The Killer CV

CS5001 Bath Spa University

Celia Brayfield March 2012

The Self-Presentation Pack

In this module, your coursework includes a self-presentation pack which should comprise either or both CVs, covering letter for a target role or personal statement for PG study, and a plan to develop your career through the coming year and after graduation.

This carries 20% of your marks in this module

Your CV Choices

An employer-focused CV, responding to an advertisement, person or job specification or requirements of internship or graduate recruitment scheme

A writer’s CV to be read by an agent publisher or editor

CV –Curriculum Vitae

The Employer’s CV will:

Present you at your best Show a potential employer that you

can do the job Get you to the next stage – the

interview

And the three interview questions that matter are:

Can you do the job?

Will you love the job?

Can we tolerate working with you?

http://www.mediabistro.com/mediajobsdaily/there-

are-only-three-interview-questions-that-matter_b10008

The Basics

1. White, cream or pastel paper

2. Good design!

3. 12pt or 10pt font

4. Sans serif fonts are easier to read

5. No wacky stuff

6. Photo if they ask for it

Section Headings

1. Name & Contact details

2. Profile or Key Skills

3. Employment

4. Education

5. Personal Interests

6. References

Important

Not more than two pages – edit!

Full page text Bullet points, not

written-through Everyone hates :

Calibri

The Easiest CV to Write

A CV sent in response to an advertisement or a role for which there is a job description

A person/role spec:

http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4271249/junior-web-editor/

Or

http://www.blt.org/OfficeAssistant.pdf

Graduate Trainee Scheme application

http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/careers/graduate_recruitment/Pages/Graduate-Recruitment-Introduction.aspx

Use these documents to tailor your Profile And the reason for HarperCollins’ enduring success? 

Simple.  We have the best creative  and commercial brains in the business.  We get behind great ideas, we aren’t afraid to experiment and we always push those boundaries.  We know it’s not only about books any more; people want their information, their entertainment and their content in all sorts of formats (including books) and we provide all that for them - and more.

Which is where you come in.   We love our graduates.  We fight over them inside the business.  They are the ones who help us stay ahead, be creative, challenge how things are done, and think differently.  And in return, they work in every part of the business over the course of the 18 months traineeship, including Editorial, Digital, Rights, Production, Marketing, PR and Sales.   The scheme is well established and every single person who has been part of it has been offered a permanent job. 

What’s the

worst

thing

that can

happen

to a

CV? it may be read by an evil robot

J J SMITH27 Pavedwithgold Street, Bath BA99 7UP

07653 214 885 jjsmith@gmail.com

PROFILE Creative, innovative, self-motivated Great team worker Excellent communication skills across all platforms Passionate about literature, physical and digital Creator of award-winning interactive drama 25,262 people read my blog at

http:www.mrsmithsstupidcat.com

Previous experience in an office setting required • Experienced administrative professional who is dependable and highly

organized with business maturity, discretion, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude • Technologically literate with strong computer skills including familiarity with

Microsoft Word and Excel and other commonly used software. Access Database skills

would be a plus. • Good internet skills, including use of e-mail programs and group

messaging • Good organizational skills and record keeping (attention to detail is critical) • Cheerful presence and people skills • Good oral and written communication skills • Self starter who can work independently • Skill in establishing priorities and managing workload • Ability to follow directions

J J SMITH27 Pavedwithgold Street, Bath BA99 7UP07653 214 885 jjsmith@gmail.com

Profile Committed to the voluntary sector Experienced in donor development Effective office administrator Organised, methodical, meticulous Proficient in Microsoft Office 2010, Aspasia, Allbooked

and Sage Intermediate Positive, enthusiastic, a great people person who enjoys

client contact

Do…

Research the employer as fully as possible Be positive Keep it short 1 – 3 pages max Use dynamic words - creative, organised,

managed, leader/team worker Use strong words indicating worth – proven,

established, committed Say “over three years” when you mean on and

off in vacations Sell yourself with dignity and confidence

Don’t… Have ANY mistakes in spelling,

grammar or punctuation Use the same CV for every

application Cut and paste from the job spec or ad Lie outright Use jargon Oversell yourself – never sound

desperate

Why CVs fail

Spelling mistakes and typos Ad copy duplicated No covering letter CV not customised for the role CV too long – over three pages

