merz

Hiya, just trying to adapt my resume/CV for US 'consumption'. I am lopping off the unwanted 'u' and changing terminology where needed.

I have seen a few online samples and templates, but would really like your opinions on a few things please.

Is it normal to attach a photograph or not?
Is 2 pages too much?
Should I add DOB (recent UK age discrimination laws have made it more likely to see CV's in UK without DOB's and photographs.)

Any other suggestions or tips are really welcome.

Thank you!

merz

helwardman

A lot depends on your career field.

I'm an engineer and I have never attached a photo to my CV. Mine currently does include my DoB.

Mine is currently 2 pages covering 5 employers in 20 years. Nice smart font, black on a white page and without any "frilly-ness".

Someone looking for a job in media or graphic design would probably have a different approach.

merz

Thank you, helwardman, I am a bit lost as I have had one employer for 20 years and have never needed a CV before. It is the norm in a lot of European countries to send a picture but I had no idea if it ever happened in US.


How about using someone else's picture?

cindyabs

DH's resume does not include his DOB, but then again he's 60......

merz

Ahhh Cindy in my trade (in the UK) age is experience and knowledge. That is what I am a little afraid of though. I will be 40 soon which is still fairly young in my sector (high end jewellery) When I look through CV's I am drawn to the older candidates.

I don't know if I am too old or too young!

Sally Redux

He looks good on it though

helwardman

The best advice I can give is Google. There are loads and loads of sample CVs out there, it just takes a bit of hunting to find one that suits the impression you want to give.

merz

Thank you guys!

(Must remember to remove pic of Megan Fox on CV)

Sally Redux

The realtors use pictures which bear no resembance whatsoever to them.

nethead

Thank god! Those photos are scary

merz

What? Do you mean they are REALLY attractive and use picture of ugly mingers to attract the punters?

Sally Redux

There seems to be a standard "Osmond Smile High School Yearbook" look for the photos which is most disconcerting in itself, even more so when you meet the shambling ancient bag-lady using it.

penguinsix

I've rarely seen photos on resumes, but it depends a bit on the profession. For someone like a realtor it might be quite common, as they often have their face on business cards, signs, and other things. Some sales positions might have a picture on the resume. Models, of course, would have them.

But by and large, I think it's a no.

As for one page two page, if you have what it takes to go to two pages, go to two pages. Don't fluff to make it bigger if you can do a few edits to get it into one, but if you have decent work that takes two pages, then go for it.

cindyabs

He does, he has that skin that doesn't seem to wrinkle.

cindyabs

The last time that DH was looking for a job in the UK, he was 52, and found hints of ageism being an issue. It is often the case that age and experience means that the employer expects to have to pay a higher salary. The same here. If they have a choice between paying someone 30 years younger a starter salary which is cheaper, and someone older, well............

However, given the current situation with both of us out of work at the moment, we can't afford to be too picky.