Writing A Cv [Archive] - Neighbours From Hell in Britain

phantos02

25-09-05, 07:29 PM

Well folks I have decided that as we will be moving soon, I am going to look for a new job closer to our new home.

I had intended to continue in my job which would mean commuting from the South Coast into London every day. Now, normally that would be a fairly long day, but I was prepared to do it as the money is good in London. However, I have realised that the project I am currently working on is getting further and futher behind schedule (not my fault!). As there is a fixed Go Live date in April next year, I have a feeling that my days are going to get longer and harder (and probably spill over into my weekends). Before I know it I am going to be getting up at 5am and getting home at 9pm!! The point of us moving was to be closer to our friends and family and clearly I am going to have even less of a life if I continue the commute. :(

So... I need to start preparing. I haven't had a CV for a long time so I am starting from scratch. I have found lots of free CV templates available on the internet. Some are good, some are cr*p. Does anyone have a really good, clear, professional looking template I could try out?

I'm OK with listing my qualifications and job history, no problem there. But it seems I need to write some sort of 'Personal Profile' piece to stick in there and I must admit I'm stumped. I don't know where to start. Any ideas?

tact77

25-09-05, 08:30 PM

Hi P

Mine was wiped out when my puter went bump. Have you got the site addresses of the ones you think are good and I will have a look over them. My brother wrote mine and it has never let me down. He put a section on skills marked out of 5 and all my interviews ended up with me getting a job offer. This was under the title of personal profile.

Neighboured

25-09-05, 09:12 PM

You can list down memberhip of any organiations, especially if you are the secretary of something. That type of thing.

Domestic Goddess

25-09-05, 10:02 PM

Try to mention something sporty as an interest - it shows that you are in good health ( and should continue to be so)

First aid skills, evening classes attended, musical instruments played, languages spoken, if you've been on foreign holidays - say you enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures, mention interests like, art, theatre, cinema, music, quiz nights, charity fundraising

Remember to schmooze!!! You are a fabulous person and any employer would be lucky to have you!!

Hope this helps!!

DG

phantos02

25-09-05, 11:42 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess as the morale is a bit low at the moment, it's more difficult to think of the great skills that would really sell me as an employee. Feeling quite drained, mentally speaking. Got to get my positive hat on.

DG you made a good point about the sports, I hadn't thought of that. I don't do any, because I'm so cream crackered all the time, part of the reason I want to move and have a fresh start. So I will have to come up with something (even if it is a tiny fib).

Tact - I've attached two templates I'm thinking of using (hope this works). There are more, I will link them later.

Neighboured

26-09-05, 12:13 AM

They look OK. Though I prefer the second one.

I did a course in employment counselling including CV creation. many moons ago. If you want me to look over your CV, let me know. :)

Eeyore

26-09-05, 09:32 AM

Hi phantos

Good luck with your CV :D Remember, sell your good points, put down all your skills, tell them why they are lucky to get you working for them, why they want you.

As DG says, turn hobbies into assets, any voluntary work done is always useful to put onto a CV, you are an interesting person who should be snapped up by any employer, you just have to make them see this and the CV is the way to do it.

Remember spell checks, grammer checks etc, make it nice and clear and concise :D and good luck

tact77

26-09-05, 09:39 AM

Hi P

I have a resume. I have found a site that gives you tips on how to start.

http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/quickstart/

Even if you are not feeling positive I bet you have loads to offer. Just get someone else to kickstart your list and the rest will flow.

On the sports side I to am to knackered to do any. I always put in things I did years ago like climb Snowdon and walked Hadrians Wall.

What type of job are you after.. you might need to put team player stuff in etc.

Good Luck.

strontium

26-09-05, 02:21 PM

My little tip, when starting from scratch, would be to make a beginning - just note things down as they oocur to you, and start categorising them. You don't have to worry about the overall style or appearance of the finished article until you're pretty much done, so it can help to make it feel less of a daunting prospect!

Others here are clearly more experienced than I at creating CVs, but if my experience as a proofreader would be helpful to you, please shout; I'd be glad to assist :)

phantos02

26-09-05, 07:03 PM

Thanks you lot.

Talking of voluntary work I have actually been doing a day of voluntary work today, at a youth hostel. We have been decorating and clearing the back garden, painting fences etc. It was very rewarding! I will have to put that down.

