CV

1. Careers & Employability Service 1 CV / Application Forms / Interviews Level 2 Year Students - CHSSC Terry Gregory Career Consultant Careers & Employability Service University of Salford

2. Careers & Employability Service 2 Tutors Background Former Assistant Director of HR (NHS) Freelance Consultant for 12 years Worked on Career Management Programmes in 6 UK universities (Leeds, Leeds Met. Bradford etc) Lectured at Inter University, Tel Aviv, Israel on Business management degree programme Visiting Lecturer at Vilnius, Mykolas Romeris and ISM universities, Vilnius, Lithuania Senior Outplacement Consultant with Capita PD Registered Guidance Practitioner Member of Chartered Management Institute Member of Institute of Careers Guidance

3. Careers & Employability Service 3 NEWSFLASH…….. Latest news about university graduates!!!!!!

4. Careers & Employability Service 4 Graduate Recruitment Survey 2009THE PARTY’S OVER… FOR NOW AT LEAST Reality bites for Generation Y as graduate recruiters predict vacancy cuts and salary freeze Vacancies for graduates fall for first time since 2003 with a projected decrease of 5.4% in 2009 Banks expect massive 28% cut in number of vacancies Engineering sector bucks the trend with expected 8.3% rise in jobs but there may be a shortfall of graduates to fill them Graduate salaries frozen for the first time Employers urge struggling graduates to research jobs and prepare for interviews more thoroughly than ever as competition intensifies Source: Association of Graduate Recruiters

5. Careers & Employability Service 5 Advice to Graduates in Difficult TimesEmployers Advice (AGR Survey 2009) 65.3% urged graduates to “conduct rigorous research” into potential employers and sectors so that there was less of a mismatch between applicant and employer expectations. Half said “applying early” was particularly important this year and 44.3% suggested applicants should be “willing to relocate.” One third advised graduates to “widen their jobs criteria.” For those graduates who are not able to secure their ideal job quickly, the advice was very clear; two thirds of employers said that “securing temporary paid employment” was a desirable alternative and 54.4% recommended “gaining graduate-level experience in another sector.” Employers had “mixed feelings about ‘years out’ – just 39.6% thought this was a sensible move. The “least favourable” option for employers was “further study.”Only 30% thought this would give graduates an edge in the job hunt. With applications to postgraduate courses up sharply in recent months, this last statistic may well give this year’s graduates pause for thought.

6. Careers & Employability Service 6 Message of Hope for Class of 2009The snapshot survey of recruiter confidence follows the AGR’s in-depth vacancies survey in February in which employers predicted a 5.4% decrease in the number of graduate jobs for 2009.   Four in five graduate recruiters said they felt either the same or slightly lower levels of confidence about the UK economy than they did three months ago. 60% of respondents said they had adjusted their target number of graduate recruits downwards since this year’s recruitment round began in October 2008 (and 57% said that they would be recruiting slightly or many fewer graduates in 2008/9 compared with 2007/8). When asked what they felt the biggest threat to their future recruitment plans was, 73% pointed to the economic environment, both in the UK and globally Source: AGR April 2009 – Survey of 124 Recruiting Organisations

7. Careers & Employability Service 7 What are the Important Issues for You? CV Presentations Interviews Application Forms

8. Careers & Employability Service 8 Career MOT (Exercise)

9. Careers & Employability Service 9 The Future of Work “There is no such thing as a career Path – it is crazy paving, and you lay it yourself” Sir Dominic Cadbury

10. Careers & Employability Service 10 EMPLOYABILITY “To be employed is to be at risk, to be employable is to be secure” Peter Hawkins, Liverpool John Moores University Author of: The Art of Building Windmills

11. Careers & Employability Service 11 What Do You Think Employers Expect of Graduates? Briefly discuss this in your group and feed back your findings (5 minutes)

12. Careers & Employability Service 12 Employers Perceptions of Graduates One third of our members are not happy with the employability skills of the graduates they recruit.” “Many graduates are failing to show themselves fit for purpose…….amongst the employability skills lacking are communication, team working and business acumen.” Miles Templeman Institute of Directors (Guardian 20/02/2007)

13. Careers & Employability Service 13 “Times Newspaper” - 30 January 2007 “More than half of Britain’s top businesses expect problems filling graduate jobs this year because of students’ lack of qualifications, bad attitude and poor communication skills. Team working and technical skills are also rare even among academically successful students.” The Association of Graduate Recruiters

14. Careers & Employability Service 14 Times Newspaper 18 September 2008 Universities should do more to teach students basic “people and communications skills” and make sure that they understand the importance of getting to work on time, to prepare them better for the world of work, business leaders said yesterday. Richard Lambert Director General (CBI)