Survey by Careerbulder.co.uk

Under “Employment”

Include work experience but describe it accurately

“July – September 2009: Internship at In The Bath PR, winner of Best in the West award from the Institute of Public Relations

Use dynamic and positive language to describe what you

did – “Managed diaries for two directors; Organised successful fund-raising event for 200 people at Bath & West Showground, raising £3,500 in two hours. Created avatar and devised digital marketing campaign for Devon Pasties.”

Date each role but don’t draw attention to gaps

Under “Education”

Latest first Grade predictions are fine: “I expect to gain

a 2.1/On my current grade profile I expect to achieve a first class degree.”

DON’T FORGET ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS

A level grades, if they were stellar Give equivalents for less common awards

“3 Scottish Highers, equivalent to A-C A Levels”

Just a number for GCSEs

Under Personal Interests

The Washing Penguins factor – the appealing personal detail shows you in a good light and gives your interviewer something to ask you

“Worked at the Capetown Marine Rescue Centre washing penguins caught in an oil slick, June 2009.”

BUT – no need to give your age or marital status

Beware

Indicating that you are involved in something liable to negate your value as an employee: “Passionate about extreme sports, Grade 5 Whitewater Raft Captain Award 2010.”

“Sports enthusiast, raised £200 for Children in Need in sponsored sky-dive March 2010” is better.

Don’t forget:

Driving licence? First Aid course? Module rep/prefect/netball captain? TEFL course? Any languages….Afrikaans, Russian,

Farsi, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Welsh?

What to expect:

Your CV and its covering letter will be read – perhaps by an HR executive who doesn’t understand the role, perhaps even by a machine.

If your CV has gaps, for example, your gap year or times when you may have been ill, a potential employer will ask you about these

You may be asked further questions about any aspect of the CV, or the job you want

– get good answers ready “Why do you want to work here?” is pretty much guaranteed.

Remember – it’s like speed dating: they decide in 3 seconds

And the Writer’s CV

Will be read by an agent, editor or publisher

Should focus on your writing achievements

And give an idea of your promotional potential

As well as your commitment to your writing career

Focus on your writing

Name & Contact details Awards, prizes, commissions Publications Education Personal References

J J SMITHpoet, fiction writer, journalist27 Pavedwithgold Street, Bath BA99 7UP

07653 214 885 jjsmith@gmail.com

Awards & CommissionsShort story, Leaving Reykjavik, shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story

Competiton 2012Runner-up in Best Blog Awards 2010, http://www.mrsmithsstupidcat.comMember of the Polperro Poets performance group 2009 – now

http://www.polperropoets.orgWinner of the WHS Essay Prize 2008

PublicationsLeaving Reykjavik And Other Stories, Acorn Books, 2011On Sushi, Reasons Not to Travel, My Own River – three poems published

in Figleaves Review, Autumn 2010The Green Wedding – Planet Saver or Swindle, features in Brides West,

May 2009

Education

As before – but don’t forget to namecheck your tutors

“Graduation Project supervised by Lucy English”

References’R’Us!

Personal

This section should round out your profile and offer ideas for promoting you as a writer. Winning personal details for recent new writers include:

Funded my degree by working as a stand-up comedian Funding my degree by selling retro jewellery on eBay Taught English in Bolivia in gap year Live in a houseboat Founded Facebook campaign for

Tolpuddle Library – 3400 members

Further reading

You’re Hired:How to Write a Brilliant CV by Corinne Mills

BSU Careers Advisers

“Mind Your Language” Evening Standard Business Recruitment Tuesday March 1 2011