I'm looking for a consulting job. I've written 2 versions of my CV (one and two pages). The problem is that I dont know which one i should use to apply for jobs. The longer one lists the major projects ive done in the past, but the shorter one obviously takes less time to read. Any suggestions you could give me?

2-3 pages is fine. One page isn't normally detailed enough (unless you have no experience!). I keep a folder of all the shameful CVs that pass my way - 17 pages was the best. It even had a chapter page!!

Thanks! A few more questions. :) Should i list and describe all the projects ive done? Should i customize my cv every time i apply? 'How much time do you (recruiters) spend looking at each CV?

I would love to tell you that we spend hours pouring over CVs, but reality is likely to be in the 30-60 second area. So it has to clearly reflect "what" you are selling - look at what the orgs are asking for and use similar language where possible. There is no need to customise your CV if you are applying for very similar roles in similar organisations. And yes, list the projects that you have worked on and give a bit (not too much!) of detail about the scale and scope of each - and most importantly, what YOUR role was.

RecruitGal, thanks a lot for your advice. BTW, can i send you my CV? :)

Feel free - I don't check that email address very often though, so it might take me a while to get back to it.

Hi RecruitGal, I sent you my CV at the beginning of October and never received a feedback ... not sure why as you've always been very nice with me in the past!

Hello RecruitGal!You must have been very busy lately since there was not much writing from you on this forum in the past two weeks or so... I hope you will have time to write here more and also to check your e-mail (recruitgal@hotmail.co.uk) soon, and would appreciate very much if you reply to me. I've sent you my CV (as you'd said I could) on November 1. Thanks again for all your input and help!!!Rose (MBA and HSMP visa holder from Canada)

Rose, im an HSMP visa holder as well. Are you having any problems finding a job because of your status?

Hi Ark, I am in the UK (London) for two months now, and haven't applied for a job yet. My husband got it though (although he is an HSMP dependant) very quickly and in his field (IT) and even in the management. I have been busy with some personal problems, and than writing my CV (it is much different from resume I used in Canada and I did a lot of research and work here in order to prepare it properly for the UK job market) and RecruitGal from this forum was kind to offer her help in reviewing it before I send it to recruiters. I hope she will reply soon...My background - MBA, GDM (Graduate Diploma in Management), BA (Communications) and BSc Econ (Hons), + Certified Accountant. Worked as Operations and Business Development Manager in Canada since 1998, but used to be a Project Manager, Business Analyst, IT Consultant, Accountant... some years before that. What about you? Do you have problems finding work as an HSMP visa holder? What is your background? How long are you in the UK?Thanks for contacting me!Rose

Rose, I have an MBA from the USA and 3 yrs of consulting experience from Russia. I've been here since the beginning of October. Just had one interview so far, but didnt get an offer. I haven't experienced any problems specifically because of my HSMP status, but i suspect some recruiters and companies may be put off by the fact that my initial visa is valid for just 1 yr. Another problem is that i have to reside here in the UK, so i cant go for long business trips abroad. To be honest, the rules regarding the residence requirement are so vague that i dont even know exactly how much time i can spend abroad every year if i want to get my visa extended for another 3 yrs and then get an ILR. Therefore, i dont really know what to say (if anything at all) to recruiters regarding the UK residence requirement. Cheers, Ark

Thanks for your message and good luck with your search! If you haven't so far, check www.immigrationboards.com where you can read a lot about HSMP visa and rules associated with it. I find that web site very useful...In what area/industry did you do consulting for? Are you looking for any change in that field here in the UK or want to continue where you were in Russia?Rose

Rose,I specialised in strategy consulting (various industries), so i'm looking for a similar role here in the UK. As for the board, i havent been there since i got my visa. Probably should go back and search for more info :) Thanks