15. Careers & Employability Service 15 But I Have a Good Degree……. So do many others Competition for jobs is fierce What is your “added value?” Can you identify your skills? But I have never had a “proper” job Review ALL your experiences – p/t jobs, voluntary work, project work at university etc Begin to compile your “Competency profile”

16. Careers & Employability Service 16 Graduates CommentsSource: Dude, Where’s my Career? “I am still unemployed – and I was at Oxford” - 2:1 English Language and Literature “Employers said I needed work experience” - 1:1 Industrial Design and Technology “No one was interested in my Cambridge degree” - 2:1 Modern and Medieval Language “Job hunting is exhausting” - 2:1 English Literature and Language “I’ve considered deleting my degree from my CV” - 2:1 Media Practice “Why did I leave it so late?” - 2:1 Politics and Business

17. Careers & Employability Service 17 What is Work Experience? Part time jobs - M&S, Mcdonalds Casual vacation work - work at university Voluntary work - via agencies International exchanges - Socrates etc Sandwich courses - year in industry Course related projects - case study Industrial placements - short industrial Vacation placements - sponsored / paid

18. Careers & Employability Service 18 The Einstein Equation AA + WE + ECA + CP = ST

19. Careers & Employability Service 19 How Do I Develop my Portfolio? Think about the modules you are studying – are they relevant to future career ideas? Have you made the most of involvement with extra curricular activities? Have you obtained work experience? Have you participated in voluntary work?

20. Careers & Employability Service 20 Employers looked for the following attributes, in decreasing importance, when hiring graduates: Relevant work experienceGood work ethic/attitudeDegree subject studied Ability to be a team player Mature attitude Class of degreeEasygoing, cheerful attitudeReputation of university attended Ambitious and career-mindedNatural leadership University of Hertfordshire Research Report (500 companies) Source: Guardian Newspaper 04/08/06

21. Careers & Employability Service 21 What turned the employers off:  Poor spelling, grammar in application Obvious exaggerations Poorly presented application No relevant work experience Non-targeted CV/covering letter No covering letter with CV Handwritten application/CV No interests or extracurricular activities Incorrect contact details for employer Statements in CV not supported by examples University of Hertfordshire Research Report (500 companies) Source: Guardian Newspaper 04/08/06 

22. Careers & Employability Service 22 Key Employability Skills The 6 key skills identified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) are:- Improving own learning and performance -CPD Communication Working with others Information technology Application of number Problem solving

23. Careers & Employability Service 23 The Ten Top Skills Employers Love Communication Teamwork Enthusiasm, drive and motivation Planning, organisation and time management Interpersonal skills Commercial awareness Flexibility and adaptability Initiative Independence Problem solving Source: Dr Job website – 26/04/07

24. Careers & Employability Service 24 Employers Also Expect……. Knowledge of the job Knowledge of the company Knowledge of competitors Effective self presentation Professional appearance Smile and a positive approach Ability to express ideas even when challenged (assertiveness) You to question them

25. Careers & Employability Service 25 Key Points Work hard to get “good” degree Extra curricular activities Work experience (relevant if possible) Develop “competency” profile Be pro-active job hunting Develop a professional CV Learn how to answer competency based questions Make sure your spelling and grammar are spot on!

26. Careers & Employability Service 26 Action Plan What will you do when you leave here? Set yourself 2 or 3 SMART targets Review them regularly Modify them when appropriate See PDP tutor for support Make appointment to see CA to review your career management strategy

27. Careers & Employability Service 27 What do Graduates do?Source: (http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/hecsu.rd/research_reports_290.htm) The latest edition of What Do Graduates Do? is now out. Our research reveals that, six months after graduation for the 2007 graduate cohort: 5.5% of graduates were unemployed, compared with 6% for graduates from 2006. There has been a year-on-year increase in the number of graduates working as chartered accountants. More graduates were also going into arts, design, culture and sports professions, social and welfare professions and health professions. Fewer 2007 graduates have entered commercial, industrial and public sector management. However, there were also fewer graduates going into clerical, catering, retail types of ‘non-graduate’ jobs. There were over 2,100 fewer IT graduates in 2007, a year-on-year fall of 14.1%. The average salary for those working in the UK was £19,300, an increase of 4.3% from the previous year’s. WDGD can be accessed at:

28. Careers & Employability Service 28 Recruitment Process / Cycle Vacancy occurs / created Job analysis conducted Job description drawn up Person specification completed Job advertised (or not!) On line assessment On line application Telephone screening interview Assessment centre / interview References taken up Candidate appointed

29. Careers & Employability Service 29 Packaging Yourself(Me PLC) Your CV / Covering Letter Your telephone manner Your self-presentation

30. Careers & Employability Service 30 The CV (Syndicate group exercise) What is the main purpose of a CV and what information should it contain?

