1st Year PSP1 Workshop:

CVs & Covering Letters

Guidance on CVs & covering letters in Placement Booklet and on PSP1 Bb site

https://shuspace.shu.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

follow guidelines closely but make them unique to you

Remember the aim of a CV

CVs

CV required in your PSP1 portfolio

It must be current - one from college or 6th form is not appropriate!

You need an up-to-date well-written CV to apply for placements, summer jobs etc.

You ALL need work experience for PSP3 module

CVs (for a placement application)email copy to J.Adhikari@shu.ac.uk if intending

applying for placements (by April 10th 2013)get feedback from placement administrator (only

if you follow guidelines!)update during summer - results, work

experience etcfinal electronic version by 20th September 2013

to J.Adhikari@shu.ac.ukIt is your responsibility to ensure the final

version of your CV is appropriate for applications

update during your second year - results work experience etc.

General points (all CVs):must be factually correct (employers sometimes ask us

for verification of information e.g. results transcripts)check spelling and grammaruse bullet pointsbe as positive, informative and interesting as possible2-3 sides of A4 maximum lengthboth content and presentation are important

Get some critical but constructive feedbackLook at example CVs (http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs.htm

)

Ask yourself: Would you give this person an interview based on this

CV?

Specific 'content' points:

present course info should start on page one - include module and overall results

be concise re work experience: group similar experience together

emphasize skills acquiredstart of placement is 2014head the CV with Sheffield Hallam University

BSc(Hons) xxxyear 2 modules are included in the year

handbook - include them!

Specific 'presentation' points:

personal info / early education - can use slightly smaller font

avoid paragraphs and full sentencesuse bullet pointsselective use of bold to highlight achievements /

key wordsavoid the use of 'I'change page set up from default for better layout;

presentation is important and may indicate IT skills!

look at a hard copy of your CV before submitting it; proof-reading and presentation

Which is easier to read?This?

When producing a CV many people will fail to identify what the client (i.e. the employer) is looking for. They may not be confident and hence will undersell or underestimate their abilities, hence providing a reduced picture of their skills. They may also fail to provide the right evidence to support the key skills they are claiming to have. Even worse they may not even mention those skills. Not obtaining an interview is often seen as negative and complete rejection of the person and rather than asking for constructive feedback to help with future applications people may give up.

or this?

When producing a CV, many people:

• Fail to identify what the employer is looking for

• Undersell and underestimate themselves• Fail to provide the right evidence to

support key skills • Fail to ask for constructive feedback

Remember:your CV is to get you an interview (1st

impressions count!)

the reader may only take 15 seconds to scan a CV

follow the guidance provided (p33 booklet) and use the resources available to you

look at the websites given with the CV guidelines

Covering LettersMany companies require a covering letter to

accompany application forms and/or CVs

the covering letter must be specific to the application (a general one will not do)

use the job descriptions on Bb (PSP1 employability folder) to produce a covering letter

submit electronically to J.Adhikari@shu.ac.uk for feedback if you intend doing a placement

Covering letters (contd)

follow guidance in placement booklet (p41)

ensure you use appropriate layout and terminology

must be factually correct

check spelling / grammar (presentation)

Covering Letters (contd)

link job description / requirements to your skills / course

should encourage the reader to look at CV

convey enthusiasm for the job / company

Once you have a good covering letter you can use it as guidance when producing further specific ones for applications next year

Why Now?preparing a CV, practising completing

application forms and writing covering letters will help you with all 'job' applications

you ALL need work experience for PSP3; this will help you get it!