sspssr careers session “cvs & employability skills” tim reed...
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SSPSSR CAREERS SESSION“CVs & Employability Skills”
Tim Reed [email protected]
Careers Advisory Service
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
The Careers Advisory Service
Location Staff Opening times etc Services & facilities
Specific CAS facilities computer-aided guidance quick queries careers interviews job vacancy database
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/jobs/index.htm careers library
Careers Library Reception Reference information Postgraduate prospectuses DVDs, CDs, online PCs, free careers
literature etc …..
And also: Newspapers Careers booklets Alumni careers network Talks & presentations
Careers Presentationswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm
Examples of Careers Talks Interview Skills Careers in Politics Choosing a Career CV Workshop Getting a job in the Media Applying for Teacher Training Journalism Workshop T.E.F.L. Presentation Using languages & Working in Europe Presentation by Deloitte Presentations by BUNAC: (i) Work in USA & Canada (ii) Work in Australia & New Zealand Visit by Army Presentation by Pearson (summer internships) Presentation by NHS Presentation by PwC: Commercial Awareness
How to use the CASBegin by doing some research
Perhaps into yourself (ideas, interests, preferences)
Then into your opportunities (use Directories, vacancy lists)
Use IT: CAS website & PROSPECT PLANNER
Attend talks/workshops/presentations etc
Quick Query at CAS
1:1 careers interview
HOW TO WRITE A CV
Introduction
What is a CV? When is it used? What does it contain? Who do you send it to? What about the covering letter?
What is a CV?
One of many ways to apply Your marketing tool A4 – sized Flexible & targeted Stylized: Chronological/Skills-based Different in other countries
http://www.prospects.ac.uk
http://www.eurograduate.com/planning.asp
When is it used?
As the main tool for on-spec applications When requested by an employer In support of other application information Never without a letter/message via email as attachment When your Referee needs more info
What does it contain?
Personal details Academic background Work Experience Interests & achievements Additional information References
Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/89)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British
Email: [email protected] Mob: 07727374619
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
2008 - 2011 University of Kent BA (Hons.) Sociology – expected degree class 2:1.
Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & Crime.
Project: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".
2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.
A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D
2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.
8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including English, Maths and French.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Summer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.
Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.
Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.
Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.
2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.
Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers.
Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175.
Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team.
Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IT Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc.
Good level of spoken French.
Full, clean driving licence.
REFERENCES
Available on request
Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/89)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British
Email: [email protected] Mob: 07727374619
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS2008 - 2011 University of Kent BA (Hons) Sociology - expected degree clas 2.1
Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & CrimeProject: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".
2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D
2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Mathematics, English and French.
WORK EXPERIENCESummer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.
Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.
Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.
Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers. Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175. Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team. Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc. Good level of spoken French. Full, clean driving licence.
REFERENCESAvailable on request
Tailoring your application Emphasize relevant qualifications Highlight key text/information Focus on relevant skills Research employer requirements and insert key phrases into
your application Cherry pick what you include!
For example: specific course module titles, work experience, voluntary
activities, individual achievements, travel, IT skills, languages, sporting honours, positions of responsibility & egs of leadership, teamwork, flexibility, meeting/surpassing targets, communication, taking the initiative, problem-solving etc…
Keep a comprehensive list of all of these!
CV styles
Standard/Chronological Skills-based Computing/Online Media Legal
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm
Hints on wording
Avoid personal pronouns - No “I’s” Start with verbs wherever possible Use short sentences & concise phrases Focus on accomplishments Refer to specific projects with quantifiable results Use personal power words
Personal power words created instructed analyzed produced
negotiated designed calculated maintained
administered controlled reviewed observed
consolidated delivered founded increased
studied invented supplied detected
programmed recommended distributed
developed solved prepared installed selected
arranged formulated solved started
Who do you send it to? Named company representative Director/Manager of Personnel Referees OTHERS WHO REQUEST IT
eg. Recruitment agencies, Postgraduate courses, Sponsorship/Funding bodies
Common Mistakes! Too long Untargeted Disorganised Contains errors/missspellings Not accomplishments focused Error examples
www.createyourcv.co.uk/CMS/191_CV-Bloopers!.asp
What is a good application?
Well-researched Targeted Accurate (content, speling, grammar) Informative Interesting Easy to read Enthusiastic
What about the covering letter?www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/coveringletters.htm
One side of good quality A4 paper Formal/conventional layout Addressed to a named person State position applied for & where advertised Explain why applying Convince the reader of your interest & suitability (egs!) Give dates when available/can start Sign off “Yours sincerely” (if sent to named person)
33 Union StreetManchester
M6 3AE
26th January 2011Verity WiseGraduate Recruitment ManagerGreat Big Bank Co.Anywhere StreetLondonSW1
Job Reference Number 12345 (state this if it is mentioned in the advert)
Dear Ms. Wise
I am writing in response to your advertisement in “Prospects Finalist" for Graduate Trainees and enclose my CV for your consideration.
I first became interested in retail banking through talking to a Kent graduate, currently in the second year of your Management Training programme, at the University of Kent Careers Fair. Since then discussion with my careers adviser and with management staff at my local branch has confirmed my decision to aim for a career in this field.
Through my degree course I have been able to develop my interest in business, particularly in my final year project on the use of credit cards. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information Office was valuable in teaching me the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.
I will be available for interview if required at your convenience. I can be contacted at my home address (above) and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely
Sarah Jane Andrews
Further Information Careers Advisory Service website
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm CAS booklet “Making Applications” AGCAS Booklet CAS Reference Files (013 series) Example CVs (013) Quick Queries at the CAS Reference Books (eg. CVs for Graduates) DVDs “Your Job’s online” & “Looking Good on Paper”
Employability skillswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm
Analytical skills
Clear & Logical thinking
Communication
Gathering, assessing and interpreting information
Numerical skills
Organising
Planning
Problem solving
Research
Team work
Working to deadlines
Employability skillswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm
CAS Moodle Resourcewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
Employability Pointswww.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints/
Graduate Skills Awardwww.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/skills/programmes/gsalectures.html
CAS Employability skills exercisewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillstest.html
“ANY” DISCIPLINE CAREERSAdvertising
Armed Forces
Arts admin
Broadcasting
Central & Local Gov’t
Computing/IT
Finance
Fire Service
Guidance/Counselling
Info Management/Museums
Journalism
Law
Marketing/Sales
Management ConsultancyNHS ManagementPersonnelPoliceProduction ManagementPublic RelationsPublishingPurchasingRetailSelf-employmentSocial WorkTEFLTeachingTourismTransport
GRADUATE SALARIES 2010 Arcadia £17,500 - £23,000 + 25% store discount AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment) from £21,500 + final salary
pension Asda £23,000 Sainsbury’s £23,000 - £25,000 MI5 £23,500 + benefits - varies by function! Marks & Spencer £24,000+ Police (HPDS) £24,675 after initial training Reckitt Benckiser £26,000 - £28,000 Unilever £26,500 Civil Service up to £27,000 Lloyd’s £28,000 - £31,000 Mars £29,000 + Royal Navy £29,006 + £12,000 joining bonus ExxonMobil £33,000+ Linklaters £37,400 Aldi £40,000 - £60,000 (after 3yrs) + fully expensed Audi A4
SSPSSR CAREERS SESSION“CVs & Employability Skills”
Tim Reed [email protected]
Careers Advisory Service
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm