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CV HELP- Is it wankerish to put letters behind name, on CV?

31 replies

QuintlessShadows · 04/02/2015 18:24

Do people do that?

I have a BA, and MA, and some professional awards, membership of my professional body, and completing the CPD scheme every year.

So, should I add any letters?

OP posts:
dalekanium · 04/02/2015 18:28

I do it. But I am probably also a wanker. They might be connected.

That isn't helpful is it?

QuintlessShadows · 04/02/2015 18:29
Grin

Well, I can understand if you are in the medical, academic and educational professions, but if you are not? Like me, I am not.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 04/02/2015 18:29

Won't they be obvious from the Qualifications bit?

QuintlessShadows · 04/02/2015 18:31

probably.

I have seen a local job, 10 minutes from home, that I am keen to get. So, need to get my cv RIGHT.

OP posts:
MrsPigling · 04/02/2015 18:34

I've got some of those letters things and I never use them like that. I do occasionally call myself Dr, but not often and not on applications. It'll be obvious from your qualifications. If being a member of a professional body and cpd is relevant to the job, they'll ask for it on the form.

StrawberryCheese · 04/02/2015 18:34

I wouldn't unless as quintless says, you are in a medical or academic profession.

I could have put BA ISTD after mine, but couldn't help but laugh when I saw it.

OllyBJolly · 04/02/2015 18:34

I think it's acceptable on a CV, but a bit arsey to have it on your signature in the covering letter.

Just my opinion though - guess in academia it's de rigeur.

lavendersun · 04/02/2015 18:35

I never use my letters normally, although colleagues used to put them on business cards and I didn't as it felt wrong.

I just seem to keep paying the sky high membership fees and jumping through CPD hoops.

I think I would in your case. I don't think it will do any harm, so I would do it.

StrawberryCheese · 04/02/2015 18:35

Sorry just realised OP is quintless Grin

QuintlessShadows · 04/02/2015 18:37

Lol, not only am I quintless, I am also pennyless, and feel pretty worthless.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 04/02/2015 18:40

I like to see it - it gives me a very quick summary as to whether you have the qualifications required.

PiratePanda · 04/02/2015 18:41

No, because it's redundant - you're going to list the qualifications on your CV anyway, so don't put them after your name.

I have 5 including an F. but only ever put them down on letters of invitation to visitors who need visas, or on letters of introduction for my students, or anywhere else I might need to throw my authority around. On a CV it would look odd.

Sorehead · 04/02/2015 18:46

We received a CV like this in work and my first thought was "Wanker!"

Sorry Grin

Good luck in getting the job though.

Muskey · 04/02/2015 18:47

Tbh I find it A bit pretentious and whilst i am not in hr i work closely with them so i do see an awful lot of cvs. Someone I used to work for had a raft of dubious letters after his name which I think he got by joining various professional bodies rather than actually working for them. He insisted that they appeared on his business cards, letter headers the lot. To me it just underlined the fact he was a dickhead. Whilst worked for qualifications should be recognised I agree with other posters that most employers like knowing your qualifications but don't need it rammed down their throats ifyswim

GertrudeBell · 04/02/2015 18:47

No - definitely not the BA and MA. Possibly the professional qualifications if that's the convention (it's not in my profession - law) or they're particularly advanced.

PiratePanda · 04/02/2015 19:09

On second thoughts, if you've got an OBE... Grin

flowery · 04/02/2015 19:11

IMO no one should ever put BA after their name. The world and his wife have a degree so it's nothing unusual or special and 99,999 times out of 100,000 it's not remotely relevant so only serves to make the person look pretentious.

On a CV you don't need any letters as you will be listing relevant qualifications anyway.

There are some situations where including letters after one's name wouldn't be pretentious, but those situations are few and far between and imo only apply to doctors and vets and the like.

QuintlessShadows · 04/02/2015 20:24

Thanks, I thought it was a bit "wankery", but then I thought it has been so many years since I sent a CV out, times could have changed!

Smile
OP posts:
egnahc · 04/02/2015 22:24

Everyone I work with has a knighthood (well not everyone- a few are dames or lower honours but usually a few sirs kicking around)- no-one uses it at all.

When they 1st get on the horse jokes go round a bit but then drop off.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 04/02/2015 22:29

Unless they are amazing and relevant I wouldn't - like for example if you were a Companion of Honour

But a BA? Like a significant proportion of the rest of the population...nah.

If they are relevant put them in your personal profile at the top.

CalamitouslyWrong · 04/02/2015 22:49

I am an academic and I've never listed letters after my name on my CV, or anywhere else. The sections where I list my qualifications and affiliations give all the necessary information. I've never seen anyone stick letters after their name on a CV either.

Seeing 'Name, PhD' is something i mostly associated with the covers of dubious books about diets or parenting or anything else where the publishers are desperate to show you that the author has credentials.

Lilymaid · 04/02/2015 23:00

Even more wankerish is to write BA (Hons). You have to do really badly to get anything but an honours degree nowadays. Putting BA (Hons) on a CV usually means you have a useless degree from an obscure university.

CalamitouslyWrong · 05/02/2015 07:24

In Scotland, it's possible to do a BA with no option for honours. There are a very small number of degrees, but they exist.

Tori39Relaunch · 06/02/2015 09:37

The general rule with CVs is to include information that will make the reader invite you for interview..... so you can be selective. Your CV needs to show you as a good match for the job - if the letters contribute to this include them, but if they might be off putting don't put them on!

flowery · 06/02/2015 11:04

Tori I don't think anyone's suggesting leaving the qualifications off the CV entirely (assuming they are relevant to the job), just that putting letters after her name might will give a rather pretentious impression.

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