Getting a Job Series

CVs and Covering Letters

A Careers Service Guide to

CVs and Covering Letters

INTRODUCTION
This Booklet has been written to help students start creating their CV. We suggest that students read it, look closely at the sample CVs provided and write a first draft. The booklet should ideally be read in conjunction with attending a CV Workshop (see Website for dates of workshops or ask at the Reception Desk). You can bring your draft CV to the Quick Enquiry Desk where a Career Consultant will look it over and give you some feedback. If you feel, for any reason, that you are at a disadvantage in the application process (e.g. because of a disability or any other issue), please make this known to a member of staff when visiting the Careers Centre, and we will do our best to help you.

CONTENTS THE CV
Why do you need a CV? . When do you use a CV? . General Rules Things to Include Layout Strategies for Getting Started . CV Speak Effective Language . Optional Extras . International CVs .. On-line CVs Mature Students and CVs .. Academic CVs ... Disabled Students & CVs Sample CVs ... 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 7

COVERING LETTERS
Why? .. Hand Written or Typed? .. How Long? Format Speculative Letters ... Sample Covering Letters . DOs . DONTs ... Check List .. Further Information ... 17 17 17 17 18 20 21 21 21 21

APPENDIX
Skills Databank . 22

THE CV WHY DO YOU NEED A CV?

The purpose of a CV is to get you to interview. Sent to an employer either speculatively or in response to an advertisement, a CV should entice an employer to want to have a look at you in person, rather than on paper. In short, A CV IS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR YOU! A good advert makes you want to know more about a product. In a CV, you are the product.

WHEN DO YOU USE A CV?

!

In response to a job advert when a CV is requested (never when you are specifically asked to fill in an application form). When you are writing speculatively to an employer to find out if there are any opportunities in the organisation.

GENERAL GUIDELINES THINGS TO INCLUDE Personal Details

! ! !

Name. Address (permanent and term time). Telephone number and/or e-mail.

NB 1: Marital Status, Health, and Gender not necessary unless you have specific reasons for including these. NB 2: Sometimes a persons nationality is obvious, and sometimes it isnt. If your nationality has an impact on work permit issues, make this clear.

Education
! !

Reverse chronological order. Dates, name of institution (not full address), subject, grades.

(NB: Not essential to include all GCSE grades, use your discretion. You may want to give a short explanation of your degree, especially if it is relevant to the job/type of work. See sample CVs.)

Employment or Work Experience

! ! !

Reverse chronological order. Include work experience, voluntary, paid, related, unrelated. Expand a little. Explain duties and skills developed. What did you do? What did you learn? Highlight any achievements and responsibilities.

You may want to divide into related work experience and other work experience. This can have the benefit of giving less recent, but more relevant experience a higher priority. A large number of jobs that are similar? You could group these together, but make sure you highlight the skills you have developed from the work.

Skills
This is an important part of the CV. The length of this section will depend upon the content of the rest of the CV. Look at the example CVs that follow to get you started.
! !

Entitle the section Key or Relevant Skills . Avoid duplication with the rest of the CV. For example, if you have brought out skills in your work experience, there is no need to repeat this in a skills section. Some of the skills may be hard skills e.g. IT (mention specific packages), others may be softer skills e.g. public speaking skills gained through debating .

Interests/Responsibilities/Achievements
(You may want one or two sections here, depending on what you have done.)
!

Dont just list. Explain a little, highlighting how your experiences have made you more employable.

Referees
! ! ! !

Two, unless more are asked for. One academic, one employer if possible. Include address with postcode, telephone numbers and e-mail. Ask referees first.

LAYOUT
! !

The norm is two pages. Generally no more than two pages although exceptions can be made for academic CVs. Some employers, for example, some areas of the media, like a one page CV, more like the American Resum. This may also be acceptable for first years who do not have lots of work experience. Think about where information is positioned on the CV. Information on the first page has more impact. Space = importance. Give more space to those parts of your CV that sell you better. Avoid splitting an important point between two pages, where possible. Keep it simple. No fancy fonts, colours etc. Look at some of the sample CVs for ways of formatting your CV.
2

! ! !

(NB: Although layout is important, dont rely o n it. The content is crucial.)

STRATEGIES FOR GETTING STARTED Stage 1

Putting pen to paper is always difficult, but there are some sections of your CV that hardly require any thought personal details, date of birth, education, exam results etc. Start with these and you will have made progress immediately.

Stage 2
The most difficult part of the CV is pulling together relevant skills and linking these to things you have done. You need to think hard about the skills you have developed. You also need to research the sort of employer/type of work you want to enter, and find out what skills you have to give evidence of:1. Think about what skills you have developed so far in your academic career and from your work experience. List these skills and give evidence. 2. Research your employer or area of work. What skills are they asking for? How can you give evidence of these? 3. Include all of this information on your CV. Example: You are thinking about sending your CV to a firm of accountants.
!

Do some thinking about why you are going to make a good accountant. Do you have the necessary skills? If so, how did you gain them? Give evidence. Do some research on accountancy (lots of information in our Careers Services Library and on Websites). What skills do accountancy firms look for? Do you have the potential to develop these skills? If so, how? Now you need to include this information in your CV. You can do this in a variety of ways. Under your work experience, explain how you have developed rele vant skills. Maybe you will also want to include an extra skills section where you can highlight some of these skills too? Did you develop any relevant skills in your degree? If so, bring them out.

(NB: Examples of situations in which work related skills can be developed are given at the back of this Booklet.)

CV SPEAK EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE

How you say something can be just as important as what you say. The same is true when writing a CV. You need to be positive, professional and enthusiastic in your CV.
!