Tact, the link you provided looks really useful I will have to study it later. The sort of work I am after is an office based admin type role. What I have been doing until recently is classed as admin but it's quite specialised (pensions). I've got a couple of professional exams under my belt and hence I get a good wage doing it. For the last eight months I have been seconded to a project developing a new administration system, and re-designing our office procedures. It's something I was excited to do at first, but it's become an uphill battle and after all this time, I still feel like I've been chucked in at the deep end, which has really knocked my confidence.

Once we move I will almost certainly be unable to find pensions work so I am facing the prospect of near enough halving my wages, effectively. Although it will be good to list my pensions qualifications on the CV, I'm not sure that most employers would have a clue what they are!!

There are a couple of fairly big employers where we are going, so I will try them first. Even if I have to start near the bottom, in a bigger organisation there is more opportunity to work my way up again. Also I will have much more time if I don't have to commute so I can look at doing an evening course to learn something new. I was thinking book-keeping or something like that.

I am having mixed feelings about it all at the moment.

tact77

26-09-05, 08:56 PM

Hi P

If you have experience in Pensions have you ever thought about going to work for a bank. They love anyone with experience in Pensions, mortages etc. You can work in a branch (not on front desk) and deal with the public.

Or Admin team manager/trainer. You sound like you have lots of experience/qualitfications etc. I'd employ you!!!

phantos02

26-09-05, 11:01 PM

Hi Tact, I guess I could look at bank work. I don't want to be too customer facing though, and I would be terrible at selling products and meeting sales targets!!

The area of pensions I specialise in is Final Salary pensions. It's a dying breed of scheme although there will probably always be some left like the Civil Service Scheme and Local Government. I've been doing it a fairly long time now, but I'd love to try something new.

On the other hand I don't want to start anything too intense as hubby and I would like to start a family in the next couple of years.

Of course we'll have either won the lottery by then or hubby's business will have made him a multi-millionaire (!!). Actually... why am I worrying about all this?? he he ;)

tact77

26-09-05, 11:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phantos02 @ 26th September 2005 - 10:01 PM) 135576</div> Of course we'll have either won the lottery by then or hubby's business will have made him a multi-millionaire (!!). ;)
[/b]

Thats what I am waiting for as well!!

sonicpainter

27-09-05, 03:55 PM

hi phantos have you considered doing some computer type jobs i know a woman in our local libarary who gained computer skills through voluntary work and now she is teaching people how to use office XP that in a space of two months if you need any help with any area of computing send us an email

cheers sonicpainter

phantos02

27-09-05, 11:11 PM

Well chaps I have done the CV, after a bit of deliberation. I've emailed it off to my friend who is a recruitment consultant so that he can give it the once over :thumbs:

In the personal statement part (the bit I was having trouble with) I put this:

<span style="font-family:Arial">My friend at the agency has already found a job to put me forward for - in the insurance industry. I don't have insurance experience but I do have a lot of relevant skills I think so I'll let you know if I get an interview! (No selling involved which is good.)</span></span></span>

:)

strontium

27-09-05, 11:54 PM

Sounds GREAT - well done, and good luck! :thumbs:

phantos02

12-10-05, 05:28 PM

I got an interview, I got an interview :wow:

Sorry I'm at work and I can't let slip so I have come to tell you guys as I'm so excited!!

rb2002

12-10-05, 05:48 PM

great news :thumbs: When?

I've got everything crossed for you anyway0

rb

:D

phantos02

12-10-05, 05:53 PM

Thanks rb :D

It's not until Friday 21st October so I have got a week and a bit to prepare. I don't have the specific experience they asked for so I need to sell my 'transferable skills' and convince them I could pick it up quickly. They want someone who is prepared to study for a professional qualification, and I have done a few in my current job so at least that proves I am up to the challenge.

I really hope I don't go to pieces on the day... getting a new job is so important to me right now, almost as important as moving house!! I have been thoroughly miserable lately but just getting an interview has perked me up.

tact77

12-10-05, 06:28 PM

Well done P

You will be great in the interview. All this time to prepare you will be excellent.

