1. CVs and Covering Letters Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

2. Research by forum3 found: The average graduate will send out 70 CVs when looking for their first graduate job. The average number of responses is 7 including 4 rejections and the remainder inviting the graduate to interview or further contact. The more CVs you send out the more interviews you get. Applicants who included a covering letter with their CV were 10% more likely to get a reply. Applicants who addressed their application to the correct named person were 15% more likely to get a letter of acknowledgement and 5% more likely to get an interview. Applicants sending CVs and letters without spelling mistakes are 61% more likely to get a reply and 26% more likely to get an interview. The most common mistakes not found in a spell check were: fro instead of for, grate: great, liased: liaised, stationary: stationery.

3. How not to do it …. Working on a farm has improved my communication skills which are especially important when working with large livestock. Applying for job at biscuit company: my life-long love of chocolate biscuits, is the main reason for my interest in the company It's best for employers that I not work with people On an application for a position requiring considerable people skills - My hobbies include watching television, computer chess, stamp collecting and walking my 2 spaniels. Reason for leaving last job: my employers insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 am and I could not work under those conditions. I am seeking challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are usually inseparable. I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.

4. Selection methods of top employers in 2014

5. PRESENTATION OF YOUR CV Use short sentences and concise phrases Use bold type and bullet points, but in moderation BSc. And MSc. Not Bsc or MSC! Don’t use lower case I: “i am ……”

6. Choose a sensible email address: Such as: eek_eek_i_am_dieing_eek_arg_errrg@milk.com death_metal_kitty@milk.com demented_bovine@gnumail.com platypus_mcdandruff@mail.com flockynockyhillipilification@gnumail.com virgin_on_the_ridiculous@hotmilk.com yourmywifenowgraham@gnumail.com original_madcow_jane@gnumail.com rage_against_the_trolley_fish@gnumail.com sexylikewoaaaah@hotmilk.com

7. Investment bank CV scorecard Finance firms often use ‘scorecards’ to rank CVs and decide who to interview. Here is an example scorecard.  15% Class of your degree and ‘rank’ of university you went to.  10% Grades achieved at A level or equivalent. (more weighting given to ‘classic’ A level subjects: economics will score higher than business studies, for example.)  20% Amount of relevant work experience.  10% Speaking foreign languages.  20%. Extracurricular activities. (A high score requires high achieving, exciting and multiple, extracurricular achievements.)  15% Presentation of your CV.  10% Demonstrating conviction about the role you’re applying for.

8. How to “sell” your degree List relevant modules (plus marks if good!) Projects – especially if relevant Technical/IT skills Soft skills – evidence of teamwork, project management, problem solving etc..

9. Why you need to use a spell checker I am a prefectionist and rarely if if ever forget details. Proven ability to track down and correct erors. I have good writen comunication skills. Lurnt Word computor and spreadsheet pogroms. Develop an annual operating expense fudget… And why you must read it carefully as well Extra Circular Activities At secondary school I was a prefix Over summer I worked for an examinations bored. (Kent BA English graduate!) In my spare time I enjoy hiding my horse I want experience in a big sex practice I am a conscious individual. Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave I have a desire to work with commuters Dear Madman (instead of Madam) I hope to hear from you shorty

10. WORK EXPERIENCE Summer 2013Sainsbury's, Canterbury Checkout assistant This job developed my ability to deal with the public and work under pressure Don’t feel you have to include every job “In addition to the above, I have held a variety of temporary jobs during school and university vacations, including fruit-picking, factory work, bar work and waiting on tables”

11. INTERESTS Reading, cinema, travel Travel: traveled through Europe by train this summer in a group of four people, visiting historic sites and improving my French and Italian Reading: helped younger pupils with reading difficulties at school Cinema: member of the University Film- Making Society

13. THE COVERING LETTER One side of A4 maximum First Paragraph  State the job you’re applying for.  Where you found out about it.  When you're available to start work (& end if it's a placement) Second Paragraph  Why your interested in that type of work  Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!) Third Paragraph  Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.  Relate your skills to the job. Last Paragraph  Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview  Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.

