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Dear Theo,
I've recently moved to London and in the midst of a career change to Education. I'm looking for a part-time position and currently revising my CV for the UK market. I've been reading various write-ups on writing a good CV and many of them, if not all, suggest limiting it to 2 pages and in a 12-pt font size.
With a 28-year career in various functional areas and organisations, it is a challenge to fit them in 2 pages unless I cut off the early stages of my career or simplify the job descriptions of each position. My concern is be able to show the continuity of my career after completing my undergraduate and graduate degrees and the positions held in between and after. Would reducing the font size one solution? Also, does one need to put a line or two to explain a one-year gap after a very long job history?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Otto
fottoclooking for a part-time position and currently revising my CV for the UK market.
What UK market? Teaching? Maintained schools in England and Wales are given statutory guidance not to accept CVs. Agencies often ask for them, however.
fottoc I've been reading various write-ups on writing a good CV and many of them, if not all, suggest limiting it to 2 pages and in a 12-pt font size.
Yes, that's right. Any more, or a small font and narrow margins makes us want to move to the next one.
fottocit is a challenge to fit them in 2 pages unless I cut off the early stages of my career
No, you must give complete job history, or we may assume that you have been in prison in the gaps
fottocit is a challenge to fit them in 2 pages . . . . simplify the job descriptions of each position
Yes, do this. We are only interested in things that are relevant to the post that you are applying for.
fottocWould reducing the font size one solution?
No.
fottocAlso, does one need to put a line or two to explain a one-year gap after a very long job history?
Yes, else we may assume that you were in prison . . .
Your CV needs to read well, but also to look good. Lots of white space on the page, not cramped and muddled with changing font types.
Believe me!
Best wishes
_______________________________________
TheoGriff. Member of the TES Careers Advice Service.
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Fab advice from Mr TG as usual!
I was going to suggest that you might want to use what is called a functional CV if you're applying for work through an agency, in which you write a personal profile (personal statement and description of yourself at the top-not hobbies though) and key skills that you can offer to a potential school or employer at the top (e.g. good organisational skills). You then just list your work history (address, names and dates including age group taught, number on register etc) underneath (for non teaching work just give name address, dates and role). You then finish with references and interests (hobbies).
I got this information from a book called Get that Teaching job!
Thanks for your advice. Great!
http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6000259
Thisarticle gives some good tips too. But do be careful that the first paragraph doesn't sound like a Mission Statement . . . or worse, something from a Dating Site.
I do NOT want to read any more if you begin: Pace-making self-starter looking to work with like-minded colleagues where we can make a difference to the lives of our students.
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