CURRICULAR VITAE AND COVER LETTER WRITING
- 2. What is a CV? a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position a short written description of your education, qualifications, previous jobs, and sometimes also your personal interests, that you send to an employer when you are trying to get a job Curriculum Vitae: the course of one’s life. An outline of education/work. A marketing tool to sell yourself.
- 3. When should you use a CV? To apply for an advertised vacancy that asks for a CV. To apply speculatively. They are also a useful source of information for when you are completing job application forms.
- 4. What do we know about CVs Promote yourself and your suitability for the role Different CVs for different objectives – be clear about purpose Clear layout and logical structure Concise No such thing as a general CV Targeted to the sector, the employer, the job Avoid ready-made templates Relevant – be selective about information you give Skills must be included Positive language Spelling and grammar do matter!
- 5. What should be included in a CV? Your contact details. A personal profile (optional). Employment history/work experience. Education/training. Skills/achievements. Interests. References.
- 6. Do Don’t Use a clear font. Use bold and larger font to highlight your name and headings. Have a sensible email address. Highlight your skills and achievements. Use fonts that are difficult to read. Have an unprofessional email address. Just list skills without providing evidence/examples. Have more than 2 pages. What makes a good CV?
- 7. Do Don’t Target your CV towards the job you are applying for. Use bullet points to make the CV easier to read. Check spelling and grammar. Give relevant dates e.g. in employment history. Leave lots of white space. Include your primary school. Waffle. Send a CV without a covering letter. What makes a good CV?
- 8. Structure of a CV Start with your personal details………………….. ? – you need to make informed choices about how you want to structure the rest of the CV. ……………………………and end with your references
- 9. Personal Details Name Address – use only one correspondence address if possible Telephone number Email –using an appropriate address Nationality – no obligation to include this but may be useful to clarify work permit status Date of birth – needed Gender – needed Photographs – not normally included on CVs
- 10. PERSONAL PROFILE Optional Might also be called “career objective” or “summary” Purpose is to highlight key points that you want an employer to know about you (e.g. skills, experience, career objective) Less is more. 1 – 3 sentences, maximum of 4 lines Examples: A highly motivated DBM ______ student looking for a work placement in……………. . I have strong problem-solving skills and a logical and analytical approach. A ______ undergraduate with substantial work experience in ……………, looking for an opportunity to develop a career in …………….
- 11. Education Should be in reverse chronological order i.e. most recent first Things to consider: Relevance – no need to include a comprehensive list of every topic studied Including some modules may be helpful when applying for jobs where there is a link between it and your studies Give grades if they are good ones! The older the qualification, the less detail you give.
- 12. Work Experience Include full time, part time and voluntary work and work placements Generally list in reverse chronological order (most recent first)… …. or, group into “related” and “other” work experience Show dates you were there and your job title Show the employer/organisation name, broad location and if helpful, the nature of their business
- 13. Example September 2014 – present Office Administrator (part-time) Drafting letters ensuring clarity, accuracy and clear presentation Organising interview schedules and liaising with external agencies regarding work permits and criminal record checks Communicating effectively both face to face and on the telephone Accurately maintaining office information systems
- 14. Identifying relevant skills This can be determined through: The job description The person specification The job advert The organisation’s website Occupational research e.g. accountancy Sector research e.g. finance
- 15. Presenting a skill in a CV Good communication skills, both oral and written, gained from delivering clear presentations and producing well-structured academic assignments whilst at college . Whilst working as a retail sales assistant, I demonstrated my ability to listen effectively and to give customers information in a clear and appropriate way.
- 16. Sample Action Verbs Management Conducted, coordinated, developed, directed, established, evaluated, facilitated, formulated, guided, improved, presided, scheduled, supervised, trained Communication Addressed, clarified, conferred, drafted, explained, formulated, motivated, negotiated, persuaded, presented, promoted, translated, wrote Technical Analysed, assembled, built, consulted, designed, examined, identified, interpreted, operated, overhauled, remodelled, repaired, researched, revised Helping Advised, arranged, coached, counselled, diagnosed, facilitated, instructed, oriented, represented Financial Administered, analysed, balanced, budgeted, calculated, contracted, forecast, marketed, planned, projected, recommended Sales Consolidated, distributed, expedited, generated, increased, marketed, obtained, penetrated, promoted, recruited, stimulated
- 17. Interests and Achievements Optional. Don’t include this section for the sake of it. Think about what the information adds to your CV – what are you trying to get across?; how will it help to persuade an employer to interview me? Avoid using the heading “hobbies” Avoid a simple list Only include things which you are happy to be questioned about in an interview Convey your skills, attributes and/or personal development
- 18. References Often used only in the final stages of selection Provide the contact details of your referees ( name, address, job title, telephone no. and email address) rather than a “standard” reference letter It is usual to provide two referees – one academic and the other preferably work related Out of courtesy, always check with referees first If you prefer not to include details on your CV, you can say “References available on request
- 19. General tips and advice • Be concise – ensure that every sentence counts and includes relevant information, avoid vague, general statements; be specific. Your CV should be a maximum of two pages. • Be eye-catching – ensure the CV is clear, easy to read, using bullet points to separate sections of text. Use bold for headings. • Be positive – use active verbs in the past tense to emphasise what you did, for example organised, managed, coordinated, analysed etc
- 20. Be honest – always provide evidence for your claims. Be knowledgeable – research and identify the skills required for your chosen field and clearly describe examples where you have demonstrated those skills.
