How to create a winning CV

1. How to create a winning CV Diane Appleton Careers Adviser University of Liverpool

2. To understand what different types of employers want from a CV To learn some strategies to make a good impression To look at examples of successful CVs and to understand what makes them effective To enable participants to critically view their own CV To gain quality feedback from fellow participants Objectives

3. 45 minute presentation on what makes an effective CV Academic CVs/Researcher CVs Non-Academic “graduate” CV 45 minutes in group Critiquing CV in pairs Format of session

4. To inform the employer about your past experiences To persuade the employer to offer you an interview To do this you need to tailor your CV to a particular job or employer Tailor your description of your research to the audience. Consider the person reading it - their questions are likely to be: Why was this research done? Was this person successful? Why is it useful to me? The Purpose of a CV

5. Evidence Evidence Evidence The simple key to a winning CV

6. Find out what the job involves Read brochures or reports Look at the job description Find out what skills, qualifications and experiences are required Look at job details/person spec What personality would suit the job? Link your own skills, experiences and qualifications to the job Give evidence of how you gained those skills Match the Job

7. Training courses Conferences Departmental committees Teaching undergraduates Supervising research Joining your professional body Work placements or shadowing Voluntary work Part-time work Employment Experience from which these skills should be drawn

8. Job Match Exercise

9. Reverse chronological Functional (skills profile) One sided Two sided (most usual for non-academic posts) Academic/Post-Doc Types of CV

10. Whilst some academics have strong views on the correct format for academic CVs, these can differ. However, virtually all academic CVs are built around these three pillars: Research Teaching Administration A CV for an Academic post

11. Professional & Research Experience or Education & Research Experience Aims - clear aims of research Achievements - what you have done to achieve them Techniques - only if relevant to the application Practical experience - research related placement, field work Responsibilities - your role on the research group, demonstrating, teaching Publications - essential for academic positions, but if still ‘work in progress’ try... Dissemination of results - at conferences, other forms of publications What should an academic CV contain?

12. Training - research training, skills development, GRADschool attendance Awards - any extra sponsorship to attend conferences? any prizes? Conferences - noting any posters or presentations as well as attendance Committees - particularly where you have held positions of responsibility Funding - awards to attend meetings, conferences or prizes won Professional qualifications - membership of learned societies References - Name three referees. These are likely to be academic and academic related (eg from relevant industrial experience) and……

13. No strict rules on length BUT……. One strategy is to produce a 2/3 page CV and then to put a synopsis of your research, conferences, publications and references as an appendix on a further page/s Get feedback and advice from your supervisor, who will have experience of academic CVs Ask for feedback from a Careers Adviser Additional info

14. Personal Details Career Aims/Objective? Qualifications/Education Work (or other) experience Skills Interests Referees Focus on relevant skills and qualities - backed up by evidence Don't use specialist terminology - emphasise your ability to write and present information suitable for different audiences 2 pages Non-research job outside of academia

15. Specialist in-depth knowledge - going into detail Working unsupervised Enhanced communication skills - encouraging others, debating Persistence and vision to continue with a project Overcoming obstacles, problem solving Self-motivation - making things happen Time management - managing the research timetable, part-time work, meeting deadlines Researching skills Debating Analytical skills (advanced) Innovation Continuous learning Handling information Skills identified by PhD students

16. Your 20 second commercial!

17. AIDA! Attention Interest Desire Action Saatchi and Saatchi…….

18. For non-academic CVs, 2 sides of A4 maximum, new sheet for each side, laser printed. For academic CVs, get most of your good stuff on the first two pages Use new, good quality paper; white or “professional” in colour (e.g. cream, parchment). Avoid folders or fancy slippery covers Graphics – use only if relevant and only if they add something Use bold, italics or underlining but not all at once or you will lose impact Avoid background shading – when photocopied it can be blotchy or obscure text Use distinctive headings and clearly separate the different areas of your experience Indenting sections and using bullets add visual interest and signposts key information Tips for Professional Presentation • • • • •

19. Rambling prose and endless lists are boring to read – the recruiter may not bother. Make it punchy and to the point Use strong active words such as demonstrated, initiated, reorganised, co-ordinated– there’s a useful list in the Careers & Employability Service CV guide. Be specific and quantify achievements for credibility and impact – eg. “negotiated £100 sponsorship from local companies to promote department charity fun run, raising £760” …………..

20. In response to advert Speculative Usually one page typed A4 Purpose is to: highlight your key selling points show why you are interested in that job show why you are interested in that employer explain any issues/problems? Covering Letters

21. Address to named individual if possible Why you are sending the CV Why you are the right person for the job job match exercise What attracts you to the employer show your research, name drop! What happens next especially if speculative, e.g. follow up with phone call Structure of letter

22. There is no single right way to do a CV or letter as long as it shows: What you have done What you have gained from this Tailor each CV and letter to job/employer Avoid CV templates on the web Undertake research into job/company and identify the type of person sought Show good knowledge of yourself and good evidence for your skills Demonstrate your necessary technical/subject specific knowledge Present yourself positively by using “action verbs” Seek advice before sending Summary

23. www.grad.ac.uk www.liv.ac.uk/careers www.prospects.ac.uk www.jobs.ac.uk Useful websites

24. Questions?

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