Preparing a CV and Preparing a CV and Covering LetterCovering Letter

Click through this Click through this presentation with your mouse presentation with your mouse

The next steps…The next steps… Now, for those of you who do not have an up Now, for those of you who do not have an up

to date CV, let’s look at producing one. to date CV, let’s look at producing one.

To begin, you need to open WORD software, To begin, you need to open WORD software, to run at the same time as this Powerpoint to run at the same time as this Powerpoint show.show.

WORD will be used to create your CV, whilst WORD will be used to create your CV, whilst Powerpoint will talk you through different Powerpoint will talk you through different stages of the document at the same time.stages of the document at the same time.

The “Alt-Tab” combination…The “Alt-Tab” combination… To switch between Word and Powerpoint, To switch between Word and Powerpoint,

you can use the “Alt-Tab” combination of you can use the “Alt-Tab” combination of keys. keys.

This is explained below…This is explained below…

The “Alt” key is found here.

And the “Tab” key is found here.

First press the First press the AltAlt key and key and keep it pressed down.keep it pressed down. Next, BRIEFLY Next, BRIEFLY press and releasepress and release the the TabTab key AT key AT THE SAME TIME. THE SAME TIME. Keep the Keep the AltAlt key pressed down. key pressed down.

This box will then appear in the centre of your This box will then appear in the centre of your screen, showing all the current programmes screen, showing all the current programmes

you have running.you have running.

Each time you press and release the Each time you press and release the TabTab key, the key, the square box around the programme icons will square box around the programme icons will advance until you see the programme you wish advance until you see the programme you wish to open, e.g. W for WORD.to open, e.g. W for WORD.

Release the Release the AltAlt and and TabTab keys together at this keys together at this point and the highlighted programme will open.point and the highlighted programme will open.

Please note, you will be expected to email the CV Please note, you will be expected to email the CV to your tutor at the end of the session.to your tutor at the end of the session.

This is how you will switch between Word and This is how you will switch between Word and Powerpoint in the following pages, as you Powerpoint in the following pages, as you progress through your CV.progress through your CV.

CVsCVs

Some important things to remember….Some important things to remember…. There is no such thing as the perfect CVThere is no such thing as the perfect CV The goal of a CV is to make you seem The goal of a CV is to make you seem

interesting to the person reading it….. interesting to the person reading it….. interesting enough to want to interview interesting enough to want to interview youyou

It should be short (no more than 2 It should be short (no more than 2 pages), to the point and informative.pages), to the point and informative.

Stage One: Stage One: Personal DetailsPersonal Details Start your CV with your Personal Details.Start your CV with your Personal Details. You do You do NOTNOT need to put the title “CV”, or need to put the title “CV”, or

“Curriculum Vitae” on the document.“Curriculum Vitae” on the document. Begin with your name, address, contact Begin with your name, address, contact

telephone(s) and email address at the top.telephone(s) and email address at the top. Put these in the centre of the lines, and use a Put these in the centre of the lines, and use a

larger font/Bold for your name to make it stand larger font/Bold for your name to make it stand out.out.

You do NOT need to put your age, date of birth You do NOT need to put your age, date of birth or gender if you do not want to.or gender if you do not want to.

Be sure to use a sensible email address – Be sure to use a sensible email address – remember, you are trying to make a good remember, you are trying to make a good impression.impression.

Use Alt-Tab to switch to Use Alt-Tab to switch to WORD and complete this WORD and complete this section before going any section before going any further. From now on, you further. From now on, you will see the following symbol will see the following symbol whenever you should switch: whenever you should switch: , but of course, you can , but of course, you can switch at any time.switch at any time.

Stage Two: Stage Two: Personal ProfilePersonal Profile Imagine how many people send in their CV’s Imagine how many people send in their CV’s

when a job is advertised: lots and lots!when a job is advertised: lots and lots! These CV’s often end up in a pile on the desk These CV’s often end up in a pile on the desk

of someone in a Personnel/Human Resources of someone in a Personnel/Human Resources Department and they “sift” through them to Department and they “sift” through them to choose who will be interviewed.choose who will be interviewed.

It is likely that this person will spend only a It is likely that this person will spend only a brief amount of time considering each CV, and brief amount of time considering each CV, and they are unlikely to scrutinise every detail of they are unlikely to scrutinise every detail of each page.each page.

