Recently Made Redundant Quality Assurance Manager, seeks similar position in the Northamptonshire area in UK. i would like a job where my skills can be put to use and not have to end up working for a supermarket chain as a cashier. this will look likely of i get no bites soon. bills still need to paid etc etc. my Cv is attached for any one that knows of any vacancies.

thanks for looking.

Recently Made Redundant Quality Assurance Manager, seeks similar position in the Northamptonshire area in UK. i would like a job where my skills can be put to use and not have to end up working for a supermarket chain as a cashier. this will look likely of i get no bites soon. bills still need to paid etc etc. my Cv is attached for any one that knows of any vacancies.

thanks for looking.
A few suggestions:
I don't what's generally expected in a CV (résumé here in the US) in the UK, but yours seems too long by about half, and in the US it would find itself in the bin shortly after page 2 in many cases. I also question the wisdom of divulging an interest in murder, even if it is from a literary standpoint. (I understand what you're trying to say, but the word "murder" is generally not seen in this type of writing, and tends to jump off the page and out of context.)
Good luck in your job search. I don't know what the market's like in the UK, but you seem to have good qualifications for quality management.

One more bit of constructive criticism - I would remove your personal information (DOB, married with one child). That should be of no relevance to your employer, and may work against you in some cases. I don't know what the norm is in the UK, but I would never dream of putting information like that on a resumé here in Canada.

Just a note about personal information in a CV. It is true that in the US and Canada it is not a good idea to put this type of information, however in Europe it is often required. I live in Germany (Canadian by birth) and here a lot of personal information is expected on a CV. DOB and maritial status are pretty much required, as well as a picture. I have even seen people put information such as City of Birth, and Parents occupations.

PS. good luck in the job hunt.

Too much detail - potential employers will lose interest after two pages, some after only one page if they have a pile of CV's to read. Try to tailor the CV to individual applications and include only details specific to the job you are applying for. There is plenty of good career information there but you really need to grab and hold a potential employers pretty quickly or your CV will join the pile of rejections.

Good luck - a lot of us have been down this road (more than once)

Peterh

Just a note about personal information in a CV. It is true that in the US and Canada it is not a good idea to put this type of information, however in Europe it is often required. I live in Germany (Canadian by birth) and here a lot of personal information is expected on a CV. DOB and maritial status are pretty much required, as well as a picture. I have even seen people put information such as City of Birth, and Parents occupations.

PS. good luck in the job hunt.

Huh.
Wonder why?
Seems to leave an interviewer open to a lot of unrequired bias...where irrelevant factors may come into play.

Seems to leave an interviewer open to a lot of unrequired bias...where irrelevant factors may come into play.You're right, it does but good idea or not, there is this idea about getting to know the person, not just the potential employee behind the CV.

Good luck damanhill.:bigwave:

/Claes

Huh.
Wonder why?
Seems to leave an interviewer open to a lot of unrequired bias...where irrelevant factors may come into play.
In some cases, relevance is a matter of cultural, not universal, significance.

In some cases, relevance is a matter of cultural, not universal, significance.


Yes, I understand that - but from my limited knowledge of norms in the UK, I would think it's considered equally inappropriate across the pond to eliminate someone from a list of applicants because of their age.

Yes, I understand that - but from my limited knowledge of norms in the UK, I would think it's considered equally inappropriate across the pond to eliminate someone from a list of applicants because of their age.
Why do you assume the negative? That is, why assume that the purpose of the information is to be able to use it against an applicant, or to be able to discriminate in favor of one? And let's be realistic. If someone decides he's not going to hire an older (or younger) worker, the necessary information is still implicit in the applicant's work history.

Why do you assume the negative? That is, why assume that the purpose of the information is to be able to use it against an applicant, or to be able to discriminate in favor of one? And let's be realistic. If someone decides he's not going to hire an older (or younger) worker, the necessary information is still implicit in the applicant's work history.

Okay, let's spin it another way, then - explain to me how it is relevant whether an applicant is married. Explain how it is relevant whether an applicant has children.

I'm not saying that an interviewer is *going* to use this information for discriminatory purposes - I'm just trying to figure out how it's relevant.

Okay, let's spin it another way, then - explain to me how it is relevant whether an applicant is married. Explain how it is relevant whether an applicant has children.

I'm not saying that an interviewer is *going* to use this information for discriminatory purposes - I'm just trying to figure out how it's relevant.
I'm just going here on what's already been posted by people who know. Here's what Claes said: ..."good idea or not, there is this idea about getting to know the person, not just the potential employee behind the CV." It doesn't matter whether it's relevant to the job or not. Don't forget--in Europe, and most of the world outside of North America, tradition dies a lot harder than it does on this side, and there are traditions and cultural idiosyncrasies that defy logic, even in the US and Canada.

