CV woes

[8den]

I've never in my life had to put together a "proper" cv.

The industry I work in is very much word of mouth, My CV basically consisted of the projects Ive worked on, my immediate supervisor, and more often than not, the person hiring me, recognising a name of someone I've worked with, or a project I've been on and thats pretty much good enough from them.

But I'm coming off one of the longest dry spells in my freelance career, I want to put together a proper CV and do some cold calling, I just don't know how to put together a marketably CV. I was wondering if some kindly urban would look over and see if it makes sense, grammatically and so structurally.

Part of the problem is I work freelance so it's not uncommon for me to have three employers in a year, and in my field I've danced around in very different rolls, (all in the same area) I know many of the skills and software packages are esoteric, but I'd just like some pointers as to see if it stands out, or if something is missing, or unclear. I'll e-mail/pm anyone who kindly offers to help.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I've never done a CV either, and this reminds me I should sort one out too.

 

[Manter]

How about arranging it by themes? So rather than headings of employers, do headings of packages you've worked with, or key skills, then bullet point what you've achieved and which employer under that?

 

[8den]

Well I've had two tangent careers, I've worked for years as a documentary and current affairs editor, and I've also worked as a feature film, and tv drama assistant editor. To use a analogy, one's like being a surgical nurse, and the other is like being a ward nurse (they're both basically nursing, and require the same broad set of skills, but you couldn't interchange from one to the order over night).

So I have a overview of myself, My skills, a list of clients I've worked for editing, and on page two, a separate summer for my feature film credits. I've a vimeo link for some samples of my editing work, and a link to my imdb page for a more detailed overview of my tvdrama, and features stuff. I'm worried its going to be a bit messy.

 

[Pickman's model]

for samples of editing work use word portfolio

 

[Manter]

Or have two CVs depending on what you are applying for?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Or have two CVs depending on what you are applying for?

subject to the disclaimer that no two bits of cv advice will be compatible...

this is probably the way to go - adapt the cv each time to sell whatever is key to that job.

 

[StoneRoad]

8den - CV's are difficult even when you have a standard career, which I don't, so best wishes with yours.
I agree that themes for an overview CV is probably the best way - but also a tailored version emphasising the side you are applying for at the time (which could mean more than two versions).

 

[8den]

I have a CV for feature film, and it's literally a list of projects, notable crew members, and my interviews useually last 5 minutes (Oh you worked on X? How's So and So?) with the industry being such a small clique it's a very short interview process.

I'm doing my 1st cold call, as I'm out of my comfort zone, I don't fancy working in the UK at present and want to find work in dublin, doing documentaries and reality tv, not really my cup of tea, but from a life/family point of view it's best for me right now. So I'm essentially cold calling out my CV out to companies. Something I've never had to do. I'm highlightly the low budget tv stuff, spent the evening polishing my online showreel, and now want to start firing these off. Just want someone to look over it, and say, that looks coherent, and professional. Guess I'm just nervous. Aside from 3 months work I've been unemployed for alot of the last twelve months.

 

[Thimble Queen]

To echo what others have said I'd tailor it according to the position/company you're applying for.

You might want to start by making something quite broad and then use that as a base to work from.

Comms, my line of work, can be incredibly varied of that's the approach I took when applying.

Also approach some agencies that deal with the types of roles you want and get registered with them. They'll be able to advise you about how you can sell yourself in the best way for your industry (yeah I know cringe).

Also definitely include links to your portfolio. I've got a blog where I gather all my best published work together so I can give recruiters/prospective employers a single link.

Good luck.

 

[8den]

for samples of editing work use word portfolio

Word portfolio? Sorry Pickmans I work in video editing, so I've taken short extracts from projects I've worked on and uploaded them to a private folder on vimeo.

 

[StoneRoad]

8den - how are you going to answer the inevitable question of work/non-work ratio in the last year ? I would be up-front with the point, emphasising you are freelance and working around family commitments. Sorry, if that sounds obvious - it is just something that has come up for me (more than once, and getting in first seems to work for me).

 

[Bob_the_lost]

I have three main sections: Projects I've worked on, ordered most recent to oldest, education and finally a grab bag of technology, tools and skills. In IT the old two page rule doesn't apply much if at all apparently.

 

[8den]

To echo what others have said I'd tailor it according to the position/company you're applying for.

You might want to start by making something quite broad and then use that as a base to work from.

Comms, my line of work, can be incredibly varied of that's the approach I took when applying.

Also approach some agencies that deal with the types of roles you want and get registered with them. They'll be able to advise you about how you can sell yourself in the best way for your industry (yeah I know cringe).

Also definitely include links to your portfolio. I've got a blog where I gather all my best published work together so I can give recruiters/prospective employers a single link.

Good luck.

I want to blast it out to a half dozen companies today. I may adapt the cover letter to each company but redoing the CV each time seem like a lot of work. I should point out I'm not applying for a specific job, I'm cold calling every number in the phone book (not literally blates)

 

[8den]

I have three main sections: Projects I've worked on, ordered most recent to oldest, education and finally a grab bag of technology, tools and skills. In IT the old two page rule doesn't apply much if at all apparently.

