how to write cvs

8/3/2019 How to Write CVs

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1Welcome to the thirdedition of How

to write a curriculum

vitae. We hope you

find it easy and

straightforward to use.

There are a number of

common questions that

LSE students tend to

ask about CVs, so our

approach has been to

answer as many of these

as we could think of.

Youll see the booklet

is divided into sections

which correspond to

the sections of a CV. For

example, if you are wondering how to talk about your education, you

can refer straight away to the education section. Each section includes an

example of a student CV, together with some frequently asked questions

and some top tips.

The booklet is designed so you dont have to read it in order from

cover to cover. Having said that, one piece of advice: there are some

key sections at the start where we cover the basic principles of CVs

and what to do before you even begin writing your CV. Youll saveyourself a huge amount of time if you master these points first of all.

This isnt of course, the definitive guide to CVs; such a thing doesnt

exist. Each CV is as individual as you are and you will always have choices

about the emphasis you give certain parts of your life, the way you write

and the design you use to name but a few factors. The point of a CV is

not to write it perfectly, but to write it well enough so that it gets you

to interview. Funda mentally, e mployers are interested in the content of

your CV, in other words, what you have done with your life. Rememberthis if you are spending a long time deliberating over whether to use

Arial or Times New Roman or bullet points or paragraphs. In the greater

scheme of things they are way down an employers hit list.

Finally, dont forget that the Careers Service offers CV seminars

throughout the year and CV checking sessions where you can have

your CV individually checked. Just go the careers website for up to

date information www.lse.ac.uk/careers

Fiona SandfordDirector, LSE Careers Service

Contents

Introduction 1

Before you start 2

Four basic principles 2

What we can do for you 3

Layout and design 4Personal details 8

Education 10

Work experience 12

Achievements, interests and additional skills 14

Academic CVs 16

References 17

Cover letters 18

CV check list 23

Further resources 25

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ALDETAILSWORKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITION

ResearchingThe Careers Information Room houses a range of occupational files to

help you investigate employment sectors and specific jobs. There are

links to the website to help you research employers.

Our careers advisers have compiled a series of, Getting started: want

to work in ? leaflets, which list key resources and websites foremployment sectors. They are available to take away from the Careers

Information Room or to download from the Careers website.

WritingWe stock numerous CV writing guides in the Careers Information

Room, which contains further examples of CVs. Come and speak

to a member of the Information team who will be happy to advise

and direct you.

What do LSE graduates do? leaflets list the key transferable skills

developed through study in each department at LSE. They are available to

take away from the Careers Information Room or on the Careers website.

CV SeminarsWe offer numerous lunchtime seminars on CV writing throughout the

year. The seminars are run by careers advisers who will advise on how

to construct effective CVs and cover letters and provide an opportunity

for you to ask questions. To book a place and find out when they are

running, please see My Careers Service on the website.

CV CheckingWe have a dedicated team of CV checkers who will go through your CV

with you in a one to one session. Appointments take place from Monday

to Thursday, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm during the Michaelmas and

Lent terms. The Careers Service website contains full details of how to

book appointments.

Four basic principles

RelevantCurriculum Vitae means story of your life. However, with only two

pages for your CV you cant afford to treat this as a literal edict. Be

choosy about what you include. Always ask yourself the question, Is

this going to be relevant to the employer who is reading this? If it isnt,

then thats an argument for discarding it. Try and get the most relevant

information on the first page as this will create the most impact.

TargetedYour CV needs to match as closely as possible the particular job you

are applying for. For example, if the job requires skills in teamwork and

creativity, you need to ensure that the employer can clearly see that you

have gained these skills somewhere in your life. Maybe you worked in a

team on a course project or perhaps you had a creative idea for an event

which a society organised. The important thing is that the employer can

see that your CV is geared to them and is not simply a general CV that is

being sent to every employer.

Space denotes importanceYou can control where the employer looks on your CV by the allocation

of space you give certain sections. For example, in your education section,

in most circumstances, youll want to draw attention to your LSE degree.

You can do this by giving it more space than any other courses or degrees

you have done.

LanguageThink carefully about the type of words you use. Using positive, action

oriented words creates the impression of a positive, active person.

Incorporate words such as achieved, created and organised and

avoid tentative words such as maybe, attempted and perhaps.

The aim is to make your C V as persuasive as possible. Present

information in the most positive light but remember there is a clear

distinction between doing this and lying. Make sure your spelling

and grammar is accurate. Spell check on your computer is helpful

although not foolproof. LSE Language Centre runs excellent English

language courses.

Before you start What we can do for you

For further resources and example CVs go to www.lse.ac.uk/careers

I found the CV check lists very useful. I really liked how theareas which needed improvement were identified ratherthan glossed over and the advice is transferable to morethan a particular cover letter. The methods recommendedwere great and practical.

LSE Student

CVs should be one or two pages long and should always beaccompanied by a covering letter. These are two of the mostimportant documents you will ever produce and it isimportant that you take the time to get them right. After all,at this stage they are all the recruiter will know about you

Tim Battrick, Associate, LECG



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ALDETAILSWORKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITIONLayout and design

1 How long should a CV be?In almost all cases your CV should be no longer than two sides. The

exception to this is an academic CV, which will have an extra page

about publications and conferences. A minority of organisations will

expect a one page CV (primarily investment banks or OIT), but for most

a two page CV is the norm unless otherwise specified.