Glad you are feeling a bit better. If I can help in anyway just let me know

WELL DONE YOU :thumbs:

Eeyore

12-10-05, 07:02 PM

Excellent news Phantos - best of luck for your interview :thumbs:

Domestic Goddess

12-10-05, 08:17 PM

Wishing you all the best Phantos!! :thumbs:

er 59

12-10-05, 09:29 PM

hi phantos

just adding good wishes also hope it all goes well for you :)

phantos02

12-10-05, 10:07 PM

Thanks guys I feel more confident just knowing you lot are behind me :D

Eeyore

13-10-05, 09:21 AM

You can do it Phantos :D

tact77

18-10-05, 07:49 PM

Hi P

Hows the prep going for Friday?

phantos02

18-10-05, 11:11 PM

Hi Tact

Well I have done some research on the company, but it's not easy considering they are an international outfit. Most of their website content is written in jargonese! :(

Also I have been looking into the qualification they would want me to study towards, it's the Lloyds' Introductory Test. Difficult to find out what the content is etc because you can only get the syllabus if you pay for it, and you can only do that if you are already in employment with an insurance company! Never mind, at least it gives me one point when they ask the inevitable "have you got any questions?". I can say "Yes, I'm particularly interested in the professional study you offer - can you tell me more?!". They expect the successful candidate to sit and pass the exam within six months of starting the job.

I am going to stay the night with my friend the recruitment consultant on Thursday (the friend who got me the interview). That way I will not have to travel 40 miles on Friday morning and risk being late. Also we will have an evening where he can 'prep' me for the interview as he knows what sort of questions they are likely to ask.

Apparently I won't have to do any sort of 'testing' on the day which I am relieved about in a way, but then on the other hand it means that my verbal skills count for everything and I am worried that my nerves will get the better of me!

I am trying to make light of it at the moment but secretly I really really want this new job. My current job is getting me down and I am so tired. Today I left the house at 6:45am and got home at 9:30pm. OK, that doesn't happen every day, but it seems to be happening more frequently lately and I don't think I will be able to keep that up once I have an extra 40 miles to do each way on the train! I just want a job local to our new house, that way I will save nearly four hours a day travelling. I have a list as long as your arm of all the things I am going to do with that extra time.

My good old Dad always says "You can only turn up and do your best". He's right of course but it doesn't stop me worrying about it.

Eeyore

19-10-05, 09:11 AM

Sounds like the preparations are going really really well Phantos, you are doing so much research, which is brilliant, have thought of questions and come across as keen and interested :thumbs:

Remember to speak slowly and clearly on the day, my friend used to work in radio and when training, had talked fast, and he visualised a donkey when he did it and thought "go slow, donkey" and he'd immediately slow his words down :lol:

tact77

19-10-05, 10:33 AM

Hi P

Glad to hear that it is going well. Don't worry about nerves, you will find that when you go into the interview your adrenaline will kick in and carry you through.

Who else do you think who will be attending the interview would have had an evenings prep with a recruitment consultant? You will be way ahead.

As eeyore says just make sure you don't talk to fast. In my days as a trainer that used to be one of my problems. I used to practice in front of the mirror before a major training session. Just remember to breath, relax and smile!!

Sending you positive vibes and lots of good luck (not that you will need it)

P you will be great!!!!!

PS. 4 hours a day travelling. I would expect to be somewhere hot near a beach after that amount of time not in an office.

phantos02

19-10-05, 12:05 PM

Thanks tact and eeyore for the support.

I will picture the donkey but try not to bray! :D

Eeyore

19-10-05, 12:07 PM

LOL Phantos, and don't be a gloomy Eeyore either, go for it :D

I'll have everything crossed for you on 21st :thumbs:

phantos02

21-10-05, 10:07 PM

I had the interview this morning.

When I arrived I reported in a the reception and gave my name, trouble is I gave my maiden name, not my married name, nerves I suppose, so the receptionist thought I was a bit odd.... not a good start.

There was some testing even though I was told there wouldn't be. I did a mental arithmetic test (haven't done long division and multiplication since I was at school but I think I did OK), then I had another numerical test for which I was allowed a calculator (that was quite easy) and a verbal reasoning test in which I had to read a few passages and say whether the statements following the passages were true, false, or if you couldn't tell. I think the tests would have been OK (but I didn't get the results while I was there).

Then the face to face interview was with two women, one of whom was from the HR department and was very nice, the other was the team leader who I would have to report to if I get the job, and she was a bit brutal :( . That put me off a bit. I think I may have come across as a bit dithery. They asked lots of probing questions.

I managed to forget my umbrella, left it behind in the interview room, I only realised when I was halfway back to the job agency and it started to rain again. Too embarrassed to go back and ask for it.

I was the first interviewee, ad they are seeing some more people over the next two weeks, so I won't hear for a while.

All in all I'm not sure what to think. Usually I would come away from something like that with a good idea of having aced it or flunked it. I'm not sure I was quite the person they were after.

