Your CV

[Marc]

How is your CV set out/how does it look?

Do you have a few tips and pointers for other people for their CVs?

My dad is currently trying to apply for another job because they intend to move home but he has only ever worked in the same place for almost 40 years so it's a struggle of what to put in his CV. I'm quite worried that he's going to struggle finding a new job :/

[Ammi]

...hmmm, I'm not great at stuff like that, I think that photographs are something that employers like..?..my OH is quite good at this sort of thing though, I could ask him if for some examples if you want to but he's not here atm..?..

[Josy]

Almost 40 years experience in the one is place is a fantastic thing to have on your cv, think of all the different scenarios he has been in in that time.

I don't think he will struggle tbh, 40 years in the one firm shows spectacular commitment and dedication to his job IMO.

Will he be going for the same type of job as he has now Marc?

[King Gizzard]

Being in the same job that long is probably much better than having say, 5-10 different employers as it shows he's loyal etc etc

/been working with CV's far too much these years


He might be better off doing a skills based CV than a basic CV if he is struggling for things to put on there

[AnnieK]

Marc, he needs to keep his CV concise, bullet points that can be expanded upon when he gets an interview. He needs to list key skills and achievements and his main duties. No more than 2 pages..I have some great cv layouts that I can send you but I'm not in work till Tuesday?

[MTVN]

Fill it with lots of jargon, maybe chuck a couple of references to Plato or Aristotle in there as well

[King Gizzard]

print it on slightly different coloured paper so it stands out but not that much

okay maybe don't do that

[Jesus.]

With 40 years experience it's too intimidating to write it out and cover everything he's done, so I'd concentrate more on the jd and person spec. Tailor it completely to meet the essentials and desirables of whatever he's applying for, as that's what HR departments are generally looking for.

Once you've got those covered, then you've got the major part of the cv done - now just pad it out from there.

A strong covering letter is often really important as well.

[AnnieK]

As Jesus said, a lot of big HR departments use a matrix to sift CVs initially so make sure the skills they're asking for are included

[Crimson Dynamo]

CVs are a plague on common sense and the sooner this vile archaic system is dropped the better