CV rewrite / reformat

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I have a shot at a decentish sounding permie job (I know, I know). Today I've had an e-mail from the pimp asking me to re-write and reformat my CV in a totally different way "as that is what the client uses" with an example supplied.

I admit I have a seething rage about CVs. Every person I talk to is a self-appointed expert on CVs and tells me what's wrong with mine (which only looks like it did because I listened to the last person). I am just sick of spending time pissing about with something that, in the end, no matter what I do, no-one likes.

I am tempted to just say no to this re-write - it will take me a lot of time for gig that I don't even know if I want yet (I regard the interview as a two-way process).

[2BIT]

I have a shot at a decentish sounding permie job (I know, I know). Today I've had an e-mail from the pimp asking me to re-write and reformat my CV in a totally different way "as that is what the client uses" with an example supplied.

I admit I have a seething rage about CVs. Every person I talk to is a self-appointed expert on CVs and tells me what's wrong with mine (which only looks like it did because I listened to the last person). I am just sick of spending time pissing about with something that, in the end, no matter what I do, no-one likes.

I am tempted to just say no to this re-write - it will take me a lot of time for gig that I don't even know if I want yet (I regard the interview as a two-way process).

I'd say no, not being able to read a cv in a different format implies inflexibility and asking you to carry out such a pointless task indicates - I'd imagine this is the agent asking not the company - sounds like the kind of irrational request that would come from an agent.

[SueEllen]

If there is no information missing from your CV say "No" as it's a cut and paste job which an agent should be able to do.

[Notascooby]

Sounds like an hour or twos work for perm position, whilst I'd expect the agent to do the cut & paste, it is hardly the biggest investment you'll make nor particularly onerous either.

I'd agree that pissing about with CVs is a PITA but I can think of a lot worse, such as all the paperwork for annual reviews etc.

[Spacecadet]

I have a shot at a decentish sounding permie job (I know, I know). Today I've had an e-mail from the pimp asking me to re-write and reformat my CV in a totally different way "as that is what the client uses" with an example supplied.

Tell him to do it himself if it's so important... it's a CV not a job application form

I admit I have a seething rage about CVs. Every person I talk to is a self-appointed expert on CVs and tells me what's wrong with mine (which only looks like it did because I listened to the last person). I am just sick of spending time pissing about with something that, in the end, no matter what I do, no-one likes.

Your CV should be an individual thing, take advice from a few people, filter out the bad advice and make your mind up on the conflicting advice.
One thing which most people seem to be in agreement on is the order in which to set the main groups:

- personal details
- skills
- work history and experience
- education/ awards/ publications (if applicable)

[NotReallyButSeriously]

I'd say no, not being able to read a cv in a different format implies inflexibility and asking you to carry out such a pointless task indicates - I'd imagine this is the agent asking not the company - sounds like the kind of irrational request that would come from an agent.

Sounds like the agency can't be bothered to read CV's and are just parsing it through some crappy system to draw out what they want in the order they want. Just like application forms. I can't stand when things like this happen, I've had a company contact me because they wanted it in a .rtf format and I sent it in a .pdf format. Who really uses .rtf? I told them to download adobe reader and that I wasn't interested in this 'supposodely' IT company.