CVs and Application Forms1st November, 2011

How to compose a strong CV

- Tailoring your CV to the employer and the role- Formatting your CV- DO’s and DON’Ts

How to complete an application form

- Outlining your skills and experiences- Competencies and skills required- Accuracy and detail!- Other information required

Tailoring your CVRead the Job description – competencies, requirements

Research the employer further – values, key ‘buzz words’

Detail the parts of your role that meet the criteria, demonstrate your suitability

Think about what you could do to enhance your CV and improve your chances

Identifying key competencies and skills required

As a group, identify and highlight some of the competencies the employer is looking for

and ‘buzz words’ that you can relate to on your CV

Now choose one of the competencies you have identified and think of something you have done which

uses the same skills

5 Minutes

5 Minutes

What do you think you could do to develop some of these skills?

Types of CVChronologicalLists your education and experience in reverse chronological order

Skills-based This focuses on the skills required by the employer more than on youreducation and work history. Tends to be used more by contractors andother skilled workers.

Combination You may have very relevant qualifications that favour a chronologicallayout, and varied work experience that benefits from a skills-basedapproach.

AcademicIt is built around three areas - your research, teaching and administrationexperience. Length is less important and it may be longer than two pages.

CVs for other countriesDifferent countries have different CV formats –make sure you find out whatis required!!

Structuring your CV

• Personal Details Name, contact details• Profile/career objective Keep it specific and

relevant• Education and Qualifications Most recent first• Work History Transferable skills• Additional Skills and Qualifications IT, languages, vocational

qualifications• Hobbies and Interests Not required• References Available upon request

Formatting your CVFrom the 1 CV you have been given work in pairs to think of some of the positive and negative elements

Things you can consider are:

•Font•Alignment•Consistency•Spelling and grammar•Dates

5 Minutes

CV ‘DOs’ and DON’Ts’

• Write ‘CV at the top’

• Leave any gaps in dates

• Include marital status or other irrelevant info

• Use pictures, colours, photos etc – keep it professional

• Blanket email your CV to employers

• Write ‘CV at the top’

• Leave any gaps in dates

• Include marital status or other irrelevant info

• Use pictures, colours, photos etc – keep it professional

• Blanket email your CV to employers

•Ensure the formatting is consistent•Use actions words and try to link them to the competencies/skills •Ensure that your CV is relevant to the employer and to the role

•Think about and detail your transferable skills

•Use your space wisely – CVs should not be longer than 2 pages

•Ensure the formatting is consistent•Use actions words and try to link them to the competencies/skills •Ensure that your CV is relevant to the employer and to the role

•Think about and detail your transferable skills

•Use your space wisely – CVs should not be longer than 2 pages

Completing an application form…

• Competency questions

• Transferable skills

• Look at your CV

• Attention to detail

• References

• Competency questions

• Transferable skills

• Look at your CV

• Attention to detail

• References

As a group, Look at your experience on your CVs and think of an example to relate to two of these competencies:

-Leadership-Communication-Working under pressure-Problem solving-Working with others

5 Minutes

Applications ‘DOs’ and DON’Ts’• Copy and paste

answers from different applications

• Repeat examples• Delay in submitting

and application – check the deadline

• Rush the application

• Copy and paste answers from different applications

• Repeat examples• Delay in submitting

and application – check the deadline

• Rush the application

•Make sure you understand the competencies•Varied examples where possible•Recent examples•Right amount of detail•What was YOUR role was in an example•Stick to the word count •Ask someone to check it

•Make sure you understand the competencies•Varied examples where possible•Recent examples•Right amount of detail•What was YOUR role was in an example•Stick to the word count •Ask someone to check it

Questions?