Live Q+A: CV Clinic – Thursday 2 September – 12-2pm
Monday 30th August 2010, 12:00PM BST.
This discussion is now closed. Read all of the questions and answers in the comments section below.
Welcome to our CV clinic, a live Q+A session with local experts where you can ask all the questions that you’ve ever wanted to know about creating the perfect CV.
Our panel of experts will be online on Thursday 2 September between 12-2pm, so to guarantee that your question gets answered, please post in advance using the comments section below.
There has never been a more important time to be in possession of a great CV. With huge levels of competition at present – 900 people applied for just 30 jobs at a hardware store recently – it is vital to stand out from the crowd.
Introducing our expert panel so far:
David Shennan, CEO/Managing Consultant, Daisy Thomas Recruitment Group 
David is the CEO for a recruitment group with roots in the Midlands, as well as London and Manchester.
Daisy Thomas Recruitment has many years experience in writing and reviewing CV’s and know exactly how to make a particular CV shout – READ ME!
David has written for Express & Star Careers on the role of recruitment agencies in the past and, alongside recruitment, motivational coaching plays an increasingly large part of his work.
Nikki Lambert, Advice and Guidance practitioner, Connexions 
Nikki Lambert has been a Level 4 Advice and Guidance practitioner with Connexions Staffordshire for 7 years.
She provides Information, Advice and Guidance on a range of issues including careers, learning and training options, financial support and volunteering to young people and adults in Staffordshire.
Kate Taylor, Consultant, The Fuller CV Ltd
Kate Taylor has 7 years experience advising at The Fuller CV Ltd, the largest Career Consulting and Professional CV Writing Company online, where up to 30,000 people per month flock for professional career advice provided via a free CV review and professional CV quotation service.
Kate provides career advice to all levels of personnel across multiple industry sectors. Assisting clients with advice on CV search engine optimisation and job search techniques.
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This discussion is now closed. Follow what happened in the comments section below.
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I am currently in the process of leaving the British Army after 11 years of service.
It is always a struggle to define and maximise the impact of a military CV as most of the qualifications we have obtained are not easily recognised in civilian employment. But clearly during service as an Army Officer I have gained management, leadership, communications skills, to name but a few and have used these skills in the most demanding operational environments.
What would your advice be to a former member of the Armed forces when compiling his/her CV to maximise the impact of the skills/experiences they have gained during their service?
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Hi James
It is vital that a CV is achievement driven and no longer than 2 pages in length. You should start with a strong profile followed by an achievement section.
I would recommend you then produce a skills based CV which will highlight your transferable skills from military into civilian employment. You should mention your budget responsibility, your team management ability, your communication, time management and operational skills.
Good luck.
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Hi James
The first thing to consider is what are you hoping to do next; do you have some ideas? It really would be a question of highlighting the relevant skills that you no doubt have from your extensive armed forces background to match any job requirements.
The skills you have mentioned above would be useful in many areas of work but in your CV you would provide specific examples of when you’ve used those skills and the positive outcome of your actions.
If you would like to speak to a Careers Adviser either over the telephone or face to face about your CV and get some free, impartial and confidential advice you can call the Next Step service on 0800 100 900 seven days a week between 8am and 10pm, calls are free from a landline.
Good Luck
Paresh Damani
Career Coach
Next Step
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Hello James. I fully understand why you are asking this question because most employers do not understand the structure of the Armed Forces and how certain skills can be utilised in civvy street.
I would suggest that you keep your CV as simple as possible and refrain from using acronyms which although commonly used in the forces are not understood by many civilians.
Focus on your achievements and how that could benefit a future employer.
Without knowing what type of job you are looking to secure it’s difficult to advise you but if you have a CV i would be happy to cast an eye over it for you and give you my opinion. I hope this help. Good luck.
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What is the easiest way to make your CV ‘stand out’ and not be in the first sift rubbish pile.
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Hi Mike. Firstly you need to ensure your CV is a 2 page document, achievement driven, highlighting your most salient points on page 1.
Key words need to be used as due to the overwhelming response recruiters are receiving from candidates, they are now using packages to filter CVs.
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Hello Mike. I agree with the points Kate has made but I would add just a few others.
1. Your CV needs to be professional and unless you are applying for a position in the Creative Arts I would try not to make it too artistic. Keep it clean, simple & relevant to the job you are applying for.
2. Always include a personal covering letter to attach to your CV. Ensure the employer knows exactly what job you are applying for and sign the letter. Believe me, it will help.
3. If you are posting or hand delivering the application, ensure you use some good quality paper and envelope.
Good luck Mike
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Hi Mike
Presentation is really key to drawing the attention of an employer. Make sure it’s type written, laid out in a way which is very readable using font size 12 and appropriate font type such as ariel, times new roman etc.
In more detail, send your CV in an A4 envelope rather than folding it, printed on good quality paper, with no spelling errors or Americanisation of words.
A strong personal profile above personal details could also help the CV stand out.
When submitting your CV you should also attach a covering letter as this could help.
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I’m a recruitment “expert” Times New Roman will get you nowhere.
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Hi Mike
If you are actually sending your CV to an employer rather than putting it online then a reasonable quality of paper and CV layout will have an initial impact before the content is read. It will also tell the employer that you have spent time and effort on the CV and care about getting the job.
