21 st Century CVs + Interviews

1. 21st Century CVs + Interviews Civil Structural and Environmental Engineering Senior Soph Edel Caraway Careers Adviser Careers Advisory Service East Chapel www.tcd.ie/careers

2. Overview - CVs Curriculum Vitae Purpose Tailoring your CV Layout Do’s and Don’ts Cover Letters Guidelines on writing effective cover letters

3. What Makes a Good CV?

4. Purpose Your purpose: To get an interview in order to get the job. Selector’s purpose: To decide whether or not to interview you

5. Tailor your Application Tailor your application to clearly identify how you meet the organisation’s needs Knowing yourself Knowing what they want

6. Knowing Yourself (Self-Profile) To carry this out review activities: Specific Achievements Current Responsibilities Course Work Projects Work Experience - including Voluntary Work Sports, Societies, Social Life Then - What Skills have I gained?

7. “Self-Profile” College Time Personal time • Managing Money • Take a Risk • Speaking in Societies • Being on a Committee • Organising an Event • Helping Others • Catering for Others • Entertaining Others • Taking Initiative • Managing Time WorkExperience Academic Time • Writing Reports • Analysing Data • Researching information • Retaining Facts • Working to Deadline • Establishing Good • Customer Relations • Showing Reliability • Working Well with others • Being Adaptable • Using Languages • Communication Skills • Financial Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Time Management Skills

8. Know the Organisation N.B. “Organisations love to be loved.” Research, research, research: Ask if there is anything they can send you in writing about their organisation Go to their website & read everything they have there “about us” Go to the library & locate any newspaper articles or other information about the organisation Check the Alumni database at the CAS Ask your friends if they know anyone working there to whom you could talk Become familiar with the organisation’s history, purpose, goals, values

9. Basic Layout Personal Details Career Objective (optional) Education & Qualifications Employment History Interests & Achievements Skills Profile (optional) Referees

10. Personal Details Keep it short Top of page Date of birth - optional Email address

11. “Honours Civil Engineering final year student with developed technical, problem solving, numerate and communication skills seeking a position as a Graduate Engineer in an engineering consultancy firm.” “A commercially aware and IT literate engineering student with highly developed problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills now looking for a career opportunity in a large construction company with a wide range of clients across a variety of sectors.” Career Objective

12. Education & Qualifications Place most recent first Profile your course and its relevance to the job: Full Title e.g. B.A., B.A.I. – Civil Engineering Length & structure Relevant subjects taken Grades attained and awards Title of relevant Projects / Dissertations / Thesis Placements abroad

13. Example

14. Employment History Summer 2005 Student Engineer, Dublin City Council Flexible staff member providing support to a professional team in fast-paced customer service environment. Accurately maintained and accessed database information. Efficiently processed mail, phone and personal enquiries from the public. Utilised IT systems to produce weekly statistics.

15. Employment History Christmas 2004 Marketing Assistant, Supervalu, Balbriggan Skills gained: Analysis, IT and Presentation - Designed a customer service questionnaire that involved using excel and presenting the findings to the regional marketing manager, awarded a bonus for my efforts.

16. Skills Profile Problem solving – An analytical, logical and determined approach to problem solving demanded by my coursework at Trinity College Dublin Project Management/Leadership – Instrumental in the organisation of a running club reunion held in Summer 2006. Took charge of the publicity for the event & single-handedly traced as many former members as was possible Communication Skills – Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in various work experiences and in publication of articles for Trinity News Initiative & Commitment – Have energetically represented students at Trinity through my roles as class representative and secretary of the Badminton Club. IT – Confident IT user with strong working knowledge of multiple computer programmes, languages & applications including Microsoft Office, HTML, UNIX, & Visual Basic

17. Interests & Achievements Voluntary: Publicity Officer, Amnesty Arranged a publicity campaign. Gained experience in delegation, proofreading text, desktop publishing and working under pressure to meet deadlines Sport: Treasurer, Boxing Club Kept accounts for a committee of eight. Helped organise a campaign to extend membership of the club which resulted in twenty new members

18. Referees Get permission before you use someone as a referee Two referees are usually given Include one academic referee Include one referee from your work experience

19. Writing a CV for Scanning Always read employers instructions and follow them to the letter Use keywords & phrases Ensure that the layout is clear with no unusual typefaces