2 What is the difference between a skillsbased CV and a chronological CV?In most cases youll use a chronological CV, which has standard sections

such as education and work experience. Your achievements in each

section will be ordered in reverse chronology (ie most recent first).

However, there may be occasions where you start off with a section on

the skills you have gained, with examples of where you gained them; this

is a skills based CV. Its most commonly used when you have an existing

career and are looking to change direction and need to emphasise skills

that are transferable.

3 Should I put my experience andeducation in chronological order orreverse chronological order?You can do it either way but employers tend to be most interested in

what youve done most recently. From this perspective, its probably

better to put things in reverse chronological order, starting with your

current or most recent employer or course. Sometimes, your most

relevant experience is not the most recent. In such cases, you can try

and group your experience by category.

4 Should I use a CV template?A CV is a very personal document and your information will be unique. If

you are using a template your CV will look like everyone elses. Employers

learn to spot widely used templates and will appreciate the effort you

have made to produce an individual one.

5 What kind of paper should I use?You should avoid using cheap, flimsy paper or anything that creates a

poor first impression. Use good quality paper, between 80 and 100gsm.

Dont use really thick velum paper, as it can be difficult to photocopy.

6 What colour paper should I use?White is standard. Using more exciting colours will certainly make

you stand out, but probably not in a positive way.

Clear headings

Dates all in thesame place

Sections clearlydifferentiated

Uses bullet pointsand space to

emphasise this job

Plenty of whitespace creates

uncluttered design

Did you know?

If you see an advert asking for a resum its likely that they

have in mind a one page document. In terms of content, a

resume usually covers the same areas as a CV, but with less

space to go into detail. Additionally, a resum will often

have a number of design features such as narrower margins

and a smaller font size in order to create more space.

Things to look for in a good CV

We look for a CV which is well structured and brief

(maximum of 2 pages), written in good English and which

contains no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

It should be set out in an easy to follow layout, in consecutive

order and contain the relevant information with no missing

dates. It should also show that, apart from academic

achievements, the candidate has sufficient outside interests

to make them a well rounded and interesting person.

Tom Purton, Head of Graduate Recruitment, Travers Smith


I found the careersservice very usefulwhen it came tounderstanding thestructure of a UKstyle CV.

LSE Student



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7 Does it matter if the envelope doesntmatch the CV paper?Its not a matter of life or death as the envelope will be quickly discarded

and may not even be opened by the person who will assess your CV.

Nonetheless, it may be the first thing the recruiter sees and it all goes to

create their first impression of you. At the very least, you should invest in

some good quality envelopes big enough so that you dont have to fold

the CV six times to make it fit!

8 Should I staple or clip together the pagesof the CV?You should staple the pages of the CV together. Just paperclipping

them increases the risk of the pages becoming separated.

9 Should I attach or scan a photo of myself?Modelling agencies and airlines often ask for photos but otherwiseits unusual in the UK. Only do it if specifically requested.

10 What font should I use?Arial or Times New Roman are t he most common. Try to avoid weird

and wonderful fonts; they have the effect of making the reader focus

on the font rather than the content. Use between 10 and 12 font size.

11 Should I use bullet points or text?There are no rules about this but try and avoid a CV that is too

text-heavy. Equally, steer clear of using too many bullet points.

Some of the most effective CVs use a combination of text and bullet

points. Experiment and see what looks clearest, what is most easy

to read and what has the most impact visually.

12 My spelling and grammar are very poor,what can I do?Always use the spell check and make sure that it is a UK-English

version. The Language Centre can help you with gra mmar and you

may find it useful to ask a native English-speaking friend to read what

you have written.

13 How do I email my CV?If you are emailing the information, it is best to enclose the CV and

cover letter separately as attachments. You can send it either in word

or as a PDF. This email should be short and simple, saying something

like; Please find attached my CV and cover letter in response to theadvertisement for the post of (job title).

On the rare occasion that the organisation does not accept attachments,

paste both your CV and cover letter into the body of the email, keeping

them absolutely plain and simple.

14 Are there any good examples of CVsI can use?There are a number of reference books in the Careers Service library.

However, it is never a good idea to just copy one exactly. Your information

is unique and to present it in the most favourable light you will need

to make changes to any example you find. We are in the process of

designing a new website which will provide example CVs geared towards

the jobs that are particularly popular among LSE students. Keep an eye

on the Careers website for developments: www.lse.ac.uk/careers

15 Do I write different CVs according to the

sector Im applying to?Yes. Each sector, and for that matter each organisation, will have theirown unique requirements. You need to make sure that your CV

emphasises skills and experiences that the recruiter is interested in.

16 Should I attach my CV if Im completing anonline application form?Only if they specifically ask you to do so.

Ensure there are absolutely no mistakes: grammatical,

spelling etc. You would be surprised by the proportion of

applications we receive, which have errors in. Given that

attention to detail is a very important attribute for a lawyer,

this is not a good start!

Maia Riley, HR Manager, Graduate Recruitment and

Prospective Trainees, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Top TipsThe amount of space given to a section reflects the amount

of importance you attach to it.

Decide on a format for headings and body and stick to it.

Times New Roman and Arial are standard fonts; if you are

using something different, be consistent and make sure it

doesnt detract attention from your content.

Underlining can look old fashioned. Try bold or slightly

bigger font for headings.

