CV Writing Seminar

1. CV Writing Seminar

2. Why Write a Resume? • To get an interview for a job or internship • College Admissions • Networking opportunities

3. Self Assessment What skills can you bring to the job for which you are applying? Are you motivated?  Willing to learn?  A team player? Do you have any work, volunteer, or internship experience? Have you participated in any organized groups, clubs, or sports? Have you taken any classes to prepare for this job Research What is the culture of the industry? Do you agree with the company's mission statement and philosophy? What are the responsibilities of the department? What will your day to day activities include? Preparation

4. What is the basic Purpose of a Resume? • To convince prospective employers that you deserve an interview based on your qualifications. • To create a professional image of yourself and to establish your credibility. • To provide a sample of your written communication skills.

5. Resume Format Your Resume Must Look Professional • Write in an organized and well thought out manner. • Your resume should have specific sections so the reader can find your qualifications and experience easily. • Use conservative fonts.  (Times New Roman, Arial, or Geneva) • Do Not Use: Graphics or Colors • Use professional color paper. (White, Off white, Beige, Light gray) • Print your resume with high quality paper. (Cotton bond, 24lb. minimum)

6. RESUME FORMAT YOUR RESUME MUST BE EASY TO READ • Write in phrases not sentences. • One line per thought. • Use 11-14pt. font size. Employers will look at your resume for about 30 seconds.  Provide them  with all your experience and qualifications in very short and concise statements. • Use "Bold" and "Italics" sparingly. Only use bold and italics to emphasize the most important qualifications,  job titles, and experiences. • Keep your resume to 1 page. Resumes are short, concise, and to the point. Employers do not have time to read lengthy resumes.

7. RESUME FORMAT YOUR RESUME MUST DOCUMENT YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES • Stress accomplishments • Document your experience and training.  Use similar language to the job posting for which you are applying. • Tell the employer you have what they want! • Write your resume to fit the position.  Be the "Perfect Match". • Use key words to ensure that your resume gets to the right department or person. • Generate a list of accomplishments to make your experience unique. • Give specific examples of goals and tasks you have accomplished. • Quantify your experience.  Use actual dollar amounts, numbers, grades, etc. in your experience descriptions.

8. RESUME CONTENT • Resumes are comprised of different sections.  These sections help the employer find your qualifications quickly.  Below are a few major sections you may want to consider when creating your resume.  There is no right or wrong way to write a resume; you can create any section that will best market your skills, experiences, and attributes!

9. RESUME CONTENT • HEADING • Name, Address, Phone Number, and E-mail address • The heading is located at the top of your resume.  It includes all of your contact information. • You may use a slightly larger font compared to the rest of your resume.  Doing this will make your contact information stand out.

10. RESUME CONTENT 2) OBJECTIVE • A short, concise, one line statement expressing the position you want. • The objective is an optional section, it allows the employer to know exactly what position you are seeking. • The objective can be as specific as just the job title.

11. RESUME CONTENT 3) EDUCATION • School/College: Manual Arts High School • Graduation/expected graduation date:  Currently in my Junior year “expected graduation June 2005” • GPA (optional):  3.0 (include GPA if above 4.0) • Related Coursework: Accounting, Finance, Management (For our purposes this is where we include Academy of Finance information)

12. RESUME CONTENT 4) EXPERIENCE • Job Title  • Employer, City, State: Dates of Employment • List specific accomplishments and responsibilities in a bullet point format.  Use strong verbs (action words) at the beginning of each statement.

13. RESUME CONTENT 5) SKILLS • List any skills that are unique and relevant to the position. • Computer applications and technology based equipment • Foreign Languages

14. Just Remember: It’s all about you CVs are an opportunity to show an employer why you are an ideal candidate for the job. A good CV will: • Stand out from the crowd. • Draw attention to your relevant skills, experience, achievements and potential. • Create such an impression on the employer that they will not be able to turn you down for interview. Everyone has potential Everyone has more skills than they think they do Everyone can write a good CV

15. Proof-read One obvious but often overlooked aspect of good CV writing is proof-reading for spelling, punctuation and other errors. CVs should be checked, drafted, re-drafted and then checked again. Make sure that your CV is the best document you possess. It could make all the difference to get you that interview!

16. Do • Use a standard font size in black ink. • Include recent and relevant work experience (paid or voluntary). • Be consistent in your layout. • List your skills and achievements and back up with evidence. • Keep it short (maximum 2 pages). • Use positive action verbs such as “organised, delivered, accomplished, achieved”. • Include a statement about your career aspirations and what you have to offer the employer. • Be honest but positive (negatives can always be turned into positives). • Proof-read for spelling, punctuation, grammar and meaning. • Get someone to check it for you.

17. Don’t • Do it in a rush. • Leave gaps in employment. • Lie. • Include irrelevant personal details such as marital status. • Simply write a list of duties under work experience (remember you are selling yourself!). • Use flashy or large font. There is no single way to write a CV. It is your document and can be structured and presented as you wish within a basic framework. The important thing to remember is that this is the first impression an employer will have of you. It is your marketing brochure through which you are trying to sell yourself.

18. cover letters • grab the reader’s attention and interest • highlight the relevant skills and experience in your CV • show you have done your research on the job/activity and employer • demonstrate why you want to work for that employer • Could be applying for a vacancy or speculative

19. writing the cover letter • no more than ¾ of a page of A4 • addressed to a named individual • specific for particular application even with a template • written in formal business style • well laid out, clear and easy to follow • perfectspelling and grammar • good quality paper

20. cover letters are formal • written English is not spoken English written down • some words to avoid • don’t, can’t, I’d, Dad, shouldn’t, it’s (which only means it is!) • don’t start sentences with “and”, “but” … • typed, not handwritten but signed by hand • short sentences each with a verb, subject and object • not bullet points

21. typical structure of cover letter • Your address and the address of the company • subject e.g. professional placement/ job title • para 1 introduce yourself, what you are applying for, where you saw it • para 2 why do you want to work in this job/activity? • para 3 why do you want to work for this company? • para 4 why you are a suitable candidate, what relevant skills and experience you bring • positive ending • your signature • your name

22. How can you improve what goes into your CV? • during the semester • get actively involved with clubs/societies • develop an existing interest or take up new interests • go to evening classes to learn something useful • volunteer • use the long vacation this summer • get a paid job • do an internship • volunteering at home or overseas • major project • learn to drive • travel somewhere interesting, do something useful there