14. Action Verbs created instructed analysed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered ……. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/actionverbs.htm

15. COMPETENCY QUESTIONS ON FORMS Describe a situation where you had to..... show leadership make a difficult decision overcome a difficult obstacle refuse to compromise work with others to solve a problem

16. COMPETENCY QUESTIONS: STAR APPROACH Start by briefly outlining the Situation Keep the focus on your specific Tasks and responsibilities Say what Action you took, then try to summarise what you achieved. If it’s a group task, make sure you define your own role and contribution. This is the biggest part Give concrete Results when possible. If you cannot be totally positive about the experience, say what you learned from it and what you might do differently next time. Situation/Tasks/Action/Result = www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm

17. CAREERS WEB SITE Help with applications and interviews www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm Example CVs and Covering Letters www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm CV Checklist www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cv-checklist.htm

18. VIDEOS APPLICATIONS INTERVIEWS ON-LINE APPLICATIONS SELECTION CENTRES All last about 25 minutes and are excellent! www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntVid.htm

19. Careers Employability Award on Moodle Half the unemployment rate for students who complete the award www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm DP2650 Email bw@kent.ac.uk if you have problems enrolling DP2650bw@kent.ac.uk

20. DP2650DP2650 Careers Employability Award on Moodle  Get your CV quickly and professionally reviewed online in the CV assignment  Learn how to give high quality answers to application form competency questions in the Competency Skills assignment and get a question answer reviewed for quality.

21. CVs and Covering Letters Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

22. IBM Mentoring Scheme at Kent For further details and info. on how to apply, see www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IBM.htmwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/IBM.htm In 2015-6, IBM will be working with students at the University of Kent, mentoring first-year students looking to do a placement as part of their degree and second year students who will be applying for employment in their final year. You can be studying for any degree subject and don't need advanced computing skills. The aim is to increase awareness of employability, the recruitment process, key competencies employers are looking for and advice/tips for securing a placement or graduate scheme position. The mentors will either be currently on the IBM placement scheme or will have joined as a graduate and will be encouraged to share their own experiences with their mentees.The scheme is not about encouraging you to join IBM but will give you valuable skills to apply successfully to any organisation. IBM is keen to encourage undergraduates to begin considering their careers sooner. We want to make students aware of how competitive today’s job market is and give them guidance on how best to promote themselves. This will give them the best chance of applying not just to our schemes but other employers’ too. The scheme also provides students with a fantastic chance to improve and enhance their skillsets before they begin applying. It is a virtual mentoring scheme: most contact with students is either via email, telephone or by Skype. Mentoring is a relationship, and communication between mentors and mentees is key. Students who are selected will be encouraged to manage their relationship with their mentor. Application is by CV and short answers to 2 questions: how you would benefit from being mentored and what are your interests? I have learnt a lot of useful things from the scheme. My mentor is amazing person who is always ready to guide you help as much as possible. I feel lucky to be within this scheme. She has advised me across all issues which did concern me before the scheme. After consistent cooperation with her I gained valuable knowledge regarding how to improve my employability. Moreover, the importantly I have secured a place for a summer insight program in PwC. I would have not been able to do that without her help. Talking to someone who has relatively recently been where we are now has been very helpful as they understand the decisions we have to make and how overwhelming it can be. Having the mentor focus on areas we specifically want to improve or learn about has been extremely helpful and has provided me with the next steps to take towards my desired career.

23. What is wrong with this?

24. Moodle Careers Employability Award DX_CEADX_CEA Careers Employability Award (2014/15) www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm Assignments: complete 3 of these Analyse your skills and learn how to make top quality applications Do you want to live to work or work to live? Researching careers Choosing a career Submit a CV Social media Action planning 14 Quizzes: need 75% to pass Employability skills quiz Employability skills quiz: drag and drop How to develop the skills employers want? Test your spelling and grammar! What makes you happy at work? How commercially aware are you? Special interests topic lesson Interview preparation Practice interview What are the most common interview questions? Aptitude tests and assessment centres CV quiz CVs and covering letters: drag and drop quiz Career planning drag and drop quiz

26. Types of CV Reverse Chronological  outline your career history in date order, normally beginning with the most recent items. The "conventional" approach and the easiest to prepare. Skills-based  highly-focused CVs which relate your skills and abilities to a specific job.  work well for mature applicants and for those whose qualifications and work experience are not directly relevant to their application.  P 14 Applications Booklet

27. EMAILING CVS Many employers are happy to accept CVs as an attachment to an email. – Put your covering letter as the body of your email. Format it as plain text (use the format heading on Outlook Express to do this), so it can be read by any email reader. – Your CV is then sent as an attachment, in MS Word format, Rich Text (.rtf) or html format are acceptable. Say you'll send a printed CV if required. – Email it back to yourself first to check it.