Choose words with an impact that will convey your ability to achieve. The best words to use are ACTION words. Examples are:Achieved Persuaded Invented Negotiated Managed Presented Developed Created Wrote Organised Researched Conducted Implemented Produced Analysed

Start your sentences with these action words rather than overusing the word I.
!

Keep your sentences short. This has the effect of making your CV sound punchy and concise. Always use positive language. Sell yourself if you dont, no one else will do it for you.

See example CVs for good examples of CV speak.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Personal Profile or Career Aim
!

This can be an excellent way to grasp attention and to give the reader some focus to the sort of career you want to enter. It needs to be done well though. A badly written, unfocussed personal profile can give a negative first impression. Especially useful for students or graduates not wanting to focus on their degree discipline and for Mature Students who have a variety of different skills and experience to summarise. If you include a Personal Profile, ensure that the skills that you highlight are backed up by the rest of your CV. Beware: some of the more traditional employers e.g. law do not like Personal Profiles. Research this before sending off your CV and if you are unclear, ask a Career Consultant when you bring your draft CV in for feedback.

INTERNATIONAL CVs
If you are applying for work outside the UK, you must check the standard CV format for that country and adapt your CV accordingly. In the USA, for example, the emphasis is on a one page document and in Germany, a photograph in the top right hand corner is the norm. Our Library has an excellent publication called Global Resume and CV Guide to help you with this.

ON-LINE CVs
!

The need to target your CV and provide evidence of skills is essential when you are asked to submit a CV on-line. Many firms or recruitment agencies will search electronically for key words like organised, managed or Excel (according to the description of the job for which you are applying). Some firms search for behavioural traits like enthusiasm or responsibility. If you have not used the key words, they will not be highlighted in the electronic search and so yo u might not be selected for interview. If employers use this method of selection, they will make their key words clear, so it is even more important that you do your research before submitting an on-line CV to an employer.

MATURE STUDENTS AND CVs

Mature Students often have a wealth of work and life experience that can be very valuable to a future employer. Not all employers initially realise this, and so Mature Students need to anticipate the gap and go the extra distance to market themselves on their CV. Career Changers should focus more on transferable skills gained from previous employment, rather than job specific, specialist skills.
! !

Consider using a Personal Profile. You may also want to include another section called Summary of Experience. This could be positioned in several places in the CV; before Education, before Employment History, instead of a Skills Profile. The Summary of Experience should summarise your work history to date but highlight skills you have developed that make you stand out from other graduates. See Combination CV- sample below. Ask in the Careers Service Library for the Mature Students folder. This has useful information on different approaches to the job hunting process for Mature Students.

! !

ACADEMIC CVs
The same rules apply to academic CVs and for other types of CV -sell yourself on paper in the best possible way and expect to accompany the CV with a covering letter/covering e-mail. Below are some points to get you started. Remember to show a draft to a Career Consultant and to your academic supervisor to get as much feedback from as many sources as possible.
!

A Personal Profile is optional (see example CVs for an example of a Personal Profile). It is a good way of highlighting the area of research you wa nt to enter and can be adapted for each application.

Education should be in reverse chronological order, PhD first. You have a choice when writing about your PhD you can either spend a paragraph describing your research at this stage, or you can just put the title under the Education section and describe your PhD research in more detail in another section of the CV, perhaps one called Research Experience or as an Appendix. Split employment/experience between Research-Based Employment and Other Employment or perhaps Research Experience and Other Experience. Other sections to include where relevant: Published papers Teaching Experience Presentations/Posters at conferences Prizes/Awards received Section on Skills (see example CVs for ways of doing a Skills Section)

For further information the Academic CV, see the Careers Service booklet CVs for PhD Students.

DISABLED STUDENTS AND CVs

If you have a disability, it is up to you when you choose to disclose this, if at all. If you decide to disclose your disability at the CV stage it is important, as ever, to market yourself effectively and highlight the skills and qualities that you have gained through the management of your disability. For example, a visually impaired student/graduate may ha ve developed an aptitude for IT and other technical skills that will be useful in the area of employment in which he/she is interested. It may also be useful to highlight the determination and self reliance that undertaking a degree and managing your disability may have required. For further information on this look at www.skill.org.uk The Careers Service runs two workshops on Should I Disclosure a Disability to a Potential Employer? and How to Identify Disability & Diversity Friendly Employers. To sign up for these and all other workshops, log onto www.cardiff.ac.uk/carsv

SAMPLE CVs
The following section of this booklet provides you with some sample CVs to help you create your own document. Read them all carefully and decide which format will work best for you. You may find that you wish to adapt your own format based on different sections of the CV. For example you may want to use the Chronological CV format but include a Personal Profile. Or perhaps you like the Functional CV but want to give your Education section a higher priority. It is up to you. Your CV is your document. Stick to the General Guidelines outlined at the beginning of this booklet and concentrate on marketing yourself effectively. Dont forget that you can book a Quick Enquiry appointment and get some feedback on your first draft from a Career Consultant.

CHRONOLOGICAL CV Jennifer Thompson

Term time address: 5 Roderick Street Cardiff CF1 3AT e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 029 2066666 Date of Birth: EDUCATION 2002 - 2005 12th February 1983 Home address: 42 High Street Coventry CV4 2PY Tel: 01203 666666 Nationality: British
Student has highlighted modules relevant to the job she is applying for Personal details can go at the beginning or end of a CV. Marital status is not necessary.

Cardiff University BSc Genetics (Class 2.2) Modules included Molecular & Microbial Genetics, Cyto-Human and Imuno-Genetics, Microbiology, Biotechnology and Genetic Manipulation. Industrial Placement year below. Goodstone Sixth Form College, Coventry 3 'A' Levels: Biology (A), Chemistry (B), Mathematics (B)

1999-2001 1995-1999

Highlighted all GCSEs. Not always necessary. Use your discretion.

