Writing a CV

S

Stark

Veteran
Just a quick question about CV guys. I'm pretty good at writing my own CV but I need to ask you all a quick question.

As some of you may know I left my job last December to start up my own business developing land projects and site development/aquisitiont. I'm not sure that some of you know also know that I am a town planner by trade.

I've decided to go back to work, but not for myself, but looking for a job . I just need some advice on whether I need to explain the last six months relating to my accident or will it be better to just leave it off my CV

Also I was in my last job for 14 years so do I just need to put down the one job because it covers such a long period of time or should I go further back and for my last three jobs on there. I'm not sure whether it's a time matter or a number of jobs matter

Thanks as always
 
The further back in time, the less details as it is no longer relevant. Just a one liner for the job before there is fine so it shows you were working and an indication of what, but nobody is interested in that anymore.

The closer in recent time, the more detail. So even from your previous 14 year job, the first 10 years can be very brief in responsibilities, and more detailed in the last 4.

They will want to know why you left, so careful in that area as if something does not stack up - your cv will be binned.
 
You don't say on a CV why you left but my new company start up will show but more concerned that do I just leave my new company details and not mention my accident?
 
Challenging indeed as you are dammed if you do, and dammed if you don't. Honesty works best of course, so even though your new company start up was successful - you could not allocate the time required to it due to your accident from which you have now recovered. You don't want to sound as if you want the job as you will get paid in case you have something else medical wise.
 
As PVR say's honesty is always good, but will your accident be relevant to them and will it put them off before you even have the chance to meet them?

Is the accident going to give you cause to take time out of any new role? Will you potentially need support of your new employer in the future for any related issues? If so, you are probably best informing them, as you may be in breach of contract and then they would have ground for either dismissal or at least refuse you sick pay.

If not...I may be tempted by 'Sabbatical' - 6 months finding myself, recharging the batteries etc. Just ensure you have some stories to tell them about this six months, that doesn't include lying on your back in hospital!

Good luck with the job search
 
Thanks guys for your advice, I will not mention my accident on the CV but will mention it upon interview if I need to.

Been told too, not to mention your age......apparently we are not allowed to discriminate against age in the UK!
 
Personally? I find it all comes out anyway.. Your long list of experience will speak for itself, So personally in a prologue I'd state something like 'results driven, dedicate worker with a wealth of experience, returning to work after fully recovering from (brief overview of injury). I tend to summarise all relevant roles with timeframes ie

job 1 1990-1991
responsible for blah blah blah
job 2 1991-1995
responsible for blah blah blah
job 3 1995-2013
responsible for blah blah blah
was awesome
did this
job 5 2013 - 2014
ventured into self employment
learned this that and the other

Hard to say though, the above only applies if a) previous jobs were relevant and b) if the accident was not work related, otherwise you may want to tread carefully.
 
My only issue is that I had an epileptic seizure which broke the bones in my body and I'm sure nobody wants someone to have one of those in the office!! But im on mess and have been fine ever since....
 
They shouldn't have a problem about epilepsy. You'll need to mention it in your interview, but properly medicated there's no grounds for having an issue. Unless it's to be a pilot or a fire engine driver :D
 
On your CV i'd not mention it, if you're off work for medical grounds technically you're still employed in most situations, but it may be wise in interview to explain briefly what you've been up to if they quiz anything. " I started my own business, it was going well, i had an accident, i'm now eager to work again now that i've been signed off" or whatever.

I'd not worry about it :) good luck with the search...
 
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