successful cvs and covering letters - bite sized career talks 2017
TRANSCRIPT
Bite-sized Career Talks | 2017
Successful CVs and Covering Letters
Louise BamfordCareers Consultant
What will be covered…What makes a good CV
Why the Covering Letter is key
.….For the UK
CV facts and figuresFor how long do employers look at CVs?5 – 7 seconds
How many spelling mistakes are acceptable?A big fat zero
Rejection rate if you have a photo on a UK CV?88%
Source: BeHiring 2012
What is a CV? Curriculum vitae – course of your life
A personal marketing document about YOU
First impressions count!
Celebrate your individuality and be yourself
What makes a good CV?
Keep it succinct – why use 20 words when 5 will do? Target – one size rarely fits all Keep it relevant – what does each employer
want? Back it up – list achievements not duties! Separate sections and bullet points for
readability Axe what is not essential!
Evidence Identify what each employer wants Demonstrate how you meet the criteria Provide specific evidence of your skills and
experience using the CAR method
Context – where were you? What did you have to do?
Action – what action did you take? Be explicit about your role
Result - what was the outcome and why?
Evidence Based Skills Language
Inactive Style• My duties included serving customers at the bar• I handled cash and kept the area tidy. I had to work under pressure and work well in a team
Active Style• Initiated and implemented an idea for a new student happy
hour promotion resulting in 10% increase in sales• Supervised 3 staff members – communicating individual
responsibilities, whilst encouraging team collaboration so department targets were consistently met
Getting the format right Chronological CV Skills-based CV
Starts with your most recent job /
education and works backwards
Advantages
Emphasises continuity and
progression over time
Easy to follow
Good if you have worked for well
known companies
Disadvantages
Difficult if your career is patchy
Harder if changing careers
Not so good if you have limited
relevant experience
Presents your main skill areas
Advantages
Strong emphasis on skills
Jobs and work history are more
secondary
Overcomes the difficulty of not
having a lot of experience
Flexible
Disadvantages
Difficult if you want to emphasise
continuity
Might lose the impact of any
prestigious companies you have
worked for
Sample CVs
Chronological CV
Skills-based CV
CV language Every word counts! Use positive, powerful and simple
language Action words Sell not tell! Check and double check grammar and
spelling DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
FOR ANYTHING
Creative CVs – if appropriate
CV checklist
How does yoursshape up?
Covering letter / email essentials… Keep it business-like Write to a named person or Dear Sir/Madam Watch spelling and grammar - do not use abbreviations,
email or text language Include credible explanations for weak points (if needed) Sign off correctly – ‘yours sincerely’ for a named person or
‘yours faithfully’ for Sir/Madam, or Regards for an email
Reference / subject line
Paragraph 1 – Why are you writing
Paragraph 2 – What are you offering the employer (key points)
Paragraph 3 – What attracts you to the job role and company
Paragraph 4 – End on a positive note
Get the content right….
Show you know what is involved in the role and what the
company does.
Link this to things you have done and enjoyed.
Make it personal to you (vs other applicants)
…..Why do you want to work in this role and for this company?
CV Help from Career Development Centre
Online information and advice on CVs, Covering letters and application forms
Face-to-face advice and guidance 20 minute quick query session 45 minute in-depth individual guidance or
mock interview session
…….And Mondays 11 – 1pm here at Marylebone!
– Click icon to add picture
Our new online content management system to engage with you and your future career
What is it? An online secure hub where students can:
Access Career Development Centre services and resources
book appointments book careers events view vacancies find work placements view employers view careers information download resources complete online forms ask a question
– Click icon to add pictureDownload slides fromSlideshare www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster
Evaluation How did we do?
Summary Follow the instructions Target every application (country, sector, company, role) Choose a style and language to market you
effectively Use evidence to persuade Quality Vs quantity!
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