Print out your CV to see what it looks like in reality. Is there

a lot of white space? Are the margins too large or small?

Your CV may be read in as little as 20 seconds. Make sure its

immediately appealing to the eye.

Did you know?

According to a survey of recent graduates by Forum3,

trying to be amusing, using coloured paper and

overusing the first person pronoun, suggesting a lack of

team playing, are all reasons graduates have been given

for unsuccessful applications




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1 Should I include my home address and myLSE address?It is helpful to do this if you are spending long periods away from your

LSE address, particularly during the summer holiday, if an employer will be

contacting you during this time. Tell the employer the dates when you are

at each address so they know which one to use in order to contact you.

2 Should I include a profile/career objective?A career profile (or career objective) is a short statement, usually at the

top of your CV, saying something about you and your career aims. It can

be a useful addition to a CV if you have some very specific experience

and you are very clear about the particular career area you are going for.Profiles can also be useful if you are asked to send a CV without a cover

letter. If you are changing career they can help you to state briefly your

previous area of experience and what youre aiming for now.

For new graduates or postgraduates, career profiles are not really

necessary. You will deal with the kinds of things that you might say

in a profile through your cover letter. Profiles can run the risk of

sounding clichd. If all you have to say is, Current student with

an MSc Social Anthropology with good communication skills, excellent

team work skills and ability to work independently, now seeking job in

finance, then the space would be better used to display significant

facts about your education and experience.

3 Do I need to mention my nationality andwork permit status?This is optional, but there may be cases where an employer is interested

in knowing your nationality in order to find out whether they will need

to get a work permit for you. If your name suggests that you may need

a work permit and this is not the case, ensure that you state that you

have permission to work in the UK. If you require a work permit in order

to work permanently in the UK you have a number of approaches as to

how to mention this on your CV.

Dont mention it at all and raise the subject at interview stage. The

advantage of this is that it allows you to sell yourself in person before

they find out they have a to get a work permit for you. The risk of thisis that you may have wasted the interviewers time if it is a job where

its very difficult to obtain work permits.

Mention it with the rest of your personal details at the beginning of the

CV. The advantage of this is that you are being clear and straightforward

with the employer. They will know from the outset that they will have to

apply for a work permit on your behalf. The risk of this is that they will

focus straightaway on the work permit issue instead of your skills and

achievements as described later on in your CV.

Mention it at the end of your CV. You are still being clear and

straightforward with the employer, but you are not giving it undue

prominence by having it at the start of your CV. The risk of this is

Optional

Optional

Personal details

that they will focus on the work permit issue instead of your skills

and achievements as described earlier on in your CV.

Employment regulations are constantly changing. You may find the

following website useful: www.workingintheuk.gov.uk. There is also

good summary on the Careerss website.

4 Do I need to mention my gender?In many cases its obvious from your name, so the issue doesnt need

clarification. Even when it isnt obvious, it is still entirely optional. Whether

you are male or female has no effect on your ability to do a job and,

except in certain rare situations, it is illegal for employers to discriminate

on the grounds of gender.

5 Do I need to mention my age?It is illegal to ask you to declare your age and consequently, it is no

longer expected that your date of birth or age be given on your CV.

You can include this information if you wish but dont feel you must.

Dont give both age and date of birth.

6 Im a mature student. Should I present myCV differently?Not really, although its important to give your most relevant information

the highest priority on your CV. You may have to do more editing too

because you have more experience to choose from.

7 How do I talk about disability?Whether or not you disclose your disability on a CV or cover letter

is a very personal choice. If you think that an employer will have to

make adjustments for you in terms of selection processes or the workenvironment then it could be to your advantage to let them know.

However, if the disability has no bearing on your ability to do the job

effectively, you dont need to mention it. For some expert advice on

disability issues in general, visit the LSE Disability Adviser or call t he

office on 020 7955 7767 to make a n appointment.

8 Should I declare criminal convictions andlong periods of illness?You do not need to declare these on your C V but expect to be asked

about any apparent gaps in your history.

9 How do I talk about military service?Dont underestimate the value of this experience. It is important to

highlight the transferable skills that you will have gained, for example,

team working and leadership skills.

Useful websiteswww.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/ Contains an easy to read

guide to the Equality Bill.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm click on employment section

for details about employment rights.

Did you know?

Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities

produce several, useful information sheets including

Training, careers and work for disabled people and

Looking for work: disclosing disability. www.skill.org.uk

Did you know?

The Prospects website contains numerous example CVs and

cover letters that demonstrate how to present issues that

may encounter discrimination. Go to the Handling

Discrimination section www.prospects.ac.uk

Did you know?

The Prospects website contains a section for PhD and

research students offering advice on how to make your

qualification work for you called Your PhD what next?

The site includes case studies and an example of an

academic CV. www.prospects.ac.uk




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(www.naric.org.uk). There is a telephone number you can call if you

want to speak to a specialist about comparing qualifications.

5 Do I need to give the full addresses of theplaces I have studied?No, simply mentioning the city is enough; for example, Sciences-Po,

Paris. You can add the country if you feel the city is not very well known.

6 How should I present predicted gradesIn most situations this is more important for undergraduates than

postgraduates as many employers specify a certain class of degree as

an entry requirement. First of all consult your tutor to find out what

they think your final result will be. If you cant do that then make an

estimate yourself based on your previous years grades. It is normal to

use a phrase such as expected result 2:1.For postgraduates, its of

much less importance. Employers will rarely ask for a merit or

distinction so, unless the job is placing particular weight on your

postgraduate qualification, its optional.