31. Careers & Employability Service 31 Golden Rules for a CV Maximum of 2 pages Plain white 100g paper Black ink – no fancy type 12/14 point – Arial (RNIB) No photographs (unless asked for) Spelling To profile or not to profile?

32. Careers & Employability Service 32 Golden Rules - Continued Include personal details (? DOB) Immaculate layout / symmetrical Bite size chunks (psychological impact) Details of Education / Qualifications Employment details Compile a “skills matrix” Identify life/job/education achievements Voluntary work

33. Careers & Employability Service 33 What kind of CV? Reverse Chronological Functional Hybrid

34. Careers & Employability Service 34 CVs in summary It must be internally consistent Make it easy for the reader Don’t include negative information Have a portfolio CV and target employer Always send a covering letter Send as an attachment if by e - mail Don’t use tables or columns

35. Careers & Employability Service 35 Getting Your Message Across Some research amongst leading recruiters has suggested that many spend only 20 to 30 seconds skim reading a CV before:- Decide to continue reading Put it to one side for “future” reading Bin it! Your CV has got to scream “READ ME”

36. Careers & Employability Service 36 Information I Want - Quickly! Who is this person? What have they been doing? Have they been successful? What will they bring to the organisation? Can you provide this information in a way that is appealing to the eye and succinct?

37. Careers & Employability Service 37 Promoting Yourself Your CV/resume Your covering letters Your networking Your self-presentation

38. Careers & Employability Service 38 Application Forms - Flavours Come in three:- Spaghetti Bolognese Chicken Vindaloo Dogs Dinner Amazed at state of some forms submitted!!

39. Careers & Employability Service 39 Application Forms Gives control to recruiter – request specific information Every candidate required to provide information in same format Often have Equal Opp’s monitoring form “Good employers” provide job description and person specification Take away the reasons for not short listing

40. Careers & Employability Service 40 Application Forms - Rules Read the application form at least 3 times Read Job Description / Person Specification Follow the instructions e.g. black ink! Word process or handwritten (see previous) Neat and tidy (many forms badly designed) Match skills to requirements of job Additional information – don’t write essay

41. Careers & Employability Service 41 The top 10 words to include on an application form are: AchievementActiveDevelopedEvidenceExperienceImpactIndividualInvolvedPlanningTransferable skills

42. Careers & Employability Service 42 The 10 words to avoid: AlwaysAwfulBadFaultHateMistakeNeverNothingPanicProblems Source: University of Hertfordshire 2005 Report (Quoted in Guardian Newspaper 11 October 2005)

43. Careers & Employability Service 43 Your Skills (Skills Analysis Exercise) Using the skills analysis sheet identify your current skills profile Add to the list any skills you use but are not on the list Which of these will be relevant for your next job? What skills do you need to have for your next job? How will you acquire them?

44. Careers & Employability Service 44 Your Achievements Write down your achievements over the last five years How successful were they? Were they all your own work? Do they pass the SO WHAT test?

45. Careers & Employability Service 45 Application Forms – Rules 2 Use bullet points and short sentences Be concise – address specific criteria Do not lie (extemporise?) Avoid leisure pursuits unless relevant Be positive in what you write Ensure good grammar / spelling No one gets a job by being modest!

46. Careers & Employability Service 46 Summary of Key Points CV/Application forms – neat & presentable Target the requirements of the job Provide evidence of skills / competencies Present information in “digestible” fashion Do not lie or inflate your skills/experience Be positive and believe what you write You have one chance to make an impact

47. Careers & Employability Service 47 Congratulations & Remember On paper you can do the job The organisation also think so as they have short listed you It’s the kind of position that you really want You can anticipate topics around which questions will be framed Most candidates talk themselves out of a job not into it Not necessarily the most talented candidate who gets the job, often the one who has done the best research / preparation

48. Careers & Employability Service 48 Interview Definition A job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organisation or firm

49. Careers & Employability Service 49 Personal Experience of Interviews – Good or Not so Good? This Or This

50. Careers & Employability Service 50 Effective Preparation In your groups prepare a check list of the things you would do in preparation for an impending job interview

51. Careers & Employability Service 51 Effective Preparation contd, Use confirmation call to check out anything you need to know e.g. any activities on the day Find out who will be on interview panel Research the organisation (how?) Research competitors Research the job Re-read the job description and person specification Read your application form / CV again Anticipate / prepare for generic and specialist questions Prepare the key points you want to get across Decide what to wear Plan route – dummy run

52. Careers & Employability Service 52 Preparation How can I make a good impression? How am I going to get there? What do I know about the procedure on the day? What do I know about the organisation and the job? Have I prepared questions to ask panel?

