To ask you how to write the perfect cv?

[Nokidsnoproblem]

What are the do's and don't's of a good cv?

What's the worst cv you've seen and what is the best?

I should have added... PM me if you'd like a copy.

bringmeroses Times New Roman? Really? Doesn't that kind of just make you look like you don't even know how to change the font?

Do explain gaps of over a few months - it is perfectly ok to explain a career gap if you've been a full time SAHM for a while (e.g. 2009 - 2012 full- time parenting responsibilities at home).

But don't feel you have to mention every job you've ever done starting with your paper round at the age of 14. It's Ok to give full details of the most recent and/or relevant jobs and only to give brief or merged details of all your short term or less relevant jobs. (e.g 2001 - 2005 - a number of part-time roles including waitressing and bar work while completing my degree).

I wouldn't use Times New Roman (looks a bit dated). Calibri's nice

And (my pet hate) don't put marital status. It's not a dating agency.

Fonts: I am in love with Garamond :-)

I've been sending off my CV today

I tried to match up the skills I have used in previous roles to explain why I'm a good candidate. Glad to hear this is wanted on a CV. Although I hate the personal statement part, because whatever is written looks a bit pompous.

I used Ariel font and included basic details but left out d.o.b and marital status as I just didn't feel it was was a relevant factor in decided whether I was the right person for the role.

My final issue is that covering letters take bloody ages to write individually, and I do struggle in writing those as I'm applying to about twenty different companies - I honestly just want them to give me a job, I don't want to have to list their capabilities as a firm (I.e. why do you want to work with our firm in particular?). If that hinders me so be it, but I have been using just a basic template for a covering letter - does it really matter that much? If it does, I will scale down the amount of companies I apply to, and maybe put more effort into writing letters to the companies I apply to.

Agree don't use Times New Roman, v old fashioned now.

Here's my top cv tips cut and pasted from loads of other threads.

'Put personal information at the top (name, address, contact number only, not 'married 3 kids age 37 favourite colour blue').

Put a personal profile-type statement after that, just a couple of lines summing up what experience/skills you have to offer and the type of position/company you are looking for. Obviously make sure these tie in with the job you are applying for.

For each job, put dates, job title and employer, in reverse date order. For most recent/relevant jobs put a list of bullet points of main responsibilites and/or achievements. Do this with the job description for the job you want in front of you so you can emphasise relevant stuff.

Then qualifications/training. List in most recent order, include relevant training courses and higher education if you have it. Don't put Home Ec O Level. Everything on your cv should help you get the job you are looking for, and school exams usually won't unless you are a school leaver or very early in your career.

Don't put photos or anything else annoying and irrelevant, don't put it in a folder or on pink paper, don't staple it. It needs to be easy to read and easy to copy. Put page numbers and your name in the footer of each page in case of mishaps with photocopying.

It should be no more than 2 sides if at all possible. Don't leave gaps but jobs that were ages ago and/or are not relevant can be just listed with dates and little or no information about them.'

Reindeer, we read the letters in greater detail than the CVs, mostly.

Oh, and covering letters aren't for sucking up to the company and telling them how great they are, they are for highlighting why you would be the best person for that job in particular.

Also with GCSEs/O Levels it's fine to just put '8 GCSEs at A-C grade, including Maths and English'. But yes, A Levels or further education generally overrules it anyway, so don't waste space listing every single one.

I don't list GCSEs, A levels etc I stick my old LLM on there and then the new MSc.
I use Arial.
Speak to them about times when you achieved something
Saved time or money, refined process, interacted well, learned a skill overcame and obstacle.
People view job hunting weirdly. As much as a company deciding if you are right for them you must decide if they are right for you.
Sometimes a company pass on you because they know the make up of a team and you might not match that. They may wish they had you but know that hiring you will shine a light on a what they currently have.

Best fit for a role doesn't always mean best applicant.

Think about the type of people a company employs. If they are very corporate and you aren't there is no point in you pretending, getting the job and leaving in despair
Ditto if they are desk surfing dudes and you like quiet contemplation you might fake it at interview but no happiness lies there.

Oh damn.

Would it be wrong of me to use an agency instead then? I hate writing covering letters, they are like personal statements but worse. And some of the application forms I completed today did specifically ask why I wanted to join their firm in particular.

The irony is that I used to interview candidates myself but we normally focused on the CV and not the covering letter.

Re font - v interested to see the tide of opinion anti times new roman! I like it.... Though I think on reflection I'd look at a prospective employers website and try to tailor my cv to that style perhaps even imitating font used if its fairly standard eg Garamond, arial. Is this going too far?

I tend to look at Times New Roman and think they just didn't know how to change the font too

Ten that's really bad practice that you'd think 'Brilliant' and be more inclined to invite someone in their 40's to interview

Don't be humble, don't lie about your education and skills, don't make your CV too long. It is true that 10 seconds is the average time a recruiter needs to decide whether a CV is worth reading. But keep in mind that it has to be two pages at least (an overlooked tip).