Ideas for CV

[Rhyfelwyr]

I'm going to be looking for part-time work over the summer, and I was going to set about it now I have a weeks break between my exams, to get a bit of a head start.

My problem is I have nothing to put on my CV. I've looked at quite a few example CV's, and I don't have even basic things to put down like these other people. Outside of academic stuff, I've got absolutedly nothing.

I don't have any hobbies or anything at all to put down for the interests section. And as for skills... all I ever see people put down for that is communication or something along those lines, and I couldn't do that without blatantly lying, and it would quickly become obvious at the interview.

I don't even have the most basic details to put down. For example, I don't even have a mobile phone for a contact number. And I don't know anyone to put down as a referee, and most CV's seem to have two of these.

Gah... they probably want the typical bright happy, outgoing student for the kinds of part-time jobs I would be looking for, but that's just not me.

Any advice on what I could do to improve my CV?

[Secura]

Having just completed a two-week training programme designed to help me find work (I've been unemployed for six months since returning from university), I've got quite a bit of knowledge about CVs and interviews now.

The first thing to remember is that a CV is typically only two pages long; employers don't want to have to trawl through pages and pages to learn about someone, and it'll only serve to make you look bigheaded... so keep it clear and concise. You should also remember that, for the most part, CVs are just fluff; while you cannot blatantly lie your way through it, you can embellish your interests and personal abilities a bit to give you a chance!

Anyways, the best place to start with a CV is what they call a 'Personal Profile', which is generally a paragraph or two that essentially lists your desirable qualities to an employer; I've taken the liberty of copying my own Profile and posting it below so you can have a read-through and see what I mean:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A diligent worker who is highly motivated in her approach to work; possesses confidence and good communication skills that contribute to an excellent standard of customer service as well as a teamwork ethic; reliable with good time-keeping and the ability to cope with the pressure of time constraints and deadlines.

My time at university has also taught me a breadth of skills such as a keen eye for analysis, evaluating complex matters, excellent communication in both oral and written means, understanding complex material and an ability to devise creative solutions to problems.

I can tell you right away that some of that is merely embellishing what I actually am capable of; do not be afraid to big yourself up, as the Personal Profile is possibly the biggest opportunity that you have to sell yourself to an employer.

Obviously you will then have your employment history (or qualifications, whichever is more recent); for employment history, you'll want to go into some depth about the duties you had and such:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As a Crew Member, I was primarily responsible for customer interaction and order-taking, be it in the ‘Drive-Thru’ with the company’s handheld order-taking pads or in-store on the tills, which inherently led to handling large cash sums in excess of £2000.

McDonalds was often busy, particularly at weekends, and this often led to working to strict time constraints. It also, inevitably, led to complaints, which I handled in a professional and expedient manner.

The company occasionally required additional assistance with food preparation and stock control, which I was happy to do also.

It's relatively short, concise and details everything I did while highlighting certain traits that sell me to an employer; my ability to pick up new technology easily, excellent customer service skills and an ability to work to time constraints, principally. This part will sell yourself too!

If your qualifications are more recent, as is the case for me, then they will go after your Personal Profile instead; I'm immensely proud of my academic achievements though and I feel they're a focal point of who I am and aspire to be, so they take pride of place over my work experience anyway. Naturally, qualifications in Maths and English are important regardless of the job you're applying for, but don't be afraid to put everything else down, as it's an indicator of your interests as well as your academic aptitude.

After that, you'll have a list of other skills; this section is usually tailored to the kind of work that you're looking for, but don't be afraid to list things that aren't relevant. If you can drive a forklift, use complex machinery, speak a foreign language, use Microsoft Office or anything else, this is the place to say it.

Generally, your Personal Profile, qualifications/employment and Skills will take up one page; on your second page, you'll go with your employment history (or qualifications, whichever isn't on the first page) and then your interests. This part doesn't need to be particularly long, and you can embellish all you like here; this part is generally what employers look at to see if you'll fit in well with their current workforce as well as what you're like at home. They generally will ask a question or two about your interests at interview, so it's worth getting some if you don't have any. :3

Finally, you end your CV with the phrase "REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST"; this will lead employers to contact you directly for the referees, which is an obvious sign that they're interested in you. Due to the fact I haven't been employed in five years, I use a reference from the training course and one from Beskar, a life-long personal friend. If you can get a tutor from school/college/university, that would be the ideal, however.


That's pretty much everything I can think of from the top of my head about CVs in particular... I'm always free to lend further assistance should you need it.

[Ethelred Unread]

I don't have any hobbies or anything at all to put down for the interests section.

Yeah you do - you love reading books of genre x, computer games of genre x, ebay and wargaming. The hobbies interest section is only for something for "small talk" in the interview itself.

And as for skills... all I ever see people put down for that is communication or something along those lines, and I couldn't do that without blatantly lying, and it would quickly become obvious at the interview.

Blatant lying isn't a problem for a CV for a summer job believe me. Unless you claim to be the king of france or something. Are you honestly telling me you can't hold a conversation with your interviewer about yourself and the kind of work you are looking for? "Communication Skills" means you can speak English in the correct register and you don't type using l33t speak, they won;t be looking for Nelson Mandela.

I don't even have the most basic details to put down. For example, I don't even have a mobile phone for a contact number. And I don't know anyone to put down as a referee, and most CV's seem to have two of these.

