Basically, "what you can do" but condensed down into bullet points, for example (from my cv):

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Operating Systems
Windows (9x,NT,2k,XP)
Windows Server (NT, 2k)
Linux (Slackware, SUSE, Mandrake)

Networks
TCP/IP,
LAN, WAN, Ethernet
Routers/Switches/Hubs

Programming Languages
Visual Basic, Visual C++
C, C++
SQL, PHP, HTML

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(Edited by Stoo 15/09/2003 13:14)

All you ever needed to know about CV writing (BOFH style);
www.theregister.co.uk/content/30/32652.html

Stoo - Show off

My legit key skills would be:

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Experience in all Windows Platforms
MS Exchange Server 5.5
All MS Office Applications
Networking (TCP/IP)
Hard/Software Setup
Good Communication
Excellent (Yeah Right!!) Customer facing capabilities

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What I'd like it to say is:

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Excellent Drinking Skills
Admirable VPL Spotting Skills
Talented eye for women
Has his very own Bs in 'BS'
Generally well kept (Read that as tart)

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I reckon any employer should hire me on the latter options

And don't forget a key skill can also be being able to drive

I think my cv would have
Key Skills: Giving Birth

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by Sange
Key Skills: Giving Birth

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If that's a key skill does that not just indicate your a randy woman?

Perhaps we need a T21 jobshop where we can post our CVs and track down jobs requiring certain elusive combinations of talents -- MySQL + X-Men, Perl + 80s SF shows, Vodka + MSN, etc

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by Callum
Vodka

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*snigger* that's my special skill

no you're special skill is to eat cake amongst other things i shant mention

I'm sure I don't know *what* you mean...

Well I dont have Maths (D second attempt GCSE) though I do try and hope they think it got left off due to lack of space.

I hide it by puting in so much in the way of computer skills, Though hopefully I (its being marked) have an MSc now (though messed up dissertation) and am now starting an MA, so got more to bury my maths failure under now.

You don't need to go into details about old qualifications if you've got a decent selection of more advanced ones -- certainly no need to include GCSE grades once you've graduated.

Most recent should always be at the top, mention qualifications you're currently taking but haven't completed yet (eg MSc whatever 2002-2003, results pending)

For example, the first thing in my qualifications section is the MBA I'm just starting (MBA, London 2003-present blahblahblah), followed by my first degree (BSc Astrophysics, London 1993-97 blahblahblah), then a brief summary of A-levels and GCSEs (4 A-levels and 9 GCSEs blahblahblah), only giving details if significant (eg very good grades, or specific subjects of importance).

Unless you've only just graduated qualifications should go after work experience.

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by Gopher
Well I dont have Maths (D second attempt GCSE) though I do try and hope they think it got left off due to lack of space.

.

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Did you get a D at GCSE Maths? I got a D and its still a pass, just not a high pass. I'm hoping I won't need to retake cos i'll do Media Studies at Uni.

For key skills I put "Organisation, Analytical, Communication, IT" with examples of each. But then again, I'm not in a technical job, just general officey stuff.

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by lizzieslayer
(quotes)

Did you get a D at GCSE Maths? I got a D and its still a pass, just not a high pass. I'm hoping I won't need to retake cos i'll do Media Studies at Uni.

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As far as I know, only A*-C are counted as real passes at GCSE, I know someone who is taking GCSE Maths for the third time at the moment because she still can't get up to a C which my college says you need to attend there (5 A*-C grades including Maths and English of some sort)

Anyway, I figured this was a thread about the current bane of my existance: Key Skills IT Level 2. Its patronising considering how much time I spend on here!!! *Ahem* going to shush now because I'm completely off topic!

(To Emma) Boo!

I ignored key skills when I did my 'a'levels.

Then my mates rushed forth and did them all so as to get them out of the way.

And I sat and smiled and said 'nay'

And there was much wailing and knashing of teeth by my teachers because of my lack of commitment to key skills.

And still I did nothing.

I said they were pointless.

The school ignored me.

Until about 2 months later they actually looked at this patronising drivel they were giving us and realised that alas I was right. It was crap.

So the school got rid and I smiled at all my friends smugly.

But that was 3 years ago when they were first introduced and I failed all my a levels so please don't take advicce from me!