CV advice for a software developer

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Hi, im in the process of re-doing my own cv for a software developer role and i will have to either get rid of the interest section of my cv or miss out on a few key skills i have mentioned.

I have already landed one interview though on my current 2 page cv and almost guaranteed another one but the latter i was asked by a mate who is working in that place to add "more" things into it.

I have missed out on a few things on my current one to make it fit on two pages but now i have added some more and its 2.5 pages long

i think doing a 2 page cv for a software developer is a bit difficult unless i just draw up a list and say i know xml, php etc etc with no short descriptions about it.

What about responsibilities in previous jobs? Can you skimp on that too?

God help me when i have around 5 years experience and trying to put even half of the things i know by then in a 2 page cv

How do you guys manage to fit all the relevant info in a 2 page cv? Got any good templates i could use?

[kalniel]

Put references on the third page, Use bullet points rather than prose and use several columns.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

opps, i dont even have any references on my cv umm multiple columns sounds interesting. i wil try and find a template with multiple columns

[abaxas]

Just remember to put all info an employer needs on the first page. Ie personal data, skillset, qualifications and last employer.

Also the longer the CV is the less chance someone will read the important bits.

[McClane]

When I was looking for a job last year (as a comp sci grad) I went to a consultancy company (May and Stephens) for some advise. The adviser there told me to remove my references and just have a bit at the bottom saying "references available on request" so don't feel you have to list any. As for skills (I was going for programming jobs), I simply listed the languages and software tools in two categoties. The first was ones that I felt I was experienced with (for my level) and the other was those that I was familiar with, i.e. I had used them but not extensively. I didn't list any details about where I had used them. For previous employers I had short paragraphs detailing my role and responsibilites. For this I was told to use bullet points. The last thing is, if you do need to take up 3 pages make sure you use all the space. It always looks better to make it look like you could have put more. I hope that helps

[j.o.s.h.1408]

cheers guys. i got my cv down to two pages by putting all my skills and abities in a two coloumns list with skills i am experienced in and skills i am familiar with.

i basically listed it something like this,

• xml
• android
• java
• .net
• etc

Before i was saying something like this:

• experienced in java producing application A usiing java threads and sockets
• Created an xml schema for app a
• expeirence in android'd common features such has intents, broadcast recievers etc etc

[finlay666]

dont forget to include areas such as networking etc

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Yep i have mentioned my network skills. Do people list the applications/projects they have worked on?

[Barrichello]

We had a recent post/discussion that may also be helpful for you when structuring it.....

http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...endations.html

I know what you mean about 2 pages, i really struggled with mine (lots of tech/business skills/jargon to list in a non "wall of text" way), i just used bullet points etc - did work though as i managed to get a new job recently.

[wombar]

I had to look through CV's in my last job, and one of the worst things you can do is give too much information. Keep it short, keep it informative, keep it simple.

At the initial stage, people looking through the CVs are looking for key skills, so make them easy to find by bolding keywords. More than 2 pages means you're waffling or wasting space, either way it reduces your chances.

You're absolutely right to use bullet points for programming languages as that makes it much easier to pin point the skills the job requires. Just list what you know in bullet points, and then elaborate in the project experience section by saying something like "Skills used in this project: PHP, HTML, AS3" etc.

Don't list every single qualification you have. GCSE's are basically irrelevant, just say something like "9 GCSE's including Maths & English". Nobody cares if you got an A* in Geography Stick to core qualifications or skills.

Also, MAKE SURE you print out the CV when you're done. Tiny little fonts will kill your chances stone dead as a lot of people print CVs into a big stack and then look through them with other people.

List a few key projects you've worked on, but don't go into too much detail. Again, the people looking at these CVs don't have time to read paragraphs of text. A line or two at most per project, and limit to say 5 projects max, all of which should demonstrate different skills/achievements.

My CV goes something like this:

Personal Details - Telnum, email (make sure it's a sensible one), etc
Profile - Who am I, what have I done, what skills do I have (management experience etc rather than technical skills which comes later)
Project Experience - List a few projects outlining your involvement etc
Technical Skills- List your technical skills like PHP etc
=====
PAGE 2
Employment History - Don't list every job you've ever had (i.e. jobs when you were 16 etc). Keep it relevant, but with no gaps unless you can explain it (i.e. you were travelling, incarcerated etc)
Education - Again, keep it simple, just list the basics to let someone know you've got an education
Interests - I bullet point this as well. If someone is interested, they'll ask you for an interview

I'm not saying this is 100% correct, but its what I do and its not failed me yet

[abaxas]

Also if you are applying directy for a job.

Never use your generic CV, make changes relative to job.