Dr Mona Ghassemian

Wednesday-30/02/94

CV Workshop

Tell me . .

1. What is a CV? 2. How is it used? 3. Who uses it?

A CV tells the recruiter what experience you have that is relevant and how your skills match the ones they want for their job. It is your chance to help secure an interview!

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Aims and Objectives

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

Recognise the importance of writing a good CV.Recognise the importance of proof-reading for

spelling, punctuation, grammar and meaning.Proof-read a “inexperienced CV” and suggest ways of

improving it.Identify your own skills and personal qualities.Draft your own CV.Draft your own cover letter.

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It’s all about you

CVs are an opportunity to show an employer why you are an ideal candidate for the job.

A good CV will:Stand out from the crowd.Draw attention to your relevant skills, experience,

achievements and potential.Create such an impression on the employer that they will not

be able to turn you down for interview.

Everyone has potentialEveryone has more skills than they think they doEveryone can write a good CV

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Activity A: Draft your CV

Individually or in pairs: write on a piece of a paper, your thoughts to the following questions:

1.What am I most proud of in my career? 2.When have I received good feedback on my skills

from colleagues, managers, lecturers, team mates? 3.When have I used the skills I listed above? 4.What have I achieved, improved, put in place, as a

result of all of this?

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Drafting a CV

You can find CV templates on most recruitment agency and many government websites including Learn Direct and Directgov (see reference slide).

There are no hard and fast rules about which CV template is best and each person should pick a template that they like and they feel will best present them as a potential employee.

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CV formats

In case you are familiar with LaTeX, have a look at "ModernCV" package in LateX which provide easy to create CVs. There are many common templates that you can use as guidance.

You will find a CV template in MS-word as well which you can use. Try The 7 Best Resume Templates for Microsoft Word in 2014 or Trendy Resumes – Creative Resume Templates – some of the best resume templates out there!

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Proof-read

One obvious but often overlooked aspect of good CV writing is proof-reading for spelling, punctuation and other errors.

Make sure that your CV is the best document you possess. It could make all the difference to get you that interview!

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CVs should be checked, drafted, re-drafted and then checked again.

Do

Use a standard font size in black ink.Include recent and relevant work experience (paid or voluntary).Be consistent in your layout.List your skills and achievements and back up with evidence.Keep it short (maximum 2 pages).Use positive action verbs such as “organised, delivered,

accomplished, achieved”.Include a statement about your career aspirations and what you

have to offer the employer.Be honest but positive (negatives can always be turned into

positives).Proof-read for spelling, punctuation, grammar and meaning.Get someone to check it for you.

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Don’t

Do it in a rush.Leave gaps in employment.Lie. Include irrelevant personal details such as marital status.Simply write a list of duties under work experience (remember you

are selling yourself!).Use flashy or large font.

There is no single way to write a CV. It is your document and can be structured and presented as you wish within a basic framework.

The important thing to remember is that this is the first impression an employer will have of you. It is your marketing brochure through which you are trying to sell yourself.

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A typical CV format consists of ..

Personal information (name, contact details and address)

Personal profile ( write something about you )Work experience ( Skip this if you are a fresh

graduate and put a lot of focus on your skills and education)

Education (start from your latest degree)Skills and Achievements (focus on skills which

are required for the job you are applying and write accordingly)

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A typical CV format consists of ..

Volunteer positions (whether you have worked in a charity or was a member of a professional group such as ACM, IEEE, etc., was involved in organising of an event in your school, you can highlight them in your CV)

Hobbies and interests (write only those which you genuinely like and care about. Don't try to fake this one! Otherwise, you will be caught)

References (When you give out someone's name as reference, first of all, be sure that you have permission to use them as reference. Secondly, let them know they may expect to be contacted. Provide some information on the job you have applied for, so your reference can relate your experience to the job and give you the best possible reference for the job.)12

Activity B: Reviewing A CV

Level 1: Proof-read the CV for spelling, punctuation and

layout.Level 2 : Can you find anything else wrong with the CV?

What’s missing?

All: How could it be improved?

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What is a covering letter?

A covering letter generally accompanies a CVAn important part of an application – not just a

formalityHighlights your key skills and suitability for the job

clearly, concisely and positivelyIt is targeted at the job/sector you are applying forIt complements and develops the information in the

CV rather than duplicates it.

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Opening paragraph

Why are you writing? Responsive name specific job vacancy and where advertised.

Speculative state broad type of work you are interested in, on what basis (e.g. work placement, full time) and when you are available.

Who are you? A xxx undergraduate looking to develop work

experience in …....

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Middle paragraphs

Why that organisation and why that job/industry?- demonstrate knowledge of and interest in both,- make links through your degree subject if appropriate,

Why you?- why should they consider you?- what key skills/strengths can you offer?- support your statements/assertions with evidence,

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Closing paragraph

Polite ending – convey interest and enthusiasm in the role

May be indicate any times available/not available for interview.

Activity C: A Cover Letter assessment

Based on the information provided, assess the cover letter (email) provided to you and make suggestions to improve it.

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Get Hunted by Headhunters

1.Be visible: Get Active on LinkedIn2.Network: Give out your card freely3.Write and get read4.Speak and get heard5. Don’t get too carried away 6.with all the excitement7.Work8.Get Referred9.Online CV

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Resources for writing CVs and cover letters

1. www.prospects.ac.uk - Jobs and Work /Applications and Interviews

2. www.skillsworkshop.org/skillsworkshop.../e3l1l2writinggoodcv.ppt

3. www.targetjobs.co.uk - Careers Advice – Applications and CVs

4. www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-format-for-a-CV

5. www.onestopenglish.com/

6. jobsearch.about.com/od/curriculumvitaewriting/fl/curriculum-vitae-

tips-a-z.htm

Hope you enjoyed the event

Slides will be available at www.itc.sbu.ac.ir Please return your activities to one of the ITC

ExCom members.To join ITC: Contact us at itc@sbu.ac.ir Follow us at instagram itc_sbu and upload

your pictures of today’s event.Enjoy Lunch

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