cvs and applications for postgrads - worked examples and q&a
TRANSCRIPT
CVS AND APPLICATIONS FOR POSTGRADS -WORKED EXAMPLES AND Q&A
Elizabeth WilkinsonCareers Consultant for Postgraduates
What I’ll cover
The University of Manchester Careers Service
Curate your life (tailoring)
From description to insight
Make every word count
Q&A
2
How do I change my CV to apply for different jobs?
University2015-2019 BSc Biology2019-2020 MSc Biotechnology
SchoolA levelsGCSEsYoung Enterprise competition
SkillsSDS-PAGE, western blotting, antibody staining,
RT-PCR …Teamwork, communication, sewingProjects …
Work experienceNovember 2014 Work experience,
Greater Manchester PoliceApril 2015 Lab experience, Syngenta
Work experience (continued)Summer 2016 Retail assistant, Trinkets2017-2018 Researcher, Astra ZenecaSummer 2019 Set up pop-up shop retailing
vintage & vintage-inspired clothing
Positions of responsibilityChair, Young Enterprise team, High SchoolPASS coordinator, Faculty of Life Sciences
AwardsWinner, Faculty Enterprise competition
InterestsTravelReadingMaking vintage inspired-clothing
Research scientist
University2019-2020 MSc Biotechnology
Modules studied include Projects …
2015-2019 BSc BiologyModules studied includeProjects …
2009-2017 SchoolA levels
Technical SkillsSDS-PAGE - …Western blotting …Antibody staining …
Industrial experience
2015-2018 Researcher, Astra Zeneca
April 2015 Lab experience, Syngenta
Other Work experienceSummer 2019 Set up pop-up shop retailing
vintage & vintage-inspired clothing
Summer 2016 Retail assistant, Trinkets
Positions of responsibilityPASS coordinator, Faculty of Life Sciences
AwardsWinner, Faculty Enterprise competition
InterestsTravel including …Making vintage inspired-clothing
Non-science business role
Personal Profile: Highlight business achievements
University2019-2020 MSc Biotechnology
Modules studied include Project: Commercialisation of …
2015-2019 BSc BiologyModules studied include Enterprise, IT skills Enterprise project …
2009-2015 SchoolA levels
Business experienceSummer 2019
Set up pop-up shop retailing vintage & vintage-inspired clothing
AwardsWinner, Faculty Enterprise competition
Other work experience2017-2018 Researcher, Astra Zeneca
Developed …Summer 2016 Retail assistant, Trinkets
Positions of responsibilityPASS coordinator, Faculty of Life SciencesChair, Young Enterprise team, High School
InterestsMaking vintage inspired-clothingTravel, including …
How do I write a personal profile which isn’t cheesy or empty?
“Economics postgraduate with over 3 years retail experience and
commercial skills gained from a successful internship with PwC in
project management. Seeking a graduate project manager role within
your organisation.”
“ I am a hardworking, motivated & energetic individual with
excellent communication and team work skills. I have
unparalleled numerical skills and a fierce ambition to
succeed.”
Evidence, not opinion – example 1
How do I write a personal profile which isn’t cheesy or empty?
“ I am a hardworking, motivated & energetic individual with
excellent communication and team work skills. I have
unparalleled numerical skills and a fierce ambition to
succeed.”
“An ambitious science postgraduate with a strong track record of
student leadership and delivering projects at a national and local
level. Looking to apply my strengths in analysis and problem solving in
a project management role in the XXX industry”
Evidence, not opinion – example 2
Personal ProfilesReal examples – example 1
“A highly motivated postgraduate in Modern Languages with proven
communication skills. Working in higher education outreach, I have
experience in dealing with multiple stakeholders to plan and deliver
several projects simultaneously.
Previous charity and education roles in the UK and abroad have
developed my enthusiasm for working with young people and
promoting an excellent student experience.”
“A bilingual professional with 5 years of experience in project
management, and a background in financial analysis, with proven
success in leading teams and applying innovation in large companies.”
Personal ProfilesReal examples – example 2
How do I cram everything on to a 1 page CV?
+ Lots of detail in a small space
+ Can be outcome focused & quantified
+ OK(-ish!) for one page CV
- Small fonts, narrow margins, no spacebetween lines make it hard to skim read
- Hard to pick out relevant activities
- Little detail on what you actually did
- Overwhelming for 2 pages
The importance of targeting – and editing
Create more impact• Focus on fewer but more relevant
achievements• Give these more space• If possible, add “insight”
How do I describe my achievements effectively?
Postgraduate Society – Social Secretary
Responsibilities:• Sit on the Postgraduate Committee• Attend regular meetings• Organise events during the year for postgraduates in the
department
Postgraduate Society – Social Secretary
I had to take part in the regular Postgraduate Committee meetings. I also had to organise at least 3 events during the year, including the Summer Ball.
Postgraduate Society – Social Secretary
• I worked with the other 6 members of the Postgraduate Committee and organised the summer ball for the Postgraduate Society.
• I booked a venue, got extra funding, booked a band, got tickets and posters printed and sold tickets.
• On the night, took tickets on the door, dealt with problems with the venue and sorted out the disco when the DJ didn’t turn up.
Make it sound positive and include more detail …
Postgraduate Society – Social Secretary
Led the organisation of the summer ball for 230 people, working with the other 6 members of the Postgraduate Committee. Negotiated £400 sponsorship from local businesses and developed a communications campaign which increased attendance by 40% year on year.
Dealing with issues on the night taught me that when under pressure, I can keep calm, be resourceful and solve problems effectively.
Raise your game:Quantify, include skills, reflect – insight!
How do I add impact to my descriptions?
Avoid over emphasis
X Excellently
X Tremendously
X Extremely
(could use “very” or “really” – but sparingly)
Avoid “I had to …”
Try these instead
- Chose
- Opted
- Elected
- Determined
- Decided
Use strong verbs
- Established
- Persuaded
- Negotiated
- Doubled
- Generated
- Introduced
How do I add impact to my descriptions?
Focus on the verb
I made an improvement to …
➔ Improved …
Don’t “start to”, just do
Started to develop …
➔ Developed …
Don’t do something “in order to”, just do
I set up a meeting in order to sort out the disagreements
➔ Convened a meeting to resolve the conflicts
Cut the padding
Questions?
More help on CVs?
18The University of Manchester Careers Service
Careers Service website–Advice and webinars–Example CVs–“Active language” list
Application & CV support–20 minute, 1-1 tutorial style appointments–Led by our student partner interns via
Zoom/Skype–5 are postgrads (Masters and PhDs)–Booked through CareersLink