Uniting Talent and Technology

Effective CV Writing

Presented ByCherry Swayne

Head of CambridgeDP Connect Ltd

First impressions count ….

• An employer will only read your CV for 30 seconds before

deciding whether to interview.

• They will be checking for 3 key things:

1. Are you qualified to do the job?

2. Have you got commercial experience?

3. Are you passionate & enthusiastic about the job?

What to include in your CV

• Header

• Personal Statement & Objective

• Key Technical Skills

• Employment History

• Education

• Achievements / Awards

• Personal Projects / Research

• Additional Information

Header

James Smith16 New Street, Cambridge, CB1 3SD

James.smith93@gmail.com

07842 661 945https://github.com/jamess

uk.linkedin.com/in/jamessmith/

http://stackoverflow.com/users/10027

• Professional email address

• Mobile number (with professional voicemail message)

• Social media profile links – github, stackoverflow, dribbble, Twitter

Personal statement and career objective

Highly motivated computer science graduate, with excellent academic credentials including a first class degree and award winning undergraduate dissertation. Now seeking a graduate position in a software development company, where my Java programming knowledge and strong problem solving skills can be

fully utilised.

• Keep it short and simple• Tailor it to the job you’re applying for• Sell yourself but keep it factual

Real-life examples of personal statements

I am a Software Developer with 2 Years of commercial experience as well as 2 Years of additional Multi-platform Network Administration experience. I have a passion for NLP and Open Source technologies. I am a meticulous developer and keep my projects well documented.

I am a keen programmer who is looking for a job developing software and broadening my knowledge of programming languages. With previous experience of working in a games company, I am a reliable, competent individual who is confident in tackling tasks alone as well as being a great contributor in a team environment. I have a strong understanding of general programming paradigms and can easily pick up programming languages. This is evident by how I taught myself ActionScript 3.0 in the space of two weeks over the summer of 2011.

• Show passion & enthusiasm

• Undertaking projects in your spare time

• Back up your claims with proof

Education

• Reverse chronological order (most recent first)

• List modules studied

• Detail your dissertation topic (if relevant)

• List ‘A’ Level subjects and grades

• GCSEs – don’t list every subject & grade

e.g. 10 GCSEs grades A-C

Work Experience

• Put relevant internships & work experience placements first

• Otherwise – put work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

• Include examples of your responsibilities in bullet points

• Use action words - (see handout)

• Highlight transferable skills

2010 – 2011 Intern at Progress Software

• Using C++, integrated Maths software components into the Progress Apama product.

• Worked independently, helping identify the work scope and schedule.

• Concluded by presenting 'new feature' demos to global field audience.

• Returned the following year to work on 'futures' financial elements.

Transferable Skills

Not all of your work experience will be relevant to your chosen career.

Highlight the key responsibilities & skills you learnt which display the following:

• Self management• Team working• Business & commercial awareness• Problem solving• Communication & literacy• Application of numeracy• Application of IT

Optical Advisor: Using analytical skills to problem solve customer difficulties, culminating in customer satisfaction and diffused situations. Developed a friendly and approachable demeanor and taught me the values of teamwork and co-operation.

IT Supervisor: Responsible for maintaining software and hardware in the store. Gained an appreciation of small networks and troubleshooting general problems that arise with daily usage.

In-store Trainer: This involved training staff on a one-to-one basis. This enhanced my presentation and interpersonal skills.

PR Coordinator: Successfully arranged and orchestrated several store PR events for charity. These were covered by the press and taught me the value of combining, managing and chasing different resources.

Extra Information

• Achievements / Honours

Semi-finalist of the Make Something Unreal Tournament 2013:

Project Managed a team of 10 and orchestrated the development timetable of planned software.

Student Representative for the third year Computer Gaming Technology students:

Liaising with tutors to solve concerns my year group had.

• Memberships / Affiliations

Chair of the MathSoc society during my second and third years, organising events with international speakers and working with our business sponsors.

• Languages Spoken

• Charity / Volunteer work

• Interests : video games, attending expos, programming projects, reading about computing, sport, outdoors activities, chess

Common pitfalls ….

Key points to remember …

Your CV is the only thing standing between you and an interview

You have 30 seconds to convince them that you are:

• Qualified to do the job

• Passionate & enthusiastic

• Capable of learning new skills

Make sure your CV is:

• Easy to read

• Tailored to the job

• Memorable …. For the right reasons!

My contact details

Cherry Swayne

Head of Cambridge

DP Connect Ltd

www.dpconnect.co.uk

Direct dial: 01223 393950

Email: cswayne@dpconnect.co.uk

Please feel free to call me for any advice about finding your first job …..