Greyhill Comprehensive School, Coventry 9 GCSEs: Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A), English (A), History (A), Economics (B), Geography (B), French (C), Music (C)

WORK EXPERIENCE 2003 - 2004 Unilever, Industrial Placement Year Investigated the genetic control of virulence factors for pathogenic Ecoli. Gained experience of a range of genetic analysis techniques, including plasmid manipulation, DNA extraction, PCR and cloning. Coventry City Council Data Processing Assistant - Sorted and processed data relating to the housing list. - Evaluated new software packages. - Responsible for training new staff.
Student has included key skills in her work experience. Always try to link your skills and experience to the job for which you are applying.

Summer 2002

Summer 2001

General Foods, Moortown - Logged deliveries of soft fruit and vegetables. - Worked well in small team under considerable pressure maintaining a high degree of accuracy.

SKILLS
Bullet points are good. Key skills that are relevant to the job are highlighted

INTERESTS Hiking:

Good laboratory skills including techniques of genetic analysis as well as accuracy and attention to detail. Project management skills developed whilst organising my research work at Unilever. Good written communication skills gained during degree where clear, concise reports are essential and through writing articles for student newspaper. Verbal communication skills developed through delivery of presentations to other staff whilst on placement year. IT literate in a range of packages including Word, Excel, Access, SPSS, SQL. Clean driving licence. Good conversational and written French.
Use short sentences and action verbs. Dont give too much information about your interests.

Organised several hikes whilst a member of the University Rambling Club. Explored the Auvergne whilst on vacation in France. Organised a group visit to Italy in 2001 which included a tour of the major cities in central Italy. Participated in two Easter digs (1999 and 2000) at the Thornton Roman Settlement in Dorset. Team leader in 2000.

Travel: Archaeology:

Student Journalism: Interested in current affairs and have had several articles published in Gair Rhydd, the Cardiff student newspaper, chiefly science news articles. REFEREES Dr P A Burnford School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff CF1 3AT Tel: 029 2055 1451 E-mail: [email protected] Personal Tutor
You should have two referees one academic and personal or employment related. Include a telephone number and e-mail address where possible.

Dr Geoffrey Millmore Head of Research Laboratory Unilever Colworth House Sharnbrook Bedford MK44 1LQ Tel: 0158 4565 4459 Industrial Placement Supervisor

FUNCTIONAL CV Jennifer Thompson

Term time address: 5 Roderick Street Cardiff CF1 3AT Tel: 029 2066 6666 E-mail: [email protected] Date of Birth: 12 February 1983 Home address: 42 High Street Coventry CV4 2PY Tel: 01203 666666

PERSONAL PROFILE

This grabs the readers attention and gives a focus to the sort of career you want to enter.

A commercially aware and IT literate Science graduate with problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills gained through industrial year, now looking for a career opportunity in Management Consultancy.
This is useful in bringing out skills relevant to the job description. Bullet points are effective. There may be room for expansion in this example, but dont include too much. Evidence here is well expressed and brief.

KEY SKILLS

Problem Solving - an analytical, logical and determined approach to problem solving demanded by research work at Unilever. Ability to work independently - worked unsupervised for much of the time during Industrial Placement and final year project. Teamwork - made effective contributions archaeological digs. as both team member and team leader in

Computer Skills - worked with wide range of databases and statistical computer packages including Word, Excel, Access, SPSS, SQL Communication Skills - Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in various work experiences and in publication of articles in student newspaper. Business Awareness - Gained insight into work in both the public and private sector.
Compare this description of the degree with that of the previous CV. See how different parts of the degree have been highlighted to make it much more focussed towards Management Consultancy.

EDUCATION
2002 - 2005

Cardiff University BSc Genetics (Class 2.2) Scientific study developed logical and analytical approach to problem solving. Computer programmes used for modelling, database and statistical purposes. Industrial Placement Year at Unilever Goodstone Sixth Form College, Coventry 3 'A' Levels: Biology (A), Chemistry (B), Mathematics (B)

1999-2001

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1995-1999

Greyhill Comprehensive School, Coventry 9 GCSEs: Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A), English (A), History (A), Economics (B), Geography (B), French (C), Music (C)

WORK EXPERIENCE
2003 - 2004 Unilever Industrial Placement Year - Organised own work as part of a research project. Developed project management skills including management of resources and budget, scheduling work and communication with others working on the same project. Gained insight into financial implications of and constraints on scientific research. Coventry City Council - Data Processing Assistant - Sorted and processed data relating to the housing list. - Evaluated new software packages. - Responsible for training new staff. General Foods, Moortown - Logged deliveries of soft fruit and vegetables. - Worked well in small team under considerable pressure maintaining a high degree of accuracy.

Summer 2002

Summer 2001

INTERESTS
Hiking: Organised several hikes whilst a member of the University Rambling Club. Explored the Auvergne whilst on vacation in France. Organised a group visit to Italy in 2001 which included a tour of the major cities in central Italy. Participated in two Easter digs (1999 & 2000) at the Thornton Roman Settlement in Dorset. Team leader in 2000.

Travel: Archaeology:

Student Journalism: Interested in current affairs and have had several articles published in Gair Rhydd, the Cardiff student newspaper, chiefly science news articles.

REFEREES

Dr P A Burnford School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff CF1 3AT Tel: 029 2055 1451 E-mail: [email protected] Personal Tutor

Dr Geoffrey Millmore Head of Research Laboratory Unilever Colworth House Sharnbrook Bedford MK44 1LQ Tel: 0158 4565 4459 Industrial Placement Supervisor

You should have two referees one academic and personal or employment related. Include a telephone number and e-mail address where possible.

