1. CV Workshop – Brand You Michelle Fischer July 16 th 2009

2. Aims By the end of this presentation you’ll: Have learned new tactics for creating a more compelling CV Be clearer on the different formats of CVs and which one to use Know what content to include and what to exclude

3. About you Answer the following: ?What are you proudest of? ?What is your career path for the next ten years? ?Describe an average weekend for you. ?What is an interesting fact about you that you’d be happy to share

4. Our Top Five CV Facts Your CV should be: Interesting Relevant Personal Targeted to the job you’re applying for Accurate and honest

5. Your CV ?What makes a good CV? ?What makes a bad CV? ?What should be on your CV? ?What’s a CV for? 5

6. Your Turn Put on your recruitment shoes Review a CV What do you like about it? What would you change? What does it tell you about the person who wrote it? What sort of job should they apply for? 6

7. Your CV What should be in it? Political beliefsPersonal ProfileState of Health EmploymentWeight & HeightResponsibilities RefereesSalaryQualifications EducationFamily informationTraining Marital StatusInterestsAge/DOB Driving LicenseAchievementsReasons for leaving Religion PhotographsContact Details 7

8. Your CV What should be in it? Political beliefsPersonal ProfileState of Health EmploymentWeight & HeightResponsibilities RefereesSalaryQualifications EducationFamily informationTraining Marital StatusInterestsAge/DOB Driving LicenseAchievementsReasons for leaving ReligionPhotographsContact Details 8

9. Your Profile Statement What’s a profile statement? “An experienced account administrator who works well under pressure to consistently meet strict deadlines. Enjoys working as part of a team or on own initiative using effective communication skills to achieve objectives” 9

10. Write your Own Your Skills:_________________________________ Your Qualities:_________________________________ Your Characteristics:____________________________ Your Strengths:_________________________________ Your Achievements: ____________________________

11. …Write your Own A skilled ….. Competent in ….. A talent for ….. Excelling at ….. Adept with ….. Possessing the ability to ….. An experienced ….. Qualified to ….. An expert in ….. Skilled at ….. Proudest of…. Able to….

12. CV Formats Reverse Chronological Functional Targeted Application Forms 12

13. Reverse Chronological The most common format, which demonstrates your career history in reverse order. Advantages Where the last employer is an important consideration and provides high credibility When the next career move is in the same field as previous jobs Where the job history shows a natural and sustained growth and development Where the former job titles are of an impressive nature Where the previous jobs and job being sought are in traditional fields Disadvantages Where work history is intermittent When seeking to change career goals or industry Where changes in employment are too frequent Where you do not wish to draw attention to your age Where you have been doing the same thing for a long period

14. Reverse Chronological Format Name and Contact Details Personal Profile and Key Skills Company name, job title and dates of employment Responsibilities Achievements Qualifications, Education and Training, including dates Any other relevant information Driving License Languages System skills Interests

15. Functional This type of CV links your skills and achievements and is used when targeting specific jobs or in freelancing. Advantages To emphasise skills/experience not used recently or tied to a particular sector When changing careers or sector When entering or re-entering the job market Where held similar jobs Where your career history is varied and unconnected Where much of your work has been freelance or consulting Disadvantages Where you have performed a limited number of functions in your jobs Where you want to emphasise a management growth pattern Where your most recent employers have been highly prestigious

16. Functional Format Name and Contact Details Profile and summary of Skills Achievements Company name, job title and dates of employment Qualifications, Education and Training, including dates Any other relevant information Driving License Languages System skills Interests

17. Targeted Focussed on a particular career goal or job Advantages Tightly focused Easy to customise Able to focus closely on your skills and achievements Focuses on what you can do, not what you have done Disadvantages Only for use when you’re very clear on your job focus Can appear ambiguous to employers as there are few specifics regarding your achievements in previous roles

18. Targeted Format Name and Contact Details Job Target Capabilities Achievements Company name, job title and dates of employment Qualifications, Education and Training, including dates Any other relevant information Driving License Languages System skills Interests

19. Application Forms Read the form before you complete it If hardcopy, photocopy it and write in draft Never substitute with your CV Target your answers to the questions asked Allow plenty of time to fill it in Use key words Sell yourself! Never leave blanks Get someone else to check it for you Keep a copy 19

20. Competency Based Questions Be specific What did you actually do? Spelling and grammar! Think about the competency – what are they looking for? Use the S-T-A-R model when answering the questions Think about why they are asking the question 20

21. More Tips Would you interview you? Your name and contact details Use clean white paper Arial or Times New Roman Font, size 12 Page numbers Your name on the header on page 2 Spelling and grammar! Don’t fold it! More white than black 21

22. Common Mistakes Not targeted to the job applied for Too long Spelling and Grammatical errors Disorganised Too sparse or over-written Not focused on results or achievements Incorrect email address or telephone number Gaps in dates Irrelevant or too personal information 22

23. CV Summary Take care over how you present yourself Make it interesting – it’s a reflection of you Don’t forget to consider your audience Be honest about yourself Review it regularly 23

24. Any questions?