53. Careers & Employability Service 53 Interview Formats Informal visits – no such thing! Formal or informal One to one Panel (very often used for teaching posts) Sequential One of several recruitment activities

54. Careers & Employability Service 54 Body Language Display appropriate body language at all times – you may be being observed Firm handshake and clear introduction Take charge of your space Posture (crossing legs?) Non verbal signals\ Eye contact with all panel members Be assertive

55. Careers & Employability Service 55 Making an Impact REMEMBER 7-10% is what you say20-30% is how you say it60-80% is your image, your body language and the overall impression you create. Good Luck with your interviews and don't forget you may not succeed the first time but practice makes perfect.

56. Careers & Employability Service 56 Interviewers Many have had little or no training May be just as worried as you are! People end up on interview panels because of position, status or politics Their job is to create a climate where you can give of your best Should never argue or disagree with you Not the Spanish Inquisition

57. Careers & Employability Service 57 Competent Interviewer - Checklist Did the chair of the panel come to meet / greet you? Where you given an opportunity to settle into your seat and compose yourself? Where you formally introduced to panel members and their role on the panel explained? Was the structure/ content of the interview explained? Did the chair explain they would be taking notes and why? Were you told how long the interview would last? Did the chair invite you to seek clarification of any questions that you did not understand? Were you told that there would be an opportunity for you to ask questions at the end of the interview? Was feedback about your performance offered?

58. Careers & Employability Service 58 Classic Questions……… Tell us a little bit about yourself Why do you want this job? What would you bring to this particular role? What have you done to research our organisation? Why should I appoint you rather than one of the other candidates? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What career goals have you set for yourself?

59. Careers & Employability Service 59 Competency Based Questions S ituation - think of a specific situation where you had to demonstrate the particular competency T ask – what were you asked to do? A ction – what did you actually do? R esult – what was the outcome

60. Careers & Employability Service 60 Answering Competency based QuestionsHere is an example which could be used to illustrate a number of different transferable skills e.g. research, teamworking, planning & organising etc S Required to work as part of a small project team which had to carry out a financial planning exercise and then present findings to fellow students and Tutors for formal assessment. T My specific role was to research the different business plan models and prepare a briefing paper with my recommendations as to which model we should use. This was to be achieved within a very tight time frame. A The action I took was to research business plans on various web sites, visit several local banks for advice and obtain CD-roms containing BP models and spoke to the local Business Link for advice. R Outcome - I prepared a report with assessments of the various BP models and my recommendation for which one we should adopt. This was achieved within the target date owing to effective planning and organising of meetings with various parties. We were commended for our presentation and in particular the quality and effectiveness of our business plan by both students and the assessors (we received a mark of 78%).

61. Careers & Employability Service 61 Questions for the Panel What kind of induction programme do you have for new staff? What professional development opportunities would be available to me in this role? Do you have a policy on talent management in the organisation and if so how does it operate? Why did the last person in this post leave? Do you have a performance appraisal system and if so how does it operate? What would you expect from me during my first six months in post?

62. Careers & Employability Service 62 Remember! Your sole aim in an interview is to take away the reasons for them not appointing you

63. Careers & Employability Service 63 Job matching Most adverts are aspirational Don’t apply if you don’t match – it wastes everybody’s time and it’s depressing! If you have an 80% match – GO FOR IT!

64. Careers & Employability Service 64 Additional Help CV development Application forms Covering letters Competency based questions Interview preparation Interview coaching Effective presentations Preparation for assessment centres

65. Careers & Employability Service 65 Where to Get Help Contact Us We are on the First Floor of Humphrey Booth House (next door to Crescent House on the Crescent - Building 21 on the Campus Map). Our Opening Hours are as follows: Term-time Monday, Tuesday, Thursday9.00am - 4.50pm  Wednesday10.00am - 4.50pm  Friday9.00am - 4.00pm Vacation Monday - Friday10.00am - 4.00pm Telephone: 0161 295 5088/5668 Email: enquiries-careers@salford.ac.uk  

66. Careers & Employability Service 66 Final Thought! Always be nice to your children, as they will be the ones choosing your nursing home!