1. CV WRITING FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

2. WHAT IS A CV AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?
Think of a CV as snap shot of your true working potential! It's your first and maybe only shot to impress an employer. It outlines:
What skills you have
What strengths you possess
What relevant education or qualifications you have
What relevant work history you have
And how all of the above make you the right person for the job!

3. Can I just modify a CV from a friend or website?
A CV is YOUR chance to shine!

4. A CV is also: A sales document – it needs to shout:
“I’m proud to be me”!
“I am the solution to your problem”!
A chance to show your attitude!
A great CV shows you have a hard working, positive attitude
The way employers decide who they will interview

5. Also called: mirroring
Your CV should be logical, specific and modified to suit each position.
It’s your chance to shine, but it must be true and you must be prepared to back it up with explanations and specific examples
Also called: mirroring

6. Have a look at this CV template:
Question:
In which section will I make it clear that THE SPECIFIC JOB I’m applying for is the perfect job for me?
Answer:
In the Objective/Profile section, the Highlights section and the Skills section
LET’S TRY IT - HAVE A LOOK AT THIS JOB AD:

7. HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES?
Electrical Fitter
Electrical Fitters maintain and repair the vast array of electrical equipment used by the Army in New Zealand and overseas. In order to achieve this you'll need to undertake some extensive and first class training such as: Basic Electrical Fitter Maintenance repair documentation, perform basic general engineering skills, maintain small generators, repair single-phase electrical generators and maintain three-phase generators.
As you can see you will receive extensive training and a great chance to travel. You'll need:
To be a minimum age of 17
Have completed at least 3 years secondary school.
Have a proven ability in English, Mathematics and Physics or General Science at NCEA Level 1 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent).
Intermediate Electrical Fitter Repair and maintenance of three-phase generators and field equipment.
Have 100% visual colour perception
Senior Electrical Fitter Refrigeration Repair of in-service refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
You must have been a New Zealand citizen and have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years.

8. How would you write the Objective or Profile for this particular job ad?
Remember: an Objective or Profile sets out exactly what role you are looking for – it must mirror the job advertised or the role you are marketing yourself for

9. An example of a Career Profile specific for this job:
I am about to graduate with a Level 2 Certificate in Electrical Engineering from MIT. I have developed skills in basic engineering and also attained good grades in NCEA Level 1 Maths. I also have 100% visual colour perception and I am an NZ citizen. I am looking to bring my dedication and outstanding work ethic to the NZ Army.
It has to be true!

10. Now it’s your turn to write an Objective specific to the advertised job
You will be working with a leading manufacturer of wire harness, cable and control panel assemblies servicing multiple industries. The role requires sound experience in assembly and wiring switchboards and control panels to a high quality. This is a challenging position in a fast paced production environment.
Personal attributes:
Mechanical analytical skills
Versatile problem solver
Must be able to work with a team
Organised and tidy
Good communication skills
Skills required:
This electrifying challenge combined with a very attractive remuneration package is on offer to a results focused achiever with a positive ‘can do' attitude. Contact Debbie on  for a confidential chat.
Experience reading drawings
Practical knowledge of hand & power tools
Working knowledge of electrical machinery
Panel wiring testing & commissioning experience preferred

11. Highlight 3 qualities the employer is looking for that YOU HAVE.
Then write a three sentence Objective/Profile statement that mentions any skills you have that would fit with what the employer is looking for. Be honest; but also, don’t underestimate yourself 
You have 5 minutes to complete this task.

12. Let’s have another look at the template – what comes next?

13. Next come highlights….
What are the most interesting or successful parts of your life so far?
full licence?
NZ resident?
a fantastic mark in a specific course?
a great sporting or athletic achievement?
excellent references?
an amazing attendance record?
have you helped your community somehow?
have you done any volunteer work?
think of the person in the world who loves you the most - what would they say about you?
Order these according to what the employer is looking for.

14. Pick 3 of these words to add into your Objective or Highlights
accurate active adaptable adept broad-minded competent conscientious creative dependable determined diplomatic discreet efficient energetic enterprising enthusiastic experienced fair firm genuine honest innovative logical loyal mature methodical motivated objective outgoing personable pleasant positive practical productive reliable resourceful self disciplined sense of humour sensitive sincere successful tactful trustworthy
Pick 3 of these words that describe you best

15. Next come skills…
Brainstorm ALL of the technical skills you’ve learned while studying at MIT or at another school (Hint: look at your course outline)
Brainstorm ALL of the skills you’ve gained throughout your life
What are YOU good at?

16. Communication Skills
Explain your ideas and feelings (Express)
Listen and ask questions
Share information using different technologies (e.g., voice, , computers)
Read and understand information (e.g., words, graphs, charts, diagrams)
Talk easily with others
Greet people
Take messages
Seek information from others
Counsel people
Create and talk about new ideas
Write clear reports
Speak in public

17. Problem Solving Skills
Identify problems
Look at different points of view
Recognize different parts of a problem
Identify the root cause of a problem
Be creative in exploring possible solutions
Consider different solutions
Put the solution into action
Check to see if a solution works
Change the solution if needed

18. Leadership Skills
Direct others (telling other people what they need to do)
Self-controlled
Supervising others
Explain things to others
Arrange social functions
Speaking in public
Motivate others (making others feel interested in something)
Self-motivated
Negotiate agreements (come to an agreement about something)
Get results
Solve problems
Decisive (able to make decisions)
Mediate others (helping two sides come to an agreement)
Plan
Take risks
Delegate (giving someone else a job to complete)
Instructing others (showing others what to do)
Run meetings
Competitive when necessary