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COMBINATION CV (useful for CAREER CHANGERS)

Ms Carol Jenkins BSc (Hons), DipM 6 Sketty Road, Swansea SA2 6BJ Career Aim Tel: 01792 666666
Career Aim gives a useful synopsis and clear focus.

A first class honours graduate who has progressed swiftly to senior management within an international financial business environment through top quality, innovative work coupled with a highly motivated approach and strong interpersonal skills. Currently seeking to refocus this experience within a Welsh public service environment.

Key Skills
Management

A highly effective Skills Profile which gives concise evidence of a broad range of experience. Attractive layout.

Experience of complex project management to tight deadlines and within budget. Effective team and vendor management and motivation. Ability to generate concise reports for management and external briefing. Development and delivery of presentations to clients. Established strong, productive and enjoyable working relationships with colleagues, vendors and clients. Benefit of statistical background combined with practical experience. keen attention to detail ensures accurate and thorough analysis. Highly computer literate with a wide range of experience across general office and specialist software packages and databases. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance, Crystal Reports, Symmetry, Salestrak, Micropal, SPSS-X, WinFax. Fluent English, working knowledge of German, 'O' level French. Basic knowledge of Welsh, keen to develop further.

Communication
Evidence of different types of communication given.

Analytical

PC Skills

Languages

Education
Diploma in Marketing Gwent College of Higher Education, Newport Part-time study for Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification BSc (Hons) in Management Science Awarded 'First Class Honours' London School of Economics and Political Sciences, London Bishop Gore Senior Comprehensive, Swansea 'A' levels: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Geography GCSEs: nine subjects 2001-2002

1998-2001

1991-1997

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Description of work split between Responsibilities and Achievements. This is a good way to highlight effectiveness in the workplace.

Professional Experience
Direct Marketing Manager Jan 2003 - Mar 2005

E D & F Man Investment Products, Switzerland Responsibilities included: definition of target groups for lead general and direct sales; development and execution of communications programmes for specific client segments; analysis of results and programme refinement. Achievements established direct marketing function thereby improving the effectiveness of the sales process by delivering targeted messages developed the contacts database to function as a marketing and sales system and introduced windows-based reporting package outsourced mailshot and faxshot activities resulting in significant cost savings and wider distribution opportunities Jun 2002 - Jan 2003

Marketing Analyst

E D & F Man Investment Products, Switzerland Responsibilities included: analysis of product performance against the competition and presentation of results of sales support material; project management of fund launch activities: briefing design, video, translation and PR agencies, producing brochures, creating presentations, analysing success; support of a range of marketing activities including corporate material production and event organisation . Achievements initiated and produced the first divisional corporate brochure extended use of analytical software to improve sales arguments and tools Jun 2001 Jun 2002

Assistant Marketing Consultant

KPMG Management Consulting, Cardiff Responsibilities included: provision of marketing research support to senior consultants for a range of government, utility, private sector and professional clients; organisation of regional seminars individually and with co-sponsors; initiation and co-ordination of internal marketing projects. Achievements promoted December 2001 introduced and modified market research workshops for executives July 2000 - Aug 2000 Jun and Sep 1999 Sep 1997 - Sep 1998
Less relevant work experience takes up less space.

Administrative Asst: Social Sciences Research Inst, UCS, Swansea Market Research: Guardian Royal Exchange Properties, London Work and travel abroad (Europe and Middle East)

Professional Training
Management Marketing Presentation

Essential Management Skills, Chartered Institute of Marketing (5 days) Consulting Skills Workshop, KPMG Training Centre (5 days) Direct Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing (3 days) Market Research Skills, Chartered Institute of Marketing (5 days) Presentation Skills (2 days), Effective Speaking (2 days); KPMG

References available on request

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LAW CV Gemma Bailey

120 Walker Street New Estate CARDIFF Tel: 029 20 1234
Personal Profile? Many commercial firms advise against incorporating this into your CV. Stick to a traditional approach which highlights education and legal work experience. The profile is best used in applications to smaller private client practices or by mature applicants or candidates converting to Law from another degree discipline.

EDUCATION 003-2006

Cardiff University, LLB Law (class 2i) LLB III LLB II Modules Modules List all your modules year by year in reverse Etc Etc chronological order, to give a full picture of the Etc Etc legal content of your degree. Etc Etc LLB I Modules, Etc, etc, etc

If final degree outcome is unknown, you will need to give a breakdown of your 2nd year results (add 1st year results as well, if impressive).

2000-2002 1993-2000

Coleg Glan Hafren, Cardiff A Levels : Sociology (A), Geography (A), History (B) New Estate High School, Cardiff GCSEs A Geography, Art & Design, Welsh History, English Language, Literature, B Double Science, Maths C French

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE Dec 2005 to date Evenings Administrator, XYZ Law Firm, Cardiff Paralegal work experience consisting of updating case files, data entry work on nationwide database and answering out-of-hours research requests. Broadened knowledge of the legal administrative framework and gave a real grounding in a variety of commercial issues. Summer 2005 Vacation Scheme, ABC Solicitors, Bristol Invaluable insight into the work of a major regional commercial firm. Shadowed a trainee in the Commercial Property department for a fortnight, then spent a week working in the Projects department. Highlights included sitting in on a number of client meetings and taking an active role in the organisation of a press briefing. Voluntary work experience %& Solicitors, Cardiff Unpaid administrative experience in this busy three partner Criminal practice. Updated files, fielded telephone calls, sat in on client interviews and attended Court on three occasions.

