1. Higher Level CV Skills Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

2. Brian O'dea - the author of this received about 600 responses. Having successfully completed a ten year sentence, incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States. I am now seeking a legal and legitimate means to support my self and my family. Business Experience - Owned and operated a successful fishing business - multi-vessel, one airplane, one island and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and operated a fleet of tractor- trailer trucks conducting business in the western United States. During this time I also co-owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million annually. I took responsibility for my own actions, and received a ten year sentence in the United States while others walked free for their cooperation. Attributes - I am an expert in all levels of security; I have extensive computer skills, am personable, outgoing, well-educated, reliable, clean and sober. I have spoken in schools to thousands of kids and parent groups over the past ten years on "the consequences of choice", and received public recognition for community service. I am well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish. References available from friends, family, the U.S. District Attorney, etc.

3. Research by forum3 found: The average graduate will send out 70 CVs when looking for their first graduate job. The average number of responses is 7 including 4 rejections and the remainder inviting the graduate to interview or further contact. The more CVs you send out the more interviews you get. Applicants who included a covering letter with their CV were 10% more likely to get a reply. Applicants who addressed their application to the correct named person were 15% more likely to get a letter of acknowledgement and 5% more likely to get an interview. Applicants sending CVs and letters without spelling mistakes are 61% more likely to get a reply and 26% more likely to get an interview. The most common mistakes not found in a spell check were: fro instead of for, grate: great, liased: liaised, stationary: stationery.

4. How not to do it …. Working on a farm has improved my communication skills which are especially important when working with large livestock. Applying for job at biscuit company: my life-long love of chocolate biscuits, is the main reason for my interest in the company It's best for employers that I not work with people On an application for a position requiring considerable people skills - My hobbies include watching television, computer chess, stamp collecting and walking my 2 spaniels. Reason for leaving last job: my employers insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 am and I could not work under those conditions. I am seeking challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are usually inseparable. I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.

5. Selection methods of top employers in 2014

6. Investment bank CV scorecard Finance firms often use ‘scorecards’ to rank CVs and decide who to interview. Here is an example scorecard.  15% Class of your degree and ‘rank’ of university you went to.  10% Grades achieved at A level or equivalent. (more weighting given to ‘classic’ A level subjects: economics will score higher than business studies, for example.)  20% Amount of relevant work experience.  10% Speaking foreign languages.  20%. Extracurricular activities. (A high score requires high achieving, exciting and multiple, extracurricular achievements.)  15% Presentation of your CV.  10% Demonstrating conviction about the role you’re applying for (covering letter).

7. How to “sell” your degree List relevant modules (plus marks if good!) Projects – especially if relevant Technical/IT skills Soft skills – evidence of teamwork, project management, problem solving etc..

8. Think about the job and skills involved and give examples in your CV CVs are normally targeted on a particular job What tasks would the daily routine involve? What skills would the job call for? What type of personality would suit the job? Read job descriptions in relevant adverts

9. Why you need to use a spell checker I am a prefectionist and rarely if if ever forget details. Proven ability to track down and correct erors. I have good writen comunication skills. Lurnt Word computor and spreadsheet pogroms. Develop an annual operating expense fudget… And why you must read it carefully as well Extra Circular Activities At secondary school I was a prefix Over summer I worked for an examinations bored. (Kent BA English graduate!) In my spare time I enjoy hiding my horse I want experience in a big sex practice I am a conscious individual. Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave I have a desire to work with commuters Dear Madman (instead of Madam) I hope to hear from you shorty

10. Choose a sensible email address: Such as: eek_eek_i_am_dieing_eek_arg_errrg@milk.com death_metal_kitty@milk.com demented_bovine@gnumail.com platypus_mcdandruff@mail.com flockynockyhillipilification@gnumail.com virgin_on_the_ridiculous@hotmilk.com yourmywifenowgraham@gnumail.com original_madcow_jane@gnumail.com rage_against_the_trolley_fish@gnumail.com sexylikewoaaaah@hotmilk.com

12. PROVING YOUR ABILITY There are four main things employers look at in CVs: Education - ability to think clearly, analyse and assess information, draw conclusions, work independently, research, etc Work experience - ability to get on with people, work under pressure, meet deadlines, etc Leisure interests - ability to plan and organise, co- operate with others, compete, work hard to achieve results... Specific skills – e.g. driving licence, computing or foreign language skills

13. Types of CV Reverse Chronological Outline your career history in date order, normally beginning with the most recent items. The "conventional" approach and the easiest to prepare. Skills-based Highly-focused CVs which relate your skills and abilities to a specific job. Work well for mature applicants and for those whose qualifications and work experience are not directly relevant to their application

14. Competencies Good attitude to teamwork. Friendly and cheerful personality Proactive: able to use initiative. “No problem, I’ll do it!” Problem solvers, not problem creators! Flexible and adaptable: learns new skills quickly. Enthusiastic, motivated Excellent communication skills – dealing confidently with students, take phone messages Organised and efficient. Able to plan and organise their own workload. Work to strict deadlines Microsoft Office: ECDL. Familiarity with databases, Excel and the web

15. Skills-based CVs Examples of evidence of skills: Communication: assisted visitors of many nationalities as a seasonal Tourist Information Assistant, advising on places of interest, transport and accommodation and helping resolve any problems Time Management: have successfully combined studies with a part-time job and involvement in a number of drama and music productions

16. CV Marking Criteria Pleasing appearance: and clear logical layout. The 10 second quality test: hold the CV at arms length and look at it for a few seconds. Does it look pleasing to the eye? Clear structure with appropriate headings and logical development. Carefully organised. Identified sections (e.g. Education, Work Experience). At least a line gap between sections. Name in big letters at start. Normally Education before Work Experience for a student CV. Don't separate education and qualifications: try to keep all the information about a particular topic together in one place on the CV, rather than fragmented throughout. Absence of spelling, grammatical and syntax errors. Correct capitalisation Modules, projects, technical skills gained and grades (if good!) for vocational courses. Neat alignment. Reverse chronological order – most recent jobs first. Lively writing style. Use of positive, active language. Easy to easy to read and pick out important information. Appropriately selected examples to provide evidence that you have the skills, interests and personal attributes to do the job and fit into the organisation. Describe key tasks, responsibilities and skills gained from work experience e.g. customer service skills. Concise and to the point - no more that 2 sides of A4. Short, clear phrases. Use of bold and italic to draw eye to key points. Good use of bullets. Proper bullets rather than hyphens Just one or two sensible fonts e.g. Tahoma 10 points. Not too small font sizes. Larger fonts for subheadings. No dense paragraphs - a good rule is no more than 7 or 8 lines in a paragraph. If more, separate into smaller paragraphs, use bullets or bold out key words. Interests. A broad variety? Social and active rather than solitary and passive interests? Serious commitment to at least one activity? Evidence of getting on well with other people? e.g. team sports. Independent or challenging holidays/foreign travel? Organising or leadership experience/evidence of taking responsibility?

17. Action Words created instructed analysed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered ……. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/actionverbs.htm

18. Avoid buzzwords in your profile and letter! “I am a dynamic, motivated, passionate team- player, results-orientated and driven to achieve goals.” www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/CVProfiles.htm#buzz

19. THE COVERING LETTER One side of A4 maximum 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.

20. CAREERS WEB SITE Help with applications and interviews www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm Example CVs and Covering Letters www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm CV Checklist www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cv-checklist.htm

21. Careers Employability Award on Moodle Half the unemployment rate for students who complete the award www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm DP2650 Email bw@kent.ac.uk if you have problems enrolling DP2650bw@kent.ac.uk

22. CVs and Covering Letters Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm