1. Creating a Winning CV – How to stand out from the Crowd
Marie Kielty Careers Advisor
ITT Dublin
October 2016 – Graduate Fair

2. Your future….
ITT Dublin - Creating a Winning CV.... October 2016

3. Starts now….
YOU!
YOU!
ITT Dublin - Creating a Winning CV.... October 2016

4. Curriculum Vitae: How to stand out?
CV meaning:
“The course of your life”
Keep it:
Simple
Clear
Short

5. Why use a CV? CV is “your” version of a company application form.
You choose the format to give your information.

6. YOU! Points to note: Interview
Curriculum Vitae can be either 1 or 2 pages (at most…!) {Academic CV – can be 3 pages}
Purpose of CV – to get YOU an
Interview
CV is a business document. Keep it short, concise & only
relevant information.
YOU!

7. All you need to know?
ITT Dublin - Creating a Winning CV.... October 2016

8. Content of your CV…? Personal Details Education
Employment / Work Experience
Interests & Hobbies
References / Referees
Additional Information
/ Key skills / Profile = All OPTIONAL

9. Content of Curriculum Vitae….
1. Personal Details
Name
Address
Address
Telephone Numbers (Mobile & Landline)
Linkedin Profile Link

10. Content of Curriculum Vitae
2. Education
Start with CURRENT information
College course – 3rd level…. PLC ….
Follow a format & stick to it…
(Name of course / institution (include dates…grades / list of subjects….key information)
FT / PT ….
Secondary Education …LC points….

11. Content of Curriculum Vitae
3. Employment / Work Experience
Start with current - most recent full-time /summer
Follow a format & stick to it…
Name of company / Job Title / Duties.
List 4/5 key duties in bullet format.
Repeat format for necessary number of
jobs FT / PT/ Summer
Avoid Gaps / Missing Years

12. Content of your CV …. 4. Interests / Hobbies
Try to mention both group & individual activities
Mention achievements…e.g. captain of club / represented college / county / country in ……football /basketball / swimming / table-tennis ….?
Try to create a consistent image of yourself over the last few years e.g. Team player ? How can you “contextualise” this?

13. Content of Curriculum Vitae
5. Additional Information / Key Skills
Key section – Allows YOU to stand out from the crowd!
What are your “unique selling points”?
Foreign language skills …. fluency / time spent abroad
Drivers Licence… Full & clean
First Aid…
Computer Skills ..list packages
Research skills ….projects / thesis
Communication skills…oral / written
Team work …
Volunteering …
Analytical skills …

14. Content of Curriculum Vitae….
6. Referees / References
Include name, position, postal address, contact number & address for referees
Ideal 1 academic & 1 work Referee
“References available on request” – line can be used if space it short….

15. How to write a winning CV…
Audit your skills
Do your research on your sector
What “keywords” work for your discipline
Do your Research on Linkedin
Show connections between what skills you have and what employer is looking for….
Job specification
Person specification
Labour Market info
Your CV is all about YOU!

16. Adding your “Unique” Value
List your key achievements – college / hobbies /work
How well you have performed….?
Watch acronyms (use but clarify)
Clarity is key
Use Action Verbs – strong language
Spell chcek

17. What works?
Sectoral overview Skills audit
Sectoral info
- Sample CV templates
Top tips on Branding / Linking career goals to jobs
Labour Market Information

18. How to make your CV stand out?
Tailor your skills, your strengths, your suitability to the Job
spec & Person spec provided by the Employer
Show the overlap…
Can you demonstrate ….. YOU can do the job

19. Any questions?