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Transcript of Room 126, The ClockTower 09 373 7599 ext 89409 Email: [email protected] Preparing an Effective...
Room 126, The ClockTower
09 373 7599 ext 89409
Email: [email protected]
www.auckland.ac.nz/careers
Preparing an Effective CV and Cover Letter - Engineering
Shaun Pulman, Career Consultant
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Outline
1. Where to start - Identifying your skills
2. What skills are required?3. General principles of a CV4. How to write a cover letter5. How the Careers Centre can
assist you
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
General Principles of a CV
1. It is best to use the same CV and cover letter for every application False
2. A CV should be between 2 – 4 pages True
3. On average an employer only spends two minutes looking at each CV False (20-40 seconds, first impressions are important)
4. A CV should be written in an essay format with full paragraphs explaining everything in detail False (use bullet points, underlining, headings, clear sections)
5. It’s necessary to always include a cover letter True (unless it’s stated otherwise)
CV QUIZ – True/False
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Identifying your skills
Q + WE + S + PQQualifications
+ Work Experience + Skills
+ Personal Qualities
Most employers are looking for the ‘package deal’:
Therefore, to be competitive, we need to show them
what we have to offer that’s relevant in each of these 4 areas!
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Identifying your skills
Different Types of SkillsSPECIALISED
numeric, modelling, programming, quantitative analysis, project work...
TRANSFERABLEcommunication, research, problem-solving,
teamwork, analytical, time-management, organisational
Personal Qualitiespatience, persistence, creativity, accuracy...
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Identifying your skills and qualities: What extras can I bring to the organisation?Some examples of additional skills you may have • Playing instruments – time management
• ICT skills – innovative, problem solving
• Event management – time management, organisational
• Cultural knowledge and language skills• Sports coaching – leadership, teamwork
• Singing – discipline, calming
• Drama – teamwork, creativity
• Art and craft/design – creativity, attention to detail
• Fund raising – organisational, planning
• Outdoor pursuits - leadership
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
What skills are required in work?
An example of matching skills:
What employer wants: What I have that matches:
teamwork skills
•project team for university course
•member of dragon boating team for two seasons
•organising committee for school fair
•worked in customer service team of four at McDonalds
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
What skills are required for a particular position?
Matching your skills with employers needs requires research
Check the requirements of the organisation you’re applying to:
•Look at the job ad/job description/strategic plan for the next 2 to 3 yrs
•Talk to people in the field or in similar job
•Research what is happening in the media
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Skills Activity: Education/Work/Extra-Curricular Activities
Situation Task
• Organising Committee for the School Fair
• Elected on to a committee of 5 people to raise funds for resources. Researching potential sources of donations and organising the Fair stalls.
Action
• Wrote Fair newsletter asking parents for help with stalls, donations and bringing goods to sell at the Fair
• Approached local businesses for sponsorship and prizes
• Ordered equipment for Fair
• Participated in regular Fair Committee meetings and recorded the minutes of the meetings
Result
• Made a $10,000 profit for the school
• Received positive feedback from the school principal and due to success on this committee was invited to join the Parent Support Group
Skills
• Self-reliance, setting objectives, innovation, team work, project management, resourcefulness, planning, time management, leadership, organising, problem solving, presentation skills, public speaking, motivating others, hard working, marketing, listening, negotiating…
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
What do employers want to see in CVs:?
Important Not Important
First impressions Coloured/textured paper
2-4 pages long Special fonts/graphics
Residency status Age/gender/marital status/nationality
Consistent layout & formatting Photograph
Bullet point lists Detailed explanations of papers
Cover letter High School records
Source: CV Survey of Auckland Employers, 2006 (conducted by AUT)
** Document should be paper clipped or stapled – binding not necessary
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Target your documents
• Focus on employers’ requirements because you can….
• Catch employer’s interest quickly
• Show employer that what you offer is relevant for them
• Communicate your motivation
• Enhance your chances of an interview!
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Sections of information for all CVs
What goes in to your CV
Personal information
? Career goal/objective
Summary of your skills/strengths/ knowledge/achievements
Education/qualifications
Details of relevant experience, incl. paidand unpaid workExtra-curricular activities, incl. interest, sports and other activities
Referees
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Contact Information
Chin-Wai Leung
Family Name: LeungGiven Name: Chin-WaiEnglish Name: Sherryl
58 Manchester CloseHerne BayAuckland
Phone: 09 307 9432Cellphone: 021 234 567Email: [email protected]
Residency: Permanent New Zealand Resident
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Personal Statement
I am formally trained in electronics, telecommunications, data transfer systems with progress into data processing, particularly data capture, technical specifications, programming, computer interfaces and system testing.
My career objective is to broaden my experience and skills in computing, particularly in communications, local area networks and in computer languages, with a company that will make use of my investigation, diagnostic, analytical and system solution skills.
I believe my strongest assets are my self-disciplined professional attitude, accuracy, adaptability and eagerness to learn more to develop the highest standards possible.
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Highlights/Key Strengths/Areas of Skills and Knowledge/Summary of Skills and Experience: Bullet pointed one-two liner phrases that prove your suitability for the role and related
to the criteria stated in the job ad and job description. Example:
• Computing Skills Specification and design of computer systems from user’s requirements Programming substantial technical systems Hardware testing and diagnostic procedures Interfacing of external hardware to computers Computer Aided Tools: Ansys CFX and Design Modeller, Pro Engineer, Matlab • Communication Skills Design of communication protocols within computing systems Presented outline of electrical engineering systems logic to staff meeting • Problem-Solving Skills Problem analysis and design of system solutions for electrical engineering project • Time-Management Skills Managed team to ensure project completed within deadlines.
