A question about CV and cover letters

[Flagg]

So I graduated from University last year, did everything ass backwards after I left, been to a couple of interviews early this year which I bombed in, but since my last interview I have done a TON of field work experience and volunteer work this summer. Looking back I can see where I went wrong in my last couple of interviews.

I've joined this site in the UK called CJS (Countryside Job Service), and each week and every couple of days, they send me email alerts advertising various environmental and ecology based jobs through the country. There are four pretty promising ones and I want to apply to all of them.

This year, any and all experience/volunteer work, i've added to my CV and as a consequence, my CV has now gone from 2 sides into 3 sides. Is this a problem? I'm never sure if a CV should be 2 sides or if 3 sides is acceptable.

Is that too much? I have tried my hardest to keep things on my CV as succinct as possible and I cant keep all the content on 2 sides and I dont want to shrink the font down to the point the person reading my CV would need a magnifying glass! The font I used is Lucida Sans, 11, and trust me, 10 looks hard to read.

To cut a long story short, if my CV was 3 sides instead of 2, is that all right? I'm also going to write up a cover letter tonight as well (which im going to keep to just one side).

[gixxerboy1]

I assume by 3 sides you mean 3 pages?
Then yes that is to much. I have had a decent amount of professorial jobs and can keep mine under 2. There has to be things you can eliminate or cut down. A resume is supposed to be a summary,

[Flagg]

I assume by 3 sides you mean 3 pages?
Then yes that is to much. I have had a decent amount of professorial jobs and can keep mine under 2. There has to be things you can eliminate or cut down. A resume is supposed to be a summary,

No, one page could have content on both sides, hence, 2 sides. I could submit a CV with a cover letter, 4 sides in total, but it would not exceed 2 pages, if you understand me?

[gixxerboy1]

that is way to long for a resume.
and the cover letter should be separate.
I've interviewed hundreds of people, and read thousands of resumes and yours would be the longest i ever received.

[MuscleInk]

So I graduated from University last year, did everything ass backwards after I left, been to a couple of interviews early this year which I bombed in, but since my last interview I have done a TON of field work experience and volunteer work this summer. Looking back I can see where I went wrong in my last couple of interviews.

I've joined this site in the UK called CJS (Countryside Job Service), and each week and every couple of days, they send me email alerts advertising various environmental and ecology based jobs through the country. There are four pretty promising ones and I want to apply to all of them.

This year, any and all experience/volunteer work, i've added to my CV and as a consequence, my CV has now gone from 2 sides into 3 sides. Is this a problem? I'm never sure if a CV should be 2 sides or if 3 sides is acceptable.

Is that too much? I have tried my hardest to keep things on my CV as succinct as possible and I cant keep all the content on 2 sides and I dont want to shrink the font down to the point the person reading my CV would need a magnifying glass! The font I used is Lucida Sans, 11, and trust me, 10 looks hard to read.

To cut a long story short, if my CV was 3 sides instead of 2, is that all right? I'm also going to write up a cover letter tonight as well (which im going to keep to just one side).

Generally, resumes should be brief. Two pages is the standard. CVs (not the same as a resume) can be longer and more detailed highlighting several areas including work history, academic history, publications (if applicable), certifications, memberships, other significant accomplishments.

A properly designed resume should be brief. Listing work history in a way that details you "C.A.R." story:

Challenges you faced in your role
Activities you undertook
Results achieved

My curriculum vitas is 31 pages long. I never submit it unless requested. My resume is only 2 pages however. Usually in a cover letter I will mention that my detailed professional CV is available upon request.

I like to think of the resume as an "Executive Summary" and the CV is your "professional (business) plan".

[MuscleInk]

No, one page could have content on both sides, hence, 2 sides. I could submit a CV with a cover letter, 4 sides in total, but it would not exceed 2 pages, if you understand me?

Do NOT double side your résumé (or CV for that matter).

[gixxerboy1]

Do NOT double side your résumé (or CV for that matter).

was just going to respond to your post about 2 pages. and only meaning 1 side each.

[MuscleInk]

was just going to respond to your post about 2 pages. and only meaning 1 side each.

Ya, I should have mentioned that up front. Resumes and CVs should never be double sided.

I never understood why, in my 13 years of university, no one provided any basic instruction on resume/cv writing. It is a bit of an art form because when you are competing against hundreds or thousands of applicants for one position, your résumé has to stand out.

It wasn't until my last degree, my MBA, that I attended a weekend optional lecture on personal brand management and resume writing that I understood the value of a strong résumé.

Unfortunately though, in many cases, it's not what you know, or even who you know, but who knows YOU that gets you the job you seek.

[gixxerboy1]

I took 1 class on resume writing and contacted alot of resume writing services. I basically "interviewed" them on what changes they would make and why i should go with them over other services. Just from that i learned alot.

[MuscleInk]

I took 1 class on resume writing and contacted alot of resume writing services. I basically "interviewed" them on what changes they would make and why i should go with them over other services. Just from that i learned alot.

You hit the nail on the head. If resume writing was easy, there wouldn't BE resume writing services. I know several people who offer this service and their rates can be excessive....but they are still doing well because the employment market is so damn competitive.

It's not easy differentiating yourself and managing your personal brand effectively enough to stand out amongst competing applicants.

[MuscleInk]

Anyway, OP....I hope this feedback was helpful enough.

[Flagg]

Thanks guys it has, i've already managed to cut out chunks of waffle so far and can probably get things down to two sides. It's slightly stressing because I want this to stand out, to make myself sound as interesting, motivating and hard working as possible. Like the Highlander, in the end, there can be only one.

I currently work now, but as a delivery driver, and the positions im applying for are professional related to the subjects and fields I studied during my degree. Im grateful to have a form of work now, but I need to get out as its driving me (no pun) to distraction.

[gixxerboy1]

think of the cover letter as your sales pitch, not the resume.

[MuscleInk]

think of the cover letter as your sales pitch, not the resume.

In business....we call it the "Elevator Pitch" or your value proposition. Elevator pitch comes from the idea that you should be able to sell yourself in the time it takes to ride an elevator from the bottom to top floor - about 30 seconds.

Yes, writing a resume and cover letter isn't easy. You get one chance to get noticed; to state your value proposition. I'd recommend having a few people read your resume and cover letter before you send it out. No matter how many times you read it, you will miss grammar and spelling mistakes, and what sounds clear to you may not be so for someone else.

[lovbyts]

I once made business cards with my entire resume printed in VERY small print on the back. It was an eye catcher and unique at the time.

Hmmm come to think of it the 2 interviews I went on and gave my card when leaving I did get hired....