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Effective CVs – marketing yourself to employers

David Henderson(d.m.henderson@durham.ac.uk) Careers, Employability andEnterprise Centre

http://careersatdurham.wordpress.com

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Things to note before you start creating your masterpiece:

1. There is no such thing as a perfect CV;2. One size doesn’t fit all – you will need

different versions of your CV depending on who it is aimed at;

3. Make your CV unique – don’t follow a standard template;

4. Prioritise your key selling points and highlight impact and achievement.

5. Emphasise relevant experience and skills

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Key points• No preferred model or style for a CV• 1 or 2 pages in length • Your document so you decide structure and

content• This is a professional self-marketing tool:

presentation, content, spelling & grammar very important

• Be very positive and use positive language

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The basic contents of a CV…

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Basics of a CV – Contact Details• Name – can be used as a heading• Nationality? • Address – term and home address?• Telephone (Mobile & Landline) • E-mail address – not too quirky!• Compact, clear font e.g. Arial, Verdana

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David Henderson49 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3PFHome: 0191 334 1432 Mobile: 0795553350 E-mail: d.m.henderson@durham.ac.uk

Profile (Goal, Summary)Psychology graduate with highly developed analytical skillsand commercial experience seeking employment in marketresearch.

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Profile:A Durham History graduate demonstrating high performance in both academic studies and extra-curricular activities. Keen to use excellent analytical skills and research skills in a leading consultancy firm.

A highly skilled web-developer with proven technical (C++ ASP.net and Java), project management and client management skills looking to utilise and develop skills in a dynamic and challenging environment.

As a highly qualified marketing professional with a record of success in planning strategic marketing operations, I am seeking the opportunity to contribute to the success of a market-leading multi-national company.

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Basics of a CV - Education Education

• Most recent/current programme of study – degree/postgraduate• Some employers may ask for 1st or 2nd yr results• Predicted grade?• Additional degree related information – particularly if relevant to

job/organisation (e.g. modules/projects/dissertation)• Skills developed via study (presentation, analysis, research, technical

etc)• Summarise pre-degree qualifications (e.g. GCSEs, A-levels)• International qualifications – present them as they are (do not

attempt to equate with UK qualifications) • Reference to institution and dates attended• Some people separate education from qualifications – pertinent if

you have attended numerous institutions

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Education

Durham University 2010-2011

MA Financial Management

Modules included: Mergers and Acquisitions, Multinational Finance, BusinessEconomics and Accounting, Organisation Behaviour, Strategy, Theory of Finance,Corporate Finance, Financial Management

Dissertation: Correlation of Business Cycles between Asian Emerging Economiesand Developed Countries• 12,000 word research project analysing the impact of trade linkage on the

correlation between business cycles. • Concluded that trade linkage strengthens the correlation between business

cycles but can also be weakened by increased specialization of output• Employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodology

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law 2006-2010BSc International Economics and Accounting• Three-year study of economics and accounting with an emphasis on CPA

courses. • Simulated training on computerized accounting package and completed in-

depth research on risk management in the final year.• Graduated in top 20% of group; obtained the First Prize for ERP Competition,

Shanghai University

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Education 2007 – 2010 Durham University

MChem (Hons) Chemistry Expected result 2:1 First year result: 62% Second year result: 67%

Modules:Core Chemistry (Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Quantisation and Spectroscopy,Transition Metal Chemistry, Symmetry, Group Theory and Covalent Bonding) Ring Chemistry (Aromatic and Heterocyclic chemistry, Ring Chemistry and Stereochemistry) Chemistry of the Elements (Chemistry of the S and P Block, Magnetic and Spectral Properties of Transitionmetal compounds)Properties of Molecules (Surface Chemistry, Magnetic Resonance, Introduction to Polymers) Learning outcomes:• Developed a broad range of transferable skills including teamwork, communication, problem solving and

decision making via assignments, laboratory practicals, workshops and poster presentations. • Broad range of technical and practical skills demonstrated including laboratory techniques and

instrumentation (analysis of compounds using NMR, IR and mass spectrometry), data analysis and computational methods.

