Introduction to CVsand Covering Letters

Computer Science Year 1 StudentsEmployability Lecture

Carolyn ParryComputer Science Department Link Careers Adviser

Acting Deputy Director, The Careers Servicecep@aber.ac.uk01970 622378

About me• Languages graduate (London)

• Employed in property, international publishing &

software industries

• Communications Manager in large Stock Exchange

listed software PLC

• Small business owner (magazine publishing)

• Sales and Marketing specialist

• At Aber since 2001: (http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparry)

- Also Link Adviser to IMAPS and SMB

- University Equality Champion

- Fellow of Higher Education Academy

- Master practitioner of NLP and careers coach

- Entrepreneurship specialist

- Certified Belbin Assessor

About this session

It will help you to think like a recruiter so you know:

• how to structure your CV

• what to put in it

• how to write it

• so you get shortlisted and invited to interview!

Remember it’s a game …… so learn and follow the rules!

What recruiters want

Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR)

“Employers are likely to be looking to graduates

who can demonstrate

softer skills such as team-work, cultural awareness,

leadership and communication skills,

as well as academic achievement.”

eSkills – the sector skills councilfor ICT and Business

“The demand for technical skills remains high, but graduates are

increasingly required to be customer facing. Importantly, there is a need to

enhance graduate abilities to deploy skills in a business context and to

further develop their interpersonal skills for communicating with teams,

clients and sub-contractors. The trends and implications of off-shoring means

that skills required by employers are shifting, further emphasising the need

for graduates to be rounded in terms of their technical, business and

interpersonal abilities.”

Source: Researching Graduate Employment in IT eSkills 2009

How employers recruit

• Write job advertisement (sometimes including a person spec)(Q: What personal qualities, knowledge/understanding and skills do I need for this role?)

• Set interview dates (including a panel if appropriate)

• Place in press/online (possibly via HR)

(Q: Where is the best place to find good applicants?)

• Review CV and covering letter or

• Application form (very common for grad. training schemes)

• Select best applicants based on paper profile

(Q: Who best fits our needs? How do I evaluate?)

(NB: Possibly also use online tests to select)

Recruiter drivers• Factor CV/form (paper not the person) in or factor out

• Minimize risk of recruiting wrong person

(costs time, money, and stress, sometimes worse than not

recruiting!)

• Find “best fit” candidate to get high ROI (industry)

(return on investment = (cost of recruit + salary + overhead

costs over employment period) - your contribution)

• Demonstrate appropriate selection/use of public funds

(eg to be compliant with Equality Act’s need for

objectivity)

• ie: match paper profile to their mental picture or

written profile of ideal candidate.

Imagine you’re the recruiter

Q: You are the Project Manager of a 50 man software team and need a new software engineer quickly. You advertised the post in Computer Weekly and with Reed.co.uk and there are now 120 graduate CVs in a pile on your desk.

Your time is short and you have an important meeting with your client to sort out a major problem in a hour.

HR have been on the phone again, wanting to know who you want to interview for the post.

How do you deal with this?

Many recruiters do this formally

• Always use application form(contains personal statement section)

• Score applicants using recruitment matrix

(With first sift to split into “yes”, and “no” piles if not all requirements met eg no covering letter before detailed scoring)

• Possibly use:- online tests- pre formal interview telephone screening - assessment centre activities as well

The first sift

• Has the client applied as instructed?

Eg covering letter/application form plus CV

• First sift techniques:

– scan reading

(like you read newspapers and magazines)

– key words matching and relevance

– they are (unconsciously) influenced by layout

– get irritated/frustrated by poor applications

(inconsistent layout, spellings, grammar errors)

– remember applicant stories not names!

– look for best match possible!

Whichever job you want, remember...

• Understand why you want it and what you can do!

• Demonstrate why you want it and what you can do!

• The answers you need to put together a good

application are in the question!

• Study the job ad or person specification and the

company website for clues

• Then make lists...

Their Requirements

Personal qualities

Skills/related competencies

Knowledge

Experience

Your best proof for each(use multiple examples as necessary)

123etc

123etc

123etc

123etc

Tip! Remember to use their language

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone, blog etc)

• Focussed profile or career objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role (it has the answers!)

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees

*professional version please!

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or career objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role (it has the answers!)

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees

*professional version please!

PROFILEHard working and reliable first year Aberystwyth University student with proven customer service and cash handling experience seeking regular retail work in the local area.

Example – student job

PROFILEAn enthusiastic Geography finalist with understanding of ecological management issues in addition to practical habitat restoration experience. Now looking to build on recent work with national and regional environmental organisations and to use well developed analytical and interpersonal skills in a visitor-focused conservationenvironment.

Example – grad job

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or career objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees

*professional version please!

Achievements and skills!

