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Get Noticed! CV / Profile Workshop Highlights

To celebrate Young Workers’ Month, the Musicians’ Union (MU) hosted ‘Get Noticed!’, a CV / profile boosting workshop led by FEU Training. Here are some of the highlights.

Your CV needs to hit the right note for each job you are applying for. But one size does not fit all. So where do you start?

To celebrate Young Workers’ Month, the Musicians’ Union (MU) hosted ‘Get Noticed!’, a CV / profile boosting workshop led by FEU Training for MU, Equity, National Union of Journalists and The Writers' Guild members age 30 and under. Coaches Muriel and Sue dished out their advice on all aspects of CV and profile writing. Here are some of the highlights…

“Remember your CV is the only evidence of who you are and what you do,” advises Muriel. Employers and engagers look at so many CVs and profiles that every time they pick one up, they are actively looking for reasons to put it down and move on to the next one. One key question to ask, says Muriel, is what would make you read a CV to the end? Try showing what you’ve got to family and friends, and asking what your CV or profile tells them about you.

“Make it honest. It’s equally dishonest to not talk about your achievements as it is to big them up,” says Muriel. “Never put anything false. Your credibility will plummet,” she adds. You need to show your work on the big projects, without taking credit for them. Otherwise it could put you in an awkward situation in an interview, and put future job prospects at risk.

“Space is precious on a CV, so it’s about weaving things in,” suggests Muriel. Before putting anything in to your CV or profile, think about what it is and what it tells the employer / engager about you. Be careful with generic bolt-ons and random facts unless they have demonstrable relevance, says Muriel. And if you have different skillsets, adds Sue, it is okay to have different CVs for each one.

“It’s about knowing your markets…. Do as much research as you can,” says Sue. You may think you know what employers / engagers want really well. But you should still look into who you are sending your CV or profile to, what they need, and what they want. 

“We can never assume covering letters are read first and CVs, second,” Sue tells us. Muriel suggests a paragraph at the top of your CV or profile highlighting the most relevant key points – especially if crucial information is stuck further down your CV or creeping over onto the second page.

“Work out how your CV is going to land,” advises Sue. Make sure it is easy to understand. If it is difficult to read for any reason, your CV might be put in the ‘no’ pile – especially if it’s being read on a phone or on the go. Check, double check, and triple check for typos. Ask someone else to do the same. Avoid minute text, cramped pages and too much jargon.

“It’s a fairly tough writing challenge,” says Muriel. “There are no definite answers, just things to consider to give it your best shot”. But you are not alone.
  • Get in touch with your MU Regional Office for advice on CVs, profiles and writing applications.
  • Keep an eye out for more FEU Training workshops and webinars, free for MU members.
  • Take one of FEU Training's online courses in blogging, business skills, building your brand and more.
  • Stay up to date with your MU – follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and look out for MU news and events.
  • Not getting our emails? Make sure your communications preferences are up to date by logging in to My MU.
 
Published: 30/11/2016

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