Writing your Curriculum Vitae Writing your CV Objective

Writing your Curriculum Vitae

Writing your CV Objective By the end of the presentation, you will be able to identify the 1. Areas to be covered in a CV 2. Content and positioning of each 3. Identify common mistakes

Format Name (14) Address. Cell. Email Date of Birth: Marital Status: Nationality: Visa Status: (10) § Career Objective / Personal Statement (12) § Strengths/Skills § Key Responsibilities/ Professional Highlights / Summary § Academic Profile § Trainings/Certifications § Technical Skills § Associations § Personal Achievements & Interests § References Photograph

CV Rules Do § • • Format - simple and clean (no colored paper, glitter designs, borders, grease stains, chocolate smudges) Tailor - make small adaptations to your CV to match employer requirements. Language/Grammar check ( seeking a party-time position with potential for advancement’, I have a bachelorette degree in § § § Length - no more than 2 pages Photograph - only if required (formal, passport size) Font - one and two font sizes (avoid 4 different fonts, 3 ink colors and 6 highlighting options) A formal email address (avoid likes 2 party@email. com) Dates – double check Chapter president, 1887 -1992) computers. ”) Don’ts • Copy and paste • Language – flowery, exaggerated expressions, clichés (“Good communicator”, “Works well in a § Unclear statements (“I believe that weakness is the first level of strength, given the right attitude and driving force. ”) § Bad format – cluttered, no logical sequence, design and images § Irrelevant information (don’t put in everything and say nothing) • Incorrect or false information - wrong claims, exaggeration • Personal attributes - height, weight, age, race or religion. • team”– without evidence)

Your Introduction

Personal Statement Personal Profile / Key Attributes /About Me A carefully worded summary stating your USP (your key strengths, skills, experience and interests) Can replace your covering letter (where letter may become detached. – recruitment agencies) Do § Start with a short description: "A highly motivated graduate who has just completed a Law degree at the University of Kent” § Be positive, clear and short § Use action words to brighten up the content. § Analyze your core strenghts. § Focus and use your profile as a sales tool: provide brief details of your major selling points, important in the job you are applying to. § Answer three questions – (What do you know? What have you done before? What can you do for me? ) Don’ts • Me phrases – “Looking for a challenging opportunity to develop…” Tell your employer what you will do for them. • Buzzwords - vague, sweeping generic statements or skills , "I have good team working and communication skills" / “I am great with the pubic. ”. You sound like a faceless, plastic applicant with no real personality § Repetition - using words that you have used in your cover letter - write similar content using different words and a slightly different perspective.

Career Objective Aim / Aspiration / Goal What you are looking for in terms of work, career and development Example • ‘Looking for a challenging entry-level Marketing position that allows me to contribute my skills and experience to fundraising for a Charity. “ Or • • • I want to play a major part in watching your company advance “Student today. Vice president tomarrow. ” “I am anxious to use my exiting skills. ”

Examples 1. To enter a graduate training programme in multimedia, preferably in the new- media sector where my creative initiative, ideas and a genuine enthusiasm would allow me to progress. I have a good working knowledge of many industry leading software applications such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Autodesk Maya. I work to the highest standards and have an eye for detail with skills in design and organisation. Completing my course projects has taught me to provide originality and quality whilst successfully meeting deadlines. 2. A Business Administration graduate from the University of Kent. He has skills and knowledge essential for managing key areas of an organisation and the problem solving skills needed in finance. He is looking for a graduate trainee post in marketing where he can use his strong influencing skills. Through his studies, work and voluntary roles he has acquired the ability to meet deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work. He possesses a good telephone manner and is able to relate to a wide range of people. 3. I have a visual impairment (full details are available on request), but this has not in any way prevented me from successfully completing a demanding degree course and further education qualifications. Far from being a disadvantage, this has increased my awareness of the needs of others and has increased my determination to succeed and to persevere when obstacles are placed in my path.

