CV writing What are your concerns about your CV / writing your CV?

CV writing Kathryn McFarlane, Careers Adviser.

CV writing - purpose Discuss structure and style of CV Explore examples of CVs - to inform your own practice

Careers course Career Management Skills CV writing - 30th October Application forms and covering letters - 22nd January Interviews - 19th February

Targeting your applications Your skills, experience and qualifications Their criteria The overlap

Types of CV - conventional Personal details Education and qualifications (in reverse) Work experience (in reverse) Skills Interests Referees

Types of CV - Skills based Personal details Personal profile - optional - prove it! Skills profile - draw a match between your skills and the employers requirements. Education and qualifications, work experience, interests - factual, very brief Referees

Types of CV Academic Electronic Visual / creative

CV tips Positive (your advertisement) Targeted at opportunity, highlight relevant areas Appropriate style Interesting content - no clichés Brief and punchy second attention span 2 pages maximum Spell and grammar checked Arms length test

Comments from a recruiter What is the first thing you look for? Layout - logical, easy to follow What is likely to make you reject a CV? Spelling mistake / lack of information. Bland CV

Comments from a recruiter What is likely to make you consider a CV seriously? Good academic record; something about you as a person, e.g. extra curricular activities, hobbies, interests. Practical work experience (not necessarily law related) Other evidence of ability to work with people or showing initiative

Comments from a recruiter What is your preferred format for a CV? Typed Personal details; academic history; work experience; personal information. Include personal profile, skills section outlining skills and evidence, hobbies and interests.

CV howlers I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse. Received a plague for Salesperson of the year. Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details. Marital status: often. Children: various.