The “Personal Profile” is an attempt to give a The “Personal Profile” is an attempt to give a “snap-shot summary” of you that can be read “snap-shot summary” of you that can be read quickly, and hopefully help to encourage a quickly, and hopefully help to encourage a company to offer you an interview.company to offer you an interview.

The The Personal ProfilePersonal Profile Begin by writing the heading, “Begin by writing the heading, “Personal Personal

ProfileProfile”” This section needs to be only 3 sentences This section needs to be only 3 sentences

long, and all should be written in the third long, and all should be written in the third person. That means writing as though your person. That means writing as though your are writing about someone else.are writing about someone else.

So, do not use words like “I” or “me”, but do So, do not use words like “I” or “me”, but do write things like, “A hard working individual”write things like, “A hard working individual”

So what do you write in the 3 sentences? So what do you write in the 3 sentences? Well, they deal with the past, present and Well, they deal with the past, present and

future and the next page gives some future and the next page gives some examples.examples.

Personal ProfilePersonal Profile continued… continued… Sentence oneSentence one is about your past and should is about your past and should

indicate what level of education you have indicate what level of education you have achieved…achieved…

““A hard working individual educated to GCSE A hard working individual educated to GCSE standard.”standard.”

Sentence twoSentence two explains your current situation… explains your current situation… ““Currently looking for a challenging position in Currently looking for a challenging position in

[whatever], whilst waiting for his/her A level [whatever], whilst waiting for his/her A level (or alternative) results.”(or alternative) results.”

Sentence threeSentence three looks to the future… looks to the future… ““Ideally, would like a position that offers Ideally, would like a position that offers

training and scope for continued development training and scope for continued development through promotion, or qualifications, or travel through promotion, or qualifications, or travel etc.”etc.”

Alt-Tab to your Word Alt-Tab to your Word document and complete document and complete the Personal Profile the Personal Profile section. Remember to section. Remember to give it an appropriate give it an appropriate heading and try to keep heading and try to keep the sentences short and the sentences short and to the point.to the point.

Stage Three: How do you want Stage Three: How do you want to best to best sellsell yourself? yourself?

Let’s imagine your CV has been set aside Let’s imagine your CV has been set aside during a sift, and is to be considered in during a sift, and is to be considered in more detail with some others. How can you more detail with some others. How can you increase your chances of being offered an increase your chances of being offered an interview?interview?

This may depend upon how you structure This may depend upon how you structure the rest of your CV. So, it is important to the rest of your CV. So, it is important to sellsell yourself as well as you possibly can. yourself as well as you possibly can.

To do this, stop a moment and think – To do this, stop a moment and think – Which of the following says the most about Which of the following says the most about you, and which one will make you more you, and which one will make you more appealing to the company you have applied appealing to the company you have applied to? Is it your Work Experience, to? Is it your Work Experience, Qualifications, or Achievements outside of Qualifications, or Achievements outside of College?College?

Stage Three: Stage Three: Let’s imagine your Let’s imagine your Qualifications are your strongest Qualifications are your strongest

pointpoint Begin with the heading “Begin with the heading “Educational Educational

HistoryHistory”” Next, list the name(s) of your Next, list the name(s) of your

school(s)/college since the age of 11, school(s)/college since the age of 11, starting with the earliest.starting with the earliest.

Next, put the address and the dates you Next, put the address and the dates you attended.attended.

Try to write this in a way that uses up the Try to write this in a way that uses up the space across the whole page.space across the whole page.

Click to see an example.Click to see an example.

Jo Bloggs17 Sea View

Cambridge

CB99 0NE

Tel: 01223 444 555, Mob: 07766 999999

Email address: Jbloggs@yahooplah.co.uk

Personal ProfileA hard working individual educated to GCSE standard. Currently looking for a challenging position in Dolphinology, whilst waiting for A level results. Ideally, would like a position that offers training and scope for continued development through appropriate specialised qualifications.

Educational History Begin with the name of your first Begin with the name of your first schoolschool

The Netherhall School,

Follow this with the address and dates of Follow this with the address and dates of attendenceattendence

Queen Ediths Way, Cambridge, CB1 8NN 09/03 to 06/08

Next, list your Qualifications, Subject and grade or estimate, Next, list your Qualifications, Subject and grade or estimate, across across the pagethe page

GCSEGCSE English LanguageEnglish Language AA

GCSEGCSE English LiteratureEnglish Literature BB

GCSEGCSE MathsMaths DD

GCSEGCSE ScienceScience CC

Now, use Alt-Tab to switch to Now, use Alt-Tab to switch to your CV and add the details. If your CV and add the details. If you don’t know information like you don’t know information like addresses, leave that for now. addresses, leave that for now. It can be added later.It can be added later.

