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CVs and Covering Letters. Claire Ward & Helen Gorman, Careers & Employability Advisers. How do I write my CV?. Appreciate the function of a CV Learn about good practice in content and style of CV Understand how to select relevant details for the job
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CVs and Covering Letters Claire Ward & Helen Gorman, Careers & Employability Advisers
How do I write my CV? • Appreciate the function of a CV • Learn about good practice in content and style of CV • Understand how to select relevant details for the job • Make connections between experience and employer’s requirements • Understand the purpose and content of covering letters
What is the purpose of a CV? • Demonstrates both suitability and potential for the job/sector • Promote yourself – with particular emphasis on recent and relevant experiences • Tell your story • To get an interview
Consider who is going to read your CV? • What is the employer is looking for? • What is different about being an undergraduate? • Employers want work related skills – people skills, initiative, problem solving, team work • Plus experience of any kind
CV guidelines • Effective layout and presentation • Right amount of detail • Tailored to a particular job - relevant • Interesting – makes you want more
What to include Personal Information Profile Education – what do you have to offer? Work Experience – paid and unpaid Interests – what else do you do? Additional skills – languages, IT literacy Referees Length?
Checklist • Have you dissected the job details and researched the job and organisation? • Have you written a list of the essential skills, qualities and experience required and the matching evidence you can offer? • Are you using the right language?
Different styles • Chronological/traditional • Skills based/targeted/functional • Academic • Different – to attract attention
Cover emails and letters • Effective presentation and layout • Not repeating what’s in the CV • Explains interest in the job/why applying • Shows understanding of organisation • Appropriate language/register
What to include • Why writing? • Why you? • Why the employer/organisation? • What next?
Further help Short interview with a careers adviser Mon-Fri 10-5pm Briefing sessions – every lunch time! Employer Events Vacancies – part time, work experience, graduate jobs Website www.sussex.ac.uk/cdec