Writing a CV?

[_tom_]

So I need to write myself a CV to send off to some various joinery places to apply for a an apprenticeship/work with formal training type thing. I dont think I've ever written a CV before so I dont know what to include! The Microsoft Word templates seem a bit cr@p, they all say "Professional Acheivements and Experiences" etc but I dont have any! I've only worked at my dads office over the summer holidays and done a paper round! And of course I have my GCSE grades but I dont really know what else I need to include to "beef it up" a bit :lol:

Cheers for any help

[Ratrod]

Be honest and as complete as possible. Mention the work you've done at your dad's office etc. It shows you're not sitting on your @ss all summer. If you have certain hobbies that are relevant, mention those too.

[willo]

When I was trying to get work as a teenager, I mentioned that I had played the guitar since the age of 10 and was almost completely self taught...sort of a 'self dedication' thing, also that I had songs on the internet (which was sort of true...my friend shared a few of our songs out on Napster, even though they were spoofs). Same thing with sporting achievements. It's harder when you are younger and have no job experience, so I'd aim to highlight hobbies or other things you have done that show job-worthy qualities.

Also, use your most formal sounding email address. It's not so good if they have to email you at big_boobies86@hotmail.com or whatever.

Try and get some references/addresses for references on there, too.

Have you done any youth/community work, or any kind of activity like that? Any school competitions? Just add anything that makes you look professional, mature, and responsible. Those are big qualities!

[HJM]

I'd edit the template a touch, loose the parts that you don't have yet...like training courses or professional development!

As Ratrod says, include everything that you think is relevant, and it may be worth putting in things that aren't so obvious - playing in a band shows good people skills/team work/commitment etc (if you didn't split the band up!)

[_tom_]

When I was trying to get work as a teenager, I mentioned that I had played the guitar since the age of 10 and was almost completely self taught...sort of a 'self dedication' thing, also that I had songs on the internet (which was sort of true...my friend shared a few of our songs out on Napster, even though they were spoofs). Same thing with sporting achievements. It's harder when you are younger and have no job experience, so I'd aim to highlight hobbies or other things you have done that show job-worthy qualities.

Also, use your most formal sounding email address. It's not so good if they have to email you at big_boobies86@hotmail.com or whatever.

Try and get some references/addresses for references on there, too.

Have you done any youth/community work, or any kind of activity like that? Any school competitions? Just add anything that makes you look professional, mature, and responsible. Those are big qualities!

Does posting clips on here count as songs on the internet  :lol: Also, that big boobies email address is hilarious hahaha. I do take some guitar lessons every now and then, I used to get them every week or so, should I put self taught or not :P cheers for all the help so far I think I'm building up a good CV in my mind now! Just gotta get it all typed out

[chrisola]

i have a good cv template. its never failed to get me an interview!

its sort of:

-Personal details
-General Experience & achievements (eg pc know how, customer service etc.. basically a summary of yourself and your experiences\skills... but dont use the word skill..)
-Career history including responsibilities from each job role
-Qualifications
-References
-Interests out of work

Along those lines is good :)

[FELINEGUITARS]

Also, use your most formal sounding email address. It's not so good if they have to email you at big_boobies86@hotmail.com or whatever.

Of course it's no good to use that address as they would be sending the reply to me.........

[38thBeatle]

Tons of good advice above Tom. What you need to remember ( and forgive me for stating the obvious) is that you are trying to sell potential employers the idea of employing you.Why is is they should consider doing such a thing- you are trying to tell them about yourself. What I am trying to say in my usual long winded fashion is don't get hung up too much on the detail- tell the truth but emphasise what you have going for you. If you are not entirely self taught on guitar,for example, you can say "largely self taught". You can say that your passion for guitar has fueled your passion for working with wood as you are looking to make guitars in the future.

[willo]

of course, you could spin the guitar-playing issue around and say that it was your desire to learn at a higher level that gave you the urge to find a guitar teacher, to really advance your playing etc.