DON’T FORGETDON’T FORGET: list each : list each School/College with the details School/College with the details of what you studied there, of what you studied there, starting with the earlieststarting with the earliest

The story so far…The story so far…

Click to see an example of how your Click to see an example of how your CV should look so far…CV should look so far…

Jo Bloggs

Address

Address

Tel numbers

Sensible email address

Personal Profile

3 Sentences, Past Present and Future

Educational History

School/College 1 (earliest first) Address Dates Attended

GCSE Subject Grade

GCSE Subject Grade

GCSE Subject Grade

School/College 2, e.g. Long Road Sixth Form College, Address Dates Attended

A Level Subject Grade/predicted Grade

A Level Subject Grade/predicted Grade

A Level Subject Grade/predicted Grade

Notice the larger font size Notice the larger font size to make the name stand to make the name stand outoutIt is important to keep It is important to keep your email contact your email contact sensiblesensible

Notice there is a school and Notice there is a school and college in this example, with college in this example, with the school listed firstthe school listed first

Try to make Try to make qualifications, subjects qualifications, subjects and grades at the and grades at the different school/college different school/college line up directly line up directly underneath each other, underneath each other, whilst spreading out whilst spreading out across the page.across the page.

Stage four: Stage four: let’s imagine that your let’s imagine that your next strongest point is your next strongest point is your Work Work

experience.experience. Many people think that this section Many people think that this section

must include paid work. That is not must include paid work. That is not true. Any work experience you have true. Any work experience you have gained in your previous schools, this gained in your previous schools, this college, or even delivering papers college, or even delivering papers etc, is appropriate.etc, is appropriate.

Begin stage four by choosing a title: Begin stage four by choosing a title: ““Employment HistoryEmployment History,” if you have ,” if you have done paid work, or, “done paid work, or, “Work Work ExperienceExperience” if you have not. (Use the ” if you have not. (Use the first title if you have done both).first title if you have done both).

Stage four: Stage four: Employment Employment HistoryHistory continued… continued…

Type address information and dates Type address information and dates you worked with the organisation in the you worked with the organisation in the same format as the same format as the Educational HistoryEducational History of the previous section.of the previous section.

On the next line, type, “Position:” and On the next line, type, “Position:” and follow this with the job title you had.follow this with the job title you had.

For the next section, giving details of For the next section, giving details of the responsibilities you had, try and list the responsibilities you had, try and list no more than 4 or 5 bullet points. no more than 4 or 5 bullet points.

Employment HistoryEmployment History: Job : Job responsibilities and bullet responsibilities and bullet

pointspoints If you want, you can give the details If you want, you can give the details of your job responsibilities in a of your job responsibilities in a paragraph, however bullet points are paragraph, however bullet points are much easier to read.much easier to read.

Each should be one sentence long Each should be one sentence long and identify something really and identify something really positive about you that is relevant to positive about you that is relevant to the job you are applying for.the job you are applying for.

If you can, try to include some If you can, try to include some “proof” of your responsibility in your “proof” of your responsibility in your bullet point, for example…bullet point, for example…

Educational HistorySchool/College 1 (earliest first) Address

Dates AttendedGCSE Subject GradeGCSE Subject GradeGCSE Subject GradeSchool/College 2, e.g. Long Road Sixth Form College, Address

Dates AttendedA Level SubjectGrade/predicted GradeA Level SubjectGrade/predicted GradeA Level SubjectGrade/predicted Grade

Employment HistoryJonah’s Leisure Centre, 23 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 3FF 9/08 to 10/08Position: Part-time Receptionist•Due to my excellent communication skills, I was given responsibility for giving tours to potential new clients• I had responsibility for meeting and greeting customers, and was asked by management to make recommendations about fitness programmes based upon my personal expertise.

Notice how company name, Notice how company name, address and date details all line address and date details all line up with the previous Educational up with the previous Educational History section.History section.

Notice how the first bullet point could have Notice how the first bullet point could have been written as, “I have good communication been written as, “I have good communication skills.” Adding information regarding how skills.” Adding information regarding how these skills are used, ie giving tours, “proves” these skills are used, ie giving tours, “proves” how good these skills are and makes this a how good these skills are and makes this a much better bullet point.much better bullet point.