I saw someones CV today that ran to five pages. I don't bother with education, just work credits, in my experience no one gives a crap where you went to college, it's who you've worked for.

 

[Pickman's model]

Word portfolio? Sorry Pickmans I work in video editing, so I've taken short extracts from projects I've worked on and uploaded them to a private folder on vimeo.

use the word 'portfolio' to describe your body of work

 

[Pickman's model]

f

I saw someones CV today that ran to five pages. I don't bother with education, just work credits, in my experience no one gives a crap where you went to college, it's who you've worked for.

for education you might list the work-related courses you've been on or skills gained

 

[8den]

Don't suppose any kind souls want to cast a eye over my cv for a bit of mental re assurances?

 

[Thimble Queen]

I want to blast it out to a half dozen companies today. I may adapt the cover letter to each company but redoing the CV each time seem like a lot of work. I should point out I'm not applying for a specific job, I'm cold calling every number in the phone book (not literally blates)

Nah I'm not suggesting that you redo it each time but you might want change the emphasis for example if you know the company specialises in a particular type of documentary you might want to focus your cv to highlight your experience in that area. For other companies that info might not be as relevant. Anyway that's just what I've done. Tailoring your cover letter is a good idea. I'd also follow up with a phone call. Start with a company that you aren't that bothered about so you can have a practice run.

 

[8den]

use the word 'portfolio' to describe your body of work

Showreel is the industry standard terminology. Comes from the old days where a director/editor/DoP/actor would literally have a 1,000ft reel of their work, and show it on a projector.

 

[8den]

Nah I'm not suggesting that you redo it each time but you might want change the emphasis for example if you know the company specialises in a particular type of documentary you might want to focus your cv to highlight your experience in that area. For other companies that info might not be relevant. Anyway that's just what I've done. Tailoring your cover letter is a good idea. I'd also follow up with a phone call. Start with a company that you aren't that bothered about so you can have a practice run.

Not a bad idea, I'm going to call a few people and see if they recommend some companies, and google anyone I've not heard of, and see what their body of work is, and adapt the cover letter, cv body accordingly. I'm having a debate on a facebook form about showreel style, i think 8 short pieces of various samples of my work, is better than a jazzy montage which is invariably cut to Rob Dugan's Furious Angels.

 

[Manter]

Don't suppose any kind souls want to cast a eye over my cv for a bit of mental re assurances?

Happy to

 

[8den]

cool manter can I drop you a pm? I've also spent a chunk of the day designing a new showreel website. Annoying the videos are all different aspect ratios because they've from a variety of sources.

 

[Manter]

cool manter can I drop you a pm? I've also spent a chunk of the day designing a new showreel website. Annoying the videos are all different aspect ratios because they've from a variety of sources.

I'll PM you my email

 

[Quartz]

The industry I work in is very much word of mouth, My CV basically consisted of the projects Ive worked on, my immediate supervisor, and more often than not, the person hiring me, recognising a name of someone I've worked with, or a project I've been on and thats pretty much good enough from them.

So you've been a freelance editor / filmmaker / bootlicker / etc from date X to present and your previous clients include A for whom you did A1, A2, & A3; B for whom you did ... etc. There's no need to give dates for the projects - that they can pick up from your IMDB page, Vimeo video, etc. Remember that the purpose of the CV is to get you an interview and the top half or two-thirds of the first page needs to get the reader's attention to read the rest, so it needs to be short and sweet. In your case, perhaps you could include a DVD or USB pen drive with your showreel. Bonus points if the pen drive itself is personalised to you. Vistaprint do them (note the reviews) as do USB-Flashdrive.co.uk.

 

[8den]

So you've been a freelance editor / filmmaker / bootlicker / etc from date X to present and your previous clients include A for whom you did A1, A2, & A3; B for whom you did ... etc. There's no need to give dates for the projects - that they can pick up from your IMDB page, Vimeo video, etc. Remember that the purpose of the CV is to get you an interview and the top half or two-thirds of the first page needs to get the reader's attention to read the rest, so it needs to be short and sweet. In your case, perhaps you could include a DVD or USB pen drive with your showreel. Bonus points if the pen drive itself is personalised to you. Vistaprint do them (note the reviews) as do USB-Flashdrive.co.uk.

I've added a link to a secure website with samples of some of my work.

I guess the bit im having trouble with is that 1st paragraph, summary and goals etc...

 

[newbie]

faced with a similar situation I made lists
impressive clients...
projects
kit
software
skills

then went through and cut out all but a few with a pointer to my website with loads more.

What does seem to matter is buddies and skills ticks on Linkedin

 

[8den]

f

for education you might list the work-related courses you've been on or skills gained

I've mentioned some additional professional qualifications I have ( ie certification in specific software packages), but I've found that people don't care where you went to school in my line of work, plus I want to keep it down to two pages. Thanks though.

 

[8den]

faced with a similar situation I made lists
impressive clients...
projects
kit
software
skills

then went through and cut out all but a few with a pointer to my website with loads more.

What does seem to matter is buddies and skills ticks on Linkedin

Do people really use Linkedin? I've never seen the point.

 

[Supine]

It sounds like you have great cv. You just need to get it onto paper, without typo's etc