Spicing up a CV?
Discussion
My wife is looking for work, mainly admin stuff, but as I have never had to write a CV in my life, I'm a little stuck regarding helping her as well as I know she deserves!
In the 'why do you want this job' bit, she's put;
''''I am applying for this job as I am looking for a new challenge and would like to learn something new. I am honest and reliable; I work well as part as a team but also work equally as productively on my own initiative. I have a healthy knowledge of Excel and Word, Outlook and know my way around a computer.''''
Seems a bit flat to me, anyone know how to 'spice it up', slightly?
Cheers
Chris (on behalf of chantelle_ :):)
In the 'why do you want this job' bit, she's put;
''''I am applying for this job as I am looking for a new challenge and would like to learn something new. I am honest and reliable; I work well as part as a team but also work equally as productively on my own initiative. I have a healthy knowledge of Excel and Word, Outlook and know my way around a computer.''''
Seems a bit flat to me, anyone know how to 'spice it up', slightly?
Cheers
Chris (on behalf of chantelle_ :):)
chris watton said:
My wife is looking for work, mainly admin stuff, but as I have never had to write a CV in my life, I'm a little stuck regarding helping her as well as I know she deserves!
In the 'why do you want this job' bit, she's put;
''''I am applying for this job as I am looking for a new challenge and would like to learn something new. I am honest and reliable; I work well as part as a team but also work equally as productively on my own initiative. I have a healthy knowledge of Excel and Word, Outlook and know my way around a computer.''''
Seems a bit flat to me, anyone know how to 'spice it up', slightly?
Cheers
Chris (on behalf of chantelle_
You should include something that directly references the job in question - can't suggest what as I don't know what it is. (My eldest sprog has just applied for a job as a hospital theatre porter as something to help fill and finance his gap year - he included stuff about it being a rich source of life experience, and sold himself as approachable and friendly, and therefore likely to help reassure and keep people calm)
Prof Beard
A little chunk from mine, and I have just been offered a job so something must be working
I am a well-organized, enthusiastic individual who is constantly seeking to improve and innovate. My communication skills ensure I can relate well with both clients and team members. A thorough and meticulous approach enables me to work efficiently under pressure.
I am a well-organized, enthusiastic individual who is constantly seeking to improve and innovate. My communication skills ensure I can relate well with both clients and team members. A thorough and meticulous approach enables me to work efficiently under pressure.
simpo two said:
Dunno, my CVs never got me very far.
At school we were advised to put 'mountaineering' in the hobby seciton...
LOL, about the same as me then!!! (BTW, have finished the carriage, will send you some pics of that and the other model ships' progress soon
) Thanks for that Paul, very well put!
The prob with Chan is that shes very smart, but also very nearvous when it comes to applying for jobs, as she's only had 2 long term jobs since leaving school. (She's even fitted our new kitchen and bathroom, with not much help from me!!)
( I know what I asked for is a bit cheeky, but it it deeply appreciated!
) >> Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 31st August 19:51
I reckon that if you know that you can pull off the job, there's no harm in writing a load of half-truths. For instance, I always write my own references with a load of viable backup. Sod it, it's a dog eat dog world and you've got to use any means necessary to succeed. Forget moral crap, just lie.
I landed my present career through a CV with a handwritten reference, a load of dodgy experience but I can cut it. I also landed a bridge extension project as manager, purely with a cover letter pretending my childhood meccano experience was in fact big scale stuff. Contract finished early and within the price (lowest
), me congratulated 
I've had a load of failures doing it right as there is always some smart arse who bullshits, make that person you.
>> Edited by love machine on Wednesday 31st August 20:09
I landed my present career through a CV with a handwritten reference, a load of dodgy experience but I can cut it. I also landed a bridge extension project as manager, purely with a cover letter pretending my childhood meccano experience was in fact big scale stuff. Contract finished early and within the price (lowest
), me congratulated I've had a load of failures doing it right as there is always some smart arse who bullshits, make that person you. >> Edited by love machine on Wednesday 31st August 20:09
love machine said:
I reckon that if you know that you can pull off the job, there's no harm in writing a load of half-truths. For instance, I always write my own references with a load of viable backup. Sod it, it's a dog eat dog world and you've got to use any means necessary to succeed. Forget moral crap, just lie.
