Creating winning c vs!

Student Development

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Create Winning CVs!

Stand Out Week

Student Development

www.le.ac.uk/studentdevelopment

Objectives

Understand the importance of a CV and it’s purpose Identify when to use a CV Gain a better understanding of what to include Identify where improvements can be made

Student Development

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What is the purpose of a CV?

An effective CV should:Persuade an employerEmphasise your suitabilityInform an employer of your key skillsBe targeted

Student Development

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When do I use a CV?

• When an employer requests it in a job advertisement

• For making speculative applications• To give to employers at Careers Fairs • Recruitment agencies

Student Development

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Targeting your CV

• Job description• Person specification• Advertisement• Other ways to research a

role/opportunity/company?

Student Development

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Exercise 1

• In 2/3s discuss what skills/experience/attributes you think would be needed to be communicated on a CV

Student Development

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Possible sections in your CV:• Personal Details• Personal Profile or Career Objective• Education & Qualifications• Employment or Relevant Experience• Key Skills• Additional information• [Prizes, awards & major achievements]• [Positions of responsibility]• Interests• References

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Personal Details – which ones would you include?Name GenderPhotograph Address Contact numbers Driving

LicenceNationality and Work Permit AgeMarital status Parents

nameReligion SexualityHealth Email

address

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Name GenderPhotograph Address Contact numbers Driving LicenceNationality and Work Permit AgeMarital status Parents nameReligion SexualityHealth Email address

Personal Details – which ones would you include?

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Example of personal details:

Pratik Patel

515 New Road, Surrey, KT1 3VB

Tel: 01435 645140

Mobile: 07533 81136

Email: pratik.patel@email.com

Nationality:Indian

Work Permit: Eligible to apply for Tier 1 Post Study Work

Student Development

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Career Objective/Personal Profile

A good career objective or personal profile should:• Give an employer an overview of your career goals• Be short and snappy• Always be used if you can’t include a cover letter• Tailored for each application as necessary

Student Development

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Example of a Career Objective:

Career ObjectiveAn enthusiastic business administration graduate withexcellent IT skills and office experience, looking to pursue acareer in administration and finance.

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Education

• Chronological order (most recent first)• Include dates, name of institution, qualification

name and grade• List relevant modules/areas studies• Formal/professional qualifications only• Keep formatting clear and consistent

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Example of Education

2004 – 2007 The University of LeicesterBA in Business Administration

(2:1)

2002 – 2004 The College of SurreyA Levels in English (B), Science

(B) and Business Studies (B)

Student Development

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Work Experience

• Chronological order (most recent first)• Can include all types of work experience (part-

time, voluntary, internship, etc)• Include dates, name of organisation and job title• Bullet point achievements, key responsibilities

and skills developed• Tailor your work experience• Keep formatting clear and consistent

Student Development

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Example of Work Experience

2007 – 2009 Bennett Plc, SurreyAdministrative Assistant

• Developed an electronic database for all paper resources

• Improved communication skills by chairing weekly support staff meeting

• Assisted the Director with her diary and schedule

• Learnt to use excel effectively to manage and track office finances

Student Development

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Key Skills

• Keep it snappy, avoid long narrative sentences• Tell an employer why you are right for the job• Tailor your key skills • Give examples!• Quality not quantity

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Example of Key Skills:LeadershipSuccessfully led many projects at Bennett PLC including the transfer of allpaper based resources on to the electronic database. Responsible forDelegating tasks and decision making. Consequently, Bennett PLCwere the first office in the South East to have a fully electronic database.

Problem solvingFaced numerous challenges during my time as a volunteer at Guy’sHomeless Shelter. Had to be creative and overcome a severe lack offunding. Initiated many brainstorming sessions and eventually organiseda fundraising event where we were able to secure the funding weneeded for a further year.

Student Development

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STAR Technique

•Situation (‘Whilst working at…’)

•Task (‘I was responsible for…’)

•Action (‘I had to produce financial reports’)

•Result (‘ The day ran very smoothly and 80% of the staff rated the day as excellent’)

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Example of active/achievement focussed words

Assessed AnalysedCreated Co-ordinatedDelegated ResearchedDeveloped EncouragedEvaluated Implemented Initiated OrganisedManaged Motivated Produced Supervised

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Additional information

• Opportunity to expand on achievements and additional points of interest

• Quality rather than quantity • Section might include prizes, awards,

membership of professional bodies, additional qualifications, languages and positions of responsibility

• Keep it relevant and tailored

Student Development

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Example of additional info

• Graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD)

• Prince2 Foundation Certified (2005)• Chair of University of Leicester’s student debating

society (2007/8). Key duties included arranging annual ‘Varsity Competition’ between ten other Universities which greatly improved my organisational, project management and communication skills

• French (fluent), Spanish (conversational)

Student Development

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Interests

• Opportunity to list extra-curricular interests/activities

• Ideally related to role applying for• Be prepared to discuss in an interview anything

you mention in this section!

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Example of Interests

• Travelling, playing football and reading science magazines

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References • Two options (both perfectly acceptable);1. ‘Available on request’2. List reference name and contact details• If choosing second option, ensure your

referees are aware of any application you have made – they may be contacted straight away!!

Student Development

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Exercise 2

• This exercise is aimed at getting you thinking about where improvements could be made on a CV

• Pratik wants to apply for a job as an administrative assistant in a university

• Using the job specification, can you advise Pratik on any improvements that could be made?

Student Development

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• Is Pratik’s career objective acceptable?• Could Pratik mention more relevant modules under his

degree? • Key Skills - Pratik talks about leadership and problem

solving but is the employer interested in these skills?

Improvements?

Student Development

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Final Tips!ALWAYS NEVER• Keep to 2 A4 pages Don’t use boxes or

tables• Use good quality paper Don’t produce PDF &

Zip files• Print in black ink Don’t use a font that’s too

small• Use a professional font Never have too much

on a page• Check spelling and grammar!• Keep your font and layout consistent• Use paper clips instead of staples

Student Development

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Further advice?We offer:• 1:1 feedback in bookable appointments• Telephone feedback• E Guidance

You can also use our website for tips and example CV’s:www.le.ac.uk/studentdevelopment

We also have paper based Career Development Guides in the Zone for you to have alook at.

Don’t forget our other workshops this term!