Ah, see, that's my problem. Missed Claes's post - just saw the one below it (yours, JSW).

I guess that's what happens when I scroll too quickly...

Sorry I came late to the party.

Simply speaking, job candidates have to deal with cultural norms regardless of where they intend to work. Thus, a person used to providing "womb to tomb" CVs would find himself disadvantaged if applying in a short resumé mileu. Similarly, bare bones resumés would get short shrift in a CV world.

It is important to realize both worlds depend strongly on a great cover letter to strike enough interest to peruse the CV or resumé.

In American English usage, a CV will include a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of employment, academic credential, publication, contribution or significant achievement. In certain professions, it may even include samples of the person's work and may run to many pages. In contrast, a resumé is a summary typically limited to one or two pages highlighting only those experiences and credentials which the author considers most relevant to the desired position. CVs are the preferred recruiting tool for academic and medical professions while resumés are generally preferred for business employment.

In British English, CV is the standard term for what is called a resumé in American English.

In most contexts, a resumé is short (usually one or two pages), and therefore contains only experience directly relevant to a particular position. Many resumés use precise keywords that the potential new employers are looking for, are self-aggrandizing, and contain many action words. Resumés are rarely more than two pages, as potential employers will typically not give that much time to read for each applicant.

An exception is an artist's resumé which may run longer as it will contain a list of solo and group exhibitions (and will typically exclude any non-art-related employment) which may be more or less extensive.

Like resumés, CVs are subject to recruiting fads. For example,

In German-speaking countries a picture is a mandatory adjunct to the CV.
Except for the theatrical professions, a picture is strongly discouraged in U.S. CVs.
For academic CVs in the United States, the oldest entries are generally listed first.
For non-academic employment in the U.S., the newest entries generally come first.
The use of an "objective statement" at the top of the document (such as "Looking for an entry-level position in xxx") was strongly encouraged in the U.S. during the mid-1990s, but fell out of favor by the late-1990s.
Listing of computer skills (such as proficiency with word processing software) was a strong differentiator during the 1980s but was considered passé for most professional positions by the 1990s.
In most circumstances, a chronological order is considered the norm but at certain times in certain professions the preferred order was "functional" - experiences clustered to illustrate a particular skill or competency. This format may also be used by students who have not built a strong career but wish to emphasize the skill acquired through education and internship.

Besides all the other good comments, there is another very important issue which could cause a company to steer clear of you (even though your experience looks very good): The explanations under each company experience title, indicating things like being let go due to "racism" or company not honoring pay/contract,etc. :eek:

I'm not sure about hiring practices in the UK, but in the US if a Human Resources person saw these kinds of comments in a CV/Resume or Cover Letter, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't consider even contacting you. Irrespective of whether or not its' true (and I know lots of folks in the US Job Market who have been unfairly treated as well, but unless it's blatant, tough to prove), your notations would make the HR person wonder whether or not you might be a bad fit or a troublemaker in their operation. Unfortunately, I don't think most HR people are big "risk takers" and anything that sends even the mildest negative message in a resume/CV will raise a "red flag" with them.

Better to save those explanations for the actual interview (no doubt you will be asked why you left) and make sure they are presented in the most positive (but truthful) light, as possible. Remember, that piece paper is the only thing they initially have to judge you on....and screen you out. JMHO

As a Brit (now living in USA) who has done a lot of interviewing of candidates over the decades, I echo the sentiments and advice offered by the others on this thread. And I would add this as well: Your choice of fonts, colours and sizes does not look business like. I would suggest using Times Roman or similar. Maybe 12 point, except a 14 point for your name at the top. Black throughout. If you were applying for position as a grpahic artist, maybe your current style would be appropriate. But, in the mundane world of automotive and quality - it is not.

With you particular educational subjects, I am surprised you went into automotive. Maybe job availability affected your decision - or pay. But that is your own private matter.

Your cv gives me the impression of someone who is very "honest" (maybe too honest for her own good in the way she reveals details superfluous to a good cv), but also perhaps a touch resentful (see your "reasons for leaving") try to change that tone.

Good luck and, as my old Scottish lawyer in Shawlands always said of life and opportunities, "What's for you won't go by you".

PS The Covers would always be pleased to know how you get on. :)

I haven't looked at your CV to avoid prejudging you, but some of the comments of those who have lead me to believe you might benefit from reading some of the things about job hunting and resume (or CV) writing in this website:
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ - which I highly recommend for folks who are struggling in the job market.

I also recommend reading through two threads here in the Cove which may help you get a better grasp of the process of job hunting:
Tips to get past the "gatekeeper" when job hunting (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=9325)
Resume and cover letter - How good are yours? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=10169)