7 Should I mention awards and scholarships?Use these to impress the reader with your good academic track record. If

you have a great many, going back to your time at school, it may be best

to select just a few of the most prestigious or most recent, so that these

stand out. For each one you give, say what the award or scholarship was

for, what you were awarded, eg a prize or bursary, what proportion ofpeople received an award in your year and any other details that quantify

the achievement.

1110







1 What part of my education should I givemost prominence?You should give most prominence to the part of your education that

is most relevant to the job you are applying for. Usually, this is your

most recent education but do not be afraid to emphasise an earlier

qualification if it is more relevant. By giving more detail about the

content of a particular qualification you also give it more visual impact.

2 Do I have to list all my qualifications?No, you do not have to list every qualification but you should remember

to include all those that are relevant to the application you are making.

For example, you may have a qualification in shorthand and typing that

would be appropriate for a job as a secretary but not for the position of

researcher in an investment bank. Also, remember that the person reading

the CV will be experienced in spotting gaps in the information you do

give. If you do not give grades or a complete record of the exams you

have taken, expect to be quizzed about these at interview.

3 Should I list all my degree modules, A levelsand GCSEs (or equivalent)?Listing everything about your e ducation is not usually necessary. For

your degree course(s), try and be selective and mention the modules or

elements that are most relevant. Listing your A levels is fine but try and

summarise your GCSE grades. For example, 10 GCSEs including Maths

and English, all at grades A* to B. Dont overlook the importance of

group projects, research and dissertations.

4 Some of my qualifications are non-UK.How do I translate them into UK ones?It is not possible to directly translate them as educational systems vary

widely and a grade or degree classification can mean quite different

things from country to country. The best way to approach this is to

explain your qualification so that the reader understands its significance.

You can use phrases such as, equivalent to top 5 per cent of year, or

highest possible grade. For more information look at the NARIC website

Education

Sometimes it makes sense to put some background

information to your degree course. If youre unsure about

what to say take another look at the university prospectus.

This is what youve just studied in a nutshell and pinpoints

the salient aspects.

Iain McLoughlin, Careers adviser

Would be betterto pick out

relevant modulesand explain

Needs to addexpected result

Did you know?

46 per cent of employers rate experience as the most

important factor in a job candidate followed by intelligence

and aptitude (43 per cent) and qualifications (28 per cent)

according to a survey of SMEs conducted by VMA Group.


Explains non-UKqualifications

Did you know?

The Careers Service have created a series of leaflets designed

to help you identify what skills you may have developed

through your study called, What do LSE graduates do?

There is a leaflet for each department at LSE available to

take away from the Careers Service or to download on the

Careers Service website: www.lse.ac.uk/careers



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ALDETAILSWORKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITIONWork experience

4 Should I mention my salary details fromprevious jobs?Not unless specifically asked to do so.

5 Do I need to give the full addresses ofthe places I worked?No, simply mentioning the city is enough; for example, Marks &

Spencer, London or London School of Economics. You can add

the country if you feel the city is not very well known.

6 Should I give my reasons for leavingprevious job?No, you do not need to give reasons on your CV.

7 If my job title is in a foreign language,will I need to translate it?If the title is very different and obscure you will need to translate it

into the language of the country of application. Its useful to check

with a careers adviser that you have an accurate translation, which

has currency in the UK market. Remember that a clear description

of the work that you did will clarify your application.

Be creative in your use of headings and use them to

subdivide work experience so that you can place the most

relevant first. For example if you are applying for legal

work and have a mixture of legal and other work

experience, subdivide information by Legal (or Related)

Work and Work Experience.Lesley Martin, Careers consultant

Did you know?

A TimeBank survey conducted among 200 leading businessrevealed that 73 per cent of employers would employ a

candidate with voluntary experience over one who doesnt.

www.timebank.co.uk

Top TipsSentences need to be snappy! Keep and, I, the to a

minimum if they arent really needed.

Be clear about your individual contribution and be prepared

to explain it at interview.

Quantify successes with facts and figures scored in top 5 per

cent, increased sales by x, managed a team of five staff.

Your CV may form the framework of your interview. Be

comfortable with what you have written and be preparedto elaborate.

Did you know?

A survey conducted by High Fliers Research reveals that a

fifth of graduates anticipate having worked for three or

more organisations by their thirtieth birthday and a similar

number expect to have taken a career break.

Quantifiesachievements

Uses positivelanguage

Talks about skillsand achievements


1 I have different experience from differentsectors, gained at different points in my life.How do I deal with that on my CV?You can simply list the experience in reverse chronological order or, it

might be more effective if you grouped or themed your experiences.

So, instead of a general heading called Work Experience, it would

be possible to have two or more headings such as, Legal Experience,

Banking Experience; or Relevant Experience and Other Experience.

2 Does voluntary/unpaid experience stillcount as experience?All experience is of equal value but you will need to decide how

relevant that experience is to your application. Employers are really

interested in the skills that you have developed; both sector specific

and general skills, which are transferable to another position.

3 I have a gap on my CV. How do I dealwith this?Employers can be suspicious about extensive periods of unexplained

time on a CV. Obviously, you dont need to account for every week or

even every month, but if, for example, you took a year between school

and university to go travelling, it is best to account for it and mention

it on your CV. Things get a bit more complicated if you have had to

take time out due to illness or criminal convictions. There is a balance

between explaining everything that has happened and deciding what

information is strictly relevant to an employer. If you are unsure come

in and see a careers adviser.