• Give strong evidence for every essential criterion in the person specification/job advertisement.

• Do this by asking yourself

- What are my best 3 examples of [skill/knowledge needed etc]?)

• Use real situations, be truthful, be specific enough to build a picture!

“Past performance really is the best indicator of future behaviour. That’s what CVs and applications are all about really.”

Nigel LlewellynDeloitte and Touche

Example Achievements and Skills• Teamwork – regularly work in teams of 4 to 20 people in a range of

settings including busy retail outlet, university group work and playing competitive team sports.

• Communication – deal effectively with retail customers face to face and over the phone; further developed skills as University First Year Student Representative for year group of 200. Daily blogger with 350 subscribers (www.myblogaboutme.com).

• IT – categorise for clarity eg languages, operating environments, databases, communications (see next slide for part example)

How to show technology skillsCategorise for clarity eg:• IT

- languages Developed Java programming skills through coursework and writing Android game (over 200 downloads to date). (etc, etc)

Give specific evidence so it is credible!

Help with competenciesSee• Subject benchmark statement for Computer Science• www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science_it_your_

skills.htm• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/subjectdo• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/whatempswant • Behavioural Competencies Dictionary

... to get you thinking about your abilities

and how to write about them

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or career objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role

• Education and qualifications (reverse date order please!)

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees

*professional version please!

Education and Qualifications2010 – 2014 Aberystwyth University

BSc (Hons) Software EngineeringExpected outcome 2(i)

Key modules: x, y and z (ie what is key to the employer)

2003 – 2010 Penglais School, Aberystwyth

3 A Levels: IT (B), Maths (B) Geography (C)

1 AS Level: PE (B)

10 GCSEs grades A* to C including subject(A*),subject (A), Maths (B) and English (B,B)Key Skills Level 3 Maths

• [Dates]• [School/Sixth Form College details]• A Levels [or equivalent; include grades]• AS Level (s) [include grades]• [X] GCSEs including [include overall number and then highlight most relevant including grades as appropriate]• [Other qualifications gained eg Key Skills etc]

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or career objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees

*professional version please!

Employment section

• Job descriptions:- What did I (have to) do?

- What did I learn/gain (skills?)

- How did I add value/contribute? What difference did I make?

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

2008 RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Machynlleth

• Organised and prioritised personal work schedule

• Recorded and analysed visitor numbers following national campaign

• Reported findings at RSPB Wales conference via a presentation to 180 delegates

• Developed communication and team working skills by liaising effectively with colleagues

2007 Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter

• Cleared river bank for re-introduction of otters as part of a small team

• Prepared publicity material in advance of work beginning

• Developed team working and marketing design skills

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or carer objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests (show the real you appropriately)

• Referees

*professional version please!

Structure• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)

• Focussed profile or carer objective

(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)

• Achievements and skills - match to role

• Education and qualifications

• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if

appropriate to suit role

• Interests

• Referees (inclusion varies according to context)

*professional version please!

Order?• The order of the sections in your CV will

depend on what you wish to emphasise for the particular job you are going for

• Consider what is most relevant and put it where it makes most impact!

• Different jobs may well need a different order

Layout

• Even margins - minimum 1.5cm all round

• Good use of white space - check spacing

between lines

• Clear signposting using subheadings - use bold,

consider different typeface, avoid underlining

• Clear typeface - Arial or similar

• Keep section whole - avoid splitting

between pages

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

2008 RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Machynlleth

• Organised and prioritised personal work schedule

• Recorded and analysed visitor numbers following national campaign

• Reported findings at RSPB Wales conference via a presentation to 180 delegates

• Developed communication and team working skills by liaising effectively with colleagues

2007 Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter

• Cleared river bank for re-introduction of otters as part of a small team

• Prepared publicity material in advance of work beginning

• Developed team working and marketing design skills

Language

• Concise and positive• Speak the industry language• Use their keywords• Use active verbs for punch

Do quality check for...

Slip ups

• My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people.

• I was responsible for dissatisfied customers.

• While working in this role, I had intercourse with a varietyof people.

Also check for...

Typos and Spelling Errors• In my spare time, I enjoy hiding my horse

• I am involved in a wide range of extra circular activities

• I hope to hear from you shorty.

• I am a conscious individual

• I am experienced in teaching marital arts

• Instrumental in ruining an entire operation for a large

supermarket chain

• My job involved severing customers

Keys to a successful CV – recap• Use clues provided to tailor content to role

• Effective structure and layout(Clear and consistent structure, effective signposting through subheadings, clean typeface, balanced use of white space)

• Effective content(tailor self to role using the clues in job advertisement/person specification, avoid

assumptions – if it’s not down in black and white they won’t know it)

• Effective Language(Use relevant key words for skills and industry, concise, active verb language, professional level of language; check spelling/meaning)

• NB: Follow the application instructions!• Submit as a PDF to ensure print quality

Covering lettersThe purpose of the letter is to:

• make sure that your application is seen by the relevant person• explain your motivation/interest• demonstrate you understand the company and industry you

want to work in • draw attention to key points on your CV• deal with possible issues effectively• to highlight your suitability for the job

• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet

Use covering letter to...• Express interest/motivation for applying

(Why this job?)

