1. CVs and Application Forms 1 st November, 2011

2. How to compose a strong CV - Tailoring your CV to the employer and the role - Formatting your CV - DO’s and DON’Ts How to complete an application form - Outlining your skills and experiences - Competencies and skills required - Accuracy and detail! - Other information required

3. Tailoring your CV Read the Job description – competencies, requirements Research the employer further – values, key ‘buzz words’ Detail the parts of your role that meet the criteria, demonstrate your suitability Think about what you could do to enhance your CV and improve your chances

4. I dentifying key competencies and skills required As a group, identify and highlight some of the competencies the employer is looking for and ‘buzz words’ that you can relate to on your CV Now choose one of the competencies you have identified and think of something you have done which uses the same skills 5 Minutes What do you think you could do to develop some of these skills?

5. Types of CV Chronological Lists your education and experience in reverse chronological order Skills-based This focuses on the skills required by the employer more than on your education and work history. Tends to be used more by contractors and other skilled workers. Combination You may have very relevant qualifications that favour a chronological layout, and varied work experience that benefits from a skills-based approach. Academic It is built around three areas - your research, teaching and administration experience. Length is less important and it may be longer than two pages. CVs for other countries Different countries have different CV formats –make sure you find out what is required!!

6. Structuring your CV Personal Details Name, contact details Profile/career objectiveKeep it specific and relevant Education and QualificationsMost recent first Work HistoryTransferable skills Additional Skills and Qualifications IT, languages, vocational qualifications Hobbies and InterestsNot required ReferencesAvailable upon request

7. Formatting your CV From the 1 CV you have been given work in pairs to think of some of the positive and negative elements Things you can consider are: Font Alignment Consistency Spelling and grammar Dates 5 Minutes

8. CV ‘DOs’ and DON’Ts’ Write ‘CV at the top’ Leave any gaps in dates Include marital status or other irrelevant info Use pictures, colours, photos etc – keep it professional Blanket email your CV to employers Write ‘CV at the top’ Leave any gaps in dates Include marital status or other irrelevant info Use pictures, colours, photos etc – keep it professional Blanket email your CV to employers Ensure the formatting is consistent Use actions words and try to link them to the competencies/skills Ensure that your CV is relevant to the employer and to the role Think about and detail your transferable skills Use your space wisely – CVs should not be longer than 2 pages Ensure the formatting is consistent Use actions words and try to link them to the competencies/skills Ensure that your CV is relevant to the employer and to the role Think about and detail your transferable skills Use your space wisely – CVs should not be longer than 2 pages

9. Completing an application form… Competency questions Transferable skills Look at your CV Attention to detail References Competency questions Transferable skills Look at your CV Attention to detail References As a group, Look at your experience on your CVs and think of an example to relate to two of these competencies: -Leadership -Communication -Working under pressure -Problem solving -Working with others 5 Minutes

10. Applications ‘DOs’ and DON’Ts’ Copy and paste answers from different applications Repeat examples Delay in submitting and application – check the deadline Rush the application Copy and paste answers from different applications Repeat examples Delay in submitting and application – check the deadline Rush the application Make sure you understand the competencies Varied examples where possible Recent examples Right amount of detail What was YOUR role was in an example Stick to the word count Ask someone to check it Make sure you understand the competencies Varied examples where possible Recent examples Right amount of detail What was YOUR role was in an example Stick to the word count Ask someone to check it

11. Questions?