Looking for some CV tips

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Finch

2851 posts

Uber Geek

#136243 20-Nov-2013 11:11

Hey guys.

I am in my early 20's and looking through my CV. I want to get into hospitality, more specifically cooking. Im not very social so I wouldn't want to do FOH, I want to be behind the scenes starting as a kitchen hand. I still have my "achievements" from school listed, NCEA. Is something I done 5 years ago (when I finished school in 7th form) something employers look at? Thinking of deleting it but then it makes the CV look a bit bare, but on the other hand I don't want it there just to fill up room.

Supposedly employers take 5 seconds looking through your CV anyway ad make up their minds about you then, true?

Is it true employers are hiring people based on their personality, what they can offer the company and not as much what they have done in the past?

Currently working at two part time jobs, just looking for something else.

Thanks!!

aim

247 posts

Master Geek

#937802 20-Nov-2013 11:28

Highest level of qualification is definitely good to have, if you've listed grades however, I'd strip them out (especially from school). List any relevant work experience and/or your last two/three jobs. And add any volunteer work, this could also be coaching a sports team, helping to managed a social club or any active committee you have been a part of. If its longer than 2 pages, it's not going to be all read anyway.

Your CV gets you the interview. Your interview, gets you the job.

If you're applying for a position with a larger company, make sure you pay some attention to the cover letter. Often over looked, but a focussed and well written cover letter puts you a wee notch above the rest.

Your statement is somewhat true, HR has to gauge whether the person will fit in with the company, personality wise. It's a rocky subject for larger corporations. But no point of fitting in perfectly if you're clearly going to do a sub-standard job - always a balance to be struck.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#937823 20-Nov-2013 11:59

Sounds like you have a specific type of position in mind, so my advice is keep it short and relevant.

No good listing off everything you've done, but if you have any qualifications or experience relevant to the position, list them first. Keep work history to the last few years or positions at most.

Try to keep it to 1 page. Bullet points are your friend. Make sure it looks sharp and have someone who is good with these things check over the spelling and grammar.

Also cover letters are important. Make each one relevant to the company and position, do a little research and talk to how you are a good fit for that position/company. Again - spelling and grammar will make you stand out. This letter and your CV are your first impression - make sure it looks like you give a damn about the quality of your work.

Good luck!

minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#937849 20-Nov-2013 12:26

CV’s by their function tend to be sterile. They tend to be a chronological reference to work experience and achievements. So step one – make sure what you have on there is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Think of it like this. The employer has a problem that’s why they have a job opening. You need to show stuff that is going to solve your employers’ problem. You may have been a dog walker – but it has no relevance to the problem so don’t include it. You may have worked/played as part of a team – that’s relevant to behind the scenes kitchen, so include it.

You’re right – I give around a 5 second skim when I go through CV’s. But what I do put my time in is reading a covering letter. The covering letter is a chance to show your personality- a bit of who you are. Make an impression. Give me a reason to look at your CV. Your covering letter will surprise me – your CV won’t because I know exactly what will be on it – a chronological list of qualifications interests and experience. Boring – but necessary!

This means you need a different covering letter and CV for each job. You won’t get a look in if you send off a template letter which refers to a job that is dissimilar to the one you are applying for. If your cover letter refers to wanting to be a chef and the vacancy is for a waiter I’ll guarantee you no job.

Order of effort:
A good cover letter gets your CV read.
A good CV gets you an interview
A good interview gets you reference checked.
Good referees get you a job.

josephhinvest

1543 posts

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#937867 20-Nov-2013 13:00

My small suggestion - simplify, then proofread proofread proofread! Then do it again. Then get someone else to do it too. :)

Cheers,
Joseph

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

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#937868 20-Nov-2013 13:02

Why don't you pretend you are the employer reading his 29th cv of the morning. You are sleepy. Had a quarrel with the wife last night. Kids are sick. Got a complaint from customer saying the staff was rude and the food was not what they expected. Got a couple of staff that has no idea what they're doing.

What can you put on one page of your cv that the employer would want to interview you?
Remember the cv does not get you the job, i gets you an interview. Unless no one else applied of course.

It needs to describe exactly why he should hire you and how it will make the business run better. It must not brag or lie but it must sell the product (you).

What does the business sell? What strengths or experience have you got that contributes to this business?

Batman

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#937870 20-Nov-2013 13:03

minimoke: CV’s by their function tend to be sterile. They tend to be a chronological reference to work experience and achievements. So step one – make sure what you have on there is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Think of it like this. The employer has a problem that’s why they have a job opening. You need to show stuff that is going to solve your employers’ problem. You may have been a dog walker – but it has no relevance to the problem so don’t include it. You may have worked/played as part of a team – that’s relevant to behind the scenes kitchen, so include it.

You’re right – I give around a 5 second skim when I go through CV’s. But what I do put my time in is reading a covering letter. The covering letter is a chance to show your personality- a bit of who you are. Make an impression. Give me a reason to look at your CV. Your covering letter will surprise me – your CV won’t because I know exactly what will be on it – a chronological list of qualifications interests and experience. Boring – but necessary!

This means you need a different covering letter and CV for each job. You won’t get a look in if you send off a template letter which refers to a job that is dissimilar to the one you are applying for. If your cover letter refers to wanting to be a chef and the vacancy is for a waiter I’ll guarantee you no job.

Order of effort:
A good cover letter gets your CV read.
A good CV gets you an interview
A good interview gets you reference checked.
Good referees get you a job.

Oops should have read this. This.

Finch

2851 posts

Uber Geek

#937891 20-Nov-2013 13:31

Thanks guys for all the tips!!

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TwoSeven

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#937895 20-Nov-2013 13:38

I have two a CV and a Resume, the latter is just a quick summary of events, its a one or two pager that has name, address, telephone, skill summary (with amount of time), and a list of one paragraph work history in chronological order - it is what I send when applying for jobs. The CV has more pages and more in-depth information and I keep mine in a ring-binder with all my certificates and examples of work - it is what I take to the interview.

As for cooking, might I suggest applying to the local polytechnic to go through the cooking degree/course. Usually as part of these one can do work-experience and one would assume, they help with job placement at the end. At the same time, one can also look at getting a related part time job.

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nate

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#937976 20-Nov-2013 15:54

Finch - where are you based?

If in Auckland, I'm happy to meet with you. I read through a lot of CVs, own a cafe and can give you lots of pointers of what a hospo employer is looking for.

Finch

2851 posts

Uber Geek

#994754 26-Feb-2014 11:40

Thanks to everybody for the advice, just read through everything again.

Some of you might of noticed my thread I created a few days ago about wanting to get some help with my CV. I had a few people PM me and changed my CV and Cover Letter based on what advice they gave me. In between asking for help here and then changing my CV and Cover Letter I applied for a job and
managed to get an interview, it is this Friday. I am nervous because I am not sure what to expect.

I have researched the company to check the layout of the place and also what food they offer on the menu, this is a good thing to do before the interview, yes?

It is for a junior cook position (Think there may be more than one available actually). What questions am I most likely to be asked? More so food related questions such as (Example) "Can you explain to me how to make fresh pasta?". Or would it be more of "What can you bring to the company that others cant?".

Would be grateful if anybody can give me some ideas on what questions may potentially be asked.

Thanks!!

@Nate - I am in Wellington :)