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Breakdown of a CV that worked

Andy Black

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A lot of you might be looking for jobs. This video might help you think about your CV.

Obviously it's highly technical and specialised. There's no point copying it word for word. Think about WHAT I tried to do, WHY, and HOW I did it.

(Tip: watch the video below it first.)

View: https://youtu.be/maRVWivT4dI




This is the prequel video that explains the background of WHY the CV was structured that way, and why it got me to interviews and ultimately into a steady stream of contracts.

View: https://youtu.be/O1Je-eLltEc
 
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Val Okafor

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Very succinct with relevant keywords that will catch the attention of front line HR/ recruiters scanning for those skills and the automated filters for the same keywords.

I started adding list/links of recent projects to mine and that has seemed to increase the response rate.

Thanks for sharing.
 

Andy Black

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Very succinct with relevant keywords that will catch the attention of front line HR/ recruiters scanning for those skills and the automated filters for the same keywords.

I started adding list/links of recent projects to mine and that has seemed to increase the response rate.

Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I was all about the keywords even back in my IT days!
 

xy2_

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Very cool breakdown.

The double profile/technical skills at the start of the CV is brilliant. Hiring managers looking for keywords get it straight away instead of having to look down, and more technical guys can jump down and immediately get the expertise.

It all stays above the fold too. (That's one trick I learned: if you fold your CV in half, can you still see your most important message?) Here there's just enough to keep reading.

Another thing I'm impressed with is bringing the porfolio, because like you said, it gives the hiring manager what they want. I never thought of it that way: what happens after the interview, when a decision is taken?

I thought CVs were only meant to be one page or two, but this made me reconsider. Thanks Andy!
 
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Andy Black

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Very cool breakdown.

The double profile/technical skills at the start of the CV is brilliant. Hiring managers looking for keywords get it straight away instead of having to look down, and more technical guys can jump down and immediately get the expertise.

It all stays above the fold too. (That's one trick I learned: if you fold your CV in half, can you still see your most important message?) Here there's just enough to keep reading.

Another thing I'm impressed with is bringing the porfolio, because like you said, it gives the hiring manager what they want. I never thought of it that way: what happens after the interview, when a decision is taken?

I thought CVs were only meant to be one page or two, but this made me reconsider. Thanks Andy!
Great takeaways. Thanks!

Watch the second of those interviews (which is the prequel anyway) and I say that my goal is they go looking for the other pages if they only receive the first page.

Funny you say above-the-fold. My CV really is like a webpage that gives the visitor what THEY are looking for without bogging them down if they want to skim. It hasn’t escaped me that what I do now just built on what I did then.
 
A

Anon79341

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Great! I'm really amazed with the attention to detail, it's very valuable information. I bet those recruiters could find all they were looking for!

By the way, I wonder which aspects I could highlight when preparing a CV during college. I'm about to apply for an internship in the next months but I don't have any formal work experience... Should I think of specific skills now or go with some "openness" before knowing the actual industry?
 

Andy Black

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By the way, I wonder which aspects I could highlight when preparing a CV during college. I'm about to apply for an internship in the next months but I don't have any formal work experience... Should I think of specific skills now or go with some "openness" before knowing the actual industry?
Great question, and one many people have.

I've helped nieces and nephews with their first CV leaving school when they've only done Saturday jobs etc. They left the house beaming because they didn't realise how much they'd done until I worded it for them.

I'll do another video on that sometime.

I'll also do some videos with interview tips.
 
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Andy Black

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Example cover letter I'd send to recruitment agents.
(Originally posted here).

My format is 3 paragraphs.

1) Why I'm writing, and how I found out about the role.

2) Soundbite(s) to show I'm suitable for the role.

3) Non-needy call to action.

...

Hi Oliver,

I am writing to express my interest in the senior Oracle DBA role you have advertised as detailed below. Please find attached my current CV.

I am a senior Oracle DBA with over 10 years experience supporting mission critical systems, and designing and delivering highly available, scalable, and supportable solutions to the Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications, Finance and Manufacturing industries.

If you believe that my skills and experience match any of your clients requirements then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Andy Black
<Phone Number>
<Email Address>

(Attach the ad you saw.)
 

Andy Black

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A

Anon79341

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Here's that review of your CV I promised you:

Hi Andy

I really want to thank you for your help! You've made it so clear in one single video. Honestly I had no idea about most of the things you've mentioned, maybe because I was stuck with some bad advice I've heard from some people. It is very kind of you.

First, usually I would say: how would I fill 2 pages of information if I haven't done so much stuff yet?, now it seems like I'm wasting a lot of opportunities by not doing that.

Also I used to think that I was being clear and precise with the structure, but I wasn't really. As you said, most of the important facts were placed at the bottom, or hidden somewhere and that is very impractical. In a few minutes you've made me realize that I was not emphasizing the important stuff at all.

That said, I need to put more work on the details, such as specific skills that I didn't even mentioned, somehow I thought recruiters were going to guess it.

Now I know that if I don't fix those things it will look a little vague and messy. In order to make a good impression I need to be clear and straight to the point. Seriously, you've really changed my perspective. Thanks a lot for your time.

Best!
 

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