Marketing yourself on paper “Effective CVs” Karl Fraser Careers Consultant www.rgu.ac.uk/careers k.fraser@rgu.ac.uk

What is a CV? The first point of contact with a potential employer. A personal, targeted marketing tool (what’s your USP?!). A means of highlighting your academic qualifications, skills and work experience. A means of demonstrating your suitability for the position you are applying for. The first step towards obtaining an interview. Remember more applicants are weeded out at this stage than any other during the selection process!

Before you start your CV Research what the employer is looking for. Use job description, website and company brochures. Think about what you have to offer an employer. Give yourself plenty of time.

A sobering thought A major employer dealing with responses to a newspaper ad. will spend about: 15 seconds per CV on the first sift........ 1 minute per CV on the next sift.......... 5-10 minutes per CV on the final sift before short-listing for interview. Before we begin to look at graduate employment statistics Iit’s important to be aware of the changing face of HE and organisations DEARING yet further expansion?? Gone is the job for for life with it’s planned career structure and company training and the clear functional identity with a progressive rise in income and security Instead there is a world of cutomers and clients adding value and life-long learning, portfolio careers, self-development and an overwhelming need to stay employable Routes into employment are also changing. Gone are the days of a national of a large graduate recruiter taking on 300 graduate through a national millk round . The Milkround however still exists alongside graduate training schemes

CV presentation Concise and clear content – don’t waffle “Attention to detail is essential.. Bad grammar and spelling mistakes will ensure your CV goes to the bottom of the pile!” Recruitment Manager, RM – ICT for schools. Concise and clear content – don’t waffle Use simple, positive English Use correct spelling, punctuation and grammar Well laid out and split into sections – i.e. Skills Profile Education Work Experience Interests/Achievements No less than size 10 in a normal font, i.e. Arial or Times New Roman, try Verdana font for a change! Maximum of 2 pages Use a computer and top quality paper

2 main types of CV Chronological Provides all the information most employers want in a familiar format and demonstrates steady development in education and career. Lists education and work experience by date with most recent information first.

Chronological CV – Lay out e.g. Personal Details Career Objective Education (Most recent 1st) Key modules Key skills / abilities developed demonstrated - evidence Work Experience (Most recent 1st) Duties – what did you do, how did it develop you Key skills/abilities demonstrated – evidence Additional Skills Achievements Interests / Activities What do they say about you – evidence of skills / abilities References

2 main types of CV Skills-based Same headings, different lay-out with targeted approach through skills matching. Work experience details kept to a minimum Useful for highlighting particular skills enabling the selector to understand the relevance of skills and experience and for distracting away from a varied career history

Skills Based CV – Lay out e.g. Personal Details Career Objective Key Skills / Skills Profile / Skills & Achievements List Skills relevant to opportunity and evidence from education work experience activities etc your ownership of them – you then need less emphasis on skills developed in the other sections. Education (Most recent 1st) Key modules Work Experience (Most recent 1st) Duties – what did you do, how did it develop you Achievements Interests / Activities What do they say about you – evidence of skills / abilities References

CV content – Personal Details Standard Name Address Telephone number Email address (personal pref.) *think about voicemail/ansaphone messages and appropriateness of e-mail address! Optional Date of Birth Nationality & Gender (unless you are an international student) Not required Marital status Photograph

CV content – Career Objective (optional) Short, snappy opening statement to set the scene for the employer. Provide a summary of your current status, previous experience, relevant skills and career ambition. If uncomfortable with this type of ‘sales pitch’ or are short of space include the above in the covering letter.

CV content - Education Start with your most recent qualification first. Include dates and results – as you have not received your degree result yet, write ‘expected’ next to the result. The amount of detail you write about your degree may depend on its relevance to the position you are applying for. It is up to you how you market your degree. You may not need to list all your Standard Grades, instead providing a summary, e.g. Standard Grades: 7 subjects, grades 1-3 including English (1) and Mathematics (2).

CV content – Work Experience Include: Employer’s name Location Your job title Description of duties involved

Skills Profile If you decide to do a skills-based CV it may be helpful to create a Skills Profile by drawing on your experience, knowledge, skills and qualities and matching them to those required for the position you are applying for. Some common headings are: Communication/Interpersonal Team Work Leadership Problem solving Using initiative Organisational Be explicit but concise when demonstrating evidence of your experience and skills. You can draw upon extra curricular activities if they demonstrate relevant skills.

CV content – Additional Skills/Information Indicate level of competence: Driving licence IT (name packages) Language Skills CV content – Achievements/Positions of responsibility (optional) If you have a number of achievements that you wish to highlight

CV content – Interests This section enables you to let your personality show through. Include: Leisure activities both within the university and the community. Positions of responsibility and voluntary work Membership of clubs or societies. Do not just write a list. Give enough details to entice the employer wanting to know more.

CV content - Referees Some choose to write ‘References available on request’ if they are running out of room. Make sure you gain a referee’s permission before citing their name. If you have space and choose to include references’ details then you need: Name Job title Address Telephone number Fax number or email address

Covering Letter Purpose: to market yourself and your motivation to highlight that you have what they are looking for The covering letter gives you the opportunity to get recruiters interested in you and your CV so every CV needs one!

Covering Letter Address it to a named person if possible Include: Why you are writing What interests you in the job Your key selling points related to the job, i.e. key skills, qualifications, experience Why you want to work for their company Positive, enthusiastic ending expressing your willingness to discuss your application at interview

Covering letter tips: Style Word-processed, unless requested otherwise Consistent font with your CV One page of A4 only Three or four paragraphs Keep to the point Use clear language Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely

The Final Check Spelling and Grammar Is the CV/letter neat and clean? Is all your evidence relevant? Is all your time accounted for? Have you followed all instructions? Ensure distinct file name for CV e.g. ‘GayleScott CV 07’ Take a photocopy for future reference!

Last but not least... Make sure you get your CV checked before sending it out. If you have any queries about your CV content or layout make sure you use the resources e.g. ‘Making Applications’ available at the Careers Centre. Once you are in the final draft stages of the CV, book an appointment with Careers Consultant to look over it. Careers Centre, Blackfriars Building, Schoolhill or InfoZone+, Garthdee, www.rgu.ac.uk/careers - sign in via RGU: JOBSHOP