28. What is the purpose of a CV? To inform the employer about your: education work experience skills interests To persuade the employer that you are potentially suitable for the job and are therefore worth Interviewing.

29. Quiz! How long should a CV be? How long should a covering letter be? What is the sweet spot of a CV? What is a reverse chronological CV?

30. Brian O'dea - the author of this received about 600 responses. Having successfully completed a ten year sentence, incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States. I am now seeking a legal and legitimate means to support my self and my family. Business Experience - Owned and operated a successful fishing business - multi-vessel, one airplane, one island and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and operated a fleet of tractor- trailer trucks conducting business in the western United States. During this time I also co-owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million annually. I took responsibility for my own actions, and received a ten year sentence in the United States while others walked free for their cooperation. Attributes - I am an expert in all levels of security; I have extensive computer skills, am personable, outgoing, well-educated, reliable, clean and sober. I have spoken in schools to thousands of kids and parent groups over the past ten years on "the consequences of choice", and received public recognition for community service. I am well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish. References available from friends, family, the U.S. District Attorney, etc.

31. Use spelling and grammar checker carefully Can cut and paste sentences from CV examples to make sure English is correct. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

32. Think about the job CVs are normally targeted on a particular job What tasks would the daily routine involve? What skills would the job call for? What type of personality would suit the job? Answers for 300 jobs on: www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations

33. PROVING YOUR ABILITY There are four main things employers look at in CVs: Education - ability to think clearly, analyse and assess information, draw conclusions, work independently, research, etc Work experience - ability to get on with people, work under pressure, meet deadlines, etc Leisure interests - ability to plan and organise, co- operate with others, compete, work hard to achieve results... Specific skills – e.g. driving licence, computing or foreign language skills

34. CV Marking Criteria Pleasing appearance: and clear logical layout. The 10 second quality test: hold the CV at arms length and look at it for a few seconds. Does it look pleasing to the eye? Clear structure with appropriate headings and logical development. Carefully organised. Identified sections (e.g. Education, Work Experience). At least a line gap between sections. Name in big letters at start. Normally Education before Work Experience for a student CV. Don't separate education and qualifications: try to keep all the information about a particular topic together in one place on the CV, rather than fragmented throughout. Absence of spelling, grammatical and syntax errors. Correct capitalisation Modules, projects, technical skills gained and grades (if good!) for vocational courses. Neat alignment. Reverse chronological order – most recent jobs first. Lively writing style. Use of positive, active language. Easy to easy to read and pick out important information. Appropriately selected examples to provide evidence that you have the skills, interests and personal attributes to do the job and fit into the organisation. Describe key tasks, responsibilities and skills gained from work experience e.g. customer service skills. Concise and to the point - no more that 2 sides of A4. Short, clear phrases. Use of bold and italic to draw eye to key points. Good use of bullets. Proper bullets rather than hyphens Just one or two sensible fonts e.g. Tahoma 10 points. Not too small font sizes. Larger fonts for subheadings. No dense paragraphs - a good rule is no more than 7 or 8 lines in a paragraph. If more, separate into smaller paragraphs, use bullets or bold out key words. Interests. A broad variety? Social and active rather than solitary and passive interests? Serious commitment to at least one activity? Evidence of getting on well with other people? e.g. team sports. Independent or challenging holidays/foreign travel? Organising or leadership experience/evidence of taking responsibility?

35. SKILLS-BASED CVs Examples of evidence of skills: Verbal Communication - assisted visitors of many nationalities as a seasonal Tourist Information Assistant, advising on places of interest, transport and accommodation and helping resolve any problems Time Management - have successfully combined studies with a part-time job and involvement in a number of drama and music productions

36. Competencies Good attitude to teamwork. Friendly and cheerful personality Proactive: able to use initiative. “No problem, I’ll do it!” Problem solvers, not problem creators! Flexible and adaptable: learns new skills quickly. Enthusiastic, motivated Excellent communication skills – dealing confidently with students, take phone messages Organised and efficient. Able to plan and organise their own workload. Work to strict deadlines Microsoft Office: ECDL. Familiarity with databases, Excel and the web

37. When should a CV be used? When an employer asks for applications to be received in this format When an employer simply states "apply to..." without specifying the format When making speculative applications (i.e. when writing to an employer who has not actually advertised a vacancy but who you hope may have one)

38. Making applications using STAR http://prezi.com/your/ www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.ht m