Examples The good, the bad, the ugly 1. A motivated, adaptable and responsible graduate seeking an entry-level position in public relations which will utilise the organisational and communication skills developed through my involvement with Kent Rag and promotional work during vacations. During my degree I successfully combined my studies with work and other commitments showing myself to be self-motivated, organised and capable of working under pressure. I have a clear, logical mind with a practical approach to problem solving and a drive to see things through to completion. I enjoy working on my own initiative or in a team. In short, I am reliable, trustworthy, hardworking and eager to learn and have a genuine interest in PR. 2. I am an energetic and enthusiastic person who enjoys a challenge and achieving personal goals. My present career aim is to work within IT because I enjoy working with computers, I enjoy the environment and I find the work interesting and satisfying. The opportunity to learn new skills and work with new technologies is particularly attractive to me. 3. I am a dynamic individual with excellent team working and communication skills. I would like job in business.

Key Strengths/Skills Types of skills 1. 2. 3. Transferable - learnt in one field of work that can easily be adapted to a different field. Job-related - directly relevant to a specific job. Adaptive - Cannot be proven by experience but by personality traits. Do • Format - narrative or in bullet points § Relate to professional expertise developed at work. § Highlight skills related to the job you are applying for. Finance job will involve numeracy, analytical and problem solving skills; Marketing role - persuading and negotiating skills. • Link skills to results (“Use my excellent communication skills to attract and retain high profile clients. ”) • Skills must be demonstrable and support CV details (can type without looking at the key board) § Give a maximum of 4 or 5 Don’t § Avoid unnecessary, irrelevant details (Cleaning skills: “bleaching, pot washing, window cleaning, mopping, etc”, “able to say the ABCs backward in under five seconds”) or vague attributes “Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail”)

Examples 1. As an experienced Senior Advertising Sales Executive my networking abilities could help your company achieve its goals. Active and potential clients will be impressed with innovative product presentations and the meticulous management of their accounts, allowing long-lasting relationships to be formed. 2. If you're seeking a Network Technician to improve the reliability and development of your company's server, my experience in design, implementation and maintenance will prove invaluable. Troubleshooting and support come as second nature, meaning fewer and less fre 3. Self motivated graduate with well developed project management and IT skills combined with a flexible attitude to work. 4. A critical thinker with strong analytical and good presentation skills. Strive for quality in everything I do. 5. Strong team-player skills developed through work in retail, in group laboratory experiments associated with the degree, and in group presentation work. 6. Good organisational skills developed in a variety of deadline orientated situations. 7. Get on well with people at all levels, easily making good working relationships. 8. Seek out new responsibilities irrespective of reward and recognition.

Key Responsibilities Professional Achievements / Highlights / Summary General Format § § § Date - Feb. 2012 ~ to date Role, Organisation, Location Style – narrative or bullet points Types Chronological - applying for a position similar to the one you already have. Show a track record of gradually advancing your career. • Include the dates that you worked with each employer • List each position in reverse order starting with your current of most recent position. Functional CV – Out of the workforce for a prolonged period of time or seeking to change careers. • Focus on the most important experience and skills relevant to the job you are applying for instead of employment dates. • Briefly list the positions you have held and dates, but you don't need to go into great detail. Combination CV - Redundancy, job-hopping, brief employment dates signal red flags for employers. • • Divide and combine your employment history - put your various roles into batches. Work out which have given you the certain skills that make you suitable for the job you're applying for. Put company names and dates at the top of each group and list below the various achievements you have made and experience gained below. Include measurable results for your work. eg. “Significantly increased revenues and grew client base by 40%”.

Key Responsibilities Do § Use action words such as developed, planned and organised. § Stick to one tense. “I worked with Messrs, Jubilee insurance and handle clients and routine work”. § Show responsibilities that you actually achieved whilst in your last role. Link to Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) that are quantifiable. Give % increases wherever possible. Don’t § Highlight duties instead of achievements – Don't mention routine, non-people tasks (cleaning tables, “checking customers out”, “Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees’ paychecks. ”). • Leave out information – of previous jobs meaning a gap in employment. Even if you weren't working, mention any transferable skills you picked up that will help your chances. § Explanations or reason for a job switch - (career break in 1999 to renovate my house) or (getting over the death of my cat for three months).

