Ask the CV expert

December 16, 2011 09:52 by Admin

Gillian Donohoe is the IrishJobs.ie CV expert.
Gillian Donohoe, CV expert
Gillian has been working as a Senior HR Consultant and Recruitment Specialist for over 12 years. She has extensive experience within the field of recruitment, from working as a Recruitment Consultant within a Recruitment Agency, to an In-house Recruitment Manager, to an interview and CV Coach and also HR Management and Consultancy positions. She has assisted a number of clients with Outplacement services following redundancy or long term unemployment.

During this time she has interviewed thousands of candidates across a wide range of industries and levels and screened tens of thousands of CV’s.

She has also up-skilled clients through interview training seminars and lectures undergraduates in HRM for Dundalk IT. She has worked with clients such as JP Morgan, Meath County Council, Capital HR Recruitment, Eircom, ITC Limited and is Managing Director of her own company Kala Management Solutions Limited).

 

Gillian holds a Masters in Strategic Management and Planning from the UCD Smurfit Business School and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and The Strategic Planning Society. She holds an honours degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from the National College of Ireland and a postgraduate Diploma in Employment Law from the Law Society of Ireland. She is a Qualified Coach with a Diploma in Personal and Business Coaching from the Irish Life Coach Institute.

 

If you have a question for Gillian about about any aspect of writing your CV then post your comment in the box below.

 

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Comments
March 30. 2012 10:05

Comment by:
Dara
Hi Gillian,

I am in my 40s and looking for a new job but I am having trouble with my CV.  

I have done a lot of jobs and can’t figure out how to present them all.  

I know CVs should only be two pages of A4 so how do I do justice to all my work experience?

Thanks

Dara

March 30. 2012 10:08

Comment by:
Gillian Donohoe CV expert
Hi Dara,

Once you find a role that interests you, direct your CV towards the skills and competences that they are looking for.

Minimise the roles that are irrelevant and expand on relevant ones.

Also, I would just list older roles and only expand on the most recent in the past 10 to 15 years, or last 3 roles.

Hope this helps.

Gillian.

March 30. 2012 10:11

Comment by:
Brid
Hi Gillian,

I am hoping to return to the workforce after being at home with the kids for the last few years.  What is the best way to deal with this 5 year gap in my CV?

Thx

Brid

March 30. 2012 11:24

Comment by:
Gillian Donohoe Interview Expert
Hi Brid.

Do your CV as if the gap didn't exist. I would then explain the gap in your cover letter.

Highlight your eagerness to return to the workforce and that you have kept up to date on your industry over that time and have been using a PC etc if this is relevant.

Your situation is not unusual so employers will be used to seeing this.

Practice with mock interviews so your up to speed should you be called at short notice.

Best of luck in your job search.

Gillian  

April 2. 2012 05:52

Comment by:
farnces hegarty
Dear Gillian,

I am in my 50's and although I have a lot of different office experience
fram PA/Admin/Sec. Office Management/ delaing with cuppliers. customers etc from the companies I worked with my CV seems almost 'erratic' How do I clean this up?
I am seeking a new job as my present one is declining but of course I cannot say this. If asked why I am leaving what should I say?

April 4. 2012 09:08

Comment by:
Gillian Donohoe CV expert

Hi Frances
When you've held a large number of roles, there are a number of ways this can be managed in a CV.

Firstly, you could just add the company name and job titles for roles over 10 years. Another option is to highlight all the skills and experience you have and then simply write a list of all the companies, job titles and dates in a row after this.

In your cover letter, you can mention that the business have diminished in the area you are employed in and because of this, you are seeking a new role in advance of potential redundancies.

You can add that you enjoy being busy and the current role in no longer challenging due to the reduced volume of work available within the team.

Hope that helps

Gillian

May 2. 2012 06:43

Comment by:
ANDREW O' CONNOR
Hi Gillian
I have a similar problem to some of the older candidates above in that I have a number of contract roles on my CV particularly since 2010 when I was made redundant, you mentioned to Dara above about
"Minimising the roles that are irrelevant and expand on relevant ones.
and also to just list older roles and only expand on the most recent in the past 10 to 15 years, or last 3 roles".
Can I forward you my CV to have a look at it, as it is too long at 4 pages and employers only take 20 seconds to look at CV's.

regards

Andrew

June 27. 2012 10:38

Comment by:
Gillian Donohoe
Hi Andrew,

When it comes to your contract roles why not list the roles, dates and job titles and then list the key achievements and skill/duties you used combined to save space and make it read better?

If you would like to get your CV reviewed I can recommend using our CV service.  Here is the link http://www.irishjobs.ie/CareerDirection/

Best of luck in your job search.

Kind Regards

Gillian

August 14. 2012 12:01

Comment by:
orla henchion
Hi Gillian,
I have just qualified from Mary I College with a degree in Early Childhood Care and Education. I am doing up my cv at the moment and I am not sure what order I should put my experience, qualifications profile interests etc. I would be very grateful if you could advise me.
Many thanks
Orla.
p.s. I will also be changing my email address so you could reply to gerhench@eircom.net until I do.
Thank you.

December 12. 2012 17:46

Comment by:
Brian Horan
Hi Gillian
I have never used a recruitment website as i have been employed
since 1987. I have worked in the usa for the last 15 years
As a telecommunications systems contractor.
I am currently working remotely out of my house in dublin due to a family illness.
I would like to stay here and find a position to suit my skills.
I have no idea how to even approach writing a resume CV.
Im 46 and been in telecom industry 20 years
I specialize in system design and installation from older TDM to VOIP migrations plus
cabling, wireless and project management.
Any advice appreciated

Thank you


May 11. 2013 07:55

Comment by:
Sharon
Hi,

I left my last job after a breakdown because I was assaulted by a coworkers husband, my employer found out and made it clear he blamed me (he grew up with the coworker) and rumours were spread and I had no option but to leave as they made my life hell although I had a great relationship with them previously. I am now job searching and have no idea what to say to the question as to why I left my last job. I don't want to lie as what happened was not my fault but I don't like telling the truth In case it freaks them out also I don't want them to call my last employer as they wanted me to leave and made that clear at a private meeting after the attack as I was after 'creating a bad atmosphere' (I worked directly with this mans wife in our dept alone) what do I say?

May 18. 2013 10:28

Comment by:
Mar
Hello,

I want to send my CV to Irish companies, however I do not know what are the  tips for the Irish CV. I had read you should not include a photograph.I wuold like to know if It has any difference with a CV for UK?
My questions are:
Usually Irish CV has included a photo?  
Should I include my personal information: name, address, id number, telephone number and email  ?
I am new graduate: should I write the first my education things and then my   work experience? which is the right order?

Thanks in advace

May 18. 2013 10:49

Comment by:
Ranadeb Ray
Hello,
I am looking forward to working in Europe in the foll roles such as Ship Manager/Ship Operator/Commercial/Operations or any other role.

Please let me know of any openings.

Regards,
Ranadeb Ray.

May 18. 2013 10:50

Comment by:
Ranadeb Ray
Hi Mar,
       Please do not include photographs in the CV as it is not required.
Of course,you have to include your personal information otherwise they won`t be able to contact you.
I write first my Educational Qualifications and then my Work Experiences.

Regards,
Ranadeb Ray.



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