1. EDA CVs and Covering Letters
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
EDA CVs and Covering Letters
You can download a copy of this presentation at

2. EDA CV Assignment
To produce a high quality two page CV appropriate for applying for electronics jobs.
 Don’t submit a CV you produced at school!
CV must be produced on a Word Processor.
You will receive submission instructions on Famy’s return. 

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Selection methods of top employers in 2014

6. 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 ……”

7. “Sell” your degree
Many employers don’t know what an Electronics/CSE degree entails.
Lots of “Mickey Mouse” degrees out there
Kent degree has a lot of project work and strong technical skills which are attractive to employers.
List relevant modules (plus marks if good!)
Projects – especially if relevant
Programming languages/operating systems/major applications e.g. Java
Soft skills – evidence of teamwork, project management, problem solving etc.
Link to portfolio
For non-IT jobs (e.g. banking) you would need a different CV focusing on your soft skills more than technical skills.

8. Skills gained on a Kent Electronics degree
Gather and analyse relevant information from a wide variety of sources
Identify and propose solutions to problems
Project management
Technical skills
Work with others in the preparation and presentation of group work (group projects)
Work independently (individual projects)
Communicate with others in a clear and articulate manner
Present ideas and arguments verbally in presentations and seminars, and informal discussions

9. I.T. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Technical knowledge Quick Learner
Planning Establishing priorities and scheduling time. Well organised.
Productivity Professionalism - "completing projects on time".
Quality of work "On schedule, under budget, works first time
Self Development Teaching yourself new skills!“
Communication Presentation skills, Clear, concise, documentation.
Teamwork
Problem Solving and Judgement Coming up with effective solutions
Innovation and Change Receptivity to new ideas. "Flexible designs that can withstand last minute changes"
Administration Documentation - "Much of software development involves writing things down and looking them up again"

10. Electronics CV Example www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/electronicsCV.htm
The medium is the message. If your CV isn’t professional – spelling mistakes/lack of attention to detail, the employer will assume that your work will be sloppy too.

11. 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..

12. 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

13. Don’t feel you have to include every job
WORK EXPERIENCE
Summer 2013 Sainsbury'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”

14. 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

16. 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.

17. Action Verbs
created instructed analysed produced negotiated designed calculated maintained administered …….

18. 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

19. 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 =

20. CAREERS WEB SITE
Help with applications and interviews
Example CVs and Covering Letters
Social Media in Jobhunting
CV Checklist

21. VIDEOS APPLICATIONS INTERVIEWS ON-LINE APPLICATIONS SELECTION CENTRES
All last about 25 minutes and are excellent!

22. Telephone: Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): to and 2 to 4 pm Help given for up to 3 years after graduation Weekly careers s every Monday afternoon

23. Careers Award on Moodle
Half the unemployment rate for students completing the award Enter Moodle, search for DP2650 or Careers Award and click enrol
if you have problems enrolling
More info at

24. EDA CV Assignment
To produce a high quality two page CV appropriate for applying for electronics jobs.
 Don’t submit a CV you produced at school!
CV must be produced on a Word Processor.
You will receive submission instructions on Famy’s return. 

25. CVs and Covering Letters
Bruce Woodcock
University of Kent
Careers and Employability Service
CVs and Covering Letters
You can download a copy of this presentation at

26. IBM Mentoring Scheme at Kent For further details and info
IBM Mentoring Scheme at Kent For further details and info. on how to apply, see 
In , 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 , 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.

27. What is wrong with this?

28. Moodle Careers Employability Award
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
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
DX_CEA Careers Employability Award (2014/15)

30. 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

31. ING CVS
Many employers are happy to accept CVs as an attachment to an .
Put your covering letter as the body of your . Format it as plain text (use the format heading on Outlook Express to do this), so it can be read by any 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.
it back to yourself first to check it.

32. 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.

33. 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?

34. Brian O'dea - the author of this received about 600 responses
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.

35. Use spelling and grammar checker carefully
Can cut and paste sentences from CV examples to make sure English is correct.

36. 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:

37. 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

38. 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?

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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)

42. Making applications using STAR