Did you know?

Three in five employers reported that a good attitude is the

most important attribute in a job candidate according to a

survey of SMEs conducted by the VMA Group.

Start with your most recent work experience, include

achievements and quantify outcomes, for example, exceeded

sales target of 30,000 by 5,000 within six months

Fiona Jackson, Head of Knowledge Development,

Exclusive Analysis




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ALDETAILSWORKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITIONAchievements, interests and additional skills

Appropriate levelof detail

Clear pictureof skills

Dancing couldjust as well go in

extra curricularachievements.

Headings are flexible

1 What goes in my interests andhobbies sections?This section enables you to identify things that really interest or

motivate you. It may also indicate what your values are, aspects of your

personality and the transferable skills you have developed. It is better

to include one or two things which you are really involved with and can

describe fully, rather than to give a long list such as reading, squash,cricket, dancing, music. For instance, you could expand reading to,

I am an avid reader of 19th century French literature and am secretary

of my local book club. You might also want to include team or group

activities that show you can interact with other people r ather than just

solitary activities. Treat this section in the same way as the rest of your

CV using dates, divisions such as school and university or grouping

similar things, like sports, together to enhance impact.

2 What if I have had no positions

of responsibility?You dont have to include a section on positions of responsibility orextra curricular achievements as its sometimes called, but employers

are often interested in what you have done outside of work and

academic studies. Think widely about what you have done whilst you

have been at the LSE or previous institutions. Dont feel that all is lost

if you havent been president of a student society. You may have been

involved in other activities such as volunteering or mentoring or were

a course representative. Maybe you organised an event that raised

money or the profile of a particular cause. If, after a bit of reflection,

you still draw a blank, skip this section and emphasise relevant skills

gained from academic studies and work experience.

3 How important are languages and how bestcan I demonstrate them?This will depend on the position that you are applying for. If languages

are one of the requirements of the job it may be worth writing them

in a short, very specific personal profile at the top of your CV or in a

prominent position on the first page. You will also need to write about

how you have used languages, ie writing reports, chairing a conference,handling client requests by telephone.

You will need to describe your level of fluency using terms like native,

fluent, intermediate, basic or conversational.

4 What level of IT skills do I needto demonstrate?As long as your position is not IT related, it is generally accepted that

a graduate will be able t o cope with the IT skills needed to carry out

a typical graduate entry role. On page two of your CV, you can detail

your familiarity with packages, programming languages, operat ing

systems, web design packages and the internet generally. IT skills may

be a clear selling point for temporary positions or for positions within

smaller organisations.

Did you know?

AGCAS Occupational Profiles provide detailed information

on the skills and competencies required for a particularcareer. Reference copies are available in the Careers Service

library, or online at www.prospects.ac.uk

Did you know?

A survey by TimeBank revealed that of the 200 leading

businesses surveyed, 58 per cent think that voluntary work

can be more valuable than paid work experience and 94 per

cent believe that volunteering adds to an employees skills

www.timebank.co.uk


Please dont exaggerate. If, for example, you describe your

spreadsheet skills as advanced then we might ask you

about this at the interview





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17

References

1 How many referees do I need?Usually two, preferably one LSE academic and a recent employer. If you

do not have an employer use two academic referees instead.

2 Can I say, References available on request?Yes you can. In some ways this is preferable because it allows you to

retain some control over when the employer contacts your referees.

3 No one in my department knows me. Howwill they be able to write me a reference?Try to make contact with your personal tutor and discuss with them the

types of jobs you are applying for. Your tutor will have access to useful

information about you on LSE For You. Therefore, it is in your interest

to keep this information updated. As well as posting your CV, you can

also write about the skills you have gained and comment about your

class reports. All of this will be very useful information for a reference.

4. Can I use overseas referees?Yes you can. It is helpful to give an email address in this instance.

5 Can I use a referee who is somebodyI know well and who already works forthe organisation?The standard convention is to use an academic referee and your most

recent employer. If you want to use someone else, it might be better

to put, References available on request, at the bottom of your CV

and discuss the issue of referees at interview stage.

6 Do I have to give my current employer asa reference?It is standard practice to do this. If you dont, the reader may think you

are hiding something. If you are concerned that your current employer

doesnt know you very well, or that a previous employer is more

impressive and you would rather use that, it might be better to put,

References available on request on your CV and then discuss it when

you get to interview stage.

7 My most recent employer is from a short,casual job I have been doing. Can I use familyand friends instead?The standard convention is to use an academic referee and your most

recent employer. If you want to use someone else, it might be better

to put, References available on request at the bottom of your CV and

discuss the issue of referees at interview stage.

8 Do I need to get permission from a personbefore I use them as my referee?Yes. It is even better if you can have a discussion with them and explain

the types of jobs you will be a pplying for and the skills required.

9 I have two potential academic referees; oneof them is a well known, high profile professorwho doesnt know me very well, the other oneis not very well known but knows me very well.Which one should I use?This depends on the type of organisation you are applying to and will

vary from one individual to another. However, if you are applying to

organisations where the high profile professor will be known (for example

if you are applying to another university or a think tank), then a reference

from them may carry some weight. In most other situations, its quite

likely that the professor may not be that well known outside specialist

circles and a reference from someone who knows you better would bemore appropriate.