19. Positive Attitudes & Behaviours Skills
Confident (feel good about yourself)
Deal with people, problems and situations with honesty and respect
Recognise my own and other people’s good efforts
Take care of my personal health and hygiene
Show interest, initiative and effort
Accepting responsibility (admitting where you could have improved)

20. Responsibility Skills
Set goals and priorities balancing work and personal life
Plan and manage time, money and other resources to achieve goals
Accountable for my actions and the actions of a group
Socially responsible and contribute to your community
Meeting deadlines (Getting things done on time)
Aware of personal and group health and safety practices

21. Learning Continuously Skills
Be willing to continuously learn and grow
Find your personal strengths and areas for development
Set your own learning goals
Identify and access learning sources and opportunities
Plan for and achieve your learning goals

22. Hands On Skills
Use my hands
Assemble or make things
Build or repair things
Construct or repair buildings
Use complex machinery
Operate tools and machinery
Drive or operate vehicles
Repair things
Good with my hands

23. Skill in Working with Others
Persuade others
Confront others
Understand and work within the dynamics of a group
Interview others
Teach others
Flexible (Open to change)
Kind
Respect people’s differences
Pleasant
Accept and provide feedback in a considerate manner
Counsel people
Sensitive
Contribute to a team by sharing information and expertise
Sociable
Listen
Lead or support when appropriate
Trust
Understand the role of conflict in a group to reach solutions
Supervise
Manage and resolve conflict when appropriate
Tactful (concerned or thoughtful of others)
Patient with others
Understanding
Encourage others
Outgoing personality
Care for others
Help others

24. Dealing with Numbers and Information Skills
Analyse data or facts
Investigate
Measuring and calculating
Audit records
Keep financial records
Make estimates and verify calculations
Controlling budgets (organising large amounts of money)
Find information using technology (research computers databases)
Calculate (figure out the total amount of something)
Manage money
Negotiating (give and take, to make an agreement)
Observe and record data
Compare, inspect, or record
Count, observe, compile
Research
Pay attention to details
Take inventory (counting the stock or merchandise of a store or company)

25. Creative and Artistic Skills
Artistic (able to express yourself through art)
Music appreciation (love for music)
Dance, body movement
Perform, act
Drawing, art
Play instruments
Expressive (able to express feelings easily)
Present artistic ideas
Write short stories
Write poetry
Design web pages
Achieve high scores in video games

26. SKILLS SPECIFIC TO ELECTRICAL FITTERS/ELECTRICIANS
test electrical wiring and equipment for safety
study and interpret electrical wiring diagrams
keep records of the problems they find with electrical wiring and equipment and the servicing they carry out.
install and maintain electrical wiring and equipment
repair or replace electrical wiring and equipment

27. SKILLS SPECIFIC TO ELECTRICAL FITTERS/ELECTRICIANS
knowledge of electrical theory
knowledge of electrical legislation, codes, and standards of practice
knowledge of how to install electrical wiring and equipment
excellent communication skills
the ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams
good problem-solving skills
maths skills 
record-keeping skills
first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills
knowledge of safety procedures.

28. SKILLS SPECIFIC TO ELECTRICAL FITTERS/ELECTRICIANS
accurate and methodical
practical and logical
responsible and able to work unsupervised
able to use their initiative
able to work well as part of a team
able to follow instructions and procedures
safety-conscious.

29. How should I order all this?
Remember: Order your skills from the MOST important skill for this particular job to the least important skill for this particular job

30. Next steps…
Fill in all of the details you can remember about any paid or volunteer work you’ve done – most recent goes first
Fill in the Education section – most recent goes first
Fill in the References section – make sure these people know you are using them as references

31. THINGS TO REMEMBER: Size 12 font (except for name)
Easy font to read – Times New Roman or Arial
Overall design: columns, borders – needs to be easy to read
Use space

32. THINGS TO REMEMBER: THE STRUCTURE Ideally 2 pages
Ideally 2 pages
Make it look and function logically

33. THINGS TO REMEMBER: THE CONTENT Demonstrate that you can do the job
Demonstrate that you can do the job
Include relevant work experience that match the job
Include relevant qualifications that match the job
Include relevant skills/interests or personal qualities that match the job

34. THINGS TO REMEMBER: THE WORDING
Be professional—no slang, no spelling errors or grammar mistakes
Short and to the point/Less is best

35. THINGS TO REMEMBER: RE-CHECK FOR DON’TS
DON’T INCLUDE INFO ON AGE, SEX, RELIGION, CULTURE
DON’T INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS
DON’T INCLUDE TRAVEL AS AN INTEREST
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF!

36. THINGS TO REMEMBER: THE ONCE OVER
After you’ve finished, read and re-read it
Make sure all the information you’ve included is accurate
Check for any spelling or grammar issues
Have someone who can be objective read it and see if it needs changing

37. CV Checklist: Printed on clean A4 paper
Name is letter head and big/clear
Your contact details are correct
Objective is clear and concise
Skills are clear, true and relevant
Education is accurate and relevant
Work experience is chronological going backwards
and inclusive of month/year for start and finish dates
Work experience includes company,
job title and outlines duties very clearly
Relevant volunteer experience is included
Interests included are simple
Work related referees with accurate contact details are listed

38. A BEFORE AND AFTER

39. VISIT THE CAREERS CENTRE
Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm
JKL Block, South Campus
Ph: for an appointment
PS: visit eMIT - Careers Centre for online career guidance!