My online journalist CV

24. February, 2012 CVs, Finding a job, latest

This article has 31 comments

I’m forever trying to get people to give me their CVs to put up on the Wannabe Hacks site, and thought it was high time I submitted my own for a crushing and critical analysis, especially seeing as Hannah has already done hers. I’m pretty nervous about it, which is unusual for me, but I hope it’ll be worthwhile. I know I’ve submitted plenty of harsh comments over past workshops, so see this as payback time.

I’ve opted for a fairly stripped out CV, in the hope that I don’t need to spell out what I’ve done in some positions, especially if I think I’d be repeating myself.

The design is also a bit different. Does it work, or should I just stick to something more standard?

Purpose is also something to think about; the aim of this CV is to get me some work experience. Would you give me some, and if not why not? And if you actually would like to give me some, leave a comment!

And finally, I’d just like to add that the guy in the picture is not me. He has his CV printed on the back of his shirt. I would never do that to myself.

This is an updated version of my CV, with changes made following the workshop.

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Image courtest of SocialIsBetter.

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tashy_meep 5 pts

Really like it, think it looks good, simple, clear! Honestly can't think of much feedback! By the way, how do we send our own CVs in for scrutinizing? :)

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Jonathan Frost 12 pts

@tashy_meep You can send it to me at jonathan[at]wannabehacks.co.uk, but I have a bit of a backlog to get through at the moment!

The Intern 6 pts

I really like it Jonathan Frost its clean and clear to read, no fancy graphics which you could of easily shown off,( I think it's better that you didn't.) Goes straight to the experience, which is what employers really care about. Clever idea of putting skills down the side so that you keep to two pages- which is a must! I'll think of some criticism soon...

CharlotteRettie 5 pts

not too sure how constructive this is but you look adorable in that photo!

whealie 9 pts

beat my 1987 CV - but that did get me a job and I only had to send out 14 of them. http://www.chriswheal.com/my-1987-cv/

bjihalliday 5 pts

A rather good CV, can I ask what size did you use for your main body?

bjihalliday I used Helevetica LT Std, in 10pt.

JayCockburn 5 pts

I think it's an excellent CV. I'd take 'Driven' out of your top summary because everyone puts that. I presume if you were using this to apply for a job rather than work experience you'd change it to say "seeking challenging work"Re: GCSES, they're irrelevant when you have A Levels and a degree in my humble opinion. Otherwise, excellent CV. I'd give you a interview!

PonniahKevin 5 pts

Surprised no one else spotted this but the 's' is missing from physics in the A-level results...

PonniahKevin I had a quiet comment from a friend pointing it out haha, thanks though.

Jonathan Frost ok. the rest is excellent though, really like the clean style. and yeah, definitely don't need GCSEs on there.

_TomClarke 6 pts

I'm indifferent to the mention of GCSEs, if you've got A-Levels, especially ones like those people will rightly assume you have GCSEs too.

Like the layout, perhaps make your roles in each of your jobs black. So the 'Editor' next to Wannabe hacks should be in black. Doesn't need to be bold just help it stand out from the blurb you write below.

_TomClarke It is in black, but it's a lighter version of the font I've used (Helvetica). I'll consider switching to a heavier variation to make sure that it's identifiable.

em_lysk 5 pts

I really like the layout. The two column structure is really nice.

I think I'd put commas in numbers over a thousand though, so - 6,000 or 10,000. Unless there's some rule against it that I'm not aware of?

em_lysk Anyone else care to voice an opinion on this? Is consistency more important?

mhd_bass 5 pts

Jonathan Frost in most style guides you use the commas.

HuwLHopkins 8 pts

Nice and tidy I like it. Not too cluttered. Add more education on there, sometimes the first thing company's look at whether or not an applicant has GCSE's, if they aren't obviously there, they'll just assume you don't have them even if its obvious you do.

There's a couple of online stuff in your experience that doesn't have a website, this may look bad? But I'm just being picky now. Good work

HuwLHopkins Thanks for the feedback, I'm really not sure about GCSE's! And anything that doesn't have a web page is for a reason. It's either non-existant, or I'm not willing to show it.