AIM:

A practical workshop to help you write an effective CV

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

You should be able to:

• Understand the purpose of a CV

• Know what to include on your CV

• Recognise what makes a good CV by reviewing examples

• Identify further resources to help you prepare an effective CV

AIM & LEARNING OUTCOMES

In pairs, for 2 minutes:

DISCUSS:

What questions or concerns you have about writing a CV for the UK job market?

DISCUSS IN PAIRS

Some key statistics

10

“Your CV has a maximum of 10 seconds in which to make an impact”

“Will your CV pass the 10 second test?”

5000

“The average recruiter sees 5000 CVs a year. Any legitimate reason they find to make one disappear makes their life that much easier – and yours that much harder”

YOUR CV – YOUR PERSONAL “SHOP WINDOW”

• To MARKET yourself to an employer

• To SELL your skills, qualities and achievements

• To Obtain an interview

WHY PRODUCE A CV?

20

“On average, 20% of applications are shortlisted for interview”

Their criteria

Your skills, experience and qualifications

MIS-TARGETED APPLICATION

The overlap

Their criteria

Your skills, experience and qualifications

Adapt your CV for each application

Check the advert’s requirements

TARGETED APPLICATION

Graduate Analyst, Leading Technology Consulting firm

Proven Teamwork skills

The ability to lead a team

Problem solving ability

Presentation skills

Work experience within a commercial environment

Enthusiasm & Energy

Flexibility

Geographical Mobility

Working knowledge of one major European language and / or one major Asian language

Interest in and knowledge of Technology and programming languages especially Java

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria

EXAMPLE PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Personal details2. Education and qualifications (in reverse)3. Work experience (in reverse)4. Skills5. Interests6. Referees

Types of CV Format - Chronological

1. Personal details

2. Personal profile - optional - prove it!

3. Skills profile - draw a match between your skills and the employer’s requirements

4. Education and qualifications, work experience, interests - factual, very brief

5. Referees

Types of CV Format – Skills Based

30 – 50 word Summary of your strengths which you want the employer to focus on

Short and Clear Statement of the type of work you are seeking

PERSONAL PROFILE

As a postgraduate with experience in the design and use of a wide range of IT applications, I have successfully combined academic study with commercial placements in the UK and overseas. As an initiator and task oriented team worker I am seeking a position in Business Management Consultancy

A MBA postgraduate with HRM specialism who is an effective multi-tasker with proven organisational skills in the retail and telecommunications sectors. Comfortable communicating with senior management or on the shop floor. Now looking for a career opening in Human Resources.

PERSONAL PROFILE - EXAMPLES

Match to job description and use SPECIFIC examples:

Commercial Awareness - I have developed a good understanding of the nature of business through my degree studies and my retail experience in China where I met individual targets and undertook a customer satisfaction survey which led to some commercially viable solutions being adopted by the store

Team Work - During my MSc Retail project I co-ordinated group meetings to review progress and offered solutions to problems arising which further developed my diplomacy and negotiation skills

SKILLS STATEMENTS - EXAMPLES

• Consistent font size & type (min 11)

• Clear and logical layout

• Reverse time order

• Avoid time gaps

• 2 pages maximum

• Arms Length Test

PRESENTATION

• Positive & Personalised (your advertisement)

• Targeted at opportunity, highlight relevant module specialisations and other relevant areas

• Brief and punchy (NB 10 second test)

• Spell & grammar checked

• Persuasive not just informative

CONTENT

What is the first thing you look for?Layout - logical, easy to follow

What is likely to make you reject a CV?Spelling mistake / lack of information, Bland CV

COMMENTS FROM A UK RECRUITER

“Encourage students to write CVs which assist the recruiters. We may see anything from 70 to 200 CVs a day for 20-30 positions, so the CV must:

a. highlight skills clearly and concisely;b. sell any summer internships more comprehensively, especially if closely related to the field to which they are applying;c. keep relevant stuff on the first page and avoid excessive length.”

(TATA Communications, Mumbai)

COMMENTS FROM AN INDIAN RECRUITER

Discuss the following in pairs, for up to 10 minutes:

You are a recruitment panel for an IT & Business Consultancy firm.The following CVs have arrived in your inbox.How would you assess them in terms of:

- Focus - How targeted are they?- Presentation – How do they look?- Readability – How well written are they?- Impact - What overall impression do they create?

Be prepared to feedback answers.

GROUP WORK – ASSESSING CVs

CV or LinkedIn Profile?

A LinkedIn Profile that does the business

Make the first words count Write a Summary and keep it fresh Avoid buzz words Add pictures, videos, slideshows etc. Endorse and Recommend Join Groups and use discretion about who to follow Link to your profile from CV and email signature Keep your profile active

“Cover letters are the most important part of an application, although the majority of people spend the least amount of time working on them. When recruiters have 100s of CVs to shortlist from, cover letters are the first document they read. You must be able to show that you are able to meet the requirements of the job and inspire the recruiter to read your CV”

Association of MBAs

COVERING LETTERS

1. Why are you writing?

2. Set the Scene i.e. who are you? What have you done?

3. Why can you do the job? - Skills, experience

4. Why do you want the job? - Enthusiasm

5. Close

The Covering letter should be One side A4 only

COVERING LETTER FORMAT

Will your CV pass the 10 second test?

First, ensure it passes the 4 factor test on:

FocusPresentationReadability

Impact

YOUR CV – A WINNING CV?

Coming Up…

Tue 10 June 1:00-1:50pm, Employment Regulations for International Students, City Hall Summer Careers Fair

Book your place online: http://cardiff.ac.uk/careers/whats-on/

FREE International Careers WebinarsThursday 12th June, 12-1pm: Marketing your degree overseasFurther information: http://international.gradsintocareers.co.uk/

Get your CV reviewed

30 min International appointment and 15 min Quick Enquiry bookable online:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

Or 15 min Drop-In at 50 Park Place,

Mon – Fri 2:30 – 4pm

NEXT STEP?

Twitter: @cardiffglobal

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