Would your “Real” Curriculum Vitae look like this?

Have you ever noticed how writing your own Curriculum Vitae (Resumé!) can be a mix of mind-numbingly boring and devilishly difficult?

It feels like there is so much at stake. Trying to write yourself “up” in a way to get the right reply can be very stressful.

“I wonder if I formatted that date correctly?”

“Did I mention how innovative I am too many times?”

“I wonder what sort of a reference my boss will give me – God – how will I break the news to her?”

As we do battle with that two-page limitation, the conversation going on in our heads can be unintentionally hilarious!

One of the most enjoyable things I do with clients is talk through the stories behind their CVs. What I like to call the “Real CV”.

Here is a version of my Real Curriculum Vitae:

• The Career counsellor at school tells me I would make a great Mechanical Drawing Teacher – apparently the only option in their eyes.
• Always wanted to be an Architect, but join the queue for Electronics on college registration day as it was shorter. I was going out that evening!
• Wow – a pay packet! A short-lived novelty.
• I’ll save up for six months, quit and travel the world! Still saving six years later.
• Got a promotion – then another one – seem to be flavour of the month!
• Got laid off – bummer – but rehired by the same company who laid me off. First realisation that people at the top may not know what they are doing.
• Commute to the USA from Ireland for 2 years – how glamourous say others, how tedious say I eventually.
• Reach the pinnacle of my corporate career – I had a 5 word job title you know – good time to become self-employed. Jump!
• Start to really Sell – for the very first time. Also look at the jobs section in the newspaper for six years.
• My clients start to tell me what I am really good at – and not so good at – by only paying me for the good stuff. I pay attention!
• Here I am – with you – now.

I’m sharing this with you, but I wouldn’t dream of including it in my Curriculum Vitae – or an interview. But, thinking this way helps my clients to realise what they are all about. And then they start to write their “public” CV with a smile on their face!

Question: What would your “Real CV” look like?