1. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 1 CVs and Cover Letters Abi Sharma

2. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 2 Understand the purpose of a CV Know what to include and structure Review good and bad example Identify how the careers service can help you

3. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 3 The CV – True or False ? The CV must be at least 3 pages. Employers like photographs. You must include your address. CVs should contain tables and grids. Careers Advisers proof-read CVs. Hobbies should only be in the covering letter.

4. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 4 What’s the purpose of a CV? Present yourself well on paper Be specific to the job Give enough relevant information Give the right impression An effective CV should win you an interview

5. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 5 What is different about a UK style CV? UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience. Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy. Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information.

6. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 6 Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills No ‘personal details’ section No longer than two pages You need to provide the names of two referees but not actual letters of reference

7. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 7 What to include? Essential –Personal details –Education history –Relevant Work / Other Work –References Optional –Personal profile –Positions of responsibility –Volunteering –Skills –Interests / Leisure Activities

8. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 8 Personal Details - main purpose is for contact details (phone/email) - is the email address appropriately professional? - don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality - may wish to state right to work

9. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 9 Personal Profile (optional) - where you are now, where you want to get to in your career, what relevant skills you have - skills ‘proven by’, ‘developed through’ etc… - no more than 3 lines - a film trailer!

10. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 10 Education History Most recent first Expected grade if known A level subjects/equivalent, grades GCSE/equivalent Include relevant achievements e.g. scholarships, prizes List relevant modules Talk about your final year project – if relevant Demonstrate relevant skills learnt

11. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 11 Work History Divide into relevant and other Clarify: role, where and when Skills developed – give concrete examples Avoid list of duties Don’t have to include EVERYTHING But DON’T underestimate value of diverse range of work experience

12. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 12 Other Skills Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere Specific skills such as: IT, Languages, Lab experience, etc. Quantify experience i.e. competency level Keep it relevant and provide evidence

13. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 13 Interests Don’t include for the sake of it Be careful what you write Use it to make you stand out from the crowd Can help to fill skill gaps e.g. leadership = team captain

14. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 14 References Most employers want at least two (academic & professional) Get permission Useful to have references forwarded from tutors/employers in home country ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable

15. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 15 Common Grammar Errors Use of tenses Spelling mistakes – avoid US dictionaries! Programme not Program! Language – no excuses! –Grammar Leaflet and books – Careers Centre –Language &b Learning Unit www.languageandlearning.qmul.ac.uk

16. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 16 Other Common Errors Chronology Lack of information Poor use of margins and formatting Use of tables and photographs Resume style- too brief More than 2 pages – too long! Use of footnotes

17. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 17 Cover Letters 1 st Paragraph (short) :Who you are/why you’re writing to them 2 nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role 3 rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills 4 th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them

18. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 18 How can we help you? CVs Mock interviews Employer presentations Workshops (lunch/early eve) Drop In sessions / long careers discussions Courses Vacancies www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobswww.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs

19. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 19 Queen Mary Careers Service WG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065 Opening times: Monday-Thursday10.30am-5pm Friday10.30am-4pm Drop-in sessions: Monday-Thursday10.30am-12.30pm 2.00pm-4.30pm Part of www.careers.qmul.ac.uk