© Imperial College LondonPage 1 Creating a Winning CV Careers Advisory Service

Careers Advisory Service Page 2 This session will cover: The basic do’s and don’ts Ideas on content Ideas on layout Some thoughts on specialist CVs Ideas on where to get more help An opportunity to ask questions

Careers Advisory Service Page 3 The basics before you start Research the industry sector and job area first. –Know what you are applying for and to whom. –Make sure you know what a potential employer is going to be looking for in terms of qualifications, skills and experience. Employers spend an average of 60 seconds looking at each CV. Yours must be clear, relevant and targeted to get into the shortlist pile. Your CV is your selling document so you decide the final look and content.

Careers Advisory Service Page 4 Content and headings The following headings are a guideline: You need to think about your own information and adapt or add as necessary –Name & contact details –Education & Qualifications –Specific Skills –Career Details (Work Experience) –Additional Information (Hobbies & Interests) –References

Careers Advisory Service Page 5 Curriculum Vitae Personal Details Surname: Jones First name: Elizabeth Home Address:35 Ridgeway Road, Isleworth, London, TW17 5TP Term Address: Flat 3, 54 Northanger Road, London SW7 4RT Telephone Number: Mobile Number: E mail: Nationality: BritishSex: Female Status: SingleDate of Birth: 24 September 1983 Your details - an example

Careers Advisory Service Page 6 Key points Make an impact with your name and details. Avoid unnecessary labels Keep contact details simple –Just one reliable address & telephone number Consider first impressions –Inappropriate addresses –Unprofessional messages on answer phones If in shared accommodation ensure people are primed to take messages Keep details to minimum and only those of direct relevance at point of application You may wish to include nationality in order to clarify need for work permit

Careers Advisory Service Page 7 Elizabeth Jones Flat 3 54 Northanger Road London SW7 4RT Improved example

Careers Advisory Service Page 8 Education 1994 – 1999 Isleworth School, Ridgeway Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW5 4DL GCSE's gained in: Maths (A)Physics (A) Chemistry (A) Design & Technology (A) Geography (A) English Language (B), German (B) Art (C) English Literature (C) 1999 – 2001Isleworth School, as above A-levels gained in: Physics (A), Mathematics (A), Computer Science (C) 2001 – 2005 Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, expected 2:1 Education section – an example

Careers Advisory Service Page 9 Key points Make sure that most recent qualifications come first. Highlight what you have done, degree title in bold and first. Give the most detail to the most relevant qualifications. Identify the work related skills gained from your degree. Avoid long lists of modules and subject areas but for technical jobs include those that are of particular relevance. Include any work related projects or assignments and remember to describe the achievements and outcomes. Don’t include full addresses for institutions. Optional whether to include GCSEs – after first degree level these would not usually be included.

Careers Advisory Service Page 10 Education & Qualifications 2001 – 2005 MEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering (expected 2:1) Imperial College London The degree course provided me with a sound base for the application of mathematics to real-life problems as well as practical hands-on skills development in computer-aided design (CAD) of industrial quality for integrated circuit layout and design and microprocessor development systems. The courses included a range of technical subjects, and I developed excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills and worked in teams on a range of project. Also developed sound analytical and problem-solving skills. Final year project work investigated challenges for modern manufacturing techniques for optical communications in the 21st century. End of project report received ‘best of year’ award sponsored by BT – 2001Isleworth School, Middlesex A-levels: Physics (A), Mathematics (A), Computer Science (C) GCSE's: 9 Grade A-C, including 5 A's Improved example

Careers Advisory Service Page 11 Experience Star Jewellers In the summer of 2004 and then part time while studying I worked as a sales assistant selling costume jewellery to customers. GEC Marconi I did an industrial placement and worked on various projects. We built and tested prototype circuits for may different applications. Onkar Fashions I had a Saturday job here working on basic sales work mainly fashion accessories. Work experience - an example

Careers Advisory Service Page 12 Key points Use headings with more impact – Career Details/Work Experience/Engineering Experience. Highlight job roles rather than companies Use sub headings to allow you to bring relevant work to the top even if out of chronological order. Think about achievements and beneficial outcomes not just duties. Use part-time work to indicate valuable transferable skills.