20. Achieved Administered Analysed Built Capable Competent Consistent Controlled Co-ordinated Created Designed Useful Words • Developed • Directed • Economical • Effective • Efficient • Engineered • Established • Expanded • Experienced • Guided • Improved • Initiated • Instructed • Managed • Monitored • Organised • Participated • Positive • Processed • Productive • Proficient • Qualified • Repaired • Sold • Specialised • Stable • Successful • Supervised • Trained • Versatile • Wide Background

21. Iportence of acruate speling and gramer What spelling mistakes say about you: You really cannot spell You are lazy – can’t be bothered doing a spell-check You are inattentive to detail You are careless You do not really want the job

22. Summary – top ten CV sins Typos Putting the first last Gaps Sloppy formatting Cluttered CV Irrelevant information Not tailoring your CV Disorganised CV Too long Too basic

23. CV checklist Is the CV relevant to the position for which you are applying? Is the layout clear, concise, well presented and professional Can an employer see the relevant points at a glance? Have you emphasised your skills, experience and achievements? Is it free of spelling and grammatical errors? Does it paint a positive picture of you? Are you happy with this paper reflection of you?

24. Cover Letters • Make a connection (“It was a pleasure to meet you last month at the employer presentation in Trinity.”) • Say why the job appeals to you and why you have applied • Communicate strengths and benefits • End positively

25. Resources www.tcd.ie/careers/students/jobsearch/apply/write_your_cv.php www.gradireland.com www.prospects.ac.uk www.jobhuntersbible.com http://www.quintcareers.com/ www.damngood.com/jobseekers/tips.html www.doctorjob.com Get feedback on your CV! (http://www.tcd.ie/Careers/onlineadvice.php) Read “Careers Service Guide 2006” Read “Student Guide to Career Planning & Job Seeking” - Aungier, C. & Walker, S. 2002 Read “Making Wizard Applications”, Phillips, C. 1999

26. Application Forms:Before, During & After • Before: • Research job, organisation, your requirements • Take a copy of the whole form (hard or soft copy) • Check you have the appropriate referees • During: • Approach formally NOT text message style • Prepare answers before writing the final draft • Presentation is as important as content • After: • Get a friend to review before submitting • Keep a copy. This sets the agenda for interview www.selectsimulator.com

27. Making an Online Application • Principle is the same as for hardcopy • Remember your username & password • Do your thinking off-line • For long prose write in Word, spell check, then copy and paste into application form • Attaching CV – don’t use CV.doc • Don’t use unusual fonts etc.

28. Apply via www.irishjobs.ie • Complete the short on-line application form and attach a covering letter • and a two page CV • Closing date fro applications 29th February, 2012 • The Cover Letter Should Include: • - Why you want to work for Arup • - Location preference (Dublin, Cork or Limerick) • - Course Title and Expected Grades • - Areas of Interest (e.g. Structures, Roads, Bridges, Infrastructure) • - Briefly explain a group project or work experience which is relevant • to your career path.....previous relevant work experience • Briefly explain a group project or work experience which is relevant to your career path • The CV should include; • Education • Employment history • Interest and hobbies • Any particular achievements • Referees • Legal • Sitemap • Company Registration Details • Accreditations

29. Your CV Should Include: - Education including results and projects - Employment History - Interests and Hobbies - Achievements - Two Named Referees: 1 Academic 1 Industry

30. Your Careers Advisers MEETINGS (by appointment) 10.00am, 11.00am, 12 noon 3.15pm QUICK QUERY (no appointment) 2.15 – 3.15 pm TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT careers@tcd.ie E-mail- Online Advice Centre www.tcd.ie/Careers/onlineadvice.php • Edel Caraway (Monday to Wednesday) & Mary O’Donnell (Wednesday to Friday)

31. Your Careers Advisers MEETINGS (by appointment) 10.00am, 11.00am, 12 noon 3.15pm QUICK QUERY (no appointment) 2.15 – 3.15 pm TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT www.tcd.ie/Careers E-mail- Online Advice Centre www.tcd.ie/Careers/onlineadvice.php • Edel Caraway (Monday to Wednesday) & Mary O’Donnell (Wednesday to Friday)

32. 21st Century Interviews

33. Interview Overview Interviews Purpose Structure Etiquette Preparation Interview Types Sample questions Resources

34. To find out: “Why are you here?” “What can you do for us?” “What kind of personare you?” “What distinguishes you from the nineteen other people who can do the job.” “What are your salary expectations?” Purpose – Selector’s Purpose

35. Purpose – Your Purpose To find out: “What does the job involve?” “What are the skills a top employee in this job would have to have?” “Are these the kinds of people I would like to work with, or not?” “If we like each other, can I persuade them there is something unique about me that makes me different to the nineteen other people who can do the job?” “Can I persuade them to hire me at the salary I need or want?”