July 2003

14

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Summers 2004 & 2006 Sales Assistant, Village Pharmacy, New Estate, Cardiff Advised customers on a wide range of health and beauty products. Took responsibility for tills and shop security in the occasional absence of pharmacist and pharmacy manager. Pensions Telesales, Legal & General, Cardiff Gap year work taken to help fund degree. Contacted prospective clients on a cold-calling basis and marketed the range of pensions services. Arranged follow-up appointments with pensions personnel. Exceeded monthly target by 20% on six occasions. Evening Store Replenishment Team, J Sainsbury, Cardiff Gap year work (evenings) taken to help fund degree. Worked effectively in teams to ensure that store maintained agreed stock levels. Promoted to team leader of a group of four colleagues.

2002-2003

2001-2002

SKILLS
! ! ! !

Languages IT Literate Presentation skills Business acumen

Fluent Welsh speaker, conversational French and German. Use of Microsoft Word, Access and Excel databases and e mail. Developed via Student Tutoring and PR work at ABC & Co. Attained commercial awareness whilst at Legal & General.

INTERESTS Netball Enthusiastic player at school, representing South Glamorgan in two tournaments. At University, played for the Law School team throughout first and second year. Frequent visitor to Europe, represented New Estate Youth in a delegation to Stuttgart as part of the twin-town exchanges conference of 1997. Inter-railed through Eastern Europe in Summer of Gap Year. Student Tutor, acting as a Higher Education mentor for school pupils in a local secondary school. Gave talks on student life and career objectives to groups of 6 th formers. 2 September 1980

Travel

Voluntary Work

Date of Birth REFEREES Prof Holmes Tutor, Commercial Law Cardiff Law School Museum Avenue CARDIFF CF1 0YZ Tel: 029 20 987654 (Personal Tutor)

Ms S Ackerman Graduate Recruitment Co-ordinator ABC & Co. Solicitors Markets Avenue BRISTOL BS1 1XY Tel: 0117 123 6789 (Work Experience Supervisor)
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ONE PAGE MEDIA CV ANDREA HAYWARD

16 Holne Chase London N2 OQQ Tel: 020 8633 4267 e-mail: [email protected] Date of Birth: 10-7-83 British/Canadian citizen Full clean driving licence 50 wpm typing WORK EXPERIENCE
Relevant work experience really empowers a media CV. This is concise. The interested employer can ask for portfolio evidence at a later date.

South Wales Argus 23 March 4 April 2005 Portsmouth News 13 April 17 April 2004 Gair Rhydd Students Newspaper Feature Writer 2003 - 2004 Big Issue Freelance work published 2004 2005 Features writing, layout and design, excellent spelling, Word, EXCEL.
Relevant journalistic skills highlighted here.

SKILLS EDUCATION Oct 02 June 05 Sept 00 June 02 EMPLOYMENT Summer 2004 Summer 2003

Cardiff University, BA Hons History and Politics 2:1 South Hampstead High School, London 3 A levels History (A) Politics (B) English (B)

Alfred Marks Employment Agency, London Temp work in PR Agency John Lewis, London Sales Associate Politics and current affairs, literature, playing oboe and piano, tennis and badminton.

INTERESTS REFEREES

Dr W Davies School of History and Archaeology Cardiff University Cardiff CF1 3EB Tel: 029 2045 7855 E-mail: [email protected]

Mr J Freeman Editor South Wales News Wheeler Street Newport NP1 3AQ Tel: 01636 885222 E-mail: [email protected]

WARNING This format should only be used if you have a substantial amount of related experience in, for example, journalism, public relations, broadcasting or advertising. Otherwise consider using the two-page Functional CV format.
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COVERING LETTER
WHY? A covering letter personalises your CV and gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm and specific suitability for a post. They should always be sent with a CV. HAND WRITTEN OR TYPED? Either. If an employer specifically asks for a handwritten letter, then clearly you should submit one. The majority of covering letters these days are word processed, however. HOW LONG? Usually one side of A4 (handwritten covering letters will take up more space) FORMAT Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Why are you writing? In response to a specific advert or speculatively. Set the Scene. Who are you? What have you done? Why them? Explain what attracts you to a company/type of work Give some evidence that you have done some thinking and research about the employer. Personalise this section dont send the same paragraph to every employer. Why can you do the job? Outline your skills and experience. Refer to your CV, but dont repeat points. If you are replying to a specific advertisement, match yourself to two or three points in the job description. Bring out a real enthusiasm in this section. Dealing with problem areas. A failed A level, a change of course or a health problem can be mentioned here. Only do so if you feel the problem area is significant. Ask a Career Consultant if in doubt. If you are referring to a mistake, emphasise what you have learnt from the problem. Close. Give details of how you can be contacted.

Section 4

Section 5 (optional)

Section 6

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SPECULATIVE LETTERS
Many companies do not advertise vacancies externally, so there are many missed opportunities out there. This is especially so in media related jobs and also in areas like charity work or environmental work. One way you can improve your chances of finding a position is by sending your CV directly to the company on a speculative basis. Follow the format above, but remember the following important points:
!

Identify the key decision maker. This may need a telephone call to the Human Resources Department. Personalise the letter. Show you have found out something about the company. Using the word job or vacancy can cause instant rejection if there are no actual vacancies better to use the words openings or opportunities which are more open ended and may get the employer thinking about innovative possibilities. Be enthusiastic and promote a positive self image. Ask for a meeting. Show your draft to a Career Consultant.

! !

! ! !