Careers Advisory Service Page 13 Career Details Engineering Experience Electronic Design Engineer BAe Systems –6 month fulltime Industrial placement –Designed and built digital circuits using CAD –Tested prototype systems making recommendations on further development –Selected and approved military specification components suitable for use in specific equipment –Monitored and controlled project budgets achieving considerable cost savings –Member of multidisciplinary team, producing results within deadlines –Wrote and presented written reports to senior management team. Commercial Experience Sales Assistant (part time) Star Jewellers, London –Customer Service Trained –Negotiated sales and dealt with customer complaints –Responsible for cashing up and banking –Trained new staff in store procedures 2002 – 2003 Stock Controller/Sales Assistant (part time) Onkar Fashions Ltd, London –Liaised with suppliers about the ordering of goods –Implemented new computerised stock control system –Organised displays, promotions and point of sale material –Stock taking

Careers Advisory Service Page 14 Skills – an example Skills I have a driving licence. I am computer literate, being familiar with a wide range of packages and systems. I have also recently started evening classes in German.

Careers Advisory Service Page 15 Key points Use sub headings to separate out different types of skills. Give adequate detail for technical packages. Check to find out what software is used for the job applied to. Don’t forget languages, driving licence, health & safety, first aid etc.

Careers Advisory Service Page 16 Improved example Computer Skills Software: Proficient in GNU C, JDE, Microsoft Visual Studio Programming Languages: Conversant with C++, Java, Assembly, SQL, Haskell, Prolog Operating Systems: Competent in use of Linux, MS Windows Languages Currently learning German Conversational French Driving Licence - Full clean UK Licence

Careers Advisory Service Page 17 Hobbies I enjoy all sports including Tennis and Cricket; like reading; and Travelling; have done some voluntary work. I have been a prefect at school and at college I have held some positions of responsibility in the International Societies Additional information section – an example

Careers Advisory Service Page 18 Key points Use positive headings such as: –Interests and Responsibilities –Responsibilities and Achievements Give a range of interests and bullet or bold each one. Avoid one word interest lists. Use key words and phrases to say how involved you are. Demonstrate your enthusiasms, personality, how you get on with people, how you fit into different environments through what you chose to do. Quantify your achievements where possible.

Careers Advisory Service Page 19 Interests and Responsibilities TennisEnjoy playing doubles in tournaments at my local club CricketMember of school and College teams TravelEnjoy independent travel and have visited Germany, Canada, east coast USA; plus several visits to India and Kenya International Societies Vice-Chairman Member of negotiating team to achieve budget from Student Union Responsible for organising the Society’s social programme Have held the following posts - Publicity Officer, Events Chairman, Chief Treasurer Main Achievements Increased membership by 10% and attendance at events by 25% Managed a number of events within budget Negotiated good value for money for catering, flyers and disco Motivated teams through clear communication to meet strict deadlines Improved version

Careers Advisory Service Page 20 References Two is the norm, one academic, one from work environment. Give name, job title and contact details, full postal address, , telephone number. Make sure you check with referees first. Provide your referees with details about the types of jobs you are applying for, copy of your CV and any other relevant information. If you are very short of space leave the details off and indicate that references are available on request. Have them ready to provide when asked.

Careers Advisory Service Page 21 Specialist CVs For certain career areas it might be important to include slightly different headings –Technical Skills –Laboratory Skills –Teaching Skills –Publications, conferences etc –Membership of Professional Bodies The more technical and subject related the job the more detail you include on the content of the degree. There are some variations on CV format for different parts of the world, research what is the norm for the region you are applying to.

Careers Advisory Service Page 22 The covering letter – why have one? To sell yourself by making links between your education, work experience and interests and the job role you’re applying for To demonstrate your motivation (say why you’re interested, show enthusiasm and personality) To provide other information, e.g. about availability for interview

Careers Advisory Service Page 23 The covering letter – key points (1 of 2) Normally one side of A4 Formal presentation Preferably to a named person: “Dear Mr./Ms. Smith,” (Yours sincerely) “Dear Sir or Madam,” (Yours faithfully)

Careers Advisory Service Page 24 The covering letter – key points (2 of 2) Four key sections: 1.What you are contacting them about? 2.Why you want to work in that job for that company? 3.Why they should be interested in you – i.e. what you have to offer 4.What you hope will happen next

Careers Advisory Service Page 25 Further help and resources for CV writing From the Careers Information Room temporarily at 48 Prince’s Gardens –Take away booklets and leaflets –Reference books –DVDs and Videos - ‘Looking good on Paper’ –Information on CVs for other countries For a copy of this presentation go to resources/adviceandguidance/careersserviceseminars1