Your CVCatherine Ivory

February 2013

How long does a recruiter look at your CV?

20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds?

6 second scan◦ According to survey to completed by The Ladder

Your CV

What is the function of your CV?

To get you an interview

A one-page marketing document

Tells an employer what skills and attitudes you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for

A little bit about you

Your CV

1. How can I ensure that my CV will be read?

CVs arent ‘read’ they are scanned

Frequently Asked Questions

◦ Bullet points

◦ Headings - Organize your information so that the reader doesn't have to hunt for your skills

◦ Use fonts and text styles consistently – bold, underline, italics, CAPS

◦ White space

◦ Sprinkle industry buzzwords and use fresh, positive language

◦ Leave irrelevant, unnecessary or inappropriate information off your CV

Your CV - Format

Margins – Moderate and adjust to what you need

Alignment ◦ bullet points are all in line◦ use tab key not space bar

Don’t use Images or Pictures

Software compatibility◦ Word or PDF

Your CV - Format

2. I have employment gaps on my CV, what should I do? ◦ Gaps are expected in the current economy◦ Show years rather than months but don’t extend

dates◦ Your course ◦ Interests and hobbies – voluntary work◦ Don’t tell the story on your CV

Frequently Asked Questions

3. How far back should I go with the information I put on my CV?◦ 10 years or last 5 relevant positions◦ If relevant and older than 10 years, taper

information

4. Do I need more than one CV?◦ Yes, yes and yes◦ Construct one cv with all your info and draw

relevant pieces from that each time you need to make an application

Frequently Asked Questions

5. The last job I worked in closed down, I have no referees, what should I do?◦ College ◦ Voluntary work◦ Use LinkedIn to get online references with

colleagues,

Frequently Asked Questions

Structure your CV so it is easy to navigate ◦Headings Personal Details Personal Profile (Optional) Education Further Training Career Summary Professional Memberships Interests and Achievements

Your CV – Content

Personal Details◦ No need to write Curriculum Vitae at the top

◦ Email address is simple and no innuendos

◦ Address (can be a plus if living close by)

◦ Mobile only or mobile and home number

◦ LinkedIn profile http://ie.linkedin.com/in/catherineivory

Your CV – Headings

Personal profile/career objective◦ Focused and succinct

Suggested Words and Phrases

Personal qualities: Self-motivated; creative; innovative; organised; adaptable.

Experience: Proven experience in; substantial experience; background in.

Skills: Management skills; communication skills; problem solving skills; design skills; administrative skills; gained; initiated; developed; managed; coordinated; led; supervised; trained; handled; collaborated; organised.

Personal Strengths: Works well under pressure; eye for detail; good sense of humour; effective; disciplined worker.

Your CV - Headings

Personal profile/career objective

Example:◦ Determined and decisive professional with

excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of commercial awareness. Active and dynamic approach to work and getting things done. Persistent and tenacious; comfortable with demanding targets.

Your CV - Headings

Education◦Higher Level Courses Enter:

Qualification Level Year College/University/PLC

Further Training◦FAS, VEC and others

Your CV - Headings

Career Summary◦ Not work experience! ◦ Reverse chronological order◦ Jobs within 5 years -10 years

Title Company Dates Responsibilities

Past tense for previous jobs, present tense for current position i.e Managed (past) Manage (present)

Work placement and voluntary work◦ Can have its own heading if necessary

Your CV - Headings

Professional Memberships and Associations◦ Registered member of the Teaching Council◦ Member of local Toastmasters group◦ Chairperson of Lusk Tidy Towns committee

Interests and Achievements◦ 1-2 lines◦ Fundraising, hobbies, sporting, etc. ◦ Your interests and achievements might pique the

interest of your interviewer!

Your CV - Headings

Keep your CV highly relevant and concise◦ Jobs◦ Courses◦ Referees – Referees available on request is sufficient

Evolving document◦ Target your CV to a specific job or type of position◦ Change responsibilities, priority, number of, position

titles

Your CV- Headings

Use strong marketing 'power' words in job duties◦ Planned◦ Developed◦ Supervised◦ Created◦ Coordinated

Positive Power words◦ Efficiently coordinated…◦ Effectively managed…

Your CV- Content

Target your cv to each job application

Focus on achievements / contributions◦ What did you do that was different to Joe Bloggs?

Quantify and qualify your achievements – results!◦ Managed team of 20 tradesmen on site◦ 100% success on meeting project deadlines◦ Supervised the construction of a €2m residential

building project

Your CV- Content

Ensure perfect presentation – proofread it!◦ Get a friend to look over it◦ Look out for spellings, incorrect words, dates

Email your cv to catherine.ivory@gcd.ie◦ For feedback and recommendations

Your CV- Content

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669531/how-to-redesign-your-resume-for-a-recruiter-s-6-second-attention-span

http://www.jobcentreguide.co.uk/cv-resume-advice/27/what-to-include-in-your-cv

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/employability/successfulapps/profile.html

http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/resume-tips-unemployed/article.aspx

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/CV_FAQs_and_Answers

References

Font – not smaller than 10pt

Appendix 1

Appendix 2