CVs and Application Forms: How to sell yourself on Paper!
Manchester University
September 2010
Fiona Bousfield
Objectives of Today…
The importance of a CV.
To identify what makes a good CV.
To recognise the common pitfalls of CVs and applications and to try and identify what employers are looking for!
A very competitive market!
There is little doubt that the prolonged recession has had a profound effect on the career prospects for university-leavers – graduate vacancies at Britain’s leading employers dropped by 8 per cent in 2008 and fell a further 17 per cent in 2009. Although the number of graduate jobs on offer in 2010 is expected to improve, there remains a substantial back-log of recent graduates who failed to find work previously who are competing with this year’s finalists for entry-level positions.
High Flyers Report - 2010
CVs and Application Forms
Demonstrate suitability for a role
Evidence of your education, skills and experience
Snapshot of who you are – elements included can be further discussed at interview
Types of CV
ChronologicalLists your education and experience in reverse chronological order
Skills-based This focuses on the skills required by the employer more than on youreducation and work history. Tends to be used more by contractors
andother skilled workers.
Combination You may have very relevant qualifications that favour a chronologicallayout, and varied work experience that benefits from a skills-basedapproach.
AcademicIt is built around three areas - your research, teaching and
administrationexperience. Length is less important and it may be longer than two
pages.
CVs for other countriesDifferent countries have different CV formats –make sure you find out
whatis required!!
Personal Details
Profile/career objective
Educational and Qualifications
Work History
Additional Skills and Qualifications
Hobbies and Interests
References available upon request
Structuring a CV
Job Advert
Computer Operator
Full Time Computer Operator required to join a friendly team.
You need to be familiar with: Windows Database entry Using a computer network. Dealing with customers on the phone
Please send your CV to . .
TASK – Who will you recruit?
15 minutes
YOU are the team who has been asked to select candidates for interview and to provide feedback.
Congratulations, you have been invited to an interview…!
…what was better about this version of the CV…?
Summary - Top Tips
Personal•Keep it concise – use bullets and clear headings
•Keep to 2 pages if possible
•Check your dates – make sure they add up!
•Make sure you are selling your skills according to job description – do your research!
•Include too much personal detail – we don’t need to see your photograph!
•Exaggerate or lie!
•Try to be too creative with your formatting – keep it professional
Application Forms – what are they?
Unique to the employer and the job role
Give employers the exact information they are looking for, in a format
they want
Usually completed online
Competency based – important to research the company and role
Used instead of a CV – make sure you include all the relevant information
A way of highlighting specific examples you have - essential you portray
them in the right manner
Usually read in 90 seconds…..
Do’s and Don’tsDo Fill in all the parts Be relevant, clear and specific – stick to the word limit Give a variety of skills and experiences Support claims with evidence of achievements Use positive language Relate it to the criteria mentioned in the Job
Specification
Don’t Miss anything out – use N/A if you need to Try to reformat the fields – it’s like that for a reason! Leave it to the last minute – they take time and
redrafting! Include a CV and covering letter unless asked
Common Reasons for Rejection…
Too many similar examples, with little variety
Too much detail/not enough detailIrrelevant answersVague answersNot answering all the parts of the question
What have you got to offer?Think about the common elements many
graduate employers look for…
e.g. TF survey of TT100 employers found most common 5 were communication, team-work, problem solving, confidence and creativity
Selection processes are based on evidence of skills, personal
characteristics and intellectual ability
All can be demonstrated in the context of student life, employment, work experience,
gap years etc
So, what have YOU got to offer?
Before you start any form…….
Think about the last 2-3 years Choose key events Write everything down involved in each event
Break down into smaller parts Extract the skills acquired and lessons learnt
Task: What have you got to offer?
Using these sub headings, break down key events in the last three years.
Examine all the parts of the event and your involvement
Examine what you learnt and what transferable skills you picked up
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
ACTIVITES AND INTERESTS
e.g. Education – Seminars – team work, decision making, confidence
10 mins
Top Tips! Practice in Word first – don’t risk internet timing out or information getting lost.
Get someone else to check it before submitting – SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ARE VITAL!
Make sure the form is structured and your examples make sense.
Remember employers are looking for potential rather than the finished article.
DON’T LIE – you will get found out at interview! Ensure you create a positive, lasting first impression by using positive language.
Ensure you are answering the questions properly. Keep a copy of the final version ready for interview.
