Well since my redundancy on the 8th of April this year I have only been able to find temporary work. It hasn't been the best but I have managed to stay off benefits and hopefully one of my more recent applications for jobs will prove fruitful.

I just wanted to extend to anyone in need, the chance to have their CV 'fluffed up'. My most recent 'proper' job had me working for a prominent welfare to work organisation in Liverpool and we helped many people to find decent sustainable employment through the re-evaluation of their CV.

I am not super-woman but currently DON't have a job, so please if anyone is really struggling and feels that their CV is the barrier to helping them to progress then just get in touch. A quick half-hour chat over coffee, then leave it with me, and I will get it to you via e-mail.

To put this into context, our company used to charge £50 to private clients for this service. I just need to feel more pro-active about my time 'off'. I don't want and won't accept anything in payment, I just want to do some good if I can.

If I get loads of requests obviously I won't be able to help all, but I reckon I could manage one or two a week. It is quite time consuming and I am constantly applying for roles myself, but please if you are in need...get in touch I would love to help.

Sally thats a really nice offer,i don't need help but hopefully a few members may take up your kind offer.good luck with your job hunting!

i echo what the above says, thats a lovely gesture ,
yes good luck, hope you hear soon

When you read Sally's post it restores your faith in human nature. Well done that girl ! The world could do with a few more like you !
Good luck with the job hunt.

I would love to take you up on this service, would you like me to email you my CV?

thanks

Hi, I will PM you my e-mail address, then just send me what you have, I will probably e-mail you back with some questions and then I will re-write it and send it back to you.

Hi AX 125, if you still want your CV doing just email it over, haven't had anything from you yet but I'll keep an eye out.

You dont do these CV's in a "template" formation do you? Because the last time I encountered a pile of CV's, most of them followed 2 or 3 templates, all of which were very basic, and did not allow the CV to stand out.

It is of course that no matter how good your CV looks, it is what you have on there, and how you come across in an interview that gets you the job, but when an employer has 200+ CV's to look through, a CV that stands out, could get you noticed and make all the difference.

I always send my CV's and covering letters on 120gsm Ivory paper for this reason (I don't generally go to the extreme of using parchment paper or watermarked paper however), I have had a lot of positive feedback about the layout and design of my CV (custom, simple but clear, concise, easy on the eyes and attractive), just to give it that bit more chance of being noticed. Using ivory paper also helps the reader because it is far easier on the eyes (less eyestrain) than using the bright-white HP and Multicopy paper I use for documents (especially if they have 50+ to read through)... the 120gsm choice, is on the boarder between paper and card (the 160gsm was just too cardy), but again is stands out better and is more noticeable than the 100gsm paper I use for documents and the 80gsm I use for jarg printing. Additionally, a laser printer also makes a world of difference in quality, imho (inkjets look shite in comparison). All this costs a few pence more per CV/covering letter, but you have to speculate to accumalate right?

Just my opinion naturally, but if you have a good CV (ie. the right skills, qualifications and experience for the job), getting your CV noticed, and not just being another "job club mass production candidate" could make the difference between you getting an interview and you not.

A CV must also be kept updated and enhanced continuously (I say that, I haven't updated mine for 2 months tut tut). I used to spend hours a week keeping mine current and improving it as much as possible, when I have wanted a better job in the past. The quality of the covering letter is important, and ive always believed it should be tailored to the job, addressing the requirements of the role as laid out on the job description/advert, not just a "please find enclosed my CV for blah blah job" type letter, tell the employer why you are suitable for the role, if they choose not to read it, no harm done, if they do, it could also get you an interview. If its just a general role for a type of job you will be applying for multiple times, a good quality template, that can be tailored to suit each role, is a good idea. If its a professional role, the covering letter should be carefully tailored from the ground up towards each position you apply for, covering each aspect of the job description/role requirements, and any related or relevant information that may be suitable for the letter.

I don't make CVs from some word template, I worked for an organisation who assisted unemployed execs and profs get back into work. I picked up some incredibly useful tips and ideas, and have helped so many people since then.

When I re-did my fella's he has a basic CV, all the usual stuff, education, experience but it didn't stand out. The re-evaluation of his skills and achievements really helped him to feel better about himself and gave him the confidence to go for another role which he then got.

I agree, paper can make a CV stand out, but to be honest attaching one in PDF format to an email is usually what is required these days, some paper copies for trawling companies are useful, but getting in touch first, getting a contact and emailing what they need across normally will be good enough.