Current CV Etiquette

[Fizog]

Well after much deliberation I've decided to grab the bull by the horns and change career.

I've been in my current job and 7 years now and I've not updated my CV for a long time. Does anyone know the current trends in CV presentation? Mine probably looks out-dated now.

Once that's sorted I've just got to decide what I want to do

It depends on the type of job you're moving into. There seems to have been a move away from CVs towards directed applications "outline why you want the job, how you meet person specification, blah blah" but i guess that might not be most appropriate if you're planning on sending out CVs on the off chance.

if you go to a university website and search for "careers" most will have a downloadable guide and will have a section for people changing careers.

I was thinking of using web-based agencies, so I would have expected to need a CV.

I'll try having a look on uni websites and also I'm thinking of calling 'connexions' (I think that's what it's called?)

Does anyone have any experience of Connexions?

Hi, having worked in HR for years I would say IME keep it short (2 pages), no fancy bits, just a clear summary of what experience and qualifications you have. Sometimes I had piles of 100s of cvs to look through and I appreciated the clear, concise ones. HTH

IME Connexions is mainly for 16-24 year olds (but maybe that's you?), they might point you in the right direction though.

I think for agencies you're best off going name and address, writing a short paragraph ( just a couple of sentences realy) describing who you are and what you want to do. Then a key skill section e.g. management, analytical, as a sub-heading with a single sentence explaining why, then previous jobs and key responsibilities, then education (including any professional qualifications or work-based training). you could include any outside interests or skills, such as first-aid, driving licence, likes cooking and then 2 referees. it shouldn't be more than 2 A4 sides and should be in a "sensible" font and a decent font size.

I work in a uni so we have standardised application forms except for lecturing posts so i don't see many CVs.

MariaLouisa/Clayhead - My CV is similar to both of your recommendations. I agree with everything you both say (2 sides, sensible font, layout etc) however I thought I read an article (months ago now) saying that CV standards had changed and people weren't up-to-date with the latest requirements. CV's could be 'dated' by their appearence etc... but mine sound slike it's still ok (just the content is out of date).

I'm in my mid 20's so just outside the Connexions age range.

I'd love to retrain but I can't afford to take a pay cut so I'm limited to jobs that come with a reasonable starting salary

Have a look around for HE administration job descriptions, at the right level it's great. I get a decent salary (for my age), flexible working conditions and whilst you don't get the summer off as most people think, the holiday allowance is pretty generous.

HE = Higher Education?

It might be worth contacting Connexions anyway as our local branch cater for adults over 24 too.

I've recently seen one of their advisors for advice about retraining etc and she was great.

I originally contacted our local FE college and they forwarded my message to the relevant person.

Yes. Wouldn't recommend the research/lecturing side but I'm really pleased with my admin job. The clerical level stuff is much the same as any other office job but better atmosphere (as far as I can see).