For some reason I feel more depressed than ever now. I have been teary on and off all afternoon. :cry: Hubby is being very understanding and positive. What's wrong with me? :sad:

tact77

21-10-05, 10:19 PM

Hi P (excuse the spelling but on the wine tonight)

You feel more teary now cause you have built yourself up for this so much and now its over. The tests went well. You gave a good inteview. It does not matter that you forgot your umbrella. Team leaders are always ********y in interviews its because they have so much presure in their job that giving up an hour to go to an interview is a nightmare as far as they are concerned. (in a previous life one of those too)

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. Please don't be sad everything will work out in the end.

Sorry about spelling etc.

phantos02

21-10-05, 10:31 PM

Yeah I'm on the wine too.... I insisted we made a special stop at the off-license on the way home...

Thanks for the reply Tact I really do appreciate it, even though it has set me off again. You are very kind.

er 59

21-10-05, 10:36 PM

hi p

try not to worry youve been very down lately anyway and you have pinned a lot of hopes on this job its not suprising that you feel teary

you are bound to be nervy while you wait to hear if the job is yours and you probably came across totally different to them than how you felt you were

keeping my fingers crossed for you i really do hope this all works out :)

tact77

21-10-05, 10:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phantos02 @ 21st October 2005 - 9:31 PM) 138655</div> Yeah I'm on the wine too.... I insisted we made a special stop at the off-license on the way home... [/b]

:thumbs:

P give yourself a few days before you start to reflect on how it went. In the meantime apply for others jobs in the area you want to work. Nothing better for the ego then turning down jobs. You enjoy the wine this evening and forget all jobs turn the music on and have a good night.

You take care of you....

Eeyore

22-10-05, 09:45 AM

Awww P, what a shame :( You know I think it probably went better than you expected, we always reflect and dwell on the bad things :) And I do think they will allow for nervousness so I wouldn't worry about the umbrella or maiden name thing at all

Think it was unfair they gave yu a test without warning though, bit sneaky that one ;) Good luck for a good result

phantos02

10-11-05, 11:04 PM

Thought I'd better do an update. Except there's nothing to update. It's been three weeks since the interview and I still haven't had a decision. My recruitment consultant friend says they are still interviewing but they are definitely interested in me. Trouble is today I notice the exact same job in the newspaper, but advertised with a different agency. So looks like they will go on interviewing until they find who they are looking for. It obviously isn't me.

Have sent my CV off to a couple more places today (after a bit more tweaking). Still, at least I have moving house to occupy me for the next week or so.

Eeyore

11-11-05, 09:32 AM

3 weeks and not heard, that's ridiculous ;)

There is definitely something out there for you P, so don't give up, and as you say, the house move will be keeping you well busy for the next few weeks anyway :D

Best of luck, chin up

tact77

11-11-05, 03:03 PM

Hi P

3 weeks is a long time to wait. Are they giving 2nd interviews?

Keep sending your cv out. You will probably find a job your would prefer anyway thats usually what happens! :D .

Good luck with your house move I hope it all runs smoothly. :thumbs:

phantos02

11-11-05, 05:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tact77 @ 11th November 2005 - 2:03 PM) 141105</div> Hi P

3 weeks is a long time to wait. Are they giving 2nd interviews?

Keep sending your cv out. You will probably find a job your would prefer anyway thats usually what happens! :D .

Good luck with your house move I hope it all runs smoothly. :thumbs:

[/b]

Yes it is a long time especially as they are still advertising it, so presumably they are prepared to spend another couple of weeks interviewing people.

I did ask if there would be a 'second round' of interviews but as far as we know that's not the case.

My husband is renting a small office on a business estate which is local to our new place. A nice lady on the reception desk said that if he gave her a soft copy of my CV she would email it round all the other businesses on the estate. So he did that this morning and apparently there might be a position coming up with one of the firms there but I don't know what it is yet.

I have sent my CV to a couple of reputable local firms. Also my sister-in-law works for a local charitable arts foundation on a temporary basis. They want her to go permanent but she can't commit because she needs time for auditions and she is doing pantomime this Xmas. So she is dropping a few hints for me there. I quite fancy working for an arts foundation - it sounds interesting.

So there are possibilities but I guess I have to be patient. :unsure:

phantos02

17-11-05, 08:19 PM

I got offered the job today!!

they are offering me about a third less than the salary they advertised it at, because I don't have any experience. So that is a bit disappointing. But they have promised that I will get lots of training and the money will go up as quick as I learn the job.

So I think I am going to take it after I see the contract.

And we move house tomorrow.

So everything is happening at once!!!