16







Did you know?

According to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel

and Development, 23 per cent of companies had dismissed

an employee who had been found to lie or misrepresent

information in their application, within the last year.

5 Academic CVs

These are different in several respects from other CVs. For more

information, look at the PhD section of the Careers website.

Additionally Kate Daubney, the Careers Adviser for PhD students,

runs lunchtime seminars on writing academic CVs and applying for

academic jobs. She is also available for one to one career

discussions, including CV reviewsEmail: [email protected]

Top TipsMake sure you will be able to talk enthusiastically at interview

about anything you mention in your interests section.

Avoid obscure abbreviations, jargon or slang.

Your CV should be an aid to the employer helping to direct

them to the skills and experience they have asked for.

Dont underestimate your experiences. If you can demonstrate

the skills you acquired and apply them to the role you are

applying for, then any experience can be of interest.


References




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19

125 Shipman HouseAlnwick Street

London W2 0PQBeatrice CrierIncome Development & PR DepartmentYouth Action London

29 October 2009

Dear Ms Crier,

I have recently completed my second year at the London School of Economics, pursuing a BSc in SocialAnthropology. I am writing to apply for the unpaid internship offered at Youth Action this summer, which Isaw advertised on the Working for an MP website. Please find enclosed my CV as requested.

I am particularly drawn to the internship because it provides experience in three key areas in which I aminterested.

First, I am eager to develop my skills in media. This year I hosted a weekly radio show that won two LSE MediaGroup Awards and I was an active contributor to the student news paper. I woul d welcome the opportunity towork with the UK Youth magazine and learn more about online journalism. Second, I am interested ingaining a better understanding of fundraising because I believe it depends on highly polished communicationskills . As you can see from my CV, I have worked on raising money for Drop the Debt, and am currently aparticipant in Oxfams Cycle Laos Global Challenge. I hope to build my future career in the non-profit sectorand any chance to sharpen my abilities and knowledge of fundraising would be extremely helpful. Third,though I have considerable experience in the logistics of event management through my work as a SeniorSteward at the LSE Events Office, I am interested in gaining experience of the public relations aspect.

I am also enthusiastic about the post because of my long-standing interest in issues of social inclusion affectingyoung people. In high school, I was instrument al in founding and developing the Diversity Committee, whichworked to examine problems of difference and facilitate open discussions. By chairing sensitive debates inyouth forums at the city, state, and national level, I acquired excellent communication skills. I also gained anunderstanding of the intricacy of issues such as under-age drug use, school-leavers, and teenage pregnancy inmy diversity work.

Youth Action attracts me because it works to understand and tackle these complicated problems by connectinga wide and varied network of autonomous member organisations, consisting of both young people andadults. I am eager to contribute to Youth Action in the work of promoting and expanding its network,advocating the benefits of high-quality youth work and, most importantly, in working to help realise the

potential of young people. Your organisation has a long history and is a leader in its field, and the opportunityto work with such a respected charity would be invaluable for me.

I am enthusiastic about supporting the work of Youth Action and gaining the experience that this internshipprovides in media, fundraising, and event management. Thank you for taking the time to read my application.I am available for interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours Sincerely,

Enrico Smith

18





IVITIESREFEREESTARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTCLARITYEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESREFEREESTARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINCover letters

Relevant highlightsof candidates

experience

Shows understandingof organisation

Talk about educationand work experience

in a way thatemphasies relevant

skills andachievements

States clearly whereposition wasadvertised

Writes precisely aboutwhy he wants to

work for TB4. Avoidsvague generalities


When constructingyour application,think aboutdeveloping yourunderstanding ofwhat a firm islooking for andhow you can targetyour cover letter.


TARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESREFEREESTARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTEFor f rther reso rces and e ample CVs go to lse ac k/careers


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8 How do I sign off?If you address the letter to a named individual, sign off with Yours

sincerely. If your letter begins with, Dear Sir or Dear Ma dam, end

with Yours faithfully.

9 What do I put as the subject header whensending my cover letter via email?Title the email Application for (job title). If you are sending a

speculative application you can be less specific. Dont try to be too

creative! Something along the lines of; Assistance required for LSE

student, or Can you help me?

10 Should I hand write a cover letter?Opinions differ as to whether or not you should hand write your cover

letter. If you are asked specifically to write it, then you must. Make

sure the letter is neat and legible. Use dark ink because it is easierfor photocopying. In most cases though, you can send a word

processed letter.

11 Can I use bullet points in a cover letter?While there is nothing to stop you using bullet points remember that

you are writing a formal business letter which needs to be written

clearly and succinctly. Writing in paragraphs and sentences shows your

mastery of English grammar. Can you do the same with bullet points?

12 Should I use a cover letter with anapplication form?Yes. If you need further advice about filing in application forms, you

can book an appointment to speak with a careers advisor. We also

have numerous resources in the Careers Information Room to assist

with application forms. Ask a member of the information tea m who

will be happy to direct you.

13 Are there any example cover letters inthe Careers Service?Yes, we have a number of guides and reference books containing

examples of cover letters in the careers information room. Do come in

and speak to any of the information staff who are happy to direct you.