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Education
Make a choice about what details to include
Academic awards and other distinctions
Subjects/details of courses if relevant to employer
Grades – if a selling point
Projects
Courses or workshops relevant to the job you’re applying for
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 2009 - 2011
University of Auckland Key
grades
Civil Engineering Materials and Design A
Technical Communication for Engineers A-
Environmental Engineering Design A-
Introduction to Structures A
Fluid Mechanics 1 A
Land Information Systems B+
Mathematical Modelling 2 B
Awards
Recipient of the Tonkin and Taylor Scholarship in 2010.
Winner of 2009 Engineers Without Borders Design Challenge.
Project partner in 2008 EWB Tonga Biodigester design.
NCEA Level 3 2006 – 2008
Takapuna Grammar School
School prefect
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Class Representative March – June 2010The University of Auckland
Responsibilities:• Liaising with students, lecturers in order to keep students informed.• Negotiating on behalf of students to ensure student needs are met• A member of the university consultative committeeSkills:• Strong negotiation skills• Ability to speak to large lectures of students (up to 200 students)Achievement:• Elected by fellow students for this role due to previous year’s success in role.
Extra-curricular activities
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Landsdowne Limited, Auckland Dec 2008 – Feb 2009 Information Systems Officer (Summer Position)
ResponsibilitiesSpecifying, designing and implementing automatic data capture system (data transfer directly from scientific instruments to computer)Evaluating commercial software and hardware in terms of costs/benefitsProgramming for workstation computers Landsdowne Limited – Refinery, Auckland Dec 2007 – Feb 2008 Instrument/Energy Engineer (Summer Position)
ResponsibilitiesInstalling and upgrading computer system associated with energy meteringSupervising instrument workshopSpecifying, designing and commissioning instrumentation systemsAnalysing energy consumption for energy reduction
Work History
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
FURTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Sage Restaurant, Auckland City Nov 2004 – Oct 2005 McDonalds Family Restaurant, Auckland City Mar 2002 – Feb 2003 Body Shop, Takapuna Jan 2001 – Mar 2001
Responsibilities• Serving customers• Ordering stock• Supervising staff• Assisting with promotional activitiesAchievements:• Promoted to maitre d’ at Sage Restaurant• Crew member of the month at McDonalds; two months running
Work History
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Touch Rugby – played at social level for last three seasons
Surf Life Saving – Past President of South Beach Club for five years
Photography – keen interest which has extended to developing a collection of contrasting national scenery prints These interests have further developed my teamwork skills, leadership skills and creative skills
Interests
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Referees Names, titles/designations, phone contacts
Between 2 - 4 referees
Lecturers, employers, sport coaches, senior people in organisations that you have belonged to
Easily accessible by phone (can include overseas referees)
Well informed about you
An option: “Referees available on request”
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Cover Letter TipsCover Letter Tips An effective cover letter:
• Focusses on the employer’s requirements
• Demonstrates knowledge of the employer and the job
• Is written in a business letter format
• Is positive and shows motivation
• Is typed neatly and error free
• Is up to one page in length
• Invites the employer to read your CV
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
How to write a covering letter• State what you are applying for and where you heard about it, and briefly outline your enthusiasm for the position
• A paragraph about your education, and directly why it is relevant for the position/profession/industry/firm
•A paragraph about your work experience, and directly why it is relevant for the position/firm
• A paragraph about your enthusiasm/suitability for this specific position/firm – try and build a connection. Mention any contacts you have in the company or research that you have done – website/media/projects
• Express your desire for an interview to discuss further your suitability for the position
• Limit to one (typed) page
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Dear I was very pleased to see the Telecommunications Engineer position advertised on SEEK, and I would like to apply. I have followed Vodafone’s brand closely, and I am an enthusiastic user of your products. I believe that my background in technology and innovation is a great fit with your organisation.
I have a strong academic record in Bachelor of Engineering at The University of Auckland. I feel that I have gained excellent skills with a strong emphasis on practical outcomes, and I particularly enjoy the project that I completed on systems logic, where I received an excellent grade. I understand that a lot of your technical systems use similar systems to those I used in my project, so it would be great to discuss what I could offer you.
My work history has encompassed both information systems and instrument engineering, as well as broader employment. I have seen that your organisation prefers people with all-round skills, and I think that my ‘can-do’ approach would suit the work environment. I note the community programmes that Vodafone engages in, and I believe that this aligns closely to my sense of social justice, which is demonstrated by the voluntary work for Greenpeace in my background.
Recently I met one of your technical staff, Winston Rhodes, at an event at The University of Auckland, and we spoke about some of the work that is in progress at Vodafone. He encouraged me to apply for this position, as he said that I had the type of skills and outlook that would enable me to succeed there. I have since conducted some research into the organisation, and I am extremely enthusiastic about the culture that you have created.
Enclosed is my CV for your perusal, and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Please contact me either by cell phone on 021 444 4444, or by email on [email protected] Yours sincerely
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
• ‘Drop in’ service for 10 minute discussion, 12-2 Tuesdays in ClockTower 126
• 25 minute one to one career guidance appointments on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm
• Workshops – Bootcamps in semester breask, Job Search strategies, Interview Preparation Details on CareerHub.
• Practice interviews
How the Careers Centre can assist you
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
CareerHub – www.auckland.ac.nz/careerhub
© The University of Auckland Careers Services
Shaun PulmanCareers Consultant [email protected] 373 7599 ext. 89409
Contact Me
University Careers Services centre: The Clocktower, Room 12622 Princes St, Auckland City [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/careers 373 7599 ext. 88727