Updating my Curriculum Vitae

Tetragrammaton · 03-20-2010, 01:34 AM

Any hints on how to do a good modern style CV?

Wolverine1 · 03-20-2010, 04:50 PM

Is that an iron man armor?

Tetragrammaton · 03-21-2010, 07:34 AM

Man, given the wealth of information available from the membership, I hope no one else needs to update their own resume anytime soon.

I'll post some of the better guidelines I've found here in this thread once my own CV is up to speed.

VaultMan · 03-21-2010, 07:43 AM

I once tried to do a CV back in 2001 but dirt have enough guidelines. Recently I updated my resume using the Harvard B-school model (2pages) max. This was the recommendation I got from some folks. Why the CV and not a traditional res?

Tetragrammaton · 03-21-2010, 07:59 AM

Honestly, wasn't aware there was a difference between a CV and a traditional resume.

This is why I ask questions.

I knew about the 2 page limit and I've also heard that a single page is usually preferred.

ALPH4T34M · 03-21-2010, 08:59 AM

As a general rule, 2 pages is more than enough. Also you need to consider whether or not you want a chronological work based CV or a skills based CV. This will depend on whether or not the types of jobs you want to apply for are related to your previous work experience or not.

If they are then that's cool, if not then you need to look at making it a skills based CV, highlighting your transferable skills.

One of the most important parts of your CV should be your personal profile. Make sure you tailor this to the specific indusry you are going to apply into. Employers will only glance at a CV so they want something that will stand out to them making you a possible candidate for them to interview so don't just stick with the boring "excellent communicator" and "can work on my own initiative and as part of a team". Nothing wrong with that but try and highlight specific skills you have related to the job your applying for. For example, if you apply for a warehouse vacancy you might want to say "A fully qualified forklift driver with 2 years experience working in one of the main distribution depots for USP......" and so on.

There are many CV templates out there to choose from, many different layouts and designs. Best thing is to keep the look of it crisp and simple, with a font that will be easy to read.

JLM · 03-21-2010, 09:16 AM

I'd just add, don't write "Curriculum Vitae" on the top of the thing. It's patently obvious what it is.

Tetragrammaton · 03-21-2010, 09:35 AM

This is what I was planning this for the title.

"PLEASE HIRE ME"

Tetragrammaton · 03-21-2010, 09:36 AM

... and this for the closing.

"OR I'LL KILL YOU."

Tetragrammaton · 03-21-2010, 09:42 AM

Thanks ALPH4T34M.

I want to develop a general template for my new CV that I can then easily tailor for specific job offers.

I found this link useful on what NOT to include.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/career/?p=195

This one was useful as well.

http://www.conject.com/de/special/cvtips.html