36. Analysing a Job Advert for CV and Interview They Want My Evidence Relevant Degree/Results Communication Skills Analytical & Problem-solving Skills Teamwork Skills Organisation & Planning Skills Commercial Awareness Interpersonal Skills Research Skills Company-Specific Skills

37. Interview Structure Start Introductions Description of interview structure Puts you at ease Middle About yourself Academic/ educational record Technical knowledge/ Skills End Opportunity to ask questions Closure – information on further communication Final handshake

38. Interview Etiquette “Interviews are most often lost, when they are lost, during the first two minutes.” Remember: Appearance & hygiene Nervous mannerisms Lack of self-confidence Consideration you show to others Your values

39. Preparation – Know the Organisation N.B. “Organisations love to be loved.” Research, research, research: Ask if there is anything they can send you in writing about their organisation Go to their website & read everything they have there “about us” Go to the library & locate any newspaper articles or other information about the organisation Check the Alumni database at the CAS Ask your friends if they know anyone working there to whom you could talk Become familiar with the organisation’s history, purpose, goals, values

40. Preparation - Reflect Know Yourself Abilities, Interests, Values, Personality Qualifications, Grades, Academic Achievements To carry this out review activities Specific Achievements Current Responsibilities Course Work Projects Work Experience - including Voluntary Work Sports, Societies, Social Life Then - What Skills have I gained?

41. “Self-Profile” College Time Personal time • Managing Money • Take a Risk • Speaking in Societies • Being on a Committee • Organising an event • Helping Others • Catering for Others • Entertaining Others • Taking Initiative • Managing Time WorkExperience Academic Time • Writing Reports • Analysing Data • Researching information • Retaining Facts • Working to Deadline • Establishing Good • Customer Relations • Showing Reliability • Working Well with others • Being Adaptable • Using Languages • Communication Skills • Financial Skills • Interpersonal Skills • Time Management Skills

42. Types of Interview One-to-One interview Panel interview Telephone interview Second interview Question Types Motivational Behavioural (Competency Based Interview) Situational Stress

43. One-to-One Interview Easiest to arrange Relaxed Opportunity to meet potential boss Relies heavily on personality and ability of one person

44. Panel Interview Panel Interview 3-5 people Each interviewer focuses on different topic: Chairperson to coordinate questions Specialist who knows job in detail HR Manager Difficult to establish rapport Popular in public sector (e.g. education & local government)

45. Telephone Interview To sell yourself and your skills Take a surprise call in your stride Beware of how you sound Allow enough time Beware of over-familiarity Beware of yes/no answers “Dress” for the occasion Keep a copy of your application, CV, pen, paper, diary, list of questions with you

46. 2ND Interview You are one of 5% of individuals selected from original applicants Differ from 1st interviews: Length of process Variety & depth Emphasis on group/teamwork Wide variety of interview formats Group discussion Case studies/Business games/Outdoor exercises Informal discussion with employees Personality & aptitude tests In-tray exercises/Written exercises Presentation skills In-depth interviews

47. Behavioural Questions “Employers don’t really care about your past; they only ask about it, in order to try to predict your future (behaviour)” To evaluate your past experiences & behaviours to predict your future performance Interviewer identifies desired skills & behaviours and Structures very pointed questions To elicit detailed responses to determine if you possess the desired characteristics

48. Behavioural Questions - Preparation? Know the skills necessary for the job e.g. Teamwork Leadership Technical Knowledge Problem-solving Planning & Organising Communicating Responses need to bespecific & detailed How? Use the approach on the next two pages! “Arsenal” of example stories adaptable to any behavioural questions Frame this as a 4-step process - S.T.A.R.

49. Competency-Based Questions Problem solving/management Describe what you did to manage a situation where something unexpected happened. Leadership Describe a situation where you held a position of leadership and what you achieved in the position. Planning and Organising Provide an example of a situation where you displayed a competency in planning and organising and describe the results. Interpersonal Sensitivity Describe a situation where it was important to show that you possessed interpersonal sensitivity. What role did you play? How did you handle the situation? Answer using the STAR method

50. ‘Give a detailed example of a specific time when you acted as team player’ State you “are” a team player Illustrate with examples e.g. School/ Society/ Sport/ Project Work Convey your understanding of what it is to be a team player: Shared vision Your role versus that of others in the team Understand team dynamics When it is appropriate to take steps to increase performance Give an example of a time when you acted as a team player Behavioural Questions - Preparation?