up your fees! Consultants just have to talk a good game, doesn't matter if you are c__p. Every job is an extra notch on your CV.

That might wrok

Those that can do & all that