• Demonstrate you know about the industry/company

(Why this industry/company?)

• Highlight key points

(Why you? What can you offer that they want?)

• Deal with possible worries

• Always focus on how you can help them

before you outline what’s in it for you!!

Dealing with worries- yours and theirs!

• Gaps in your CV

(Employer wonders: what happened to cause the gap(s)?)• Health problems

(Employer wonders: Will the illness return?)• Exam grade issues

(Employer wonders: What happened there?)• Incomplete course

(Employer wonders: What was the reason for the change?)• Lack of employment experience

(Employer wonders: How much of a risk is this applicant?)• Disability (Employer wonders: How will this affect their ability

to do the job?)

Phrase carefully and address issues in covering letter!

Useful Links - applications

• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/cvs • www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet • www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

Useful Links - Competencies

• Subject benchmark statement for Computer Science

• www.prospects.ac.uk/

options_computer_science_it_your_skills.htm

• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/subjectdo

• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/whatempswant

• Behavioural Competencies Dictionary

Top tips/reminders• You never get a second change to make a first impression!

• The CV gets you the interview, the interview + CV get you the job

• Match yourself to the job needs (personal qualities, knowledge,

understanding & experience and skills)

• Think features and benefits

• Be truthful (ensuring you present effectively)

• Reduce/remove any risks the employer might perceive

• Turn negatives into a positive

Avoid... “Standard” CVs which are not tailored to the job or the organisation! Oldest information presented first! Attempts to deceive More than 2 pages Coloured, decorated and/ or poor quality paper Inappropriate font (avoid Comic Sans, Bradley Hand, Blackadder ITC etc) or

too small a font – never smaller than 10 – 11 in something like Ariel Sloppy, inconsistent formatting – unprofessional appearance Too much narrative – use of ‘I’ No white space Headings unclear, making it hard to follow. Inappropriate email addresses eg fluffybunny@hotmail.com Forgetting to put your name on your CV!

Uninformative Profiles which are vague and avoid facts or evidence Very long profiles (should be 2 – 3 sentences max!)

Calling yourself Curriculum Vitae !!

More to avoid... Omitting your university course and appropriate details

Avoid a long list of all GCSEs – just include the overall number, eg “10 grades A – C (4As, 2Bs,4Cs) including

Maths (A), English (B)[+ any other key exams]

There’s no need to include your primary school

Make sure you don’t exaggerate experience, in terms of amount and quality

Avoid making the recruiter work too hard – include enough information given on roles and responsibilities

Avoid missing out unpaid work

Do not include long list of ‘Key Skills’ which are just empty claims with no proof!

Please do not write in ‘Interests’ ‘Socialising with friends and going down the pub’

No interesting interests!

Too many interests– when do they have time for work?

Constant references to travelling – will the person leave and cost me aggravation and money?

No Covering Letter - or letter too short/long/wrongly set out

Unexplained Gaps in your CV – suspicious

Slip ups in grammar, punctuation and word use

Typos and spelling errors

PDP – support for your growth

Additional support• Further information - www.aber.ac.uk/careers/applyjobs

- Advice on CVs, covering letters, application forms,

interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests

- Elearning modules - www.aber.ac.uk/careers/casmods

• Support from personal tutors for module

• Support from me – 3 drop in sessions (Sign up sheets out) soonMonday 4 March 1.30 – 5pm Tues 5 March 2.00 – 5.30pmWed 13 March 1.30 - 5pm

• Support from CAS for real job applications

– The Careers Service Union Office

10.30 – 1pm daily.

How the Careers Service can help• One to one guidance

• Career Development programme (CDP)

• Wide range of free leaflets and handouts

• Comprehensive library and website

• On-line lectures and interactive e learning

• Employability events programme and Employer visits www.aber.ac.uk/careers/eventscal

• Job Link for casual jobs and work tasters

• Go Wales grad. work placements, internships and Year in Employment scheme

• Vacancy database www.aber.ac.uk/careers/casjobs

“Past performance really is the best indicator of future behaviour. That’s what CVs and

applications are all about really.”

Nigel Llewellyn

Deloitte and Touche

Stand out for the right reasons

Where to find us!

The Careers Service is in the Students Union, next to the shop!

The Careers Service

Tel: 01970 622378email: careers@aber.ac.ukTwitter: @AberCareers

www.facebook.com/abercareers

www.aber.ac.uk/careers