MAKING YOUR CV WORK FOR YOU

Objectives

• By the end of the session students should be able to:

• Understand what a CV is and when it is appropriate to use one

• Present their skills and attributes effectively on a CV

• Understand how to market themselves effectively

• Understand how to write an effective covering letter

What is a CV?

• CV stands for Curriculum Vitae which literally means the course of (your) life

• A good CV should both:

INFORM an employer of your skills and experience

AND

PERSUADE them that you are worth interviewing

Why Send a CV?

• An employer has specified it in a job advertisement e.g. ‘Apply in writing’

• You are approaching an employer speculatively. This type of application is where you write to an employer (typically with a CV and letter) to see if they may have a vacancy.

• Because an employer says you can!

Self Marketing

• The CVs sole purpose is to get you an interview• It presents you in the best light• Convinces the employer that you have specific, direct

benefits of use to them• It passes the employer’s screening process• It is not simply a history of your past. Write with the

intention to create interest, to persuade the employer to call you

Preparation

Before you put pen to paper:

• Do your research. Do you understand which skills the employer is seeking. You can find this out by their website, employer presentations on campus etc.

• Note their requirements before you develop your CV.

• What are you going to write? Consider your past experience. What evidence are you going to use?

Focus on the Employer

You are writing powerful but subtle advertising copy

• ASK YOURSELF

• What would make someone the perfect candidate?• What qualities would this person have?• What would set out an exceptional candidate from

merely a good one?• What does the employer really want?

Golden Rules for Getting the Message Across

• Remember to target each CV to the job you are applying for

• Be as specific as you can using the least number of words

• Use action verbs e.g. managed, negotiated, produced, co-ordinated

• Check your spelling and proof read

Make Verbs Work for You • Make the verb active

- I organised a programme of speakers NOT - I was responsible for organising a programme.

• Use action verbs linked to skills employers look forFor example: Resolved customer queries within tight deadlinesis better than

- Resolution of customer queries to tight deadlines was required

Avoid weak verbs like endeavoured and tried

Try To See Your Experiences As a Professional Would

• Understated• Answered phone (receptionist)• Wiped tables (waitress)

• Professional• Acted as liaison between customers and sales staff• Created healthy environment for customers and

maintained positive public image

Write About What You Did

• Use varied action words to describe experiences• Ask yourself these questions

-Who?..With whom did you work ?-What?..What duties/activities did you perform?-Where?..Where did your job fit into the

organisation?-Why?..What goals were you trying to accomplish?-When?..What timelines were you working under?-How?..What procedures did you follow?

Putting it Together

• Vague:• I worked as a counter assistant in a bank

• Specific:• Gained valuable experience working to targets

within a fast moving financial sector• Worked quickly and accurately on a number of

complex computer programs• Dealt effectively and professionally with the public

in a busy branch• Proved highly adaptable and flexible whilst working

within a team

What Makes a Good CV?

• CONTENT• Completeness• Targeting• Evidence

• PRESENTATION• Structure• Layout• Language

• One page is too short, four is too long• Avoid coloured or textured paper• First page: make it count - everything you want the

employer to see IMMEDIATELY• Include a brief description of what you did and bring it

to life with some dimensions: numbers of people, values of sales, lengths of projects, budgets

• Consult resources on our web site

CV Tips

• Literally a brief account of your life, and therefore is• structured• concise - ideally 2 sides of A4• a summary

• It must have a purpose and therefore is• targeted• has a clear layout and is easy to read• tells the reader what you want them to know

and what they need to know

CV Summary

Covering letters

• This accompanies a CV and should:

• be addressed to a named person• have three broad sections:

Opening - present a situation, job applied for, site of advertisement

Middle - statement in support of applicationClosing - positive ending, interview availability,

next contact• be on one side of A4 and have impact

• Normally to accompany a CV or application form

• Always to introduce a speculative approach by CV

• Look at resources on web site

When to Use Covering Letters

• It is a marketing tool and therefore

• is positive and appropriate both in language and style

• makes the most of your qualities and experiences

• is well presented• is persuasive• contains relevant, accessible information• makes the reader want to meet you

Covering letters (2)

Evaluating CVs - Exercise

Look at the CV and consider the following:

• Its general presentation and content

• Are there any spelling and grammatical errors?

• Is it a good marketing document?

• Can you tell what he/she is applying for?

• If you would you interview this person