com 417 . learning outcomes at the end of this session you will be able to: understand where you...
TRANSCRIPT
COM 417
http://careers.ulster.ac.uk
Learning OutcomesAt the end of this session you will be able to:
Understand where you lost marks in your CV and Covering Letter
Prepare for interviews
CV Sheets returned. Scheme based on your School’s placement form
Personal details Home Address & Term Address – give dates Career Objective - no more than 30 words Education - degree first, reverse order IT Skills - Operating systems, Development languages, Applications Work Experience - give dates and use bullet points, reverse
order Interests and Achievements – Use dates and organise in
bullet points Additional Information – to strengthen your case Two Referees – One must be your studies adviser
You’ve Got 30 Seconds!
Your CV should be like a good 30 second TV
advertisement
Personal Details
Name – centre and bold, font size 14
Address, home and term if applicable
Telephone numbers
Email address if hotmail be careful what you use
Date of birth? optional
Career Objective
Many employers and recruiters like to see a personal profile or summary on a CV.
It is not essential, but it can help demonstrate that you are focused (as long as you are).
The section should be short and concise: three lines is about the right length.
It should clarify your career plan and/or highlight your key qualities.
Examples
I am a highly motivated, confident and enthusiastic computing student with an aptitude for programming and excellent team skills. I am seeking a stimulating and challenging placement job as a junior Software Engineer where I can contribute the theoretical knowledge that I gained during my two years at university.
A highly motivated and enthusiastic person, I would welcome the opportunity of working in the challenging environment of a dynamic and expanding softward engineering company.
Education
Reverse chronological order Mention where you are
studying and the title of your degree
Mention and describe projects/ and assignments
Don’t go further back than GCSEs or Leaving Cert
Skills Profile Operating Systems: Unix, Windows XP
Development Languages: JAVA, C++, SQL, VB, PHP, Java Script
Applications: Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver
Other skills to add could be foreign languages, skills gained through work, ie basic hygiene, training in sales …
Work Experience
Reverse chronological order
Separate relevant experience if necessary
Responsibilities, duties and results
Skills acquired – be specific
Equipment/techniques used
Include placement, part-time, vacation and voluntary work
Achievements / Interests Extra curricular activities
Prizes, responsibilities
Sports activities
Activities within teams
Positions of responsibility
Voluntary work
Interests/Achievements
This section provides you with an opportunity to sell yourself using information outside your employment and other work experience.
You can create subdivisions within it. For example, academic achievements such as prizes; sporting achievements; memberships of clubs and societies.
Explain to the employer how these achievements make you a desirable candidate. For example, you may be a member of the local rowing club but might also act as treasurer, which is a position of responsibility and involves organisational and money handling skills.
Additional information Situation (What was the context? Where were you and
what were you doing?) Task (What was your goal? What was the problem or
challenge?) Action (What action did you take? Be explicit about your
role.) Result (What was the outcome and why? What would
you do differently another time?)
Referees 1 academic, must be a lecturer from
Magee
1 work related
Give name, title, address, phone & email
Always get permission, and inform when you are using their names
CV – the Essentials
Be professional
Use bullet points
No more that 2 pages
Be positive
Check grammar and spelling
Do not give incorrect information
First Principles in CVs/Applications
Be clearBe conciseBe completeBe consistentBe current