1 / 20

Creating A Winning CV for UK Employers

Creating A Winning CV for UK Employers . Darren Johnson Careers Adviser. Maximising Impact . R E L E V A N T. A P P E A R A N C E. A P P E A R A N C E. SENDING OUT THE RIGHT SIGNALS . Appearance. Consider: Length Spelling /Grammar

sherri
Download Presentation

Creating A Winning CV for UK Employers

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Creating A Winning CV for UK Employers Darren Johnson Careers Adviser

  2. Maximising Impact R E L E V A N T A P P E A RA N C E A P P E A R A N C E SENDING OUT THE RIGHT SIGNALS

  3. Appearance Consider: • Length • Spelling /Grammar • Layout – easy for reader to identify your selling points, consistency of style • Effective Use of Space • AGR/CIPD Findings: Most common reasons CV is rejected is spelling/grammar and irrelevant information

  4. Focus Focusing the information Find out: • what skills/abilities are needed • what experience is required • what additional requirements are there ? • Match these to your most relevant life experiences/skills/abilities

  5. Essentials: Personal Details Education Qualifications Employment/Work Experience Skills Achievements Positions of Responsibility Optional: Interests ? References? In this order? What Should You Include?

  6. Be positive in use of active words and quantify result where possible √ Managed Student Business Society budget 2006/2008. Took initiative to raise funds through co-ordinating charity event. Raised £1,500. X I was a Member of the Student Business Society from 2006-2008.

  7. Examples: Negotiated Evaluated Managed Led Demonstrated Established Initiated Inspired Enhanced Instructed Provided Improved Conducted www.prospects.ac.uk Keep It Positive - Make Use of Action Verbs

  8. Using CV Templates – A Good Idea? • Useful as a starting point BUT REMEMBER: • A CV template could restrict how you market yourself. A CV is your individual document, you need to say what you want in whatever order you think best sells you: not what the template dictates

  9. Types of CV • Traditional (Reverse Chronological) • Skills Based • Targeted

  10. CVs : Which Model? The Traditional CV (Reverse Chronological) • useful format if you have relevant work experience (e.g. internships) or have demonstrated career progression • presents information in order – most recent first • keeps to standard headings (education, experience, achievements) • easy to organise and demonstrates your progress

  11. CVs : Which Model? Skills-based CV • Useful if you have had lots of different experiences or if you have limited vocational experience but have done other things e.g. voluntary/society activities • Demonstrating evidence of your relevant skills • Skills headings e.g. teamwork, communication etc • Brief work experience descriptions • Difficult to organise but demonstrates that you have considered needs of employer

  12. CVs : Which Model? Targeted CV • useful for individuals with a broad range of specific experience directly related to the employer …… • may start with a career objective • is more highly focused – responsive to the needs of employer/role • highlights relevant skills, experience and achievements in both education and employment (giving evidence) • may include a list of key achievements

  13. Summary – DO Shows you are business like and well organised Use good quality paper & clear, concise layout Use good quality paper and a clear, concise layout Shows good communication and writing skills Write in an easily readable business style Make sure there are no spelling mistakes Shows you have good attention to detail

  14. Summary – DO Select relevant personal educational & career details Shows that you have good judgement Adjust your CV to different situations Shows you have researched and are interested in the employer Read your CV again before each interview This is the agenda you have set for the interview

  15. Summary – DON`T • Lie • Leave gaps in dates • Not necessary to put reason for leaving • Mention salaries • Include irrelevant information • Allocate the same space to every position

  16. Use it: If the employer asks you to apply in writing When you apply speculatively for jobs To give to employers at a recruitment fair Don't: Put a CV in with an application form for good measure Use an out of date CV When to Use and Not use a CV

  17. Remember • No such thing as the perfect CV – needs to be an effective reflection of your suitability for the post/sector to which you are applying!!! • Keep it to a maximum of two sides of A4 (3 for academic) –tailor it to the employer/profession and/or type of work - use different versions if necessary. Law CV likely to be more traditional than one for the media. Emphasise aspects of your work experience that are most relevant to the individual employer.

  18. Resources • Brilliant CV – Bright/Earl • The Ultimate CV (Senior Managerial Positions), Rachel Bishop Firth • www.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice • www.prospects.ac.uk • http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/applications/cvsinternational.pdf

  19. Questions

More Related