Targeting CV

[Eirikur]

Same here, my cv is 6 pages, never heard anyone complain about it, except so called CV writers.

[rashm2k]

Same here, my cv is 6 pages, never heard anyone complain about it, except so called CV writers.

I bloody thought so, how can your cv be only 2 pages yet you need to fit in your skills table, achievements and then all your roles too.

[chappers]

I bloody thought so, how can your cv be only 2 pages yet you need to fit in your skills table, achievements and then all your roles too.

now i thought I was pushing it with 3 pages

[quackhandle]

It's all about buzz words like TDD, BDD, DDD, Agile, Mobile, Android and iOS etc that get you noticed initially. Not that agents have a clue really what they want, most only know a few words or skills that are relevant to filling a role.

+1.

qh

[rashm2k]

So how do most of you customise it? I generally have one master CV, which I am constantly editing, and for each role I write a new profile (haven't had that much luck with it though).

Would you guys remove remove all non-related roles (and thus be within the 2 pages rule)? I think this may be better - afterall seeing java all the way down would at least get you in front of the client?

[blazing]

I've had my CV done professionally and they were insistent that it needs to fit into 2 pages. The older roles become irrelevant and only a couple of lines are needed to describe what you did. I'm leaning towards customising "Summary", "Achievements" and "Technical Skills" to make a sales pitch for every ad.

Not sure about CV going longer than 3 pages - I doubt it would get a glance.

[TheFaQQer]

I've had my CV done professionally and they were insistent that it needs to fit into 2 pages. The older roles become irrelevant and only a couple of lines are needed to describe what you did. I'm leaning towards customising "Summary", "Achievements" and "Technical Skills" to make a sales pitch for every ad.

Not sure about CV going longer than 3 pages - I doubt it would get a glance.

How's that working out for you?

[blazing]

How's that working out for you?

Well TheFaQQer, I still had to make changes after it was professionally done. So far 3/3 agents have contacted me after I've applied. One bombed out as I refused to budge on the rates but I was told that client was very interested (no scope for addtional budget). The other two went cold after intial discussions. I wonder if I'm being undercut on rates. If the contract has been advertised for say 400-450, I always say I want 450. Is that a good thing or bad?

I'm still testing the waters a bit before I go and start hunting in anger.
That's why I started this thread - to understand how experienced contract hunters customise their resume. I've always been lucky to be head hunted and got contracts through my connections in the past. So I just want to make sure I'm doing things the right way to maximise my chances when going through agents->clients.

[MattZani]

So how do most of you customise it?

For past positions that are relevant to what I am applying to, I write everything in detail and in bullet points.
For past positions that are not relevant I just write 2 sentences: in the first I write what the company does, and in the second what I did in that gig. If they wanna know more, they'll ask at the interview.

If I apply through agency, usually the pimp tells me how to tweak my CV accordingly.

[Manz]

+1.

qh

Not that agents have a clue really what they want, most only know a few words or skills that are relevant to filling a role.

Exactly. I had a call from an agent asking me about my experience using a certain tool and I told him I know it, and then he told me to update my CV to mention it more, so I did, and when I sent my CV back to him, he replied with "where is it? I think you sent the same CV again" because he was only searching one word that he knew of. Then I had to take a screenshot of my CV highlighting exactly where to look and then he finally understood and apologised for his lack of knowledge on the subject and finally submitted my CV to the client.