2005 – 2007 Geitonas School, Athens (Greece)International Baccalaureate Literature (Standard Level 6/7), Latin (Standard Level 5/7), Philosophy (Standard Level 7/7), Chemistry (Higher Level 7/7), Physics (Higher Level 6/7), Mathematics (Higher Level 6/7)

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Education:

2008-201 Durham University BA (Hons) History – 2:1 Dissertation topic “The impact of the Black Death in the

North East”Awarded departmental prize for best dissertation.

Developed excellent written and oral communication skills; research and presentation skills; individually

and as part of a group for tutorials; managed time effectively, setting deadlines and balancing academic study with a part time job.

2001-2008 King’s High School, Bristol

A Levels: History (A), English Literature (A), French (A)AS Levels: German (B)9 GCSEs grade A*-B, including Maths and English

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Basics of a CV – Relevant InformationWork Experience

• vacation work• Placements• Work experience and internships • full-time work• voluntary work

• Most recent first. Information to include dates, job title, employer, duties and responsibilities. Prioritise your experience; you do not have to explain every position!

• Opportunity to highlight achievements and contribution• Organise work experience according to relevance e.g. legal, teaching, retail etc. Remember

you do not have to group it all under one heading! • Group similar items – useful if you have done lots of similar jobs!• Focus your experiences to the key requirements of job• Recent experience…week spent with an employer while at school not necessarily relevant

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Work Experience:

Summer 2010

Volunteer English Teacher, BelgiumTeaching English to children aged 8-13 at a summer camp. Adapted to life in a different culture, working to build respect and

understanding with camp leaders and children. Learnt to be flexible, cope under pressure and work as part of a team.

2007-2008 Woolworths PLC, Bristol – General Sales AssistantAssisted customers and re-stocked shelves; responsible for the toy section. Oversaw a 10% revenue increase in toy section year-on-year. Developed people skills and teamwork through serving customers and

willingness to work long shifts, often under pressure.

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2009 (July-Sep) Invida International Trading (Shanghai) Co. LtdPosition: Finance Analyst (Intern)

• Monthly preparation of group reports (Hyperion, Excel) to Singapore headquarters within tight deadlines• Analyzed actual results against budget and rolling forecasts and conducted variance analysis.• Quarterly checking of all finance policy performance and made suggestions for improvements.• Assisted Dept Manager with internal audit (local & PWC audit).

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Administrative Assistant

Durham County Council (June – September 09)

Responsibilities: Broad range of clerical duties within town planning department, including organizing meetings, taking minutes, word processing documents and handling public telephone enquiries.

Achievements: Directly responsible for planning a public meeting in respect of a significant city centre development. Arranged venue and public speakers, liaised with local media and promoted event to local communities.

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Policy research experience

April 07-July 08 Constituency Administrator,Sir Peter Soulsby MP for Leicester SouthDuties included: undertaking constituents’ casework, responsibilityfor the office reception and telephone callers, supporting theCommunications Manager by monitoring and recording mediacoverage, assisting with the organisation and running of meetingsand constituency events, providing some research support for thepreparation of briefings and letters.

Other experience

June 09 – September 09 Retail Assistant, TescoDuties included: providing high level customer service (checkoutduties, shop floor customer care), stock room management, stafftraining (customer service)

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Basics of a CV – Relevant Information Positions of Responsibility/Extra-curricular Activities • Clubs/societies/committees• Emphasise nature of responsibility/level of involvement

Skills/Additional Qualifications• Skills based courses e.g. STAR, Durham Award• Key element of a skills based CV – alternative to an extensive work experience section• Chronological CV – IT, language, relevant technical skills (e.g. SPSS, C++)• Skills referred to should reflect those required in the position applied for

Interests and Activities• Offers employer a more personal picture of you but also opportunity to highlight personal

qualities and skills (e.g. working with others)• Context important – how often? level of attainment? achievements?

