CVs and Applications for Placements Aston University Careers and Employability Centre 2010

Aims of this session What employers are looking for in applications and CVs Understand how to answer difficult questions Learn about Competencies How to market yourself more effectively on paper

Planning your application We spend more time planning our holidays than our careers

Planning - self awareness Its all about reflection

How do Employers select? Advertise role in variety of ways Create a job specification Consider the job requirements (skills and previous experience)

An quote from an employer ” We are looking for candidates who will: - deliver results -learn and improve, -make sound decisions, think imaginatively, -use interpersonal skills, -communicate clearly/persuasively

What is a CV? A marketing tool setting out your suitability for a role by giving evidence of your skills in an easy to absorb format

Target your CV Who is my audience? What do they need from me? Why do they need this?

What the employer wants Recruit quickly at little cost Gather evidence to meet their selection criteria Efficient, fair, meeting a standard criteria, not just filling vacancy quotas Make me want to read the CV. Presentation is vital. Cluttered CVs are hard to read. I read hundreds at a time. So, if it’s hard to read I won’t read it - I just don’t have the time “ I need to justify my reasons for selections, no evidence of skills is why many people fail to secure an interview. “ What Employers tell us

What do employers want from a CV? They want information that is: Clear and relevant Evidence of what you have done how and when Easy to read and digest information

The Process of planning your CV Step 1 What does the Employer want/need? Step 2 what can YOU offer? Step 3 Demonstrate how step one is met by step two “I receive over a 1,000 CVs and can easily sift out those who don’t demonstrate they meet our criteria” An employer

What goes into a CV Contact details Education history Work Experience Skills? Interests References

What should Education section cover? Your current course is a selling point! Your current course is a selling point! Sell it! BSc (Hons) Aston University (anticipated 2:1) Key modules: Placement Year at … Achieved … Positions of Responsibility Project / Dissertation Title … Gained practical experience of … e.g. in-depth research, statistical analysis techniques, presentations and project management.

Work Experience Contracts Assistant, BT Placement Year Assisted in preparation of long term business plan … Led a project team and met targets which required … Ensured advertising and promotional materials by … Proposed alternative marketing opportunities that increased … Co-ordinated customer marketing activities by … Developed core marketing skills such as … Achieved excellent results for … Presented results to senior managers monthly at …

A separate skills section? You can incorporate your skills within other sections or you can have a separate, specific section It is what ever works best for you Don’t repeat skills!

What other information should I include? Specific skills e.g. languages, computing (stating level of expertise) Achievements e.g. course rep, sales person of the month etc. Interests should be interesting and reflect you

References Two (Academic and Work) Available on request if no space Must include; Name Title Organisation (if applicable) Address Postcode Telephone &

Impact Presentation and style Use of language Demonstrated Exceeded Co-operated Achieved

Top CV tips Make sure your CV and covering letter are professional – check you are using language appropriate for a business letter Always tailor your application to the job role – a general CV and covering letter won’t get you anywhere! Do something with your time – volunteering is impressive on any CV. Remember that voluntary/temporary work might lead to a permanent paid position Taken from Prospects ‘Top Tips ‘2009

Why should you use covering letters Supports your CV and draws attention to it Allows further elaboration/evidence Highlights your motivation

21 Effective covering letters Four/five paragraphs long State post applied for, job reference, where advertised Don’t just repeat what is in the CV Explain your suitability for the position Explain why them – your motivation for applying Make it interesting and relevant

Summary Research Plan Provide evidence Tailor your CV to each application

Why do employers use application forms? To check suitability/potential To check motivation To select for interview/assessment

Demonstrate how you meet the criteria Use examples and give evidence !

Tough questions - examples When have you worked as part of a team? What issues have you faced?

Why is the employer asking this question? What are they looking for? Evidence of skills: Team working Interpersonal Negioation Influencing Analysis Judgement Self awareness Team players are essential. Give them an indication of your role in the team. Talk about what you did - not Vague ‘we’. Underline what you have learned and how it links to this job.

Tough Questions So, why did you apply for this job?

Why is the employer asking this question? What are they looking for? Evidence of Skills: Motivation Commitment Self awareness Analysis Here they are looking for your motivation. What do you know about the job? The sector? Show your enthusiasm and your knowledge

Tough Questions Tell us about a challenging situation you have faced. How did you deal with this and what did you learn?

Why is the employer asking this question? What are they looking for? Evidence of Skills Analysis Time management Planning and organisation Communication (listening) Questioning Influencing Adaptability Judgement So, how did you cope? What did you learn from the experience? Not only demonstrate how you coped under stress but your strength of character and how you reflected

Tackling the questions Purpose Evidence and examples ‘Action’ words

How to answer competency questions ContextResultAction

What makes a good answer? Example One - Organising and Planning “Tell us about a demanding assignment or activity that you have had to plan, organise and put into action? What did you do and what was the outcome?” How would you approach this question?

An employer’s tip “We are interested in what you have done but are more interested in what you have achieved and learned from the experience”

Motivation - WHY THEM? What we don’t want to hear is a standard answer. We know when a candidate is quoting our website or our marketing material. We’d like people to show that they have researched the company and culture, know about our competitors, our business and recent deals”. Real World,

Three strikes and you are out! Feedback from major graduate recruiter We mark each competency –based question out of five. To progress candidates must score at least three in all questions. Three mistakes: spelling; grammar or inconsistencies and the answer is automatically given a two.

- Word limits - losing words without losing meaning Whilst I was on my sandwich placement at company X, it was my responsibility to do the administration for the Head of Human Resources. This involved me in filing and I also had to speak to staff on the phone to clarify any problems that may have arisen At X, my HR administrative role included: filing and clarifying staff problems by phone

Have a strategy Check closing dates/criteria Research employers and jobs Evidence your motivation, previous experience, skills etc Seek advice Consider your presentation

Interviews Wednesday 17 th November 1pm, Sumpner Lecture Theatre Next session is on…

Stay if you want and ask questions on applications, if not see you next time And now Q & A….