Now Alt-Tab and Now Alt-Tab and complete the complete the Employment Employment History/Work History/Work Experience section Experience section of your CV and be of your CV and be sure to keep your sure to keep your points relevant to points relevant to the job you are the job you are applying for.applying for.

Stage Five: Stage Five: AchievementsAchievements Of course, for many people, the qualifications Of course, for many people, the qualifications

they have gained and work experience they they have gained and work experience they have undertaken are not the only attributes have undertaken are not the only attributes they have to “sell” themselves. You may well they have to “sell” themselves. You may well have other achievements that demonstrate have other achievements that demonstrate positive skills you have to offer.positive skills you have to offer.

This could include, voluntary work, passing a This could include, voluntary work, passing a driving test, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, being driving test, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, being a Carer for someone, sports achievements, a Carer for someone, sports achievements, mentor roles, teaching someone a specific skill, mentor roles, teaching someone a specific skill, arranging an activity in private time, e.g. a arranging an activity in private time, e.g. a holidayholiday

Try to aim for 3 or 4 bullet points and once Try to aim for 3 or 4 bullet points and once again, aim to include some proof of why it again, aim to include some proof of why it demonstrates a useful attribute that would be demonstrates a useful attribute that would be useful for the job role applied for.useful for the job role applied for.

A Level Subject Grade/predicted GradeA Level Subject Grade/predicted Grade

Employment HistoryJonah’s Leisure Centre, 23 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 3FF 9/08 to 10/08Position: Part-time ReceptionistDue to my excellent communication skills, I was given responsibility for giving tours to potential new clients I had responsibility for meeting and greeting customers, and was asked by management to make recommendations about fitness programmes based upon my personal expertise.

Main Achievements• Whilst attending college I have managed to hold down a part-time job baby-sitting, helping me to finance active sports and social activities without being a burden on my parents• I passed my Driving Test last year on my first attempt and I am now saving to buy my own car and generate more independence• For the last 3 years, I have managed to successfully raise over £50 per year for Red Nose Day charities, helping me to put something back into society whilst having some fun.

This demonstrates a mature approach This demonstrates a mature approach to working for financial security, whilst to working for financial security, whilst managing both college and work. It managing both college and work. It also represents a position of also represents a position of responsibility and how this person is responsibility and how this person is trustworthy.trustworthy.

This person can clearly deal with This person can clearly deal with the pressure of a driving test and the pressure of a driving test and all that entails, whilst also all that entails, whilst also demonstrating an independent demonstrating an independent spirit – a skill that many spirit – a skill that many employers value.employers value.

Finally, this is a good example of Finally, this is a good example of someone who thinks of others too someone who thinks of others too and considers his impact on others and considers his impact on others in society. This “considerate, non-in society. This “considerate, non-selfish” quality is attractive to selfish” quality is attractive to employers too.employers too.

Now Alt-Tab and think of Now Alt-Tab and think of what you would consider to what you would consider to be valuable achievements be valuable achievements you have made. Remember, you have made. Remember, there are no right or wrong there are no right or wrong pointers in this section. It’s pointers in this section. It’s more about what you feel more about what you feel proud of, and what that proud of, and what that says about yousays about you

Stage six: Stage six: ReferencesReferences It is quite usual to finish a CV with a It is quite usual to finish a CV with a

References section.References section. Your CV should be no more than 2 pages Your CV should be no more than 2 pages

long, so putting full Referee contact details long, so putting full Referee contact details (usually for 2 people) can sometimes take (usually for 2 people) can sometimes take the document over 2 pages.the document over 2 pages.

In these instances, it is perfectly In these instances, it is perfectly acceptable to simply write, “References acceptable to simply write, “References available on request”available on request”

This one line saves a lot of space and you This one line saves a lot of space and you can pass on details in the future, should a can pass on details in the future, should a company request them.company request them.

I had responsibility for meeting and greeting customers, and was asked by management to make recommendations about fitness programmes based upon my personal expertise.

Main Achievements Whilst attending college I have managed to hold down a part-time job baby-sitting, helping me to finance active sports and social activities without being a burden on my parents I passed my Driving Test last year on my first attempt and I am now saving to buy my own car and generate more independence For the last 3 years, I have managed to successfully raise over £50 per year for Red Nose Day charities, helping me to put something back into society whilst having some fun.