- 21. cover letter What is a cover letter? A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. Employers use cover letters as a way to screen applicants for available jobs and to determine which candidates they would like to interview. If an employer requires a cover letter, it should be listed in the job posting
- 22. What should I include in a covering letter? Why you are writing. Why you want the job. Why you are interested in the company. Sell your main skills/achievements relevant to the role. What you would like to happen next.
- 23. Opening paragraph Why are you writing? Responsive - name specific job vacancy and where advertised Speculative – state broad type of work you are interested in, on what basis (e.g. work placement, full time) and when you are available Who are you? A xxx undergraduate looking to develop work experience in …....
- 24. Middle paragraphs Why that orgnaistaion and why that job/industry? - demonstrate knowledge of and interest in both - make links through your degree subject if appropriate Why you? - why should they consider you? - what key skills/strengths can you offer? - support your statements/assertions with evidenc
- 25. Closing paragraph Polite ending – convey interest and enthusiasm in the role May be indicate any times available/not available for interview. For speculative approaches, say that you will follow up your letter with a telephone call within a certain period e.g. within a week
- 26. your address Ms. S Johnson Graduate Recruitment Manager Dear sir/Madam, Re: Application for Position of Graduate Marketing Trainee Opening Paragraph ……………………………………………………….. Middle Paragraph 1………………………………………………………… Middle Paragraph 2………………………………………………………… Closing Paragraph…………………………………………………………. Yours Dear Sir or Madam = Yours faithfully Dear Mr Jacob = Yours sincerely
- 27. Do Don’t Find out the name of the person you need to write to. Research the employer and show that you know something about them. Highlight your key skills/experience related to the job. Just repeat what you have put in your CV. Write more than a page. Use the same letter for different jobs/companies. Send a letter containing spelling mistakes. What makes a good covering letter?
- 28. Your interview starts before you walk into an employer’s door..
- 29. Interview Skills Yes…well…you made a few mistakes…
- 30. What do you choose to wear? (Write the correct letter down) A B
- 31. Q2 Or…if you are male… A B C
- 32. Q3 You have chosen your footwear. What about the rest of your clothes? A B C
- 33. Q4 Or…if you are a woman… A B C
- 34. make a difference. How would you advise a friend to do her nails? A B
- 35. Q6 What else should you do before the interview? Check directions. A Leave home in plenty of time B Read a little bit about the employer C Practice interview questions D Go out with your friends the night before and get home late E
- 36. I’m not going to get the job – I’m terrible. A I’m definitely going to get it. I’m great. B I hope I’ll get the job. I’ve prepared really well. C I don’t like it here. D Q8 Who has the best attitude?
- 37. Q9 You have arrived! Which of the following expressions would be the best as you greet your potential employer? A B C D
- 38. Q10 Which greeting is the best? Hi A Good morning/afternoon B All right mate? C
- 39. Q11Which of these answers would be best? Thank you for coming. Did you find us easily? Not really. I got lost A Yes- no problem. B Don’t know really.C
- 40. Can you tell me why you are interested in this job? Because it pays well. A Because I have always been interested in this type of work and I feel that I could offer a lot. B
- 41. Q15 Which is the best answer? Tell me something you are proud of. When I worked really hard and achieved grades I was proud of. A When I told my teacher/boss what I thought of him/her B
- 42. General tips and advice Preparation! Arrive in good time. Turn off your phone! Smile and shake the interviewers hand. Be prepared to give answers to common interview questions. Ask a couple of questions at the end. Sell yourself. Thank the interviewer for their time. Ask for feedback.
- 43. ThankYou for Your Attention