Academic Profile 1. • • • Qualifications Degree, Subjects, Institution, Location, Year Mention grades unless poor List in reverse chronological order starting with your most recent education. If your educational background is your strongest selling point, move Education section after your Personal Statement. Eg. For recent graduates, from highly regarded university with excellent academic results. Experience professionals – work experience before academic details Avoid - “I have extensive experience with foreign accents. ” or “My father is a computer programmer, so I have 15 years of computer experience. ” 2. Trainings/Certifications o Name, Institute, Location. Year 3. Technical Skills o Language e. g. (good conversational French, basic Spanish) (avoid - written communication = 3 years; verbal communication = 5 years. ) Computing (good working knowledge of MS Access and Excel, plus basic web page design skills) o o Driving (full current clean driving license). • If you have lots of relevant skills to offer, use a skills-based CV Associations o Name, location, date

Personal / Academic Achievements & Interests Format § Name, location, date Do’s § Categorise - sports, creative etc. § Show a range of interests if possible, relevant to the job. § Relate hobbies to job reqs. Provide evidence of employability skills such as team working, organising, planning, persuading, negotiating etc Don’ts • Avoid listing passive, solitary hobbies or unrelated achievements. § § § § § Reading, watching TV, stamp collecting, gossiping Enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians Having a good time! Brought in a balloon artist to entertain the team. Nominated for prom queen Won contest for building toothpick bridges in middle school Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far. Awards: “National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes. ” My contributions on product launches were based on dreams that I had. ”

References Format Dr Mike Smith (Lecturer in microbiology) Department of Biosciences University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT 2 7 NJ email m. smith 9999@kent. ac. uk Whom to choose § § § Academic - Teacher, project supervisor. Employer Friend Avoid: “Please do not contact my immediate supervisor. My colleagues will give me a better reference. ” Make sure § § Referee should know you well enough to be able to write positively about you. They should also know you relatively recently (“Bill, Tom, Eric. But I don’t know their phone numbers. ”) Ask for their permission Provide your referees with a copy of your CV Thank them CIPD advice on writing references www. cipd. co. uk/subjects/recruitmen/selectn/references. htm? Is. Srch. Res=1

Thank you

Employability Skills Professional Skills Attitude Technical Skills Teamwork Determination Presentation Planning & Organising Adaptability Language Decision making Lateral thinking Computing Problem-solving Assertiveness Spoken/written Communication Persuading / influencing Commercial awareness Negotiating Maintaining Morale Leadership Time Management

Reference Questionnaire Well Above Average Below Well below above averag Average average averag e e Succinct clear structured writing Unstructured, verbose or woolly language Written which is to the point and conveys its which is hard to read and misses the communication meaning. point Seeks out information and makes Unable to carry out work without constant decisions on their own initiative. supervision. Reluctant to make decisions. Taking Willing to do what is required to get Unwilling to tackle demanding tasks. responsibility the task done. Tries to improve themselves. Plans ahead and breaks down Doesn't work well to deadlines. Struggles objectives into manageable tasks to amend plans in response to changing Organising with clear goals and deadlines. priorities. Doesn't allow for contingencies Can cope with being thrown in the Struggles to deliver when given several Working under deep end. Can handle several tasks at once. Not good at thinking pressure at once. Able to think on their feet. logically when under pressure. Works well to deadlines. Focuses on tasks to be achieved and Shows little resilience and easily deflated Facing not easily distracted. Shows when facing obstacles. Easily loses focus. challenges determination to continue even when Struggles to stand their ground. things are going wrong. Deals confidently and diplomatically Lacks tact. Struggles to influence others with people at all levels. Can by using logical reasoning. Poor Persuading influence others via reasoned negotiating skills arguments. Can negotiate effectively. Please comment on the student's academic performance over the past two years and their academic ability:

What your referee really means Careful thinker: can't make decisions • Zealous: opinionated. • Very well qualified: has committed no major blunders to date. • Unlimited potential: will stay until retirement. • Takes pride in work: conceited. • Quick thinking: offers plausible excuses for errors. • Leadership qualities: has a loud voice • Unusually loyal: wanted by no-one else. • Takes advantage of every opportunity to progress: buys drinks for superiors. • Deals tactfully with superiors: knows when to keep mouth shut. • Alert to company developments: an office gossip. • Needs work-value attitudinal readjustment: lazy • Approaches difficult problems with logic: finds someone else to do the job. • Will go far: managers son or daughter. • Expresses self well: can string two sentences together. • Should go far: please! • Spends extra hours on the job: miserable home life. • Effective time management: clock watcher. • Conscientious: scared. • Creative: finds reasons to do anything except work. • Attention to detail: nitpicker. • Excellent use of resources: delegates everything. • Good sense of humor: knows lots of dirty jokes. • Active socially: drinks heavily. • Strong adherence to principles: stubborn.