Targeting CV

[blazing]

Hi,

I need some advice on targeting CV. I have a generic CV which looks pretty good and easy to read. I've had it reviewed by friends. I do get call from agents - so my CV is getting attention I think.

My question is about targeting the CV for every ad that appears. Reading on other sites, they advise contractors to tailor the CV for every ad. Do you always read the job description, modify your CV, remove the irrelevant parts before applying for the position? This will be time consuming. My first page of CV contains - Summary (4-5 lines), Achievements (2-3 top ones), List of technical skillsets (everything I'm good at) followed by chronological list of clients which stretches to the next page.

If I have to customise my CV(say a java developer, or a python developer, or an infrastructure engineer or a devops engineer - I'm capable of doing all of them), I'm thinking of changing summary for every ad and highlight (bold) the skills that has been advertised in "list of technical skill set". What do you think? Is there a better way?

Also, this approach is only suitable for new agents, right? The agents I've contacted before will already have a version of my CV. Or do they just bin it?

Thanks in advance.

[northernladuk]

Do you always read the job description, modify your CV, remove the irrelevant parts before applying for the position? This will be time consuming.

Yes and it's a shame life is hard hey....

Is there a better way?

Not if you want the gig

[SueEllen]

The agents want you to edit your CV so you are more likely to get the role and make them money.

[blazing]

Ok. Maybe that's what I was doing wrong i.e. not customising my CV which is just a generic one. If I have my skillsets listed as (for e.g.):

Languages: C++, Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, Shell, Perl
OS: Linux (Redhat, Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS), Cloud AWS Specialist


and the ad is asking for java programmers, should I be taking out everything else and leave java in there? Or do you simply mark Java in bold? I'm thinking the client will be impressed to see that the contractor is not just a java programmer but a linux administrator and infrastructure engineer as well.

[The Spartan]

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.

[Eirikur]

I have about 12 versions of my CV all targeted for different industries. Although my skills can be used in any industry, the pimps like to see emphasis on the industry you're applying for Finance, telecoms retail, government etc. and see the buzzwords.
Where needed I will then modify one of the 12 templates to add more buzzwords to make the pimp happy.

[TheFaQQer]

Do you always read the job description, modify your CV, remove the irrelevant parts before applying for the position?

No.

I read the job description, work out whether I can do the role, and send off the one version of my CV that I have. VERY occasionally, if it's a marginal call and I've had more time off than I really want to, I might add or remove a little bit, or put slightly different things in bold.

If the CV isn't working for you, and you want the role, then you need to be prepared to put some effort in, though.

[FGB]

I've maintained and used the same 6-page CV for the last 20 years with reasonable success but never landed an interview with a version I tweaked at the request of the agent.

[blazing]

Six page CV? I had to cut down my CV to no more than two pages as advised by CV writers. My CV is getting attention and the agent calls me. But for some reason it did not get beyond that. Maybe my rate is too high or my notice period of 2-3 weeks is not acceptable. But then why don't they say so?

[The Spartan]

My C.V. is 7 pages long and I had no problems with getting interviews using it.