Curriculum Vitae

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 19:35

hey guys.

Still trying to change my career.

I have put out a few CVs but getting nothing back, also on a lot of agency sites, but nothing is coming back from them either.

so, I have tried to rework my cv.

I have 7 varieties, all slightly similar.

anyway, all personal details are gone but you can get the jist of what I am trying to do.

for all you lucky people who are good at selling yourself, which one do you think is best to use, as in sending and putting on agency sites, like S1 jobs?

ik

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 19:36

here are 6 & 7

ik

Chris W · 17-09-2007, 19:43

What kind of job are you looking for?

monkey2468 · 17-09-2007, 19:51

If its for an IT job then I don't think there is a problem with any of your cv's per se, but more that lack of higher IT qualifications and lack of previous IT related employment.
Your software knowledge looks good though.

peanut · 17-09-2007, 20:03

I've sent you an email, let me know if you get it.

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 20:09

I would like to get into IT, junior programming, or web design, anything to get my foot in the door.

I am even thinking of just cold sending my CV in the interest of voluntary work, to help get something on the CV.

I have not had any luck in getting anything. and lack of funds just now stops me going for more qualifications.

peanutkp, I not received any mail

ik

peanut · 17-09-2007, 20:10

Is your email still ikthius'@'hotmail.com ? (without the ' to avoid bots).

Osem · 17-09-2007, 20:11

There was a previous thread on this subject which I contrbuted to and it contains some good advice on this subject. There are an infinite number of ways to produce a bad CV but the basics of producing a good one are simple. Make sure it's clear, relevant, interesting, informative and above all that it SELLS you. To understand how to do that try to put yourself in the mind and position of the employer and try not to forget that what may seem obvious to you will probably not be so obvious to them.

How many people are using these agency sites? A hell of a lot? Is that because it's the easy option do you think? Can you not be more imaginative in how you approach potential employers? If so this will separate you from the crowd and along with a bespoke CV will go along way to maximising your chances of getting interviews.

Producing a good CV for yourself is a very difficult task but with a little thought along the above lines most people could do a much better job.

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutkp

Is your email still ikthius'@'hotmail.com ? (without the ' to avoid bots).

ah, I thought you sent it to the email that is stored here, 2 secs till I check

got it

ik

Edit: I got a lot of work I think on selling myself, its something I just cant do.... but will try harder

LSainsbury · 17-09-2007, 20:44

Only opened the first one so I don't know if all are the same, but if was looking to employ you, your CV would be heading for the bin after reading your opening salvo.

Let me explain - using the "I do this, I do that" is not a good start. You need to completely rewrite it. Sorry - you asked for advice - take it or leave it - but as a mate once said to me when I was at a low point..."how can you learn to improve without criticism".

So - to give you an idea - this is mine:

A highly motivated and experienced systems engineer with strong focus on tactical and strategic deployments, incorporating in all aspects of server, services and desktop solutions in the Microsoft centric arena. Excellent implementation, support and team leadership skills in customer facing environments.

Not an I in sight...I'll carry on reading yours now...

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Only opened the first one so I don't know if all are the same, but if was looking to employ you, your CV would be heading for the bin after reading your opening salvo.

Let me explain - using the "I do this, I do that" is not a good start. You need to completely rewrite it. Sorry - you asked for advice - take it or leave it - but as a mate once said to me when I was at a low point..."how can you learn to improve without criticism".

So - to give you an idea - this is mine:

A highly motivated and experienced systems engineer with strong focus on tactical and strategic deployments, incorporating in all aspects of server, services and desktop solutions in the Microsoft centric arena. Excellent implementation, support and team leadership skills in customer facing environments.

Not an I in sight...I'll carry on reading yours now...

actually, I just looked at it and changed it to this just now, without reading yours yet...

A self motivated individual who is logical, enjoys problem solving, and thrives on challenges.
Willing to learn new skills to improve personal development.
Completed a distance learning course while continuing to work full time which tested time management skills.
Welcomes the challenge of changing my career to an industry where knowledge and training improve performance.

ik

LSainsbury · 17-09-2007, 20:56

Right - had a flick through all of then now (I believe!)

OK - my 2p's worth:

Drop the I did this etc as above and re-write anything that includes I.

Not sure what the Tourex system is - this could go one of two way to an potential employer - it shows you are capable of learning new systems, on the other hand it might say to them - "why do we need you to be skilled in that..."

My suggestion - take the one with the most content and re-write it

A for presentation - drop the character spacing, keep to one font (not Times New Roman) and just use simple bullet points - no arrows or anything.

Use the KISS principle!!

Have a go at re-writing and re post it here when done! Good luck!

PS - PM me if you want!

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 21:17

ok here is a new version of the one with most info on it, I think you meant number 3....

ik

edit: torex is a database that our council use, I was adding this in as it is not the run of the mill windows package

Osem · 17-09-2007, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

actually, I just looked at it and changed it to this just now, without reading yours yet...

A self motivated individual who is logical, enjoys problem solving, and thrives on challenges.
Willing to learn new skills to improve personal development.
Completed a distance learning course while continuing to work full time which tested time management skills.
Welcomes the challenge of changing my career to an industry where knowledge and training improve performance.

ik

It's all very well putting those statements in your CV but does the content support them in any way? For example, what problems have you solved and what challenges have you risen to?

Most interviewers are not stupid - they want evidence to support such claims.

ikthius · 17-09-2007, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

It's all very well putting those statements in your CV but does the content support them in any way? For example, what problems have you solved and what challenges have you risen to?

Most interviewers are not stupid - they want evidence to support such claims.

well that all depends, I made a program for my employers cause they used a paper based system for appointments, then moved on to excel, and not everyone is very computer literate, so I made a full proof booking system that no one could mess up. that in itself was a challenge as the staff are not computer literate, and the bosses want to make it a computerised system.

ik