14 Can someone check my cover letter?We have a specific CV and cover letter checking service, Monday to

Thursday in term time and appointments available during vacations. For

full details and information on how to book an appointment, visit our

website: www.lse.ac.uk/careers

15 Which is more important, the CV or thecover letter?They are both important. If you want to maximise your chances of

success you should treat them both seriously. The cover letter is often

the first thing the recruiter sees and will set their expectations for what

is to follow. A good cover letter will highlight your key strengths a ndmotivation for wanting to work for a particular organisation. The CV

will then go into more detail about what you have achieved. The

recruiter will form an impression of you based on both documents.

16 How can I impress on employers that I canmake a positive difference to their organisation?Try and identify the experience, skills and qualities you have which

are relevant to the job and provide good evidence to back up your

claims. Show that youve researched the organisation and the sector

and say something specific about your motivation for the role and

the organisation.

Its obvious when a candidate has sent the same CV and

covering letter to every company so please dont do this.

Before each application it might help to start with a blank

piece of paper. Write down exactly what you want this

employer to know about you.


1 What is a cover letter?A cover letter is a one-page document that is sent and read in

conjunction with your CV. It highlights relevant skills and achievements.

2. What is the purpose of a cover letter?The cover letter is a chance for you to highlight the skills and

achievements, which are especially relevant to that particular employer.

It will be a prcis of your life to date, tailored to the competencies that

are required by the employer. It is also a chance for you to demonstrate

your knowledge of the organisation to which you are applying.

3 What needs to be included in a cover letter?Recruiters expect you to show that you match what they want.

Remember, this is a question of interpretation. The secret of writing

a good cover letter lies in using your qualifications and experience to

show that you are the best person for the position.

The first two paragraphs should focus on these achievements:

academic, extra curricular, work experience and other interesting

aspects of your life. The last paragraph should focus on the employer,

why you are applying for the job, and some interesting, relevant facts

that you have discovered about that company.

Show them that you are a clear-headed person, capable of thinking

clearly and a motivated, active learner. Write in a clear and logical

manner and remember, the way you write and present yourself says

a lot about you.

4 How long should the cover letter be?Something around 400 words is about right and certainly not more

than one page of A4 paper. Sentences should be roughly 14 words

long. This will mean short, sharp sentences that make for concise,

gripping paragraphs, which are good news for readers with short

attentions spans.

5 What is the correct length and layout ofa cover letter?In general, cover letters are one side of typed A4 and are set out like a

formal business letter. The letter should be about three to four paragraphs

long with each separated by a single line. Do not indent the paragraphs as

this is considered old-fashioned.

6 How do I know who to write to?It is usual to reply to the name used in the advert or application pack.

If a name is not given, call the company and ask for a named individual

who deals with (graduate) recruitment. We advise strongly that you

address your cover letter to a named person. Do make sure you use the

correct spelling of their name.

7 What is the correct salutation or greeting?Your name and address should be clearly shown at the top, right-hand

corner of the letter. Dont think that because this information is on

your CV you dont need to put it on the cover letter. Pages can become

separated easily.

Date the letter and send it to a named person. The correct greeting in a

business letter is always formal. It normally begins with Dear and usually

includes the persons last name and title, ie Professor, Dr, Mr, Ms etc. If

addressing a female its worth finding out if they are Mrs, Miss, or Ms

For a business letter, Ms usually works.

Its really important your covering letter says something

specific and unique about why you want to work for that

company. Go beyond the obvious on their website, do your

research and show you are genuinely motivated and

enthusiastic about what the organisation does. This is what

employers are looking for and will help you stand out from

other applicants.

Maddie Smith, Careers Adviser

Did you know?

60 per cent of CVs are mailed to the wrong person, normally

the Managing Director, according to a survey by Forum3.



TARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESREFEREESTARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTEFor further resources and example CVs go to www.lse.ac.uk/careers


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We have stressed throughout this booklet the necessity of creating a

CV that is targeted to a particular employer and to a particular job.

Hopefully, as result of following the principles outlined in this booklet,

you now have a first class CV that wins interviews. Finally, before

submitting, why not give it one last check? The following check listruns through the main sections of CV (these are not set in stone) and

ends with some final general thoughts. The list is not exhaustive but

can help you spot any major omissions.

Education and Awards

Have you highlighted the most relevant modules?

Has your CV mentioned any academic awards and scholarships?

Have you showcased your research skills by mentioning your

dissertation (both the title and the methodology where relevant)?

Work Experience

Has your CV clearly demonstrated evidence of the skills outlined in

the advert and person specification?

Have you provided sufficient detail of your activities and

achievements to convince the employer that you are both capable

and committed?

Have you included greater detail on more relevant e xperience

(possibly increasing impact with the use of headings e.g. Legal

Experience)?

For speculative CVs, have you identified the skills that are important

in your chosen area?

Have you quantified your success (e.g. raised 500 for a student

society)?

Extracurricular activities

Have you mentioned any volunteering activities you have been

involved in?

Are you involved in any societies/hold any positions of responsibility

or have particular achievements?

Have you highlighted any international experience?

Are you able to plug any work experience gaps with evidence of

team working examples drawn from different aspects of your

university life

17 How can I explain why Ive chosenthis sector?You need to demonstrate a realistic understanding of what is involved

in working in any given sector and then show that you have skills and

achievements that match.

18 All the organisations I am looking at seemto be the same. How can I demonstrate that Iknow the differences?

It is often assumed that the way to impress an organisation is to show

that you have carried out a lot of research. This is true up to a point.