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SAMPLE SPECULATIVE LETTER

18 Coychurch Road Cardiff D J Rolleson Director of Administration Care & Concern Wales Llanishen Business Park CARDIFF CF11 2AB Dear Mr Rolleson [1] As an experienced volunteer, I have been very impressed with Care & Concerns latest publicity campaign, which balances an innovative approach with traditional principles of care for the individual. [2] Having requested further information about volunteering within the local area, I was delighted to learn of your forthcoming expansion in South Wales and am now writing to enquire whether your organisation might have any administrative opportunities for a recent graduate with proven voluntary experience and a real desire to make a long term contribution to the not-for-profit sector. [3, 4] From the enclosed CV, you will see that whilst completing my degree in Sociology and Welsh, I undertook a placement at the Donate Worldwide headquarters in London. Whilst at DW, I was not only able to see the administrative function of a major charity at first hand but was also encouraged to play an active part in the organisation of a number of campaigns. Most notably, I was given the responsibility of creating a mailing database for last years hugely successful Pounds versus Poverty campaign. My experiences during this three-month stint proved invaluable when compiling my final year dissertation on the impact of charities and donating on the student population, which produced some unexpected and interesting results. [5] I am now seeking an opportunity to use my experience, knowledge and commitment to the voluntary sector within an administrative function of a major, forward-thinking charity. I would particularly welcome the challenge of working on new fundraising and promotional campaigns where my highly developed communication, creative and organisational skills could all be put to good use. [6] Should you feel that there might be a suitable opening, now or in the future, I would be pleased to discuss the possibilities with you. I can be contacted by letter or by telephone on (029) 20 987 6543. [7] Yours sincerely [8]

Comments
[1] Has identified and written to key decision maker. Employers are more interested in themselves than in you, so starting your letter by talking about them grabs their attention. Has found something about company. out the

[2]

[3]

[4]

Openings or Opportunities instead of job or vacancy. An element of intrigue perhaps the employer will want to find out more at a face to face meeting. Convey ed enthusiasm and energy, outlining what she can do for the company rather than the other way round. Asked for a meeting. Finished with Yours Sincerely (following Dear Mr..)

[5]

[6]

[7] [8]

Rhian Edwards

TOP TIP
!

The message conveyed in this letter is Ive found out about you and this is what I can do for you. Avoid a message which says Here I am, an amazing graduate and Im interested in what your company can do to help me in my career.
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SAMPLE COVERING LETTER IN RESPONSE TO AN ADVERTISED POST

10 Renton Street Cardiff, CF3 4JS Date: Ms P Jones [1] Director Castle Housing Association CARDIFF CF6 9PJ Dear Ms Jones re: TRAINEE HOUSING ASSISTANT (REFERENCE: 123) [2] Please find enclosed my CV in response to your advertisement in the Western Mail for the position of Trainee Housing Assistant. [3] You will see that I graduated from Cardiff University in June of this year with a BA Hons degree in Social Administration 2:1. This course has stimulated my interest in social policy and particularly in housing which formed the subject of my dissertation. I am now very keen to begin a career in housing management, hence my application. [4] During my vacation last year I worked in the Housing Department of Torfaen District Council. This gave me experience of the procedures involved in housing allocation and an insight into resource planning. I can relate well to people at all levels, have good organisational skills and have a constructive approach to problem solving. [5] The position of Trainee Housing Assistant is exactly what I am seeking and I believe that my enthusiasm and knowledge would enable me to make a valuable contribution to your organisation. [6] I would be very pleased to attend an interview for this position and can be contacted by letter at the above address or during the evening on 029 2078 6566. [7] Yours sincerely [8] [4] Comments [1] Find out the name of the person responsible for recruitment in the company. Make it immediately clear what the letter is about. An enthusiastic first sentence. The candidate has made it clear where he/she saw the advertisement. The second paragraph should explain why you are writing and why you are interested in the field of employment. Paragraph 3 should highlight relevant work experience and skills gained. This is your chance to sell yourself. This candidate is making it clear he is making an informed decision to enter Housing Management. Be positive. Tell them you are available for interview and how they can contact you. Finish with Yours sincerely (following Dear Mr/Mrs.)

[2] [3]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

Jason Budd
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FINAL POINTS
DOs DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DONTs DONT DONT DONT DONT DONT DONT Leave long gaps in employment and education. Employers will wonder why. Use lead in phrases such as My duties included.. Use action words e.g. organised, managed. Overuse I. Use fancy fonts. Send out the same CV and covering letter to 100+ employers. You are unlikely to get a response. Put Curriculum Vitae at the top, its clear what it is. Put your name at the top instead. Aim your CV at an identified target audience. Present your CV well. Make sure it is neat and clear. Check alignment of paragraphs. Keep your CV to 1 or 2 sides of A4. No longer. Use short sentences. This stops you from waffling. Use words that make an impact and demonstrate your ability to achieve e.g. implemented, developed, researched, managed. Allocate space according to importance. Show a Career Consultant a draft. Spell check your CV and covering letter and show it to a friend for proofreading. Focus your cover letter to the employer.

CHECKLIST
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Have you tailored the CV and cover letter to the job description? Have you used positive action words? Will your CV and cover letter keep the readers interest?

FURTHER INFORMATION
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Watch the video Looking Good on Paper. Ask at Careers Centre Reception. Sign up for a CV www.cf.ac.uk/carsv Workshop via the Careers Service Web page

Bring a draft of your CV to a Quick Enquiry session for a Career Consultant to give you some feedback. These are bookable on the day via the Website, by telephone or in person at the Careers Centre Reception.

