CVs and Application Forms: How to sell yourself on Paper!

CVs and Application Forms: How to sell yourself on Paper! Manchester University September 2010 Fiona Bousfield

Objectives of Today… • The importance of a CV. • To identify what makes a good CV. • To recognise the common pitfalls of CVs and applications and to try and identify what employers are looking for!

A very competitive market! There is little doubt that the prolonged recession has had a profound effect on the career prospects for university-leavers – graduate vacancies at Britain’s leading employers dropped by 8 per cent in 2008 and fell a further 17 per cent in 2009. Although the number of graduate jobs on offer in 2010 is expected to improve, there remains a substantial back-log of recent graduates who failed to find work previously who are competing with this year’s finalists for entry-level positions. High Flyers Report - 2010

CVs and Application Forms • Demonstrate suitability for a role • Evidence of your education, skills and experience • Snapshot of who you are – elements included can be further discussed at interview

Types of CV Chronological Lists your education and experience in reverse chronological order Skills-based This focuses on the skills required by the employer more than on your education and work history. Tends to be used more by contractors and other skilled workers. Combination You may have very relevant qualifications that favour a chronological layout, and varied work experience that benefits from a skills-based approach. Academic It is built around three areas - your research, teaching and administration experience. Length is less important and it may be longer than two pages. CVs for other countries Different countries have different CV formats –make sure you find out what is required!!

Structuring a CV

Job Advert Computer Operator Full Time Computer Operator required to join a friendly team. You need to be familiar with: • Windows • Database entry • Using a computer network. • Dealing with customers on the phone Please send your CV to . .

TASK – Who will you recruit? YOU are the team who has been asked to select candidates for interview and to provide feedback. 15minutes

Congratulations, you have been invited to an interview…! …what was better about this version of the CV…?

Summary - Top Tips • Personal • Include too much personal detail – we don’t need to see your photograph! • Exaggerate or lie! • Try to be too creative with your formatting – keep it professional • Keep it concise – use bullets and clear headings • Keep to 2 pages if possible • Check your dates – make sure they add up! • Make sure you are selling your skills according to job description – do your research!

Unique to the employer and the job role Give employers the exact information they are looking for, in a format they want Usually completed online Competency based – important to research the company and role Used instead of a CV – make sure you include all the relevant information A way of highlighting specific examples you have - essential you portray them in the right manner Usually read in 90 seconds….. Application Forms – what are they?

Do’s and Don’ts Do • Fill in all the parts • Be relevant, clear and specific – stick to the word limit • Give a variety of skills and experiences • Support claims with evidence of achievements • Use positive language • Relate it to the criteria mentioned in the Job Specification Don’t • Miss anything out – use N/A if you need to • Try to reformat the fields – it’s like that for a reason! • Leave it to the last minute – they take time and redrafting! • Include a CV and covering letter unless asked

Common Reasons for Rejection… • Too many similar examples, with little variety • Too much detail/not enough detail • Irrelevant answers • Vague answers • Not answering all the parts of the question

What have you got to offer? Think about the common elements many graduate employers look for… e.g. TF survey of TT100 employers found most common 5 were communication, team-work, problem solving, confidence and creativity Selection processes are based on evidence of skills, personal characteristics and intellectual ability All can be demonstrated in the context of student life, employment, work experience, gap years etc

So, what have YOU got to offer? Before you start any form……. • Think about the last 2-3 years • Choose key events • Write everything down involved in each event • Break down into smaller parts • Extract the skills acquired and lessons learnt

Task: What have you got to offer? • Using these sub headings, break down key events in the last three years. • Examine all the parts of the event and your involvement • Examine what you learnt and what transferable skills you picked up EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE ACTIVITES AND INTERESTS e.g. Education – Seminars – team work, decision making, confidence 10 mins

Top Tips! • Practice in Word first – don’t risk internet timing out or information getting lost. • Get someone else to check it before submitting – SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ARE VITAL! • Make sure the form is structured and your examples make sense. • Remember employers are looking for potential rather than the finished article. • DON’T LIE – you will get found out at interview! • Ensure you create a positive, lasting first impression by using positive language. • Ensure you are answering the questions properly. • Keep a copy of the final version ready for interview.

Any questions? Fiona Bousfield Graduate Recruitment Officer Email: fbousfield@teachfirst.org.uk Phone: 0161 234 0073

CVs and Application Forms: How to sell yourself on Paper!