Contractor CV

[MajesticBadger]

Howdy,

I've been contracting for about 8 years and was perm for 10 before that. I have had 4 perm roles and 11 contracts in that 18 years. My CV has a paragraph (header with role info/ company/ location etc, and 3/4 bullet points of key roles/ tasks ).

Problem with this is that my CV is now 5 pages. I'm concerned that my CV is too big, but do not want to chop too much out. My roles have all been around SQL, but in a number of different environments and using various skills and elements.

How do other people manage their CV's?

Thanks

[DeludedKitten]

How do other people manage their CV's?

List the key projects with details, which are most relevant to the role you're applying for.

Add a line that additional details of other roles available on request or at interview or on LinkedIn.

[LondonManc]

I've got a generic 3-pager with the best bits and a 6-pager with everything that I'll save a copy of and chop down for more niche roles.

Keep it achievement based, focus on delivering, helping, training, mentoring, etc - showing that you're a delivering contractor that adds value.

[edison]

Howdy,

I've been contracting for about 8 years and was perm for 10 before that. I have had 4 perm roles and 11 contracts in that 18 years. My CV has a paragraph (header with role info/ company/ location etc, and 3/4 bullet points of key roles/ tasks ).

Problem with this is that my CV is now 5 pages. I'm concerned that my CV is too big, but do not want to chop too much out. My roles have all been around SQL, but in a number of different environments and using various skills and elements.

How do other people manage their CV's?

Thanks

You need to keep a few things in mind such as:

1. If you're lucky that your CV is even read, it will be for 30-45 seconds on a first pass.
2. No one will read your 5 page CV in full, 2, possibly 3 pages maximum should be enough.
3. The purpose of a CV is to get a first interview not tell your whole life story. Keep it brief.
4. Focus on tangible quantifiable achievements and benefits delivered not roles and tasks. That will help to keep it short and also give much more context to your experience and ability.
5. People are unlikely to ask you what you were doing 18 years ago which is how far your CV stretches.
6. Technology and business changes so fast, is the work you did more than 10 years ago really still relevant to what you want to do now?

I've had 10 perm jobs plus 12 clients between two management consultancies and about to start a 5th contract, all over a 29 year period and my CV is still just 2-3 pages.

There is plenty of advice online, you can also search for specific CV examples and tips e.g. SQL CV tips.

[Untouchable1]

Mine is 3 pages

page 1: about me, skills, strengths, latest role
page 2: other roles
page 3: tools, frameworks, education

[billybiro]

Howdy,

I've been contracting for about 8 years and was perm for 10 before that. I have had 4 perm roles and 11 contracts in that 18 years. My CV has a paragraph (header with role info/ company/ location etc, and 3/4 bullet points of key roles/ tasks ).

Problem with this is that my CV is now 5 pages. I'm concerned that my CV is too big, but do not want to chop too much out. My roles have all been around SQL, but in a number of different environments and using various skills and elements.

How do other people manage their CV's?

Thanks

I use a format very similar to that espoused by the CV & Interview advisors who have given free webinars via CUK in the past. Basically, for every role/contract you've had, keep two sets of notes, one a brief executive summary and the other slightly longer and more detailed.

Then, for each contract you apply for, create a custom CV just for that contract by taking the 3 most relevant of your past contracts (irrespective of age/date) and put these with the detailed summaries on the first page under a heading of "Career Highlights". Add all of your other past contracts, in chronological order, on the 2nd/3rd etc page with only the title and the brief summary for each under a heading of "Career Chronology". Complete the other sections of your CV as you'd see fit.

For the descriptions for each contract, as others have said, focus on delivery. You can use the STAR technique to format your prose.

[whirlpool]

I use a format very similar to that espoused by the CV & Interview advisors who have given free webinars via CUK in the past. Basically, for every role/contract you've had, keep two sets of notes, one a brief executive summary and the other slightly longer and more detailed.

Then, for each contract you apply for, create a custom CV just for that contract by taking the 3 most relevant of your past contracts (irrespective of age/date) and put these with the detailed summaries on the first page under a heading of "Career Highlights". Add all of your other past contracts, in chronological order, on the 2nd/3rd etc page with only the title and the brief summary for each under a heading of "Career Chronology". Complete the other sections of your CV as you'd see fit.

For the descriptions for each contract, as others have said, focus on delivery. You can use the STAR technique to format your prose.

Is this wise, considering that agents are getting 300+ CV's for roles advertised?

[NCOTBAC]

Is this wise, considering that agents are getting 300+ CV's for roles advertised?

Surely you answered your own question there.

With contracts all you have to do is prove you are the best person for that particular gig. That means fitting the criteria exactly. They don't look for good all round people. They want a body to do that piece of work. Best way to prove that is a custom CV that shows the agent you are the one.

[Old Greg]

I use a format very similar to that espoused by the CV & Interview advisors who have given free webinars via CUK in the past. Basically, for every role/contract you've had, keep two sets of notes, one a brief executive summary and the other slightly longer and more detailed.

Then, for each contract you apply for, create a custom CV just for that contract by taking the 3 most relevant of your past contracts (irrespective of age/date) and put these with the detailed summaries on the first page under a heading of "Career Highlights". Add all of your other past contracts, in chronological order, on the 2nd/3rd etc page with only the title and the brief summary for each under a heading of "Career Chronology". Complete the other sections of your CV as you'd see fit.

For the descriptions for each contract, as others have said, focus on delivery. You can use the STAR technique to format your prose.

Why do you have a CV? You have no legal obligation whatsoever to provide one to a potential client in a B2B relationship.

[whirlpool]

Surely you answered your own question there.

With contracts all you have to do is prove you are the best person for that particular gig. That means fitting the criteria exactly. They don't look for good all round people. They want a body to do that piece of work. Best way to prove that is a custom CV that shows the agent you are the one.

Funny that as i still get interviews by waiting for agents to call based on them searching for me/my skills on job boards from a Generic CV. My Generic CV is also picked up by agents from adverts that i applied for. I have tried the tailoring approach before and its very likely that i will try it again if it improves the hit rate. BTW I had a call today from an agent offering a C++ Programming job - I am a tester.