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Writing An Effective CV: Careers Service

The document provides guidance on writing an effective CV. It outlines the purpose of a CV and what employers look for, including key skills and experiences that match the job requirements. It recommends tailoring the CV to specific roles by highlighting relevant examples and using persuasive language. The document also covers best practices for CV formatting, content, targeting it to the job, and common mistakes to avoid. Resources for additional help with CVs, cover letters, and careers support are listed.

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99 views31 pages

Writing An Effective CV: Careers Service

The document provides guidance on writing an effective CV. It outlines the purpose of a CV and what employers look for, including key skills and experiences that match the job requirements. It recommends tailoring the CV to specific roles by highlighting relevant examples and using persuasive language. The document also covers best practices for CV formatting, content, targeting it to the job, and common mistakes to avoid. Resources for additional help with CVs, cover letters, and careers support are listed.

Uploaded by

api-237308802
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing an Effective CV

Careers Service

Session aims
Understand the purpose of a CV How to identify the key skills required for a job How to format your CV What you need to include How to demonstrate your skills

Beneficial to think like a recruiter

How employers recruit


Write a job advertisement (often with person specification) Set interview date Advertise the position Review the applications cv/covering letter or application form Select the best candidates based on the paper applications

Sifting applications
Has the candidate applied correctly Scan read looking for key words matching the job criteria Try to look for the best match Annoyed by poor layout, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

Employers look for


A CV that: Clearly demonstrates your have the key skills, qualities and experiences required for the job Is easy to read and looks professional

Put yourself in their shoes


They might have lots of CVs to look at and the first pass of your CV might be only a few seconds so your CV must be easy to scan

Key points in CV writing


There is no one right way of writing a CV. Unique summaries of personal experiences Must be tailored to a particular vacancy or organisation

Identify what are the requirements for the job


Personal qualities Skills/related competencies Knowledge Experience

Write down examples to use as evidence to show how you meet the requirements of the job Use a variety of relevant examples - education, work experience, voluntary work, interests

CV format
What your CV looks like can be as important as what is in your CV

How to format the information


Reverse chronological CV
Skills-based CV Academic CV
approach

list your education and work experience starting with the most recent first
arrange your key skills under headings such as communication contains details of interest to academic employers used if you want a fresh

Alternative CV

Make your CV concise Use consistent and proper punctuation, abbreviations and formatting Run a spell check, proofread Do not put CV or Curriculum Vitae Typical student or new graduate CV two pages if A4

CV Content
Your personal details (name, address, telephone, email, blog, LinkedIn profile etc.) Career objective/Personal profile(optional) A skills section designed to highlight your strengths Your education experience, including qualifications

Your record of employment - who you have worked for and what you have achieved (this will normally be in reverse chronological order - most recent first) Other achievements or information relevant to the position Interests Information on sources of references

Prove your skills


Back up your claims with examples Use examples of how you have developed those skills from your studies, work experience and interests/social activities Think about your transferable skills

STAR technique
Situation what was the situation you were in? Task what did you have to accomplish? Action what action did you take to do this? Result what were the results of your actions?

Target your CV
Read the job description/person specification Identify what the organisation is looking for Provide evidence of your suitability against these criteria Emphasise this relevant knowledge and experience in each section Consider whether you need to reorder or add or subtract information to match the requirements of the advert.

Use persuasive language


Help employers find what they want by using direct, positive and appropriate language. I feel that I am a good communicator What impression does this give an employer?

Use an active verb e.g. organised/delivered Talked to clients established effective working relationships Helped produce a leaflet researched, designed and produced targeted handout Identify the buzz words and incorporate them into your answers

Use language effectively

Mistakes !!
My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people. I was responsible for dissatisfied customers. While working in this role, I had intercourse with a variety of people.

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

www.aber.ac.uk/careers/whatempswant www.aber.ac.uk/careers/subjectdo www.aber.ac.uk/careers/skills www.prospects.ac.uk www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/learnin g/employability/disciplines

Useful Links Competencies

Worries you may have


Gaps in your CV Health problems Exam grade issues Incomplete courses Lack of employment experience Disability

Check List
Does my CV demonstrate the required skills and experiences ? Do I identify my key skills, qualities and achievements? Is my CV: clear, concise, complete cover education, jobs, work experience, IT skills, languages, interests and references, consistent fonts and format, current up to date Is this what the employer wants?

An effective CV will get you an interview Always turn negatives into positives Be truthful! Create the right impression of yourself

Useful Links - CVs


www.aber.ac.uk/careers/cvs www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet

Covering letters
The purpose of the letter is: to make sure that your application is seen by the relevant person to draw attention to key points on your CV to highlight your suitability for the job www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet

Make sure your covering letter does

Explain why you are attracted to this type of work and this particular job Why you are a suitable candidate highlight any relevant qualifications, experiences and skills Why you are attracted to this particular organisation

How Careers can help you

One to one sessions, bookable and drop in (career choice, CVs, applications etc) Information Workshops and employer visits Work experience (GO Wales, YES) Jobs/Events database www.aber.ac.uk/careers/casjobs See www.aber.ac.uk/careers for details or follow us at www.facebook.com/abercareers

Where to find us!


Careers Service Student Union

Your Careers Service site

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