Best place for a CV?

[Cocker Claret]

I'm looking to change my job in the near future,having worked shifts and weekends for over 30 years.My mortgage is paid off in a few months so i'll be looking for a day job as i'll be able to take the hit money wise.I don't have a CV and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations?Should i do a free one online?Or pay someone to do one?Any advice would be helpful, cheers.

[ClaretinMyBlood]

If you have a quick search for CV templates and examples on google it's a good start (not meant in a sarcastic way)
There's some really good professional advice out there for free,

It's always worth having multiple people check over it for you once complete

Good luck

[DCWat]

Plenty examples of how they should be laid out, on line.

Depending on the work that you are looking for, I’d tailor the CV to mirror the skills, qualities, experience that the roles you are applying for dictate.

Indeed is a good site for posting your CV and searching jobs.

Good luck

[claptrappers_union]

Do you live around Burnley mate, get in touch with these guys - they'll probably stick you on a CV building training course and help seek out opportunities for you.

Give them a ring

http://www.tailormadesourcing.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[houseboy]

Best place for most CVs is in the bin. I've checked hundreds in the past and it's more fun than reading Grimms Fairy Tales. One piece of advice seriously mate - don't ever pay anyone to do it. They are simple and the internet is full of templates. They all differ as there actually is no agreed format but basically a bit about yourself and then your work history (you don't need to go too far back, they are not interested in what you were doing while Hendrix was alive). Everyone puts on any educational qualifications but oddly unless you are looking at a profession they hardly if ever get checked out. Add a bit about how you are a good time keeper, self-motivated work well alone or with others, yada yada yada, and there you go. I've kept mine fairly up to date as I have moved jobs quite a bit and I have done all my daughters CVs and none have ever failed an interview (whether that's my CV writing skills or their brilliance is open to question).
As an ex-manager including being a regional recruitment manager for a publishing company I've seen more CVs than soft Mick and trust me they get about 30 seconds being scanned over.

[DCWat]

Best place for most CVs is in the bin. I've checked hundreds in the past and it's more fun than reading Grimms Fairy Tales. One piece of advice seriously mate - don't ever pay anyone to do it. They are simple and the internet is full of templates. They all differ as there actually is no agreed format but basically a bit about yourself and then your work history (you don't need to go too far back, they are not interested in what you were doing while Hendrix was alive). Everyone puts on any educational qualifications but oddly unless you are looking at a profession they hardly if ever get checked out. Add a bit about how you are a good time keeper, self-motivated work well alone or with others, yada yada yada, and there you go. I've kept mine fairly up to date as I have moved jobs quite a bit and I have done all my daughters CVs and none have ever failed an interview (whether that's my CV writing skills or their brilliance is open to question).
As an ex-manager including being a regional recruitment manager for a publishing company I've seen more CVs than soft Mick and trust me they get about 30 seconds being scanned over.

In summary - make yours stand out.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Always done mine the same way.

Name, address on the top left.
Contact details top right.

Date and Place of birth below the address.

Education.

Current/most recent job and work backwards from there, adding in the usual stuff about what my responsibilities were and when I worked there from and till.
(I never put down why I left a job, they don't need to know and rarely ask)

Usual personal guff at the end.

Work and Personal references at the end.

[houseboy]

In summary - make yours stand out.

Pretty much, but most employers do only give them a cursory glance because they actually expect them to be full of lies.

[Dazzler]

Ask at the Job Centre.

When I first required a CV for a position 11 years ago,A lady at the Job Centre created it for me.
Free of charge.

[Cocker Claret]

Thanks for the advice guys.I'll have a look at the free templates online.

[bob-the-scutter]

[Paul Waine]

Thanks for the advice guys.I'll have a look at the free templates online.

Hi Cocker, my experience: draft a general cv, but adjust it every time you apply to the specifics of the job you are applying for.

I'd put your "work/skills profile" first then some (or all, depending on number) of the employment positions you've held - maybe with dates, though my not be necessary in many cases.

Education and trade/professional qualifications at the end - unless you are at early stage of career.

No date of birth - age discrimination means this is irrelevant, whether you are were born longer ago, or more recently.

Depending on the role(s) you are applying for/get offered, you might be "background" checked - past employers contacted to confirm your employment dates and position(s), education/qualifications confirmed by awarding bodies. Firm I've just re-joined has also introduced DBS/criminal records check.

If things don't check out with the background checks and offer of employment, even if you've started, it will most likely withdrawn. (I know of the "Head of HR" of a very large, international firm, who was "caught out" claiming a qualification he didn't have - he was dismissed when the new owner of the business found out).

You might also want to take a look at LinkedIn - see if any of the areas that you are experienced in/interested in are represented there. The past few years more and more recruiters/employers are using LinkedIn to identify potential recruits.

Good luck.

EDIT: And, if you are "social media" user - make sure this creates "the right impression." A lot of employers now check out "social media" profiles for potential recruits.

[Cocker Claret]

Cheers for that Paul,taylor my CV differently for each job, nice one.

[deanothedino]

Date and Place of birth below the address.

Best not to include these for a few reasons.

1) they don't need to know
2) if you're sending it out to recruiters or putting it on the internet then it's best to not give your date and place of birth out to strangers.

[Croydon Claret]

Don't put anything about hobbies and interests. No employer gives a stuff.

When I was filling in CVs I used to think it helped to show what kind of a person you were. But when you're on the other side of the fence and having to read them you just need to know if the person can do the job.

I'm just looking for bullet points so I can see if they have the necessary skills, therefore make your skills stand out
and don't let them disappear within paragraphs of text.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Best not to include these for a few reasons.

1) they don't need to know
2) if you're sending it out to recruiters or putting it on the internet then it's best to not give your date and place of birth out to strangers.

I've always done it, that's how I was taught, but it's probably old fashioned nowadays.

[dpinsussex]

I only ever put name, mobile number and Thames Valley as my location.

Basic data protection. Think Fraud. Be smart