You have a landline and an email? Don't worry about it then. For referees use your tutors, or A Teacher from School or a friend's parent/guardian/other. Again, depending on the job you're looking for the referees aren't that important.

Gah... they probably want the typical bright happy, outgoing student for the kinds of part-time jobs I would be looking for, but that's just not me.

What sort of jobs are you applying for? Butlins Redcoat?

[Reenk Roink]

Go to grad/med/business/law school and put off work for several more years, and make yourself a lot more employable to the best jobs!

Rhy, where exactly are you in respects to your college career (assuming you are in college)? That is very important, because for many jobs, it doesn't matter that you have little to no related work experience if you are a fresh graduate or still in college (and especially if you are a first or second year student).

If you are searching for a job related to your major, and are still in college, they will understand why you don't have much/any work experience. A great way to get a job and get work experience is to get a Student Instructor job at your college by the way. They really do not care whatsoever about your work experience, just how well you did in the class you are going to help teach and your communication/teaching skills. Try for that.

As for your interests and stuff, it is a non-issue until your educational and/or work background are up to snuff. It matters in the interview, but only after they have already filtered you out from the mass applicants (due to your education/work experience).

But to flesh that section out, what sports do you like? Put them in even if you don't play in any organized fashion. From what I've seen of your long theology debates, you like reading, so put that on (and definitely put down on your skills section that you are a good PROBLEM SOLVER and have great WRITING SKILLS ). If you listen to music or watch moves or like drawing or anything, put it on. Put playing video games on (but keep in the the middle, near the end of the list of course). I don't know about Europe, but here being involved in your church is looked upon very favorably, so if that fits you, put it on.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Wow, thanks for those replies!

I would rep you if I could Secura, and the tip on the references will save a lot of trouble.

I'm going to have a go at writing it tonight, and I'll trek round the local retail park tomorrow...

[Secura]

I would rep you if I could Secura, and the tip on the references will save a lot of trouble.

You're welcome... I'm always happy to help. :3

Trust me, two weeks ago I didn't have a clue where I was going wrong with my job applications, and it transpires that my CV was simply awful; within five days of finishing the training course and I'm fielding offers from jobs I've applied for already, which is fantastic... sure the hours and wage isn't great, but to be honest anything is better than Jobseeker's Allowance. :P

Once you get to writing your CV, you'll wonder what you were worried about... all you needed was a little push. ^_^

[Crazed Rabbit]

Hmm, here in the states resumes longer than one page are usually frowned on.

This can require being quite concise, but I think it helps.

Mine is set up thusly;
Name

Contact Info

Objective (What type of job are you searching for? What field do you want to work in?)

Education (With info on the Institution, years attended, GPA, accomplishments, and notable classes)

Notable Educational Projects/Experience (specifically, I talk briefly about my senior design project. Use whatever makes you look best for the job.)

Work History (Here I highlight the only meaningful engineering experience I've got, as an intern. It takes up 1/4 of the page and almost 1/2 of the word count, as I detail the different tasks I accomplished)

Now, you don't have work experience. So you'll want to expand the education experience (and use any volunteer work or work for your family) that could apply to the job. The key is to be broad minded - see what the job requires and look if the classes you've taken apply to that skill.

Skills

As a general thing, I use a lot of bullet points to get the key points of my experience across. You don't want to have a wall of text. Say as much as you can in as little words as possible. My total word count is under 390 words. Secura makes a good point about the references - use your teachers and/or other adults you've worked with (perhaps as a volunteer or whatever) or who can vouch for your character. Make sure you call them and ask for their permission to use them as references. Don't use family.

CR

[Secura]

Hmm, here in the states resumes longer than one page are usually frowned on.

In the UK, it's no more than two pages; one page just isn't enough for an employer to get a proper idea of who you are and what you can do... or at least that's what I've just had drilled into me for the last two weeks. :3

As a general thing, I use a lot of bullet points to get the key points of my experience across. You don't want to have a wall of text. Say as much as you can in as little words as possible.

Well, when you've got two pages and you have as little valid work experience as myself or Rhy, you can embellish what you have done a little more; bullet points are definitely the way to go when you're a fair bit older and there's alot more substance to your life, though.

[pevergreen]

Heres a link to mine if you want a look. I did mine with the help of dad, who has been employing people for the last 40 years.

http://www.filefront.com/16439451/re...%2002%2010.doc

Its not the end of it though. Unlikely for summer jobs, but I know a guy who used to work at BT in a recruiting role and he would often just nod once at the resume and then ask questions, ignoring it completely and having never read it.

Depending on the type of job: Computer skills. List em! Can you do fancy things like bold and underline in MS Word? You have basic skills! Can you do more things like tabs and bookmarks/hyperlinks etc? Thats intermediate skills! and so on

[Raz]

This will help me in getting a job after end-of-year exams. A love this thread. Thank you everyone.
And special thanks to you, Rhyfelwyr, for creating this thread. :D

[johnhughthom]

I'm actually at the other end of the cv these days and can tell you an in-depth cv with paragraphs describing every aspect of your life will get binned. A well layed out, easy to read cv on two pages will certainly get my attention, it also makes the interview more enjoyable for interviewer and interviewee to actually have areas to expand upon. Some really good tips above.