Enclosing a covering letter that targets that employer (and the person responsible for recruitment in that department, if a speculative CV) by name will show you have researched the organisation rather than it just being one of a batch of generic CVs you’ve sent out.
Regards
Paresh Damani
Career Coach
Next Step
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My previous employment history has agency work for several companies. How do i put this into a CV? The record the agency has will no doubt be of more interest than the individual employers, but the actual performance and job description comes from the employer. The agency work also alternates from company to company. Help!!
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Hi Jacqui
I would suggest that you use a heading stating “Temporary Assignments Undertaken”. This heading is often seen on CVs and so totally acceptable within the recruitment arena. Then list the dates of employement, the individual employer name, your job description and your achievements. Make sure this is bullet pointed for easy reading and keep the document to 2 pages.
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Hello everybody and welcome to the Shropshire Star live CV clinic, which will run until 2pm.
A particular welcome to our panel of experts, who have generously agreed to take part today.
Nice to see that we’ve already had some good questions coming through. Please leave further questions in the comments below and our experts will get to them when they can.
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I’d like to ask a question to the panel myself if I may.
How important is it to leave references on your CV? Is it acceptable to just say ‘references available on request’?
I ask because, in the past, I’ve not wanted to ask my current employers to be a referee because I didn’t want them to know that I was leaving. And I was concerned that not having a referee from a current employer could have a negative impact.
(If my bosses are reading this, yes it was for a previous role!)
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Hi Todd
It is acceptable and the norm now to add References Available On Request to a CV.
If applying for a role whilst still in active employment, you can usually tick a box to inform the potential new employer that you do not wish the reference to be undertaken until the offer of employment is placed in writing.
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Again, incorrect information. Don’t put details of references on your CV – as agencies will only end up calling them to get leads from.
Instead, put “available on request.”
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Hello Todd. I would not suggest you include the details of your references on your CV. Make it clear that they are available and if you do subsequently supply the details tell your references that you have done so and for them to expect a call or letter. You may want to brief them on the job you have applied for so they can be prepared.
With regard to giving your existing employer as a reference I would avoid this unless they know you are looking to move on.
I hope this helps.
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I read somewhere that you shouldn’t put your date of bithr on your cv – is this true?
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Hi Lessimore
It is not necessary to include your date of birth on a CV, although this is personal preference.
Recruiters are not legally allowed to ask your age due to the Age Discrimination Act.
You should include 10 years experience to your CV, but sometimes education dates can determine your age, so remove the dates if you do not want wish your age to be discovered.
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Hi Lessismore. It’s your CV and what you choose to include in it is your choice, but I would only include your date of birth if you feel it will help your application.
Good Luck
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I’m delighted to say that Paresh Damani of Next Step will be joining our expert panel for the remainder of this discussion. He has been a Careers Adviser on the Next Step telephone helpline (formerly Careers Advice Service) for five years and is qualified to level 4 Advice & Guidance with a postgrad certificate in telephone careers guidance.
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How can you account for long periods of illness on your CV. I am fit to work now, but my CV has a big hole in the employment history and I worry that it looks bad.
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Hi Joan
Firstly I am pleased that you are now well again.
With regards to the gap in your CV, I personally would leave this space empty, as the role of a CV is to get you an interview.
If a recruiter then notices the gap, he or she can ask you more at interview, but initially it may hinder your chances if you put on a document that you were ill for a long period.
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Hi,
I have been looking at video CV providers lately and was just wondering what your opinion on them was. As a recruiter, do you accept video CVs? Do you think they put you ahead of the game?
Thanks,
Andy
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Hi Andy
I personally would not suggest using a Video CV, as in my opinion, you may run the risk of the document being un-readable to many recruiters who will not have the software in place to view.
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I would imagine that many employers may not want to use this source of technology to sift applicants as it takes much longer than the usual 10-30 seconds to look at a CV. They may not have the facilities for viewing at hand anyway.
Your personality may not necessarily come through as you would want it to, which may be detrimental to your application.
Regards
Nikki
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Hi Andy
Probably say not unless recruiters have specifically requested one or alternatively if you are applying for a creative role.
Regards
Paresh Damani
Career Coach
Next Step
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Hi there!
Another question about references.
Most advice I read online says you should have at least two references.
Having worked as musician for many years, i have only one recent employer who i could put on my C.V.
Any advice?
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As well as previous employers you may want to consider a personal referee – sombeody you have known (2 years or more) who has a professional post of responsibility – for example, teacher, police officer, nurse, doctor, solicitor etc who have known you in your professional or personal capacity (remember they cannot be a member of your own family). Could you also consider others within the music industry that you have worked alongside in the past such as producers, directors, managers, other professional musicians etc?
Good luck.
Nikki
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Hello Barry. I have never known an employer to reject an application just because there was only one reference. Ideally you should have two references but if there are genuine reasons why only one can be supplied explain that on your CV.
It may also be worth asking someone you know in a professional capacity to act as a personal refereee. Choose someone who you have known for a number of years and who is not a member of the family.
Regards
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It’s now 2pm and that means that this live CV clinic has now finished.
A huge thank you to our panel of experts for taking part today and for giving some great advice.
The comments section will remain open for any remaining discussion.
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hi,
i am 17 years of age and have not worked yet. i have done work experience in a couple of places.
what am i surposed to do to get a foot in the door?
thanks
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Learning to spell and using capital letters and correct grammar may be a good first step.
I hope that this helps you. Good luck.
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