Pesewa Presentations

CV Writing No one correct style. Has to suit you and the jobs for which you’re applying. Differences between countries. Advice and suggestions only.

CV Layout CV Length Key sections – Personal Details, Education, Employment, Interests, Referees Any order – needs to suit your information. – Key information on front page – Choose whether your education or your work experience is the stronger selling point Can use alternative titles if they suit your information better eg. Relevant Experience or Professional Experience. Can choose whether to include hobbies and interests

Some CV Design Ideas Heading: Curriculum Vitae or Name? Clear sections with headings help the reader to navigate Look at the white space as well as the text LONG SECTIONS IN CAPITALS OR BOLD CAN BE DISTRACTING Bullet points can be a useful way of breaking up long paragraphs Be consistent with the date order you use in your sections

CV Content Must put personal contact details but can choose where to put them Marital status not generally required Avoid unexplained gaps – dates are important. Give Company / Institution name but not full address. Job / course title. Either “References available upon request” or full contact details for 2 or 3 referees.

The Employer’s Perspective One advert – many responses. Needs somebody “yesterday”. Limited time to review a large number of CV’s. How much time per CV? Somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Clear picture of what they’re looking for in their successful candidate. Looking for CV’s which demonstrate a match with those criteria

So what can you do to make your CV stand out?

Communicating your skills and achievements Vocabulary – Active words: negotiated; co-ordinated; developed; initiated; liaised with – Responsibilities – Achievements – Don’t be afraid to quantify: “I managed a budget of $100,000……” – Think about the difference you made in a particular role.

Communicating your skills and achievements (2) Examples – Avoid making unsubstantiated claims. – Use examples to offer evidence of your suitability for the role. Two common formats: 1.Including information about your skills under the relevant chronological section of your CV. 2.Skills Profile – picking some skills headings which represent the requirements of the job and presenting two or three examples which demonstrate that you have that skill.

Describing your work experience Try to explain why you will be good at the job you’re applying for……… …. Rather than why you were good at the last job you did. Prioritise your information to highlight the knowledge, experience and skills of relevance to the post for which you’re applying. Remember that CV’s can be checked and verified so don’t exaggerate!

Personal Profile Optional! Usually appears at the beginning Summarises: – Key fields of experience – Your unique qualities – The job you seek next Be brief Adapt the profile to suit each application Don’t try and target too many types of work with one profile.

Covering letter Introduction Why you are interested in that company and that role A summary of your key selling points Optimistic ending Usually one page of A4 unless the company ask for more Assume that your CV may get separated from your letter

To finish Go back to your group and review your key points about CV writing. Add up to 4 other points then stick your poster up on the board or the window. Take a wander round the room and look at the key points from other groups. If you have time, have a look at your own CV and write yourself some reminders about the changes you intend to make