CV/covering letter hysteria

[Seven of Five]

Just spent an hour updating my CV as I'll be applying for jobs very soon. The sooner I get out of the shithole where I work, the better. Supermarkets =

Anyway, I'm tearing my hair out. Is the CV the best place to expand upon the my strenghts I've aquired, or should I just make it more basic and go into more detail in the covering letter? I spent ages updating my mad skillz, and I'm now worried it's too waffly. Surely half the stuff I've written is what would be talked about in an interview anyway?

I try and think back to what was said at school, as the CV I have now is what I've had for years now. I'm sure it was there I got the idea the CV could be a bit padded, whereas the covering letter plucked out the relevant points.

I think I'm just beginning to doubt myself, better sort that shit out before interviews.

 

[Maestro]

Your CV should list what you've done. Your coverletter should refer the reader to your CV, expand upon what's there, and tell the reader why the experiences you have listed on your CV will make you a good person for them to hire.

My CV lists that I've taken our Band on several trips. I discover as I'm applying for another Band job that they're looking to add a trip to the Band curriculum. In my cover letter, I will refer to that fact on my CV and speak of my successes in music educational travel.

Granted, I will soon puke after doing so, but you get the idea.

 

[Seven of Five]

I need a drink. Talking nicely and professionally about myself is so... not me.

 

[Mr Awe]

Neither CV or cover letter should be padded. The people reading them don't have the time.

The CV lists your jobs, skills, and experiences. The cover letter should help guide the reader through that. Pointing out how certain skills and experiences are particularly relevant to the specific position you're applying for (e.g. you list a skill/experience in the CV and the cover letter might explain how that will help you succeed). There should be very little overlap between CV and cover letter. If you find yourself restating things across both, you need to delete it from one or the other.

There's no magic formula though. Just be sure not to be redundant and keep both brief. If you're just starting out, neither should be more than a page. The collective point of both is to get you an interview. Keep that in mind when determining what to include or not.

Mr Awe