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Winning CVs and successful interviews

Winning CVs and successful interviews. ECS Internship Conference, Feb 2013 Diana Fitch, Career Destinations. . . Learning Outcomes. THE JOB. YOU. A CV?. CV - reality check. Volume of applicants per vacancy Time you have to impress Rejection is easier than short listing

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Winning CVs and successful interviews

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  1. Winning CVs and successful interviews ECS Internship Conference, Feb 2013 Diana Fitch, Career Destinations .

  2. Learning Outcomes THE JOB YOU

  3. A CV?

  4. CV - reality check • Volume of applicants per vacancy • Time you have to impress • Rejection is easier than short listing • Visual impact • Lack of relevant information • Pertinent skills do not stand out • Too much information • Typing errors and grammar • Lacks interest and achievement

  5. Research “We are constantly seeking enthusiastic, passionate minds to enrich our team. If you believe that you Have the extra driving force and personality, do not hesitate to contact us.” Snow Software • Company • Values and Mission statements • Core competencies • Work culture • Products, customers • Job Description • Person specification • Sector • opportunities, trends, threats www.prospects.ac.uk E-skills.com

  6. Key modules, Projects (and project life-cycle) Core technical skills (eg programming, platforms, clean room, Matlab) Report writing, presentations General IT, Excel, database, data handling Grades Predicted degree classification Position in class/group, eg Best Group Project. Prizes, awards, strengths Self taught skills/projects Technical Skills (and achievement) Be specific, quantify where possible, be truthful. If you don’t tell them, who will? www.prospects.ac.uk > Options with your subject

  7. Heat Map of recruiters eye movements Thanks to Karen Kuo http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-recruiters-look-at-during-the-6-seconds-they-spend-on-your-resume-2012-4?utm_source=twbutton&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=careers#ixzz1ssI2iA1x

  8. CV Challenge • Two sides of good quality A4 • Reverse chronological order • Avoid gaps • Relevant headings • Balance your information • Use action words: negotiated, organised • Match your skills to the employer/role needs

  9. CV Style • Uncluttered style • too small, fancy fonts, BOLD • Avoid large blocks of unbroken texts • Check spelling/grammar • Tables and open source software? • Focus on achievements, skills, knowledge (STAR) and ‘Stories’

  10. Chronological CV • Personal details • On-line profile? • Visa status and nationality? • Profile/Career objective • Should be brief • Should add to the overall impact of your CV • Education

  11. Chronological CV • Work experience • Can split – ‘Relevant work experience’ • Technical Skills • Interests and positions of responsibility • Additional skills • Driving licence, first aid, languages........ • Referees • (References available on request)

  12. Extra curricular activities? • What? • Why? • Space? • Where?

  13. Skills Audit http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/eProject/ - Panopto

  14. Structuring your answers: • Situation: (context) • Task: (role, objective) • Actions: (what did you do?) • Result: (quantifiable outputs & reflection) During my internship last summer, I was responsible for managing various events. I noticed that attendance at these events had dropped by 30% over the past 3 years and wanted to do something to improve these numbers. I designed a new promotional pack to go out to the local community businesses. I also included a rating sheet to collect feedback on our events and organized internal round table discussions to raise awareness of the issue with our employees. Ideas received from the community businesses were put into practice, targeted invitations were sent and as a result attendance increased by 18% in the first year.

  15. Cover Letters Four/five paragraphs where you can make an impact and a good first impression. • Paragraph 1 – Introduce yourself, what you are applying for and where you saw it advertised • Paragraph 2 – Why are you interested in joining the company? What specifically attracts you? • Paragraph 3/4 - What specific skills/experience do you bring, what evidence can you give? • Paragraph 5 – A positive ending

  16. Critique and feedback • From your tutor • From family, peers • From yourself • Career Consultancy and ECS careers quick queries • Book via Career Destinations

  17. Sending off your application Speculative: Attach CV and Cover Letter into the email • CV_First Name.Last Name.doc (or pdf); • Cover Letter_First Name.Last Name.doc (or pdf) • Brief Email: • Dear Mr. / Ms., • Please find enclosed a CV and cover Letter outlining • my interest in … • I look forward to an opportunity to learn more about any potential • summer placement work available. • Yours sincerely, • Jane Doe • Jane Doe • Jane.doe@gmail.com • Mobile: 0778 638 396 • MEng Electronics 2nd year student Interest point?

  18. The Interview! “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” Benjamin Franklin Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you fit in?

  19. On the day 7% - What you actually say 38% - Tone of voice 55% - Non verbal communication

  20. 1st impressions Appearance Eye contact Active listening Tone of voice Non-verbal communication

  21. Golden rules of answering • Listen carefully • Take time to think • Be positive – show enthusiasm • Have answers to obvious questions • Give evidence • Speak clearly • Smile

  22. Interview details • FORMAT: • One to one • Panel • Telephone • Video • Group • Other activities • Tests, presentations, group exercises • APPROACH: • Competence/Behaviour based • Technical • Hypothetical • Motivational • Tricky • Curveball

  23. Practicalities • Double check the details • Plan your journey • Leave plenty of time • What to take? • What to wear?

  24. Concluding • Questions for the interviewer • Thank them for their time • Shake hands • *********************************** • Reflect upon and learn from the experience • Note any difficult questions • Thank them by email/letter • Ask for feedback • Keep the door open for further opportunities

  25. Prepare to succeed • Why do you want this job? • Understand the role • Anticipate questions • Draft answers • Visualise the process • PRACTICE – out loud!

  26. Application support • On line • Templates, examples, word lists • Practice aptitude tests • Videos • Assessment Centres, Interviews • Journey to Work • Careerplayer.com • In person • Workshops on • CVs, Applications, Cover letters • Interviews • Assessment Centres

  27. Attend workshop and presentation events See the Career Destinations Events Calendar Website : www.southampton.ac.uk/careers Email us:careers@soton.ac.uk Visit us: Building 37, Highfield Campus Mon-Fri 9:00 – 18:00 Until March 1th Become a Fan of our Facebook Page: “University of Southampton Career Destinations” Follow us on Twitter: “UoS_Careers” Career Destinations

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