CV is useless....help!

[Ittybittytittycomittee]

Help! I've not used a CV for about 20 years. The last office based job I had was in 2006 and I only really got the job after a temp period and they decided to keep me on. I have had another job since leaving there in 2009, but that was through a family friend so no CV needed. I currently run a small business but am struggling with being on my feet for 8 plus hours a day. The pay os decent but my body is suffering. For contract I'm 53 now and my bones and joints struggle daily.
I want veto go back into a small part time job, PA, Admin, something very basic but my CV looks shocking. It literally has every job on it which is what was needed 20 years ago, I think.

I'm now listing the last 10 years but am reluctant to put my education due to it being a target for age discrimination. Sad but true.
What should I be listing, and should I really list hobbies etc? It all just seems laughable looking at what I currently have on there.

Thanks in advance.

Hi! I'm currently training to be a careers advisor - to masters level. I seriously recommend looking at websites like Prospects.ac.uk, linked in and similar. They all have excellent resources on cv and general careers advice. You can also access careers advice through the national careers service online and over the phone.

In terms of what to include I would go with the most recent roles (last decade or so) depending on what best highlights you. Unfortunately it's not a simple answer without seeing your cv etc.

I hope that helps!

You just need to reformat your CV. List the jobs you've had for the last ten years, company name, job title and then bullet point the duties involved. Then add an "Earlier Career" heading and list your other jobs underneath but leave out the dates, just one line per bullet point stating company name and job title. Do you mean you have O'levels? Just leave them off (along with hobbies). I'm slightly older than you and currently looking to move jobs. I've held various pa/admin roles and this is the advice I was given by a friend in HR and a lady from a recruitment agency. Ref agencies, it would be a good idea to register with one in your area, they will be happy to look at your cv and offer advice. Also, I've had three interviews in the last couple of weeks, got offered two of them but am holding on for now as neither were quite what they seemed! I'm tapping away on my phone so please excuse any typos etc. Good luck xx

I haven't used a cv to apply for a job since 2004. Everywhere seems to have their own application forms online now.

Thanks so much. I sent my rejigged cv off recently but looking back at it it’s awful. I’ll definitely take your advice. Good luck to you too xx

That’s great, thank you.

You're welcome! If you want to pm me with your email address I'm happy to send you my cv to give you an idea of layout etc (will just delete personal info).

One huge word of advice. Firms want an application tailored to their job. Not anyone else’s job. So even if you rewrite a cv, ensure you state your skills and how they apply to the job you want. Make sure you read the JD and tie it closely to the type of employee they state they want via a person spec if it’s made available. Just firing off a cv with hope doesn’t really cut it. A cv must be aimed at each job. Or complete an application.

Be careful with hobbies. Some firms think hobbies can so huge and time consuming, the employee won’t have time to work! Keep it understated.

That would be really helpful, thank you. X