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APPENDIX
HOW TO USE THIS DATABASE Use this database as a prompt list when you are thinking about possible evidence you could use to support your claims for having various skills. The skills listed here are those most often sought by employers. Examples are given for possible evidence for having developed these skills. ADAPTING CONFRONTING CO-OPERATING CREATIVITY DECISION MAKING DEXTERITY DIRECTING LISTENING MEMORY NEGOTIATING NUMERACY ORAL COMMUNICATION PERCEIVING PERSUADING PLANNING PROBLEM SOLVING QUESTIONING SOCIAL CONFIDENCE SPATIAL SENSE VERBAL COMPREHENSION WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

This skills databank has been extracted from the PROSPECTS Planner computer guidance package.

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ADAPTING Changing or modifying your behaviour in response to the needs, wishes or demands of others. These types of activity will demonstrate your adaptability: Living abroad as part of an exchange programme Vacation work in a shop, restaurant or factory Playing team sports Being an au pair Group outdoor pursuits or expeditions Working or living with children or the elderly Industrial placements or teaching practice

CONFRONTING Challenging the beliefs, wishes or actions of others in a face-to-face situation. If you have had any of these types of experiences you will probably have had to confront others: Arguing a case in a tutorial Sharing house with other than close friends Political canvassing A job that involves disciplining people Teaching practice Being a course or hall representative Evangelising (or dealing with people who are trying to convert you) Committee work

CO-OPERATING Working with other people in a co-ordinated or complementary way in order to meet an objective or complete a task. Co-operating is important in many organisations, regardless of the job for which you are applying. So selectors are often looking for evidence that you have worked with other people constructively. Forms often ask you to write about a time when you worked constructively with others. Remember: Suitable evidence need not be limited to actual work experience. You should think about all aspects of your work, studies and social life. These types of activity involve co-operation: Group project work during your course Team games or outdoor pursuits such as climbing Committee work Organisation of social events Vacation work Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Amateur dramatics

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CREATIVITY Being original and inventive in order to solve problems, generate ideas or produce novel designs. It is important to remember that this does not only mean artistic creativity. Generating ideas and getting novel solutions to problems are creative activities. In your day-t o-day life you may well have had to: Get an extension on an essay deadline Keep your bank manager at bay Turn a student hovel into a home Run a childrens party

Your leisure activities might include: Designing and making your own clothes Creating sets or costumes for drama productions Thinking of ideas for fundraising or Rag events Creative writing

Were you particularly imaginative in the way that you tackled your project or dissertation?

DECISION MAKING Identifying options, gathering information about their suitability, and then systematically using this to choose the best option. You may have used your decision making skill to choose your HE course and then to select options, modules or projects. Making a career choice is a good example of this type of decision making. Most application forms have sections where you are asked to write about your course, or about how you made your career choice, these could be used to highlight your decision making competence. If you have family responsibilities, you will have used this skill in many aspects of your life such as when choosing schools for your children. It is also used in these types of activities: Deciding where to live and who to live with Choosing a venue for a social or sporting event Living on a limited budget without an overdraft

DEXTERITY Using your hands, or equipment, in a precise way. Most of the jobs and courses that make extensive use of this skill are technical, medical or artistic and require a vocationally related qualification so the selectors will assume that it was developed as part of your course and not expect further evidence. On most application forms, you are asked to write about the part of your course you enjoyed the most. If you want to demonstrate this skill then remember to write about practical or laboratory work rather than theoretical studies. You could also present evidence of your skill by writing about any leisure activities that make use of it: Model making Dressmaking etc
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DIRECTING Controlling and organising the work of others by setting objectives, giving instructions and monitoring progress. The interest that selectors show in directing or leadership skill is so common that it is almost a clich. As student life tends to be co-operative, rather than hierarchical, many students are unsure about the sort of experience that is relevant or even if they can give any evi dence at all. There are some student activities in which the connection is apparent. There are others where you may have used this skill without realising it. Obvious examples include: Being a team captain Drama directing Belonging to the Officer or Air Training Corps Chairing a committee

Less obvious examples are: Editing a magazine Doing lab supervision as a postgrad Co-ordinating the activities of a group who are planning a social event

You will have used this skill if you have worked in these types of jobs: Teaching TEFL Childrens summer camps and play schemes Any supervisory work

So your directing skill can be demonstrated by writing about social, study or work activities.

LISTENING Accurately understanding orally expressed views or information without misinterpretation or distortion. Lectures obviously involves listening, but your lecturers are (or should be) good communicators. Jobs that involve listening may well involve trying to understand in difficult circumstances. Sensitive listening may have been developed by: Working on a student nightline or helpline Being a course or hall rep, or committee work Having a job where you were hired and then left to find out what to do from your colleagues

You may have had work experience that involved answering questions, such as: Reception work Childrens summer camps Tourist guide Teaching Summer play schemes

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MEMORY Accurately recalling facts, data or details of procedures. Students use memory extensively so selectors often take it for granted and do not look for evidence. But your memory could be demonstrated by: A bar or restaurant job remembering orders Leisure activities that make extensive use of memory Trivial Pursuits, Pub quizzes, Bridge, Acting memorising lines, cues etc Representing students on a university committee Student Union work Trade Union work Parent/Teacher committees

NEGOTIATING Holding discussions with people in order to reach a position of mutual satisfaction and agreement about a contentious topic. It is likely that you will have used negotiating skills in many aspects of your day -to-day life. Try to think of situations where you have wanted something and the person you have been dealing with has been reluctant to give it to you. This is very common when dealing with bureaucracy e.g. Dealing with problems about welfare benefits Dealing with your landlord Extending your overdraft

You might have been in more formal negotiating situations such as: Getting sponsorship for a project.