Essentially, you can put positive spin on anything. Apart from Feline's email address.

[schmendict]

Also, use your most formal sounding email address. It's not so good if they have to email you at big_boobies86@hotmail.com or whatever.

Of course it's no good to use that address as they would be sending the reply to me.........

 :lol: Couldnt stop myself cracking up!

To quote a recent MSN conversation, however tempting, your CV should NOT go like this;
"dear bling innit,
 i iz prpr gd at ennyfin or nuffin,
urs innit, tom-bling"

A good tip there, Tom.

[tewboss]

oh one thing i remembered that my cv had when i left school - the community and work experience i did while i was at school (even though i hated what i did). definitely don't go beyond two pages unless what you have done is very interesting. also i would definitely include your interests - like you have repaired your guitar etc so put hobby electronics, woodworking.

its irrelevant here, but my friend has on his CV "Full License: Motorcycle, Car and Tank" :D

[chrisola]

^ i second that with the shortness of the CV..

Employers may potentially get to look at hundreds of cvs... thats why starting them off with the info on your actual skills & experiences is a very good idea, dont waffle on for pages and make them actually sit and READ it to find out about you... do it bullet pointed and include some general points aswell as ones worded to be relevant to the job\thing you are applying for (read the profile of the job you are applying for to find out what they want\expect from you.. BUT dont go mad and make it sound like bullshitee and you are perfect for the job lol)..keep it concise & waffle free, and largely factual ;) )

That way, if its what the employers want, they will shortlist you straight away after reading your CV for about a minute.. its like you are saying: this is a summary of what i have done and what i can do, how do you like that?

Good luck with it!

[tewboss]

in theory you should taylor your cv for specific jobs. all of mine have been the same sort of thing so i have got around having to do that.

I'd definitely agree with Chrisola on the matter of bullet points. Reading CV's is generally a boring task so anything you can do to relieve the tedium for the company the more likely your chances. I'd read rather a lot of bad cv's so I know pretty much what not to do.

Oh yeah and I wouldn't put your age at the top of the page like some people do. Sometimes it can count against you.

[Jp.]

A CV is factual statement of who you are and where you've been!

Keep it short.

Be factual.

State you name first.

Be chronologically correct.

lastest school achievments. Results then all extra caricular stuff. Sporting medals etc.

Work experience.

Hobbies, interests.

All other personal details Last. ie contact, age etc

See how that was fast easy to read and concise. Thats how it should read... dont waffle on about your favourite song or your best holiday memory. No reasonable employment officer or Foreman will expect a 2-4 page CV from a teenager. Your CV shows your experience... you have very little at this stage of your life. Don't be ashamed of it, its just FACT.

FACTS are what your presenting in a CV!

A lot of employers are looking for someone with little or no experience so they can train them their way. Ask any tradesman... Of which my whole family are (except me )Its a lot easier to train good habits into someone than train bad ones out.

The most important thing is the interview... be clear (DONT MUMBLE) and show enthusiasm to learn and work. I cannot stress that enough!!  

That will give you the edge over other applicants

[Searcher]

Oh yeah and I wouldn't put your age at the top of the page like some people do. Sometimes it can count against you.

In some countries it's actually illegal to put your name and gender on your résumé.

Anyways, Tom, a friend once gave me some advice about job interviews that has remained with me for years. It's some of the best advice I've ever had in my life and I have applied it to other things too.

It's this: "Your confidence will win you the position."

Being a pretty confident guy I have actually completely bluffed my way into a few jobs--not by lying but just by really being confident of my abilities. A couple of times I should have let the positions go, because once I got the jobs I then had to figure out how the hell I was actually gonna do them. Stress city for the first few weeks!

Another thing to think about is that you're not the only one who is "auditioning" for the position in your interview; you should be checking your prospective employer out too. Don't sell yourself short and just accept any position that comes your way. You're better off being satisfied with your employer: you'll work better and everyone will be happier.

All the best.  :)