I landed my present career through a CV with a handwritten reference, a load of dodgy experience but I can cut it. I also landed a bridge extension project as manager, purely with a cover letter pretending my childhood meccano experience was in fact big scale stuff. Contract finished early and within the price (lowest
>> Edited by love machine on Wednesday 31st August 20:09
Thats what I'm sure a lot of people do, I told her this, but she keeps insisting she shouldn't lie!!! There is never any harm in 'spicing things up', I think!! (edited due to apparent sticky keys on keyboard!!!!)
>> Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 31st August 20:29
Always a good idea to have read your body language books before the interview, that way when you get interrogated and have to improvise total bullshit, you don't give yourself away. I can look someone in the eye and totally lie to them, all thanks to Dr David Lewis and his book "The secret language of success", which should be on everyones bookshelves. ISBN 0-593-01491-X
The first time I employed this method of blatantly bending the truth was a PhD place I got at Oxford (which I decided not to take up!). When I got that I realised that anything was possible!!!
I have some classic 'jobs' stories.
The first time I employed this method of blatantly bending the truth was a PhD place I got at Oxford (which I decided not to take up!). When I got that I realised that anything was possible!!!
I have some classic 'jobs' stories.
as long as you can think of an example to actually back up each of the statements e.g. reliable - why or when did you show this? group work - demonstrate, example. initiative - when did you show this? etc. Connect each of your experiences to a quality (or several) mentioned in the statement.
I was thinking to spice mine up attaching a piccie in a bikini, but after the 'Shame on you ladies' thread I have realised that such tactics are inmoral, depreciating and wrong... no wonder I'm not finding a job!
I was thinking to spice mine up attaching a piccie in a bikini, but after the 'Shame on you ladies' thread I have realised that such tactics are inmoral, depreciating and wrong... no wonder I'm not finding a job!
I've never needed a CV 
My boss hired me because he thought I had a Lamborghini...
However, sentences like "I work well as a team but also on my own" etc just bore me. The employer expects that from their candidates. It becomes obvious in an interview if they lack complete human interaction skills.
Instead, try and impress with something original
To add - demonstrate you have those skills without actually saying so. Talk about sport as well as times you've achieved personal success.
Put yourself in the employers shoes. They might have hundreds of CVs to go through. Make sure they remember yours, for whatever reason.
>> Edited by rico on Wednesday 31st August 21:02
My boss hired me because he thought I had a Lamborghini... However, sentences like "I work well as a team but also on my own" etc just bore me. The employer expects that from their candidates. It becomes obvious in an interview if they lack complete human interaction skills.
Instead, try and impress with something original
To add - demonstrate you have those skills without actually saying so. Talk about sport as well as times you've achieved personal success.
Put yourself in the employers shoes. They might have hundreds of CVs to go through. Make sure they remember yours, for whatever reason.
>> Edited by rico on Wednesday 31st August 21:02
chris watton said:
''''I am applying for this job as I am looking for a new challenge and would like to learn something new.
drop this part
I am honest and reliable; I work well as part as a team but also work equally as productively on my own initiative.
every single letter has this almost word for word I dont think anyone actually believes it anymore, drop it if you can think of something better or want to rave on more about your job specific experience/skills, if you cant leave it in, it wont kill your chances but wont help them.
