2. the purpose of a CV structure content cover letter resources to help you creating your CV

3. purpose of a CV from your point of view to get the interview, not the job demonstrate in the CV that you have the skills, experience and motivation to sell yourself from the employers’ point of view weed out unsuitable candidates quickly make a short list

4. imagine that you are the product and the CV is your advertisement get your unique selling propositions (USPs) across only have a few seconds attention from the reader your particular strengths unique combinations of attributes what do you have that the competition doesn’t?

5. things to think about.. first impressions are critical in job hunting as in life. the CV and the covering letter are your first contact with a potential employer. your CV is competing with all the other CVs the CV needs to show immediately that you have the relevant aptitudes, skills and knowledge the necessary experience the motivation these features can be demonstrated by your CV how the CV is written is as important as what it contains

6. structure Up to you – it’s your CV must be logical and easy to follow no repetition everything the reader needs must be clear and easy to find typical example education employment (work experience, volunteering) skills and aptitudes interests bio data references two pages of A4 – also be able to produce a one page version explore internet for examples/templates

7. General Set-up Suggestions Same font throughout (may vary sizing) Font size: 12 point best No underlining Single sided text balanced over 2 pages very good quality paper if printed single conventional font e.g. verdana ariel times new roman headings can be larger, use bold, italic Margins – 1” all around Use bolding and caps to have things stand out Number your pages No graphics Full name on every page

8. style sharp, positive and focussed most space given to most important aspects make every word count reverse chronological order for education and employment bullet points – short and punchy, not prose active verbs – e.g. organised, managed, presented don’t use the word “I” don’t repeat yourself

9. education give your overall marks for first semester (then year 1 when you have them), don’t list modules studied individual module marks if very good and relevant to the job A levels and year list GCSEs briefly but mention specifically English and foreign languages awards, scholarships and prizes (most emphasis on university)

10. possible education template Education 2012 – present University of Surrey BSc Mathematics year 1 first semester mark 68% 2010 – 2012St John’s College, Wigan A level Maths (A*) Biology (B) Physics (A) 2005 – 2010Templecourt School, Warrington GCSE 7 A, 3 B, 1 C including English (A), French (B)

11. Education and Qualifications 2011 – PresentUniversity of Kent BA (Hons) Fine Art Modules include: Contextual Studies, Creative Investigations Project: Communication and Critique 2009 – 2011Maidstone Grammar School A-levels: Media Studies (A), Art (B), Information Technology (C) 2005 – 2009Wrotham School GCSEs:8 GCSEs including English and Maths

12. employment company name, location (not address), job title, dates e.g. 6/11 – 9/11 describe company’s business list what you did and the results you achieved and any achievements describe any training given include volunteering or internships in same detail briefly mention short work experience don’t cover skills used or developed employment experience is probably the most important elements employers are looking for

13. possible employment template Employment 4/10 -9/10 Courtauld’s Ltd, Coventry Artificial and Synthetic Fibres Division Laboratory technician o set up apparatus for preparation of novel compounds o carried out syntheses and tested resulting products using mass spectrometry o wrote up reports of work carried out o presented verbal report on work at weekly meetings

14. Work Experience There is no need to list every job you’ve ever had – detail the most relevant Don’t just list your duties – sell your skills. Which skills are relevant to the position/company you are applying to? Dates, name of company, position and skills: April 2010 – PresentMuseum of Kent Life As a shop assistant, I have learnt the importance of providing great customer service to gain maximum sales. I am responsible for organising stock and ensuring that costs are controlled. Carrying out weekly risk assessments has increased my awareness of health and safety issues.

15. Action Verbs created instructed analyzed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered controlled reviewed consolidated delivered founded increased studied invented supplied detected programmed recommended distributed developed solved prepared installed selected arranged formulated solved started

16. skills and aptitudes developed from studies, employment, volunteering, interests … either integrate into sections with the activity - but risk of repetition or a specific section give evidence for each claimed skill no clichés select your key strengths where you think you are better than most

18. What examples can you give from your work experience? If you have no paid work experience, give examples from voluntary work or from your course

19. skills and aptitudes that employers want most verbal communications team working integrity intellectual ability self-confidence organisational skills interpersonal skills writing ability numeracy analytic skills/decision making

20. interests demonstrate breadth of personality if you don’t have interests – get some! socialising with friends doesn’t count current/recent most important sports, clubs, charities, cultural activities.. interesting travel, projects… be specific – what, when, what level, where… be aware of current affairs listen to radio 4, Today programme read a quality newspaper

21. bio data addresses, phone (mobile) and non-quirky e-mail boozytommy@gmail.com ? boozytommy@gmail.com much better t.jones@surrey.ac.ukt.jones@surrey.ac.uk d.o.b., nationality optional two referees academic, employment/volunteering not “references supplied on request”

22. A reader friendly CV logical structure all key information clear and easily available no jargon, no acronyms professional looking presentation

23. putting the CV together sweet spot – middle of first page – should have your best aspects get someone else to check it before you send it – especially if English is not your mother tongue never rely on spell check e.g. hobbit never tell lies everything on the CV must be true not everything that is true must be on the CV blow your own trumpet but no hyperbole

24. some signs of a bad CV more than 2 pages long, poorly word processed or printed, section breaks over page gaps in chronology spelling or grammar mistakes irrelevant, trivial details gimmicky fonts quirky presentation

25. some employers hate… typos61% inappropriate e-mail addresses35% no section on key skills30% more than two pages22% decorative paper20% with a photo13%

26. personal statements? “I have a real passion for learning and I approach all tasks with great enthusiasm. I am a responsible and reliable student who is willing to work hard in order to develop my career.” actual statement from a student with 72% overall I have a real passion for learning (obvious – you got a first) and I approach all tasks with great enthusiasm (where is the proof?). I am a responsible and reliable student (repeated what you just said in the first sentence) who is willing to work hard in order to develop my career (can you imagine someone saying that they are not willing to work hard to develop their career?)

27. use the “not” test I am a hardworking and honest individual and an excellent timekeeper I don’t work hard, I’m not particularly honest and I am a poor timekeeper but when might these three attributes be worth putting down?

28. sending CVs to employers use original print hard copies not photocopies electronically use a PDF, not Word document send/e-mail to named individual with cover letter

29. cover letters grab the reader’s attention and interest highlight the relevant skills and experience in your CV show you have done your research on the job/activity and employer demonstrate why you want to work for that employer Could be applying for a vacancy or speculative

30. writing the cover letter no more than ¾ of a page of A4 addressed to a named individual specific for particular application even with a template written in formal business style well laid out, clear and easy to follow perfect spelling and grammar good quality paper

31. cover letters are formal written English is not spoken English written down some words to avoid don’t, can’t, I’d, Dad, shouldn’t, it’s (which only means it is!) don’t start sentences with “and”, “but” … typed, not handwritten but signed by hand short sentences each with a verb, subject and object not bullet points

32. typical structure of cover letter Your address and the address of the company subject e.g. professional placement/ job title paragraph 1 introduce yourself, what you are applying for, where you saw it paragraph 2 why do you want to work in this job/activity? paragraph 3 why do you want to work for this company? paragraph 4 why you are a suitable candidate, what relevant skills and experience you bring positive ending your signature your name

33. can I improve what goes into my CV? during the semester get actively involved with clubs/societies develop an existing interest or take up new interests go to evening classes to learn something useful volunteer use the long vacation this summer get a paid job do an internship volunteering at home or overseas major project learn to drive travel somewhere interesting, do something useful there don’t just sit back, your competitors are on the case already

35. assess this CV would you select this applicant for interview? how many mistakes can you find?

39. spelling