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CVs that hit the target

Dominic Laing

Careers Consultant

Take a poll

• Take a poll

• What recruiters expect from you

• How to sell your achievements

• Take a poll

• Reviewing your CV

• Matching the requirements

• Homework

CVs that hit the target - Agenda

The Challenge – what are the chances

of meeting your preferred employer?

“85 applications per vacancy”

(AGR - Association of Graduate Recruiters 10.7.13)

But recruiters still have trouble in filling their application quotas………..

Why Recruiters

target Manchester • Because you have;

– taken an appropriate course,

– have the associated technical skills,

– ideally with some commercial experience

– engaged in personal development (Manup, peer mentor, Hornet Rep or active with the BCS etc. etc.)

– have good references

– our reputation and track record

– the best Careers Service in the UK

– Because you are GOOD

How to sell your achievements

• ‘Write a great CV from scratch’

How it looks

– Format

– Structure

and what it says

– Content

Which format to choose

One which sells your knowledge, experience

and skills in the best light for your employer.

• Chronological

• Skills based

• Targeted

• Functional

www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/applicationsinterviews/cv/

Which structure to use The one which sells your knowledge, experience and

skills in the best light for your target employer.

Website Professional associations Contact details

References Industrial Placement Self employment

Linked-in memberships Name Personal profile

Education Achievements Technical skills

Career objective Social networks

Work experience Facebook page

Interests and activities Volunteering

Followers on Twitter Internships

Foreign Languages Personal Development

Content – The evidence of your

relevant knowledge, experience and skills

• Every section needs to have examples

• Every example should show achievement

• Every achievement should be described

using CAR (Context – Action – Result)

• Knowledge from your studies and beyond

• Experience from your placement, internship

or part–time job

• Skills from everywhere!

Take a poll

Reviewing your CV

Has the impact of your placement, internship

or part-time job been highlighted enough?

• What new knowledge have you gained?

• Has your commercial awareness improved?

• What about skills? (Technical, commercial

and personal confidence)

• Do you know what your future employers is

looking for from you?

Skills in demand from the

2014 leavers

www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/employable/skills/

Matching the

requirements

• Follow-up your placement provider.

• Keep track of what has been happening.

• Be aware of opening dates.

• Use an evidence matrix to cover all bases.

• Exploit your enhanced awareness of a

sector, organisation and a variety of roles.

• Which recruiters would welcome your CV?

• Fairs and presentations from now on

Evidence matrix

Skills required Education Work experience Extra-curricular

Technical (eg.

C++ or Java)

Problem solving

Communication

Team working

Adaptability

Commercial

awareness

Ambition

Network widely – Shows commitment

Cultivate right mindset and motivation

• Find them on Linked-In

• Follow them on Twitter

• Make sure your Facebook presence is a

benefit and not a hindrance to your

chances of success.

Over to you

• Resources

– ‘Write a great CV from scratch’

– ‘Making the most of your work experience’

• Events

– Engineering, Science and Technology Fair on

16th October www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/

– Recruiter presentations via CareersLink

• Vacancies via CareersLink with email alerts

www.manchester.ac.uk/careers

Good luck and keep in touch