[Ojai]

I have a resume I have used for several years with great success in the US (I am in IT), and I am worried that I will have to convert this to one of the whopping 6-8 page CVs for New Zealand employers.

Has anyone else applied in the tech field (or any other) with an American resume? Have you had any luck, or did you have to convert it to a long form?

[dusk]

used my normal 2 page UK CV when I went to last years expo and managed to get an interview (and job offer) using it so I can't see why not - as long as your resume lists your details and relevant work experience...

[djchicane]

Hi,

After the last expo that I went to I found that I was asked by most agencies to provide a Skill's Matrix - basically a list of Operating Systems and Software, years used, and your rating 1-5 as to your competency for each.

This was in addition to my CV, which is 2 pages, primarily employment history, with specific achievements for each employer.

Cheers,

Dave

[swissmissdesigner]

Hey Ojai!
Do you know Berbans in Ojai??
Oh and about the CV, I have to re written for NZ purpose.
cheers
Anna

[Ojai]

I don't know them, sorry! I just live near there. I tend to use geographical places as my username.

I have a two page resume now with my position, company, list of time there, then a list of what I did with that company. That sounds similar to what Dusk and Dave have. Should this do the trick?

[Familyofmonkeys]

I think you'll find a very long CV would put people off. When OH recruits he says he always gets bored if it is over 2 pages long. You should be able to put enough relevent info for particular post in that space, and anything else can be discussed at interview.

[swissmissdesigner]

I agree with familymonkeys. Too long CV can be borring to read and also the the form of the page is different than in the states..

[Wahlet]

I found an industry association website, sent a brief email to everyone, and to those who showed interest I sent my 2 full page US resume. They didn't have a problem with it. And I got a job.

Personally I feel a 1 pager is not adequate to describe a person, especially one who has had broad experience. Even a 2 pager seems marginal. The short resume is a way to make humans fit into a machine (the function of the corporate world). But then again, I tend to disagree with a lot of the American Way.

[Steven & Ann]

I found that the top IT employers need brevity and clarity. The smaller the company, the more serious the issue of a misfit, and the greater need to show how you fit in. That's where the long CV can arise.

Also, integration into existing teams can be a problem, so employers will be looking to see how you fit into the workplace. Since some international experience is completely overwhelming compared to local norms, the problem can be that you are over qualified and too self confident. They can be concerned about the impact on existing staff. Hence some prefer a less boastfull style, while the style your used to can be more competitive.

Half of the family have had problems with being more qualified than the interviewer at some of the interviews.

[CJ22]

The purpose of a CV/resume is to get you an interview. That's it and that's all. It should be written to maximise your chances of ending up sitting round a table with your prospective employer. It doesn't need to say everything about you, and it could even be argued that it's better if it leaves the reader with some questions about you, enticing them to get you in for interview. If the reader reads your CV and feels they then know everything about you, then you've missed your chance to make a pitch. On the other hand, if you haven't given them enough to think it worthwhile arranging a meeting, then you've also missed your chance.

[Ojai]

Ok, I sent my resume off to RecruitIT for starters. I left it unchanged as it is two pages of experience and particulars. We'll see what they say!

[Mrs Pony]

How did it go? I'm working on mine slowly...

[suzer]

I'm a 'resume doctor' if anyone is interested...I only 'charge' the cost of an item off my amazon.com wishlist.

http://expatresumedoctor.blogspot.com

[Bruckner]

I didn't change much on my resume and kept it at two pages. When I went to my first interview at the place where I work now, I pointed out it was an American-style resume and the interviewer said, "Oh thank God! I hate reading pages and pages!" You never know.

Emily