The University of Kent Careers Advisory Service Science Applications You can download a copy of this presentation at

How not to do it … "I have a criminal record but I'm not in jail at the moment" "I am somebody who knows my own destiny but I have no long term plans" "I have good writen comunication skills" "I want experience in a big sex practice" "I enclose a tea-bag so you can enjoy a cuppa while perusing my form" "I loathe filling in application forms so much that I'll give you details at the interview"

When should a CV be used? When an employer asks for applications to be received in this format When an employer simply states "apply to..." without specifying the format When making speculative applications (i.e. when writing to an employer who has not actually advertised a vacancy but who you hope may have one)

WORK EXPERIENCE Summer 2003Sainsbury's, Canterbury Checkout assistant This job developed my ability to deal with the public and work under pressure Don’t feel you have to include every job “In addition to the above, I have held a variety of temporary jobs during school and university vacations, including fruit-picking, factory work, bar work and waiting on tables”

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES These activities and interests can demonstrate: Skills relevant to the job, such as: - teamwork - organising - commitment Your intellectual abilities Your personality

INTERESTS Reading, cinema, stamp-collecting, embroidery Reading, cinema, travel, socialising with friends Cinema: member of the University Film- Making Society Travel: traveled through Europe by train this summer in a group of four people, visiting historic sites and improving my French and Italian Reading: helped younger pupils with reading difficulties at school

Example CVs Including Science CV

THE COVERING LETTER First Paragraph State the job you’re applying for. Where you found out about it. When you're available to start work (& end if it's a placement) Second Paragraph Why your interested in that type of work Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!) Third Paragraph Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation. Relate your skills to the job. Last Paragraph Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.

ING CVS Many employers are happy to accept CVs as an attachment to an . Put your covering letter as the body of your . Format it as plain text (use the format heading on Outlook Express to do this), so it can be read by any reader. Your CV is then sent as an attachment, in MS Word format, Rich Text (.rtf) or html format are acceptable. Say you'll send a printed CV if required. it back to yourself first to check it.

Application Forms Before You Start: Research the company, the career area and the job for which you are applying. Make your first draft on a photocopy of the form. Read the form through and follow all instructions. Use black ink if on paper. Keep your own photocopy of each application form. So you can remember at interview what you have written!

Answering the questions Be informative, detailed but concise in your answers. Keep in mind the qualities that the employer is looking for. Don't dismiss anything as irrelevant. Students often assume that their vacation work as a waiter, shop assistant are of no interest to a graduate employer. This is not so. Don't make lists: "reading, cinema, sport" under "Interests" will not tell the employer anything useful about you.

Competency Questions  The hardest part of the form for most applicants - asking for examples of specific skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving e.g. Describe how your personal planning and organisation resulted in the successful achievement of a personal or group task. Give an example of where others have disagreed with your views. How did you deal with this?

Competency Questions Answers could come from  vacation or part-time work;  university clubs and societies;  voluntary work;  study at school or university – especially projects;  holidays and travel or personal and family experiences. Planning and organising a week’s independent travel in Scotland is as valid an example as a trek through the Himalayas.

The STAR Approach One way of answering these questions is via the STAR approach - Situation, Task, Action and Result. It's a bit like a mini essay. The Situation and Task are usually combined and form the introduction The Action you took, should form the main body of your answer The Result should be your conclusion

The STAR Approach  S Whilst employed at Weaver Bros. last summer T I was given the task of rationalising the stock control system A I would look at factors such as when the stock was last ordered, what it was used for and how often it was used. I worked out a method of streamlining the paperwork involved in this process and redesigned the relevant forms, which I then submitted to my manager. R My ideas were accepted and implemented and a 15% reduction in stock levels was achieved"

On-Line Applications Increasingly organisations are using on-line applications rather than paper-based forms. Fairer and more objective - won't be judged on your handwriting! Can expect a fast response. Faster for you to complete.

On-line Applications Make your draft to difficult questions on a word-processor - can cut and paste using using CTRL+C (copy) and CTRL+V (paste) keys. Your work is safe and you can reuse answers in other applications. Can also spell and grammar check. Don't use the informal English you would use in an - use the same good quality English you would use on a paper form - concise, to the point, but with lots of evidence to show relevant skills.

On-line Applications  See On-line applications web page:  On-line Applications DVD (25 minutes). Ask at Careers Reception to see this. Can be viewed in small groups as well. Also applications, interviews and selection centre DVD can be borrowed overnight.

CAREERS WEB SITE Applications and Interviews (includes aptitude tests) Science Interviews

DVDs APPLICATIONS INTERVIEWS ON-LINE APPLICATIONS SELECTION CENTRES All last about 25 minutes and are excellent! Now all on a DVD you can borrow. Ask at Careers Reception to view/borrow.

BRUCE WOODCOCK I’m usually on duty TUESDAY MORNINGS (10.30 am p.m.) and WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS ( p.m.) for short discussions. You do not need to book an appointment to see me at these times.

The University of Kent Careers Advisory Service You can download a copy of this presentation at