CV writing for Oz
Apr 1st 2010, 10:09 am
#16
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Re: CV writing for Oz
My approach currently is to go in with "guns" blazing showing them the best of me including a well polished cv. If this does not work then I will tone down. I have started contacting loads of employers directly over the last couple of days and have seen quite a few good positions. Here is holding thumbs that they will see my talents and potential.
Apr 1st 2010, 1:26 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 91
Re: CV writing for Oz
My approach currently is to go in with "guns" blazing showing them the best of me including a well polished cv. If this does not work then I will tone down. I have started contacting loads of employers directly over the last couple of days and have seen quite a few good positions. Here is holding thumbs that they will see my talents and potential.
Education listing comes last for mid to senior level jobs. Don't get into the Grades rant unless for entry-level jobs. For entry-level, too high a GPA from a highly reputed University is less attractive than a low GPA kid from the same school. The latter tend to stay at the job longer.
In the end, I am trying to make the business grow and make my life comfortable. Just put yourself in your potential bosses shoes, and you will start seeing things differently.
Apr 2nd 2010, 2:54 am
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: CV writing for Oz
I would say dont base yours on the CV linked earlyer, I dont mean to offend but that one is ugly. It may have all the relevant information but it just looks terrible, a CV needs to look nice and make people want to bother reading it, spacing it out and formating it correctly are a good start, but above all else make it something thats easy to understand at a glance.
People dont have time to sit and read paragraphs about your previous jobs, they want something quick that gives them the info they need. Making it look a bit stylish as well will get their interest
People dont have time to sit and read paragraphs about your previous jobs, they want something quick that gives them the info they need. Making it look a bit stylish as well will get their interest
Actually when looking for people to interview through CVs, I found that a gut feel about the person and a few keywords jumped out. The rest was sheer luck.
People got interviewed too if they were interesting. I find many CVs I look at all seem the same and a lot of people come across as very similar. I don't care how nice a CV looks.
So I'd say there no such thing as a perfect CV. Agree that education at the bottom, but above interests, and that past work experience must not drone on and on. I find that people tend to put too much detail about past jobs and what they achieved in each role - I don't care - are they employable? a) are they a good person b) do they have the skills c) are they interesting.
It's why I would never apply for a govt job where they do seem to worry about past achievements and some sort of formula and standard.
Apr 2nd 2010, 2:57 am
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: CV writing for Oz
I would not tell anyone to base there resume on mine as I actually customize it when I apply. The main points from it are to convey meaning in your duties and responsibilities without writing paragraphs of information which are unlikely to be read and also to use space effectively.
Attached are a couple of samples that participants have done on the course with all personal details changed.
In these samples they use a career objective and skills summary. There is a lot of debate over the use of these. Personally I like them in that you can at the start of your resume very quickly make it clear that you want the job that you are applying for as opposed to it being a resume that you send out to all jobs. If you look at the job ad and pick out the key skill requirements you make sure they feature in your skill summary (providing you have them of course). This way you are making the resume readers job easier.
There is a massive array of formats that you can use for a resume and based on the type of job you are applying for you may need to investigate the expected format.
Attached are a couple of samples that participants have done on the course with all personal details changed.
In these samples they use a career objective and skills summary. There is a lot of debate over the use of these. Personally I like them in that you can at the start of your resume very quickly make it clear that you want the job that you are applying for as opposed to it being a resume that you send out to all jobs. If you look at the job ad and pick out the key skill requirements you make sure they feature in your skill summary (providing you have them of course). This way you are making the resume readers job easier.
There is a massive array of formats that you can use for a resume and based on the type of job you are applying for you may need to investigate the expected format.
Seeing many CVs must be the best education, HUP. What not to do.
Actually, in my industry, a one-size fits all CV can work, and a paragraph entered on seek is often enough to highlight.
Apr 2nd 2010, 12:38 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 183
Re: CV writing for Oz
Thanks for the sample cv's 
Mine stands at 4 pages even though I have it trimmed down.
A bit more info on the scanning process would be nice.
I applied for 2 positions with one agency on different days and got an automated refusal email within the hour. My skills matched about 80% of the requirements.
Mine stands at 4 pages even though I have it trimmed down.
A bit more info on the scanning process would be nice.
I applied for 2 positions with one agency on different days and got an automated refusal email within the hour. My skills matched about 80% of the requirements.
Apr 2nd 2010, 1:34 pm
#21
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 338
Re: CV writing for Oz
Feel bit strange when people put “Referees available upon request". Is it the norm? Any harm mentioning their names or anyone with a request from hirer “Now it's time to turn up with referees names & contacts" etc.?
Apr 2nd 2010, 1:58 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 91
Re: CV writing for Oz
Referees available on request etc: if company policy is to check out references/background, they'll ask for it if your resume is of any interest to them- even if you forget to put that line in.
Apr 2nd 2010, 11:01 pm
#23
Account Closed
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,708
Re: CV writing for Oz
The worst thing you can do is post your CV on a website like Seek. The good agencies won't touch you with a barge pole.
Apr 4th 2010, 8:41 am
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: CV writing for Oz
Interestingly, some people claim they never get a response, I get phone calls back within minutes. My last job took me all of 1 minute to get, and that was found within seconds of logging on to look for new work.
Has to be easier than sitting down matching key skills with past experiences which others report they have to do.
