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Writing CVs

Writing CVs. Today’s Meeting Objective. To help you develop a CV that gets attention by focussing on what you have achieved. What we will be covering. The purpose and objective of a c.v. Getting started Which format ? Out of work periods Covering letters.

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Writing CVs

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  1. Writing CVs

  2. Today’s Meeting Objective To help you develop a CV that gets attention by focussing on what you have achieved .

  3. What we will be covering • The purpose and objective of a c.v. • Getting started • Which format ? • Out of work periods • Covering letters

  4. What is its purpose ? = Why is it being done

  5. Purpose TO SELL / PROMOTE YOURSELF 1 – market knowledge 2 - product knowledge 3 - competitive edge

  6. CV objectives • To get a meeting , not a job - to get you to talk to someone you can benefit and who can benefit you. • To get you through first cut selection

  7. So , it has to be - An advertisement about yourself that - meets a need - conveys the benefits of employing you AND is a competitive statement - why you ?

  8. 1 Your Market • Market is recruiter - They are looking to solve a problem - so sell your benefits Your CV is all that they know of you - make it relevant to the job • Problem solver (product )is YOU - What does it do ? - Why buy?

  9. 2. Product(you) - Getting started ... • Write down your KEY achievements - NOT just what you did but what you achieved - with measurable results • Write down the skills required • Write down your profile - Who / What you are THIS IS THE CORE OF YOUR CV To Tailor - Relate Skills and Achievements to actual job - Change emphasis / add detail

  10. A CV FORMAT 1 Heading - Name and contact details 2 Personal Profile - 5/6 high impact statements that describe you in 50/60 words . 3 Key Skills - Your 4-6 key skills – NOT everything you can do

  11. PROFILE • First 30/40 words make a powerful impact • No clichés – Team Worker/ motivated • You look like everyone else

  12. PROFILE – EXAMPLE • A professionally qualified engineer and Prince2 qualified Project Manager particularly skilled in the implementation of Lean /World Class Manufacturing techniques that deliver business results . He has done so in a wide range of complex manufacturing environments .

  13. Skill Example • Compare “ good communicator “ to “Ability to persuade others through assembling information and presenting it convincingly and insightfully”

  14. A CV FORMAT 4 Key Achievements (4/5) - Refer to outcomes supported by figures - Do not “ hide “ with too many words - They are the evidence of why you should be employed - They must be relevant to the job you are seeking

  15. Achievement Example Responsibility - Purchasing new factory equipment Achievement - Researched and purchased new equipment , leading to a 30% increase in throughput .

  16. A CV FORMAT • Career History Tight, compact, summary of your career to date • Name, location ,dates , job title • Reporting line • Purpose of job • Key responsibilities • Achievements

  17. A CV FORMAT 6 Education and Qualifications ? • List relevant qualifications and training • Detail only highest educational achievements 7 Interests ? • Your (relevant) interests • Any voluntary work undertaken • Any published articles

  18. Dealing with out of work periods . • Rule No 1 – believe that you haven’t lost your skills • Rule No 2 – comment on voluntary work or courses undertaken during unemployment • Rule No 3 – show that you have committed yourself to getting back to employment – retraining / re-evaluation • Rule No 4 – be bold about what you have learned from negative events and adversity • Rule No 5 – show that you understand the business reasons for redundancy – not personal

  19. Covering Letters - Purpose To explain the reasons for your interest in this organisation and this particular job and to identify your most relevant skills and achievements . Shows WHY you want THIS job WHY you should get it

  20. Covering Letters- Objectives • Attract the reader to read CV “ summary of a summary “ • Get you noticed

  21. Covering Letters - Phrases Letters are conversational . • “ Would relish the opportunity to –” • “I find the opportunity stimulating “ • “ I have deployed these skills to achieve --- “ • “ I have the ability to exceed the expectations of the role “

  22. Covering Letters – Guidelines • Research the organisation and their market place • Relate key achievements / skills to their business • No more than 2/3 paragraphs - 120/140 words / 3 key skills / 3 outcomes • Make it conversational , imagine talking directly

  23. Covering letters - Speculative • Obtain the name and position of a senior person involved in staffing and / or senior functional manager • Write it with a targeted job in mind

  24. Use of key words • Identified by words in “ essential “ section of job or advert • Use a key word generator such as wordle – www.wordle.net/ • Change CV by using language /key words applicable to job • If not job specific – use template of an actual job

  25. Overall Guidelines • Know your skills and capabilities – don’t be vague • Relate to the job spec. • Rewrite for every post you apply for. • Results NOT activities / Benefits NOT Features • Use key words. • No superfluous wording .

  26. SUMMARY • It is a sales document with you as the product - what are the benefits, what do you bring - show proof 2 You are solving a problem - Relate to recruiter’s circumstances 3 Go through it again and again making it • more readable • more relevant - NEVER WITTINGLY UNDERSELL YOURSELF - BE GENEROUS TO YOURSELF

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