Marketing yourself on paper Effective CVs Karl Fraser

Marketing yourself on paper “Effective CVs” Karl Fraser Careers Consultant www. rgu. ac. uk/careers k. fraser@rgu. ac. uk www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

What is a CV? • The first point of contact with a potential employer. • A personal, targeted marketing tool (what’s your USP? !). • A means of highlighting your academic qualifications, skills and work experience. • A means of demonstrating your suitability for the position you are applying for. • The first step towards obtaining an interview. Remember more applicants are weeded out at this stage than any other during the selection process! www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Before you start your CV • Research what the employer is looking for. • Use job description, website and company brochures. • Think about what you have to offer an employer. • Give yourself plenty of time. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

A sobering thought A major employer dealing with responses to a newspaper ad. will spend about: 15 seconds per CV on the first sift. . . . 1 minute per CV on the next sift. . 5 -10 minutes per CV on the final sift before short-listing for interview. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV presentation • • Concise and clear content – don’t waffle Use simple, positive English Use correct spelling, punctuation and grammar Well laid out and split into sections – i. e. o o “Attention to detail is essential. . Bad grammar and spelling mistakes will ensure your CV goes to the bottom of the pile!” Recruitment Manager, RM – ICT for schools. Skills Profile Education Work Experience Interests/Achievements • No less than size 10 in a normal font, i. e. Arial or Times New Roman, try Verdana font for a change! • Maximum of 2 pages • Use a computer and top quality paper www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

2 main types of CV Ø Chronological • Provides all the information most employers want in a familiar format and demonstrates steady development in education and career. • Lists education and work experience by date with most recent information first. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Chronological CV – Lay out e. g. Personal Details Career Objective Education (Most recent 1 st) Key modules Key skills / abilities developed demonstrated - evidence Work Experience (Most recent 1 st) Duties – what did you do, how did it develop you Key skills/abilities demonstrated – evidence Additional Skills Achievements Interests / Activities What do they say about you – evidence of skills / abilities References www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

2 main types of CV Ø Skills-based • Same headings, different lay-out with targeted approach through skills matching. • Work experience details kept to a minimum • Useful for highlighting particular skills enabling the selector to understand the relevance of skills and experience and for distracting away from a varied career history www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Skills Based CV – Lay out e. g. Personal Details Career Objective Key Skills / Skills Profile / Skills & Achievements List Skills relevant to opportunity and evidence from education work experience activities etc your ownership of them – you then need less emphasis on skills developed in the other sections. Education (Most recent 1 st) Key modules Work Experience (Most recent 1 st) Duties – what did you do, how did it develop you Achievements Interests / Activities What do they say about you – evidence of skills / abilities References www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content – Personal Details Standard Optional • Name • Date of Birth • Address • Nationality & Gender (unless you are an international student) • Telephone number Not required • Email address (personal pref. ) – Marital status *think about voicemail/ansaphone messages and appropriateness of e-mail address! www. rgu. ac. uk/careers – Photograph

CV content – Career Objective (optional) • Short, snappy opening statement to set the scene for the employer. • Provide a summary of your current status, previous experience, relevant skills and career ambition. • If uncomfortable with this type of ‘sales pitch’ or are short of space include the above in the covering letter. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content - Education • Start with your most recent qualification first. • Include dates and results – as you have not received your degree result yet, write ‘expected’ next to the result. • The amount of detail you write about your degree may depend on its relevance to the position you are applying for. It is up to you how you market your degree. • You may not need to list all your Standard Grades, instead providing a summary, e. g. Standard Grades: 7 subjects, grades 1 -3 including English (1) and Mathematics (2). www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content – Work Experience Include: • Employer’s name • Location • Your job title • Description of duties involved www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Skills Profile • • If you decide to do a skills-based CV it may be helpful to create a Skills Profile by drawing on your experience, knowledge, skills and qualities and matching them to those required for the position you are applying for. Some common headings are: o o o • • Communication/Interpersonal Team Work Leadership Problem solving Using initiative Organisational Be explicit but concise when demonstrating evidence of your experience and skills. You can draw upon extra curricular activities if they demonstrate relevant skills. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content – Additional Skills/Information Indicate level of competence: • Driving licence • IT (name packages) • Language Skills CV content – Achievements/Positions of responsibility (optional) • If you have a number of achievements that you wish to highlight www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content – Interests • This section enables you to let your personality show through. Include: • Leisure activities both within the university and the community. • Positions of responsibility and voluntary work • Membership of clubs or societies. • Do not just write a list. Give enough details to entice the employer wanting to know more. www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

CV content - Referees • Some choose to write ‘References available on request’ if they are running out of room. • Make sure you gain a referee’s permission before citing their name. • If you have space and choose to include references’ details then you need: o o o Name Job title Address Telephone number Fax number or email address www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Covering Letter Purpose: to market yourself and your motivation to highlight that you have what they are looking for The covering letter gives you the opportunity to get recruiters interested in you and your CV so every CV needs one! www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Covering Letter • Address it to a named person if possible Include: • Why you are writing • What interests you in the job • Your key selling points related to the job, i. e. key skills, qualifications, experience • Why you want to work for their company • Positive, enthusiastic ending expressing your willingness to discuss your application at interview www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Covering letter tips: Style • • Word-processed, unless requested otherwise Consistent font with your CV One page of A 4 only Three or four paragraphs Keep to the point Use clear language Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

The Final Check • • Spelling and Grammar Is the CV/letter neat and clean? Is all your evidence relevant? Is all your time accounted for? Have you followed all instructions? Ensure distinct file name for CV e. g. ‘Gayle. Scott CV 07’ Take a photocopy for future reference! www. rgu. ac. uk/careers

Last but not least. . . • Make sure you get your CV checked before sending it out. • If you have any queries about your CV content or layout make sure you use the resources e. g. ‘Making Applications’ available at the Careers Centre. • Once you are in the final draft stages of the CV, book an appointment with Careers Consultant to look over it. • Careers Centre, Blackfriars Building, Schoolhill or Info. Zone+, Garthdee, www. rgu. ac. uk/careers - sign in via RGU: JOBSHOP www. rgu. ac. uk/careers