Having a 'Profesional' CV

[ECML180]

A while ago I attended a lecture about writing a good CV and covering letter, one of the key messages was to avoid the word 'professional' at all costs. They described it as an empty buzz word with no meaning, but I think in many cases is is relevant!

For example, I have had a car driving licence for 2 years now, I held part time employment for at least 1 year as a driver, so I would include the statement "I have driven for 2 years, including 1 year professionally".

Equally someone who had a lifelong passion for gardening would likely have their application improved by saying they have "gardened for 40 years, professionally for the last decade at The Court Hotel".

Is it a pointless word to you?
Or is it quite important?

Your thoughts please!

 

[fowler9]

A while ago I attended a lecture about writing a good CV and covering letter, one of the key messages was to avoid the word 'professional' at all costs. They described it as an empty buzz word with no meaning, but I think in many cases is is relevant!

For example, I have had a car driving licence for 2 years now, I held part time employment for at least 1 year as a driver, so I would include the statement "I have driven for 2 years, including 1 year professionally".

Equally someone who had a lifelong passion for gardening would likely have their application improved by saying they have "gardened for 40 years, professionally for the last decade at The Court Hotel".

Is it a pointless word to you?
Or is it quite important?

Your thoughts please!

I would say include the word in white writing on your CV, just type it in a white coloured font so it doesn't show up. Any company looking for buzz words using a software filter will pick it up.

They will end up reading your CV but when they actually look at it they can't see that you have hidden all the daft buzz words in a white font against a white background but will read your CV anyway because the computer picked it out. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Greenback]

I think it depends on the context. Stating you have driven professionally sounds Ok to me, whereas using it in general descriptions of your strengths is pretty meaningless and probably won't be positively received. Eg

'I consider myself to have a professional and focused outlook', or 'I always act in a professional manner' - what does it mean?!

As for the gardener example, I personally think it is unnecessary and would prefer 'I have been employed as a full time gardener at xxxxx for the past ten years'.

 

[ECML180]

I would say include the word in white writing on your CV, just type it in a white coloured font so it doesn't show up. Any company looking for buzz words using a software filter will pick it up.

Doesn't work when you post it off though!

'I consider myself to have a professional and focused outlook', or 'I always act in a professional manner' - what does it mean?!

As for the gardener example, I personally think it is unnecessary and would prefer 'I have been employed as a full time gardener at xxxxx for the past ten years'.

I'm in agreement with that, I think it is a word losing it's meaning as it's overused for the personal description type writing. I think the main thing that gets me is that there are things people do for fun(gardening, driving, photography) that you can do as a profession too, and of course while you could give longer details as you did in the example, squeezing just one word on can be useful when you're already stuck for space.

 

[Greenback]

I'm in agreement with that, I think it is a word losing it's meaning as it's overused for the personal description type writing. I think the main thing that gets me is that there are things people do for fun(gardening, driving, photography) that you can do as a profession too, and of course while you could give longer details as you did in the example, squeezing just one word on can be useful when you're already stuck for space.

That's true, but it could be shortened if space is a concern. Employment history would normally be listed seperately anyway, so maybe it wasn't the best example to give!

 

[ECML180]

You see in my CV(I won't list it as an example of good or bad practice!) I have a fairly standard employment history and then go into more detail about relevant bits in the cover letter/personal statement. Thinking about what you've said, I suppose that in a more wordy CV it would possibly be a factor if you tried to explain employment history, but in the more typical 'bullet point type' employment history it wouldn't matter as much. Depends on how much you trust the reader to get the full picture from the pieces I guess!

 

[Greenback]

That's right, and it also depends on the job you are going for and whether the application method is just a CV, or whether a CV is in addition to an application form.

Some of my (or your) employment history may be more relevant to the role being applied for, and that is where it would be helpful to expand more than bullet points would normally allow. If I want a career change and I am applying to be a care assistant, my employment as a draughtsperson will be of less interest than my unpaid experience caring for a relative, so i would expand on that rather than the former.

To be honest, I'm not keen on these CV trainers and courses. Especially when they advise not to use certain words at all! Clearly, there is a place for any word in the right context, as long as it is not over used.

In my job, I get to see quite a few CV's, and you can tell those that have been created using an online tool, and which have been put together on a course. This is why I always advise people not to use any particular template, and just to make the CV personal yet easy to read. The most important thing is to ensure it contains the information that is needed and relevant to the position in question.

 

[fowler9]

Doesn't work when you post it off though!

Surely this is obvious, you write the buzz words in Tippex if you are posting your CV. They won't even realise they have been fished in! Ha ha.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . . Clearly, there is a place for any word in the right context, . . . .

Exactly my view, (and I say this as an employer who has to read CVs).