I have a healthy knowledge of Excel and Word, Outlook and know my way around a computer.
good, but would be better written as, expert in Excel and Word, MS Office, Windows 95/98/XP etc excellent computer skills, typing speed 40wpm (doesn't matter if you can't I've never had anyone query this, if you think you can type faster then put a higher number, 40wpm is quick enough for most places and quick enough for most people not to tell the difference, put in a really number and you might get caught out
This is very similar to my 'standard' type job letter, but only the base of it. I usually tailor the specifics to the job after some research on the company and going on the advert (if thats all you have/can find)
Personally I would drop the 'I am looking for a new challenge and want to learn something new' bit, sounds too much like 'I'm bored with not working and even though I dont know crap about your position will have to learn on the job and make lots of mistakes and waste time asking questions'. Of course almost every new employee will probably have some learning to do but its best not to remind the employer of that. Where possible emphasize your recent experience, like Love Machine advises, Lie your arse off, or as I like to say, 'Fake it until you make it'
. One word of caution about lying though, make it a believable lie, and if you say you can do something then it REALLY helps to actually be able to do it just in case they ask you. as an example heres one of my Cover letters
My cover letter said:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please find enclosed a copy of my CV as requested.
You will see from my CV that I have the required office experience, including databases, and personal skills required for the Editorial Assistant position that you are advertising. I am hardworking with an excellent variety of skills in a wide range of areas and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my suitability as a candidate.
I can be reached on the listed phone numbers or email address. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
R988
You will see its deliberatley vague on specifics except for those areas that are bolded, I have addressed there the factors that the advert asked for, ok its didnt specifically ask for office experience but its an office position so I point out that I have worked in an office (true, but who hasn't?), databases (I've used Access a few times, no big deal most places just wont someone to input data I can do that so I put down I can do databases
), personal skills (a lie, I'm not a people person, far from it, but I can work without killing my fellow workers so I'll put in that I have personal skills, its not a customer service or sales type job) As for hardworking and excellent skills in a wide variety of areas = I spend all day on PH and am good at nothing in particular, but it looks like I am keen to show them that I can do what they want and will prove it.
Anyway crappy as this letter is I got an interview out of about 20% of those I sent off. Which sounds crap but previously my letter looked almost identical to yours and my response rate was pretty much ZERO despite sending out twice as many over a much longer period of time.
So to sum up, first line or two, tell 'em that you easily meet all their critieria (if you find out stuff they will want but haven't mentioned put that in to impress them). Second line tell them all your wonderful skills which are relevant to the job and that your good at. Lastly the usual gibberish about looking forward to meeting them etc
Great now I'm off to add 'Human Resource Director', 'Counsellor' and 'Careers Adviser' to my Resume...
love machine said:
I also landed a bridge extension project as manager, purely with a cover letter pretending my childhood meccano experience was in fact big scale stuff.
That's absolutely brilliant 
love machine said:
Contract finished early and within the price
You didn't *actually* use meccano, did you?
simpo two said:
The inference is that the best bullshitters get the best jobs because the employers are suckers. Is that right?
Actually, I think so!
LOL, thats what I've just been telling her! She has a job at the mo, by the way, wages admin for Cineworld.
Cant say thank you enough for the great suggestions; because I've never had to do one, I was sure that if I tried, the people reading it would have read the same a thousand times before, as Ross pointed out.
deva link said:
I also landed a bridge extension project as manager, purely with a cover letter pretending my childhood meccano experience was in fact big scale stuff.
love machine said:
Contract finished early and within the price
You didn't *actually* use meccano, did you?
No, instead of filling in the lifting holes with bolts (under the tarmac road on steel) at a cost of £1.20 each, we used £20 worth of 2p's and a few rolls of gaffer tape (it stopped the wet asphalt seeping through the holes, job done!!!!!!!)
I quite like those short CV’s that are only a few pages long. I wouldn’t think potential employers do not want to hear about what a good employee you where while working at a chip shop in Surrey if you are applying for a position managing building company in Sweden. Chances are if it’s more than just a few pages long it will only be skimmed over any way.
to time truly kill this thread...
Keep it to two pages.
Name at top.
(good) Photo at top (smiling but not like a idiot).
Make sure there isn't loads of 'whitespace'.
Highlight the important bits - don't have a big fat solid paragraph of bland text - nobody can ever be ar5ed to read it anyway.
Don't over format it.
Keep it to two pages.
Name at top.
(good) Photo at top (smiling but not like a idiot).
Make sure there isn't loads of 'whitespace'.
Highlight the important bits - don't have a big fat solid paragraph of bland text - nobody can ever be ar5ed to read it anyway.
Don't over format it.
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