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CV clean up

I have been made redundant twice in the last 2 years and have had difficulty finding new roles.
In between companies i have taken on a number of temporary jobs and my CV is now looking crammed with temp roles which i think is putting off potential new employers.
I would appreciate any advice as to how i should present my CV.
Andrew

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avatar careersurgery 29 May 2007 Career Surgery
  • Charlie

    Andrew
    It’s a consistency in the skill you’re offering that’s important, not how cluttered your CV might be. Working on a number of projects either on a full-time or temporary basis might not appeal to all prospective employers and you’ll have to live with that. However, if there is some level of consistency in the type of working you have been doing; or some continuity with the types of companies you have been working for, then stress these on your CV, because they provide a level of expertise in those areas, and that’s what all prospective employers will look for.

  • Liam

    Andrew,
    It may sound a little unfair, but if you do not explain why you were at so many jobs for such short periods of time, then recruiters will assume you are a ‘job hopper’ and unreliable. Make sure you explain thoroughly that this is because you undertook temporary or contract roles to make ends meet while you found a new position. Also, make sure you make it clear that you are looking for a full time permanent role to utilise your already extensive skills.

  • Tim

    Andrew,
    There are 2 types of CV one is the career history type you are struggling with, however there is also a skills based format. It might be better for you to adopt the Skills based one. Try http://www.prospects.ac.uk/downloads/documents/prospects/IDD/Special%20Interests%20Series/CVs/2005/skills_based%20_cv.pdf for an example

  • Mick

    I had the same problem a few years Back. Put the whole thing under a global heading “Temporary/contract work” or something similar & give a paragraph covering the general field of your experience, detailing any specialist work you may have done, or anything you may be particularly proud of.
    This way, you tidy up your cv giving just enough details to keep prospective employers happy.

  • Mike Brown

    Put all of your temp/contract work under an umbrella heading of temp work, just outlining the roles and responsibilities. Agencies should be interest this as they can talk to you about your future career, as well as finding sales leads for themselves.

  • Guest

    It’s a consistency in the skill you’re offering that’s important.

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