CVs for IT Contractors - how to write a CV that isn't 6 pages long!

14th Dec 2009

In my capacity as a Career Consultant, I have worked closely with the IT industry for many years and two challenges keep rearing their ugly head: Firstly, how does an IT Contractor write a CV that isn't six pages long; and secondly, what happens if you want to apply for a role that draws upon skills gained in a contract that isn't the most recent piece of work that you have done. I anticipate lots of nodding heads at this stage and you'll be glad to know that there is a solution!

The CV & Interview Advisors (my company) have developed a unique methodology which allows IT Contractors to present their careers in a much more concise and effective way. The premise of this methodology is to move away from the traditional chronological CV and to break your career down into individual pieces of work.

You may identify 30 pieces of work and decide that 15 of them are up to date and relevant. Once you have identified the key pieces of work, write them as short case studies (no more than 6 lines long), ideally using the STAR or CAR resume methodologies.

Your CV then becomes a portfolio of case studies and you are able to change the order around depending on what roles you are applying for, and to suit your covering letter.

Of course, recruiters will still want to see your dates of employment so put a career chronology section after the case studies with the date, company name and your job title. This framework will provide you with much more flexibility and allow you to tailor the CV to the roles you are applying for in a much more effective way.

For free advice on how to write case studies and how to ensure that you have provided evidence that you succeeded, feel free to contact me on 01274 408 222 or use the email address at the bottom of this page.