Careers CVs and Cover Letters Careers

Careers Understand the purpose of a CV Know what to include and structure Review good and bad example Identify how the careers service can help you

Careers What’s the purpose of a CV? Show that you meet the requirements of the job Give a professional impression of yourself An effective CV should win you an An effective CV should win you an interview interview

Careers What is different about a UK style CV? UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience. Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy. Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information.

Careers Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills No ‘personal details’ section No longer than two pages You need to provide the names of two referees but not actual letters of reference

Careers What to include? Essential – Contact details – Education history – Relevant Work / Other Work – References Optional – Personal profile – Positions of responsibility – Volunteering – Interests / Leisure Activities

Careers Where to start? With the job specification! Write your CV to fulfill these requirements

Careers Personal Details - main purpose is for contact details (phone/ ) - is the address appropriately professional? - don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality - may wish to state right to work

Careers Personal Profile (optional) – targeted to job - where you are now “Current student of IT at Queen Mary University of London… - where you want to get to in your career “…looking for a job in technology within a City bank.” - skills relevant to the job & how gained “Organisational skills proved by my ability to manage study and part-time work. Ability to lead demonstrated in my role as Captain of the Cricket Team.” - no more than 4 lines

Careers Education History Education (2009-) MSc Computing & Information Systems, Queen Mary University Key modules: advanced network programming, computational genomics, graphical user interface design (2006-’09) BSc Mathematics, University of California (2:1) Final year Project: 60% Skills gained: Ability to work Independently through final year project Attention to detail through complex maths problems (2001-’08) Berkeley High School (USA) Finals: 85% (A Level Equivalent) SATS: 77% Targeted to job

Careers Relevant Work Experience (2008) Summer I.T Internship, Orangecounty Bank Solving IT problems for staff Assisting on developing new software ideas Administration for the department Other Work Experience ( ) Sales Assistant, IT Solutions Providing good customer service by answering enquiries, listening, prompt service and tailoring information to customer needs. Stocktaking & maintaining the shop floor Managing a team of three people: timetabling lunchhours, supervising new staff, training for new staff, signing in/out at the end of the day. Work History

Careers Other Skills Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere Specific skills such as: IT (software/programming), Languages, Lab experience Quantify experience i.e. competency level Keep it relevant and provide evidence

Careers Interests A professional document! Can help to fill skill gaps e.g. Cricket team captain = leadership “Captain of cricket team for local club, organising matches, training and motivating other players.”

Careers References Most employers want at least two (academic & professional) Get permission Useful to have references forwarded from tutors/employers in home country ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable

Careers Common Errors Chronology Poor use of margins and formatting Use of tables and photographs Resume style- too brief More than 2 pages – too long! Use of footnotes

Careers Your turn Review the CV 1 – what’s good, what could be done better? Review CV 1 – how does it differ/what are the improvements? What changes are you going to make on your CV? ( CV Checklist)

Careers Cover Letters 1 st Paragraph (short) : Who you are/why you ’ re writing to them 2 nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role 3 rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills 4 th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them

Careers Speculative Applications No vacancy Be willing to do any role You MUST show passion for the company Show how you ‘match’ them Example letter…

Careers How can we help you? WG3 – nr The Octagon CV Clinics: & 2.15 Mock interviews - bookable Events: Appointments Vacancies