NUMERACY Understanding and using facts or ideas expressed in numbers, graphs or simple equations. If a very high level of numeracy or mathematical ability is required, then a degree in a numerate subject will be an essential entry requirement. Whatever the requirements, if yours is a numerate degree, you will not need to offer further evidence. Selectors who are particularly concerned about numeracy often use numeracy aptitude tests. Your Careers Service will probably be able to arrange for you to try one of these or you could get a copy of the Penguin book Know Your Own IQ. Your numeracy would be demonstrated by: A, A/S or Scottish H level Maths A numerate BTEC Grade A pass in GCSE or Scottish S level Maths A job that involved a significant amount of work with numerical data A leisure or extra-curricular activity that involves manipulating figures.

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ORAL COMMUNICATION Using speech to express ideas, give information or explanations in a way that is easily understood by others who are unfamiliar with the topic. Selectors are often looking for good communication skills oral communication is one aspect of this. You may have developed good oral communication skills by engaging in these types of activity: Giving presentations as part of your course Being a member of staff-student committee where you had to explain student grievances or problems Involvement in local or student politics Debating society

Jobs in these types of area also use this skill: Telesales Customer relations Teaching or training Explaining tasks to others Giving information

PERCEIVING Assessing and understanding the feelings, attitudes or temperament of other people. Life is difficult if this skill is totally absent, so to some extent we can all understand others. A really perceptive person seems to have second sight. These types of activities will have used perception: Parenting or working in a caring role Being a student mentor Working on a student nightline or helpline Being a course or hall representative

PERSUADING Convincing other people to agree with you, or do what you want. You will probably have used persuasion in many aspects of your day-to-day life e.g. Living in a shared house When dealing with children Getting technicians to help you in the lab Working in groups on your course or on projects Any occasion when you had to enlist the help of other people

You will certainly have used persuasion if you are involved in these types of activity: Political canvassing or evangelising Committee work Course or hall representative

And if you have had these types of jobs: Sales work Working with children teaching, au pair

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PLANNING Working out how to schedule available resources and activities in order to meet an objective. You are likely to have used planning skills in your studies, particularly in project work. On most application forms you are asked to write about your course - if you want to demonstrate this skill then you should include information about: How you established what was important How you planned the work How you set the timetable

Your planning skill will have been developed if you have experience of these types of activities: Working to support yourself whilst studying Having family as well as study responsibilities Organising inter-railing or backpacking trips Organising social or sporting events Fundraising for charity or a political party

PROBLEM SOLVING Devising and then using an appropriate method, rule, technique or logic in order to find a solution to a problem. Problem solving is a core skill that is developed i many HE courses, particularly in sciences, n engineering, linguistics, law, philosophy etc. Many application forms have a section that asks you to write about an aspect of your course that you particularly enjoy. This skill could be highlighted here. Forms also ask you about your leisure interests. If you are involved in these types of activity then you could write about them in a way that highlights their use of your problem solving skills. Chess Computing Logic games and puzzles Dungeons and Dragons

QUESTIONING Obtaining information from, clarifying the opinions of, or assessing the feelings of others by asking appropriate questions. You will have used your questioning skill in these sorts of student activity: Working on a student nightline or helpline Work shadowing or a placement in which you learned by asking others about their job Student Union welfare work Tutoring or mentoring other students Student journalism Being a course or hall rep Getting information from poor lecturers

You will certainly have used it if you have worked in these sorts of jobs: Reception work Market research interviewing Specialist sales work where you needed to find out exactly what your customers needed

REMEMBER: The emphasis is on getting accurate information in difficult situations.

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SOCIAL CONFIDENCE Establishing a good rapport with strangers, and feeling confident of your position in unfamiliar situations. These types of activity use the social skills that develop confidence: Inter-railing or backpacking Overseas exchange programmes Giving presentations or public speaking Political canvassing Industrial placements Sales work Any job dealing with the Public Being a Student Union officer

Your social confidence will have been tested and developed during your first term at University, particularly if you are: At a very large university With people from a different background to you Much older, or younger, than the rest Studying abroad

SPATIAL SENSE Extracting meaning from, understanding and using the information in diagrams or pictures or three dimensional structures. As most jobs and courses that make extensive use of this skill require a vocationally-related qualification in subjects such as art & design, architecture, geography, surveying, planning, engineering or sciences, then the selectors will assume that it was developed as part of your course and not expect further evidence. Selectors who are particularly concerned about it may use spatial reasoning aptitude tests. Your Careers Service will probably be able to arrange for you to try one of these. If you do need to present evidence of your skill, these types of experience could be used: A or H level Art & Design or Engineering Drawing Work experience in a drawing office Leisure activities e.g. model making, orienteering, dressmaking

VERBAL COMMUNICATION Understanding complex information, facts, ideas or instructions which are expressed in written English. As all HE courses involve reading complicated text books you will have used this skill extensively, so many selectors will take your competence for granted. Selectors who are particularly concerned about it may use verbal reasoning aptitude tests. Your Careers Service will probably be able to arrange for you to try one of these or you could get a copy of the book Know Your Own IQ. In your studies: Understanding instruction or software manuals Making prcis of technical reports or novels Background reading in preparation for essays

Outside your studies: Reading quality newspapers and periodicals A job that involved complicated instructions
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WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Producing grammatical, well expressed, easily understood and interesting text about topics that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Selectors are often looking for good communication skills written communication is one part of this. Remember: the way you complete your application form will give the selector a very good indication of your competence. In jobs where it is very important (e.g. journalism and advertising), you will be asked to send a piece of your written work or write a specific article. Your Careers Service may have examples of these. You may have developed good written communication skills by engaging in these types of activity: Writing essays, reports or a dissertation Writing an account of a work placement Any job that involved producing documentation Writing publicity material Student journalism Creative writing

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