References

References available on request. Ideal if you are running out of Ideal if you are running out of spacespace

References continued…References continued… Of course, if there is plenty of space, Of course, if there is plenty of space,

two Referees should be supplied. One two Referees should be supplied. One can be a College representative e.g. a can be a College representative e.g. a Course Tutor, whilst the second Course Tutor, whilst the second should be someone in a professional should be someone in a professional role, e.g. a Doctor, or Accountant, role, e.g. a Doctor, or Accountant, HOWEVERHOWEVER, this person must , this person must notnot be be simply a friend or member of your simply a friend or member of your family and you should ask for their family and you should ask for their permission before submitting a CV.permission before submitting a CV.

I had responsibility for meeting and greeting customers, and was asked by management to make recommendations about fitness programmes based upon my personal expertise.

Main Achievements Whilst attending college I have managed to hold down a part-time job baby-sitting, helping me to finance active sports and social activities without being a burden on my parents I passed my Driving Test last year on my first attempt and I am now saving to buy my own car and generate more independence For the last 3 years, I have managed to successfully raise over £50 per year for Red Nose Day charities, helping me to put something back into society whilst having some fun.

ReferencesMr Noel Lotte Dr FosterLong Road Sixth Form College 1 Puddle LaneLong Road GloucesterCambridge GL11 4PKCB2 8PX01223 507 400 01255 888 888

Once again, use the same Once again, use the same formatting for both names and formatting for both names and addresses, with telephone numbers addresses, with telephone numbers clearly marked afterwards.clearly marked afterwards.

Now, please use Alt-Tab Now, please use Alt-Tab to switch to your Word to switch to your Word Document and add your Document and add your final, References section.final, References section.

To finish…To finish…

Click to see the final example CV…Click to see the final example CV…

Jo Bloggs17 Sea ViewCambridgeCB99 0NE

Tel: 01223 444 555, Mob: 07766 999999Email address: Jbloggs@yahooplah.co.uk

Personal ProfileA hard working individual educated to GCSE standard. Currently looking for a challenging position in Dolphinology, whilst waiting for A level results. Ideally, would like a position that offers training and scope for continued development through appropriate specialised qualifications.

Educational HistorySchool/College 1 (earliest first) Address Dates AttendedGCSE Subject GradeGCSE Subject GradeGCSE Subject GradeSchool/College 2, e.g. Long Road Sixth Form College, Address Dates AttendedA Level Subject Grade/predicted GradeA Level Subject Grade/predicted GradeA Level Subject Grade/predicted Grade

Employment HistoryJonah’s Leisure Centre, 23 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 3FF 9/08 to 10/08Position: Part-time Receptionist•Due to my excellent communication skills, I was given responsibility for giving tours to potential new clients• I had responsibility for meeting and greeting customers, and was asked by management to make recommendations about fitness programmes based upon my personal expertise.

Clearly, this is Page one. Page two follows when Clearly, this is Page one. Page two follows when you clickyou click

Final CV continued…Final CV continued…Main Achievements•Whilst attending college I have managed to hold down a part-time job baby-sitting, helping me to finance active sports and social activities without being a burden on my parents•I passed my Driving Test last year on my first attempt and I am now saving to buy my own car and generate more independence•For the last 3 years, I have managed to successfully raise over £50 per year for Red Nose Day charities, helping me to put something back into society whilst having some fun.

ReferencesMr Noel Lotte Dr FosterLong Road Sixth Form College 1 Puddle LaneLong Road GloucesterCambridge GL11 4PKCB2 8PX01223 507 400 01255 888 888

As a final point, remember that you As a final point, remember that you may wish to improve the look of your may wish to improve the look of your CV by using the formatting facilities CV by using the formatting facilities available.available.For example, make each heading stand For example, make each heading stand out by out by underliningunderlining them. them.

Emphasise dates by using Emphasise dates by using BOLDBOLD..

Put the names of Put the names of schools/colleges/employersschools/colleges/employers in italics in italics etc.etc.

Thank youThank you Remember, if any of you are worried Remember, if any of you are worried

that you may end up out of college that you may end up out of college and out of work, and would like more and out of work, and would like more help, you can go to the Careers help, you can go to the Careers Department and request an interview Department and request an interview with one of our Advisers.with one of our Advisers.