A day with Goldman Sachs

Part 1: CVs

www.westminster.ac.uk/careers

Louise Bamford, Careers ConsultantCareer Development Centre

Assuming you aren’t yet ready to do this……

Objectives

This session will help you to:

• Understand the importance of researching the role• Learn how to present your achievements with impact• Experience how employers shortlist candidates• Optimise your own CV

Job hunting means effectivemarketing

Step 1 – Research the role and company

• What does the company do?

• What would you be doing?

• What skills, knowledge and experience are needed?

Get to know your Goldman Sachs Representative!

• Name and job title

• Job role / responsibilities

• Skills and expertise sought at entry level

• What helped them stand out at application!

………..and be ready to concisely present back to the group

Step 2 – Present your achievements with impact

Con

tent • Relevant

• Achievements and skills (Vs duties)

• Specific & (if you can) quantify

Lang

uage • Concise

• Power words

• Jargon free

App

eara

nce • Attractive

• Consistent

• Bullet points for readability

Evidence• Provide specific evidence of your relevant skills and

experience using the STAR method:

S Situation: Briefly outline the scenario, date, place

T Task: Describe what you had to do

A Action: What specific actions did you take?

R Results: What were the (quantitative) results?

Evidence Based Skills LanguageInactive 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 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

Skill-based CVPresents your main skill areas

Advantages Strong emphasis on skills Jobs and work history are

more secondary Can help overcome 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

Shortlisting exercise – your chance to choose….

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

• 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)

CV checklist

How does yoursshape up?

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

Career Development Centre Services1-to-1

Guidance

E-Advice

Vacancies& Events

InformationResources

Volunteering

Talent Bank

Mentoring

Slides are available: www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster

 Evaluation

How was it for you?

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!

…and don’t forget to sign up for more workshops from the Skills Academy….

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