HOW TO WRITE A GOOD CV & COVERING LETTER

1. HOW TO WRITE A GOOD CV & COVERING LETTER

2. SESSION 3: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Learn how to create a professional looking CV and Covering Letter to give to an employer By the end of the session students will be able to: • Understand what employers are looking for • Identify what needs to be included in a ‘good’ CV • Understand the purpose of a covering letter • Produce a CV and covering letter • Create an email address.

3. Activity 1Ice breaker • Write name on label provided • Write one positive word to describe yourself. That you would use on your CV.

4. WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT? Employers are set up to provide goods or services Employers want someone who can: • Demonstrate the ability to do the job • Join the culture of the organisation • Add value • Someone who will stay with the company

5. Activity 2WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT? • What key attributes do you think employers might be looking for? Such as someone who is dependable, reliable etc. • Spend 10 minutes in pairs discussing what you think employers would like in an employee? Discuss

6. WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT?

7. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CV? • ToINTRODUCE yourself • To show YOUR ATTRIBUTES • To show YOUR SKILLS • To show YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS • To show YOUR QUALIFICATIONS • To provide RELEVANT information • To get an INTERVIEW First Impressions Count!

8. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Do’s • Collect information • Be positive • Think about layout • Put your name at the top • Include dates • Show skills that relate to the job you are applying for Don'ts • Leave gaps • Use relatives as referee • Tell lies • Use an inappropriate voice message • Use an inappropriate email address

9. CREATE AN E-MAIL ACCOUNT • Search for a email provider and set up an account for professional use and follow instructions • Account Name for e-mail: YourName@mailaccount.com • Remember First Impressions Count!

10. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE • Personal Details • Personal Statement • Skills & Abilities • Education & Training • Employment & Work Experience • Interests or Hobbies • References • Extras

11. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAEActivity 3 Personal Statement • Spend some time on your personal traits and qualities... • Attitude • Personal Style • Work habits • Interpersonal style • Once completed choose 5 words and write an example, e.g. “I am a positive person who always sees the good in every situation.”

12. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Skills and Abilities • Using the handout, underline all the skills that you have or would be good at ... • Communication • Research and investigation • Organisational skills • Information management • Design and planning • Working with people • physical • Circle the top five skills you have gained through work experience and hobbies.

13. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Education and Training Sept 2006-July 2011 The Purple School, Any town, SE38 7AD GCSE’s Achieved: English Literature B; English Language B; Science B; Religious Studies B, Music C; ICT C; Maths C; Physical Education A. Sept 2009-July 2011 The Yellow College, Any town, Any place, AT12 BTEC: Childcare, Merit July 2010 Anywhere Youth Club, Any town, AT12 7AW Junior Coaching Award

14. WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE Employment and Work Experience May 2010 – May 2010 The Carpentry Shop, Woolwich, SE13 6WMRole: Storeroom Assistant (Work Experience)Duties: putting together customer orders; storing items correctly; assistance with storage of large items; customer home deliveries. Interest and hobbiesIn my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, doing sports such as football, basketball etc. Only list appropriate hobbies and ideally those that show you have taken on some responsibility like Duke of Edinburgh or being a Prefect References

15. COMPLETE A CV • Using the paper template complete your CV. • Once your CV is completed – In groups critique each others CVs . • Share your findings.

16. ACTIVITY 4: COVERING LETTER DOs DON’Ts Take short cuts Use ‘text’ speak Use abbreviations Forget to sign it • Plan what to write • Make it relevant to the job • Pay attention to detail • Use good English • Check spelling • Read it through • Ask someone to check it

17. COVERING LETTER Using the template provided, add the following: • Paragraph 1 • Name of your school or college • GCSE or qualifications you expect to achieve • Name of website or newspaper • Job title • Paragraph 2 • Personal statement • Key skills and abilities

18. COVERING LETTER • Look at job advert provided and list the main skills the employer requires. • Using your CV and job advert write a covering letter to the employer.

19. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ACHEIVED? Learn how to create a professional looking CV and Covering Letter to give an employer By the end of the session students will be able to: • Understand what employers are looking for • Identify what needs to be included in a ‘good’ CV • Understand the purpose of a covering letter • Produce a CV and covering letter • Create an email address.

20. ANY QUESTIONS?