Successful CVs and covering letters - bite sized career talks 2017

Bite-sized Career Talks | 2017

Successful CVs and Covering Letters

Louise BamfordCareers Consultant

What will be covered…What makes a good CV

Why the Covering Letter is key

.….For the UK

CV facts and figuresFor how long do employers look at CVs?5 – 7 seconds

How many spelling mistakes are acceptable?A big fat zero

Rejection rate if you have a photo on a UK CV?88%

Source: BeHiring 2012

What is a CV? Curriculum vitae – course of your life

A personal marketing document about YOU

First impressions count!

Celebrate your individuality and be yourself

What makes a good CV?

Keep it succinct – why use 20 words when 5 will do? Target – one size rarely fits all Keep it relevant – what does each employer

want? Back it up – list achievements not duties! Separate sections and bullet points for

readability Axe what is not essential!

What employers look for?

Evidence Identify what each employer wants Demonstrate how you meet the criteria Provide specific evidence of your skills and

experience using the CAR method

Context – where were you? What did you have to do?

Action – what action did you take? Be explicit about your role

Result - what was the outcome and why?

Evidence Based Skills Language

Inactive Style• My duties included serving customers at the bar• I handled cash and kept the area tidy. I had to work under pressure and work well in a team

Active Style• Initiated and implemented an idea for a new student happy

hour promotion resulting in 10% increase in sales• Supervised 3 staff members – communicating individual

responsibilities, whilst encouraging team collaboration so department targets were consistently met

Getting the format right Chronological CV Skills-based CV

Starts with your most recent job /

education and works backwards

Advantages

Emphasises continuity and

progression over time

Easy to follow

Good if you have worked for well

known companies

Disadvantages

Difficult if your career is patchy

Harder if changing careers

Not so good if you have limited

relevant experience

Presents your main skill areas

Advantages

Strong emphasis on skills

Jobs and work history are more

secondary

Overcomes the difficulty of not

having a lot of experience

Flexible

Disadvantages

Difficult if you want to emphasise

continuity

Might lose the impact of any

prestigious companies you have

worked for

Sample CVs

Chronological CV

Skills-based CV

CV language Every word counts! Use positive, powerful and simple

language Action words Sell not tell! Check and double check grammar and

spelling DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

FOR ANYTHING

Creative CVs – if appropriate

CV checklist

How does yoursshape up?

Covering letter / email essentials… Keep it business-like Write to a named person or Dear Sir/Madam Watch spelling and grammar - do not use abbreviations,

email or text language Include credible explanations for weak points (if needed) Sign off correctly – ‘yours sincerely’ for a named person or

‘yours faithfully’ for Sir/Madam, or Regards for an email

Reference / subject line

Paragraph 1 – Why are you writing

Paragraph 2 – What are you offering the employer (key points)

Paragraph 3 – What attracts you to the job role and company

Paragraph 4 – End on a positive note

Get the content right….

Show you know what is involved in the role and what the

company does.

Link this to things you have done and enjoyed.

Make it personal to you (vs other applicants)

…..Why do you want to work in this role and for this company?

CV Help from Career Development Centre

Online information and advice on CVs, Covering letters and application forms

Face-to-face advice and guidance 20 minute quick query session 45 minute in-depth individual guidance or

mock interview session

…….And Mondays 11 – 1pm here at Marylebone!

– Click icon to add picture

Our new online content management system to engage with you and your future career

What is it? An online secure hub where students can:

Access Career Development Centre services and resources

book appointments book careers events view vacancies find work placements view employers view careers information download resources complete online forms ask a question

– Click icon to add pictureDownload slides fromSlideshare www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster

Evaluation How did we do?

Summary Follow the instructions Target every application (country, sector, company, role) Choose a style and language to market you

effectively Use evidence to persuade Quality Vs quantity!

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