References (do not have to be included in a CV!)• Ideally one academic and one other – employer, personal (e.g. college tutor)• Don’t forget to ask permission!

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Positions of Responsibility Social Secretary – Collingwood Football• Initiated contact with local employers regarding

team sponsorship. Following a number of presentations secured year long funding with two companies.

• Organized two week tour of USA. Responsible for itinerary and all communication with opposing teams.

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Positions of responsibility:

2009

JCR Entertainment OfficerMember of an 8 person student committee with responsibility for college entertainment. Organised fortnightly themed events, including live music and

theatre, culminating in the summer ball. Managed a small entertainment budget and through targeted

marketing increased event revenue by 12% on previous years

2010 College Hockey CaptainElected by team members as captain for a year. Arranged fixtures and led weekly training sessions. Worked to improve team morale by running regular social

events.

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Key Skills & Strengths: Communication

Excellent oral and written communication skills developed through academic study. Preparation of presentations delivered to small group seminars.

TeamworkExperience of working in different teams and in different team roles. Noted for enthusiasm and ability to encourage others and keep the team focused.

MarketingExperience of producing newsletters and maintaining web pages for the College JCR. Ability to write for different audiences and environments.

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Skills & Interests:

Languages – French (A Level), German (AS Level), Spanish (Intermediate)

IT Skills – Competent Microsoft Office user, some experience with statistical packages and web design

Sport – Hockey and Rowing with College Team; Squash & Tennis on a social basis

Theatre – took part in the college play

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Structure of a CV…

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• Helpful to break the CV up into a series of key headings and sub-headings

• Effective means of grouping and reinforcing key information about yourself

• Effective use of headings can help to target your CV to the employer/role

• Does not matter what the headings are but must logically reflect what you have done and achieved; must also enhance structure of CV and improve ‘scanability’

• Styles of CVs – chronological, skills, targeted, academic

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Education AchievementsInternships

Administrative experience

Volunteering Extra-curricular activities

Key Skills Relevant experience

Positions of responsibility Interests

Financial sector experienceOther experience Employment

Commercial experienceGap year Awards

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• Appearance matters – first impressions really are important and careless presentation could fast track your CV to the recycle bin

• Personal statement/profile – this can make a positive impact be highly effective but follow the usual CV rules to: brief, concise and evidenced

• Tailor it to the position – your CV should be constructed with the job/employer in mind so make sure you use the person specification and job description as a guide. Research the employer!

• Be concise – some recruiters spend just 8 seconds assessing a CV so ensure the content is meaningful and the evidence easy to find

• Pay attention to detail – your CV is a personal marketing document and should reflect your professionalism so triple check for spelling and grammar errors

• Quantify your achievements – just detailing what you did is only half of the story. Employers want to know how you did it and what the outcome was.

• Update regularly – even if you aren’t looking for a job keep the CV current with details of extracurricular activities and achievements

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Top tips for an effective CV

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Using your CV• Job applications• Speculative job applications• Work experience and internships• Postgraduate study• Networking & social media (e.g. LinkedIn)

• Including a covering letter is good practice

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Covering Letters

Your CV should link you to the area of work…

the ‘Covering Letter’ should link you to this particular opportunity

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Covering LettersSimple structure:

• Why this job?- appreciation of role• Why this employer?- demonstration of interest• Why you?- emphasise your relevant skills/complement

information on CV

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Covering Letters• Make sure it reaches the right person- Contact company

• address it appropriately Dear Mr/Mrs………Yours sincerelyDear Sir/Madam……….Yours faithfully

• state position that you are applying for and where you saw it advertised (make it clear what the purpose of the letter is at the beginning)

• No longer than one side of A4

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Resources• Careers Centre websitehttp://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/cvapp/cv • Prospectshttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/sample_cvs.htm • CV appointments at the Careers CentreCareers Onlinehttps://careers.dur.ac.uk/home.html • CV books and guides within Careers Centre

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