A
female
age
26-29,
*TheAlmightyDuckx
writes:Hello! As a lot of you know I have been on this website for a good couple of years now and have ended up having a rather difficult time when it has come to education. I have suffered from various mental health problems since the age of 13, and due to that I have been unable to stay in education longterm. I missed a year of highschool due to being house bound as a result of severe anxiety and even though I did manage to finish highschool, since then things haven't gotten much easier. I managed to finish highschool with an A* in Religous Education, a C in English, a F in Maths, a Btec Pass in science and a distinction (A) in double health and social care. I then joined a college who were very insensitive when it came to mental health and only focused on attendance, and even though when it came to grades I was exceeding their expectations for a studen with 52% attendance. I managed to leave that college with a C in both Sociology and Media and Maths Level 1 which is probably equivalent to a E/D when it comes to mainstream grading criteria. I then went to another college to study A-level Health and Social Care but had to drop out due to pressure and my mental health disorders. I now want to get a job and even though I don't have the worst grades in the world I really really need to make it look as good as I can! So what tips do you guys have when it comes to make a CV/Resume look brilliant? :) I as a person am very hardworking and I am good at learning things quickly. The only experience I have is working in a Primary School a couple of years back for every Tuesday for about two months. So... what should I include in my CV to make it stand out and look good? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (13 March 2015):
 I have not applied for a job in over 10 years and even then it was what we call federal service so it's different than a regular resume/cv
what I can tell you is that it took me 23 years to work on and complete a college degree that I started shortly after high school... I had dropped out my senior year then went back after starting work full time and could do it part time.
What got me in the job I'm in now was the fact that I FINISHED THE DEGREE. that perseverance was what impressed the hiring official to give me a job I had to be trained to do. WHAT the degree was in was not in question and it had NOTHING to do with the career path. The fact that I worked on somehting over a long period of time was what impressed him.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (13 March 2015): You need to make sure you're actually ready and well enough for work. You're mental health has left you unable to complete education, but entering a contracted job you have a duty to be there. Some places are very understanding of mental health, but they're not going to support such low attendance.Before you start writing a CV, although nowadays most places won't accept this and won't their own application forms completed by you, you need to make sure you are ready.Be honest with yourself about your own health and see your GP about potential therapies or help to ensure you function your very best every day. While grades are not everything, having an education is. Your flag shows the UK, we still have a very challenging job market for most people. To stand out you need to show you have more than the rest, but your education doesn't have to be entirely academic. Learning about life on general by volunteering in your spare time shows you can make a commitment to something and you will learn new skills to transfer to a place of work. If you can show an employee you want a chance and are positive about work then you'll do well.
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (12 March 2015):
 You know what? The past year now I have been applying for jobs, and I only received positive feedback once I started becoming more personal. Before I focused on my grades, my education, and work experience/professionalism. But it didn't lead to anything, and let me tell you something: GRADES DON'T MATTER. Really, they only matter if you're applying for a hard course at university to become a doctor etc. If you just want a normal job, like 90% of the population has, your grades don't matter!
At the lower levels, people will look to your attendance. It explains itself. If you don't show up for work, you're going to lose that job, and the person who hired you will suffer loss because they will need to cover for your shifts constantly. You understand that part, I am sure. So how to make your resume look good? Be honest and be PERSONAL. Like I started saying, before I was too professional in my cover letter, and in my CV I only focused on things I deemed extremely relevant. But once I stared becoming more personal, down to earth, and showed a human side, I got positive feedback and even two job offerings!
If I were you I'd be honest about my lacking attendance and explain why it is so. It shows that you are reflected, and upfront, and trustworthy. Since you have low attendance (50%?) I would apply for jobs that are only 50% or maybe 60%, but not more. Not that many people will apply for these jobs, as you naturally get paid less. But this type of part time job is perfect for YOU! The people who hire want someone who is perfect for the job, someone who will stay at the job for years (they all seek someone who will stay at least 2-3 years, but hopefully 5+ years).
So if I were you I'd explain the mental illness in a way that is easy to understand. Example, you could write in your cover letter an explanation for the low attendance, and add that since you know you work brilliantly, but only as long as it's a part time job of around 50%, the job will be perfect for you as you will be able to put in your best effort and work at an optimal level. It shows reflection on your part, something that is highly sought after by recruiters.
Turn every negative thing into something positive! A very common question in job interviews is "tell us about your negative sides". It's a gruesome question, but it shows just how interested they are in seeing your human side, and seeing if you have insight into yourself and are a reflected person.
My boyfriend dropped out of two studies before he finally found his "calling" and finished an education. He is always asked about this in job interviews, so started to write in his cover letter why he dropped out. He had a tough period in his life where he lost both his father and his best friend, and lost direction in life. This he actually writes in his cover letter! It's very personal, but he's only received positive feedback on it, and has gotten several good job offers.
I am certain that you will find a job that is right for you, a job that you are the right person for. My very best recommendation is to be honest and personal in your CV and cover letter. Include volunteer work you've done, include your aspirations and dreams, where they coincide with the job. Explain your low attendance and explain why you want this particular job. These things WILL make you stand out, which is the most important trait you've got here: you can truly stand out from the crowd. Those who hire can get hundreds of applications who all look the same. Write something personal and unique, and you will draw attention to yourself. After I became more personal in my cover letters I got such great feedback. I was even called in for an interview for a job that would normally require 5 more years experience in the field, simply because they loved my cover letter so much.
Oh, and do be personal and upfront at job interviews as well. Not personal to the point where you're crying in front of them, but you need to open up enough for them to see the real you, and feel like they get to know you a bit. That's what they're looking for. They're not looking for straight A's, they're looking for a human being that they can depend on, who they feel they can trust and who they can relate to on a human level. They don't need or want a working machine who only works works works and gets top grades.
Best of luck!!
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A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (12 March 2015):
 I'll "pass" on replying to this... because this sort of drama doesn't do much for me....
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A
female
reader, RubyBirtle +, writes (12 March 2015):
Any kind of volunteer work looks good - especially if it reflects the type of work you want to get into.
And any kind of group hobby that you do regularly - hobbies that you can ONLY do as a group as it shows the ability to work in a team. The thing that seems to have impressed employers the most at interview in my case has been my involvement in amateur dramatics.
If you haven't got these things on your CV yet - get out there and do them so you can put them in.
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