Careers Service 1 CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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CVs and Cover LettersCVs and Cover Letters

Abi SharmaAbi Sharma

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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• Understand the purpose of a CV• Know what to include and structure• Review good and bad example• Identify how the careers service can help you

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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The CV – True or False ?

• The CV must be at least 3 pages.• Employers like photographs.• You must include your address. • CVs should contain tables and grids.• Careers Advisers proof-read CVs.• Hobbies should only be in the covering letter.

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What’s the purpose of a CV?

• Present yourself well on paper• Be specific to the job• Give enough relevant information • Give the right impression

An effective CV should win you anAn effective CV should win you an

interviewinterview

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What is different about a UK style CV?

• UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience.

• Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy.

• Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information.

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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• Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills

• No ‘personal details’ section • No longer than two pages• You need to provide the names of two

referees but not actual letters of reference

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What to include?

• Essential– Personal details – Education history – Relevant Work / Other Work– References

• Optional– Personal profile – Positions of responsibility – Volunteering– Skills – Interests / Leisure Activities

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Personal Details- main purpose is for contact details (phone/email)

- is the email address appropriately professional?- don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality- may wish to state right to work

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Personal Profile (optional) - where you are now, where you want to get to in your

career, what relevant skills you have

- skills ‘proven by’, ‘developed through’ etc…

- no more than 3 lines

- a film trailer!

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Education History• Most recent first• Expected grade if known• A level subjects/equivalent, grades• GCSE/equivalent• Include relevant achievements e.g. scholarships, prizes • List relevant modules • Talk about your final year project – if relevant• Demonstrate relevant skills learnt

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Work History• Divide into relevant and other• Clarify: role, where and when• Skills developed – give concrete examples• Avoid list of duties• Don’t have to include EVERYTHING• But DON’T underestimate value of diverse

range of work experience

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Other Skills• Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere• Specific skills such as: IT, Languages, Lab experience,

etc.• Quantify experience i.e. competency level• Keep it relevant and provide evidence

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Interests• Don’t include for the sake of it• Be careful what you write • Use it to make you stand out from the

crowd• Can help to fill skill gaps

e.g. leadership = team captain

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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References• Most employers want at least two (academic &

professional)• Get permission • Useful to have references forwarded from

tutors/employers in home country• ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Common Grammar Errors

• Use of tenses• Spelling mistakes – avoid US dictionaries!

Programme not Program!• Language – no excuses!

– Grammar Leaflet and books – Careers Centre

– Language &b Learning Unit www.languageandlearning.qmul.ac.uk

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Other Common Errors

• Chronology• Lack of information• Poor use of margins and formatting• Use of tables and photographs• Resume style- too brief• More than 2 pages – too long!• Use of footnotes

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Cover Letters

1st Paragraph (short) :Who you are/why you’re

writing to them

2nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role

3rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills

4th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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How can we help you?

• CVs• Mock interviews• Employer presentations• Workshops (lunch/early eve)• Drop In sessions / long careers discussions• Courses• Vacancies www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

19Queen Mary Careers ServiceWG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065

Opening times:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-5pmFriday 10.30am-4pm

Drop-in sessions:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm

2.00pm-4.30pm

Part of

www.careers.qmul.ac.uk