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CVs and Cover Letters Careers

CVs and Cover Letters Careers. Understand the purpose of a CV Know what to include and structure Review good and bad example Identify how the careers service can help you. Show that you meet the requirements of the job Give a professional impression of yourself

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CVs and Cover Letters Careers

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  1. CVs and Cover Letters Careers

  2. Understand the purpose of a CV Know what to include and structure Review good and bad example Identify how the careers service can help you

  3. Show that you meet the requirements of the job Give a professional impression of yourself An effective CV should win you an interview What’s the purpose of a CV?

  4. UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience. Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy. Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information. What is different about a UK style CV?

  5. Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills No ‘personal details’ section No longer than two pages You need to provide the names of two referees but not actual letters of reference

  6. Essential Contact details Education history Relevant Work / Other Work References Optional Personal profile Positions of responsibility Volunteering Interests / Leisure Activities What to include?

  7. With the job specification! Write your CV to fulfill these requirements Where to start?

  8. Personal Details - main purpose is for contact details (phone/email) - is the email address appropriately professional? - don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality - may wish to state right to work

  9. Personal Profile (optional) – targeted to job - where you are now “Current student of IT at Queen Mary University of London… - where you want to get to in your career “…looking for a job in technology within a City bank.” - skills relevant to the job & how gained “Organisational skills proved by my ability to manage study and part-time work. Ability to lead demonstrated in my role as Captain of the Cricket Team.” - no more than 4 lines

  10. Education History Education (2009-) MSc Computing & Information Systems , Queen Mary University Key modules: advanced network programming, computational genomics, graphical user interface design (2006-’09) BSc Mathematics, University of California (2:1) Final year Project: 60% Skills gained: Ability to work Independently through final year project Attention to detail through complex maths problems (2001-’08) Berkeley High School (USA) Finals: 85% (A Level Equivalent) SATS: 77% Targeted to job

  11. Relevant Work Experience (2008) Summer I.T Internship, Orangecounty Bank Solving IT problems for staff Assisting on developing new software ideas Administration for the department Other Work Experience (2007-2008) Sales Assistant, IT Solutions Providing good customer service by answering enquiries, listening, prompt service and tailoring information to customer needs. Stocktaking & maintaining the shop floor Managing a team of three people: timetabling lunchhours, supervising new staff, training for new staff, signing in/out at the end of the day. Work History

  12. Other Skills • Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere • Specific skills such as: IT (software/programming), Languages, Lab experience • Quantify experience i.e. competency level • Keep it relevant and provide evidence

  13. Interests • A professional document! • Can help to fill skill gaps e.g. Cricket team captain = leadership “Captain of cricket team for local club, organising matches, training and motivating other players.”

  14. References Most employers want at least two (academic & professional) Get permission Useful to have references forwarded from tutors/employers in home country ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable

  15. Chronology Poor use of margins and formatting Use of tables and photographs Resume style- too brief More than 2 pages – too long! Use of footnotes Common Errors

  16. Review the CV 1 – what’s good, what could be done better? Review CV 1 – how does it differ/what are the improvements? What changes are you going to make on your CV? ( CV Checklist) Your turn

  17. 1st Paragraph (short) : Who you are/why you’re writing to them 2nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role 3rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills 4th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them Cover Letters

  18. No vacancy Be willing to do any role You MUST show passion for the company Show how you ‘match’ them Example letter… Speculative Applications

  19. WG3 – nr The Octagon CV Clinics: 11.15 & 2.15 Mock interviews - bookable Events: www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/events 1-2-1 Appointments Vacancies www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs How can we help you?

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