However, a paragraph full of facts about how many people work for

an organisation, what awards it has won and in what markets it is

strongest is, in reality, telling the employer things they already know

about themselves. The strongest cover letters show that you have done

some research but also make a link between you and the organisation.

19. Will anyone actually read my cover letter?There are no guarantees, but it makes more sense to assume that

they will and therefore make sure its good. If you assume that no

one will read it and dont bother to put much effort in, it runs the risk

of someone actually reading it and not being hugely impressed.

20 I have unusual circumstances; how shouldI present these in a cover letter?You need to think about the needs of the employer that you are

approaching and try to present the information to meet those needs,

emphasising the transferable skills that you have acquired. You do

not need to focus on all aspects of your life to date in the letter, only

those areas in which you feel the employer will be interested.

21 Can I have a standard cover letter?Best avoided! See question 3.

22 What is the difference between a coverletter and a letter of motivation?If by letter of motivation you refer to the French lettre de motivation,

then there is no difference as it is means simply a cover letter in English.

Top Tips

Keep the language friendly but formal. Think about howyou would really speak to an employer at interview.

Be positive! Use action words but dont lose sight of your

own style.

Avoid repeating key words or phrases.

Always end on a positive note. You can end by reaffirming

your enthusiasm or your suitability.

Check your letter several times, and then get a friend to

check it, then go away and check it again later.

CV check list

TIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITIONSOFRESPONSIBILITYEMPLOYMEN

STARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYEXPERIEN

T

For further resources and example CVs go to Inside LSE Careers www.lse.ac.uk/careers




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RKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESREFEREESEXPERIENCESP

OFRESPONSIBILITYCURRICULUMVITAEPERSONALDETAILSWORKCLARITYEXPERIE

NTINFORMATIONCLARITYACHIEVEMENTEVIDENCEPOSITIONSOFEMPLOYMENTIN

TIVITIESREFEREESTARGETEDEMPLOYMENTINTERVIEWRELEVANTCLARITYEXPERI

LSE Careers Service websiteThe Careers website contains information on CV writing and further

resources. We are in the process of compiling a library of example

CVs, relevant to careers particularly popular among LSE students.

Keep an eye on the Careers website throughout the year to see future

developments: www.lse.ac.uk/careers

There are many books on CVs in our careers library.

Wed recommend the following to get started with:

Making Applications (AGCAS)

Dont be put off by the mundane design. The content is excellent

and there are many example CVs to illustrate the points.

The Best Job-Hunt Book in the World (Max Eggert)

A third of this book is about CVs. Concise and clever advice.

101 Best Cover Letters (Jay Block and Michael Betrus)

Some good examples here.

Websites:

Prospects: www.prospects.ac.uk

On this site you can find occupational profiles, sector briefings and job

application advice.

Guardian jobs: http://jobsadvice.guardian.co.uk

Further resources

p g

How to write a curriculum vitae:Edited by Olivia Wilson

Written by Shaun Harris, Susie Lawrence, Iain McLoughlin,

Lesley Martin, Gary Woodward and Kezia Richmond

24





Languages and other additional skills

Have you mentioned any language skills and level attained?

Does your CV give account of any specialist IT skills (statistical

packages for example)?

Interests Have you used this section to demonstrate examples of additional

skills such as team work (team sports) or leadership (leading an

expedition / organising a trip)?

Have you concentrated on key interests rather than giving a long

list?

References

Can they be contacted easily?

Have you briefed your referees about the role and what is expected?

General

Appearance: does it look good even before you read it?

Accuracy: has it been checked for spelling/grammatical errors?

Mind the gap: have you checked there are no gaps in your history?

Relevance: have you given priority (space) to the most relevant

skills/experience? Have you looked at what you have written from

the employers perspective?

Targeting: have you targeted your skills and achievements to this

specific job?

Length: does it fit cleanly on to 1 or 2 pages without looking toocluttered?

Format: does the style reveal your full potential? Does it follow a

consistent layout?

Clarity: is the content clear and concise?

Honesty: is the content true and accurate? Could you back it up at

interview?

Focus: is it easy to see what type of work you would be good at?

Purposeful: do you sound assertive and positive (lots of action verbs).

Is there evidence of achievement?

Objective: finally, if you were the employer with a list of essential

competencies, could you tick these off very quickly and make a quick

decision to offer an interview?

Further resources

p g




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Notes Notes

CULUMVITAEPERSONALDETAILSWORKEXPERIENCESPECIFICSKILLSINTERESTSACTIVITIESREFEREESINTERVIEWRELEVANTINFORMATIONCLARITYCL

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The School seeks to ensure that people

are treated equitably, regardless of age,

disability, race, nationality, ethnic or

national origin, gender, religion, sexual

orientation or personal circumstances.

This brochure can be made available in

alternative formats, on request. Please

contact: the Careers Service

Contact details

The Careers Service is open:

Monday Thursday 10am 5pm

Friday 11am 5pm

Telephone Number:

020 7955 7135

Fax Number:

020 7955 6846

Email:

[email protected]

Address:

LSE Careers Service

3rd Floor, Tower 3

LSE, Houghton Street

London WC2A 2AE

www.lse.ac.uk/careers

If you are dyslexic, disabled or require special assistance and would

like to pre-book for any of our services and events, please contact

the Careers Service.


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