cvs for taught masters students

7/28/2019 CVs for Taught Masters Students

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CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1

Essential Preparation. 1

Identify your Evidence 2

Who are you writing your CV for?......................................................................... 2

Create a professional first impression 3

Getting the format right.. 3

International CVs. 5

International Students. 5

On Line CVs. 5

Mature Students CVs. 6

Disabled Students CVs.. 6

Covering Letters ................................................................................................. 7

Additional Resources ......................................................................................... 8

Appendix 1 Sample CVs .................................................................................

9

Further Help


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INTRODUCTION

A curriculum vitae (course of life) outlines your career and qualifications to date -however, it shouldnt be just a list of what youve done - it should demonstrate yoursuitability for a particular job and company.

The purpose of a CV is to get you to interview. Sent to an employer eitherspeculatively or in response to an advertisement, your CV should entice an employerto want to meet you in person. In short, a CV is a marketing tool, an advert andYOU are the product.

This is a short guide to developing your CV, focusing on applying for jobs using yourspecialist knowledge, applying for academic jobs, and jobs unrelated to your subjectarea, in the UK. For information on non-UK CV formats (each country differs),consult the reference books at the Careers and Employability Centre which mayhelp.

ESSENTIAL PREPARATION

Regardless of the type of position you are applying for, researching as much aspossible about the employer and the role will help you to make your CV moretargeted. Targeting is vital without it your CV can look unfocused and runs the riskof heading straight into the reject pile. Employers can spot a generic CV and will notbe impressed if you havent bothered to tailor your CV to their organisation.

Preparation is a key factor. You must find out as much as you can about theorganisation and the employer's needs. You also need to spend time researchingyourself in order to highlight your most recent and relevant examples of your abilityto do the job.

1. Research yourself

Think about what you can offer the employer what have you done? When?Why?

Catalogue your achievements consider your academic work, Mastersdissertation, work experience, voluntary work, social and sporting activities

Identify the skills you have developed through your achievements

2. Research the employer

Make sure you know what the organisation actually does Try to find out about new developments, expansion plans, new

products/services, awards won, achievements, press releases, researchinterests

Study employers website which may include employment/careers informationand information about the organisations products/services/courses

Speak to people who know the employer/have worked for the organisation.

This is a particularly useful way of finding out about the culture of anorganisation, and what the employer values in its employees


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3. Research the job

Read the job description and person specification, know the skills required forthe job and try to demonstrate that you have these on your CV

Check company website for further job details

Speak to people doing similar jobs

IDENTIFYING YOUR EVIDENCE

When you have completed your research, its time to start selecting your bestexamples which demonstrate your suitability for the job.

Employers are increasingly interested in your skills in addition to your formalqualifications. On your CV you should ensure that you highlight the skills which theemployer is looking for. Make sure you have good examples and concrete evidence.

Remember that evidence of your skills can come from any aspect of your life, notjust your academic study. Dont dismiss your part time work - working in a bar forexample provides opportunities for you to demonstrate tact, diplomacy, persuasionand assertiveness.

Teamwork or leadership can be shown whilst rock climbing, playing in an orchestraor organising fundraising events as a student volunteer, but remember that evidencefrom your school days is long past its sell by date by now.

WHO ARE YOU WRITING YOUR CV FOR?

Your CV will work best when it demonstrates the ways in which you meet the personspecification. This means that you will need to write different CVs for different typesof jobs, even for different employers. Here are some broad suggestions:

For jobsusing your specialist subject focus on your subject specificachievements, ability to deliver end results, your education, any projects andresources managed, relevant techniques and knowledge, and skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and creativity.

For academic jobs Focus on your subject-specific achievements and education,your past, current and future research interests, any teaching and anything todemonstrate your research skills and methods applied in your dissertation.

For unrelated jobs Focus on your key transferable skills which are appropriate tothe job, particularly highlighting achievements which have been gained outside anacademic research context, avoid over-technical descriptions, a personal profilehighlighting your interest and suitability for this type of work can be helpful.

The University of Manchester Careers Service Reproduced with permission


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CREATE A PROFESSIONAL FIRST IMPRESSION

Employers can spend as little as 90 seconds scanning your CV before consigning itto the read later or bin now pile. Therefore it is paramount that you put in the effortto create a professional document which is clear, well laid out and easy to follow.

These guidelines should help:

The layout can helpor hinderthe reader

Keep it simple, clear and short. Two sides of A4 is the norm for chronologicaland skills-based CVs. Academic CVs can be much longer (no limit applies)

Put your main selling points on the first page for emphasis

Give highest priority to your best and most recent examples of your ability to dothe job

Be positive, direct and concise use action words to describe your achievements

eg managed, persuaded, organised, implemented, persuaded, invented,developed, researched

Be selective - space is short, give only the information which counts

Be specific and quantify achievements eg negotiated 100 sponsorship fromlocal companies to promote department charity fun run raising 750

Visual impact is important

o dont cram in too much informationo Dont use TOO MANY CAPITALS, italics, and changes of fonto Do use bullet points instead of lengthy paragraphs

o Do use distinctive headings and keep sections together avoid themrunning over 2 pages

o Do line up text in columns (use tables in Word)o Do use quality white/cream A4 paper, unfolded if sending by posto Do ensure spelling and grammar are perfect

GETTING THE FORMAT RIGHT

There is no one right way to present a CV, and you can move sections around oromit them, depending on their relevance to the recruiter - read it from their point ofview. However, here are some of the more common styles.

1. CONVENTIONAL CHRONOLOGICAL CV

This is a safe option for many jobs, and often ideal for jobs outside academiaif they are closely linked to your subject specialism.

Typical headings include: Personal Details (name, address, telephonenumber and email, but NOT marital status, age, health); Education;Employment Experience/Work History; Positions of Responsibility;

Skills (e.g. IT, Languages); Interests; Referees (2 usually oneacademic referee and one from an employer).


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Education and work experience should be shown in reversechronological order, as the most recent is generally most relevant.However if, for example, your most relevant work experience was 2 or3 student jobs ago, you can separate them into two sections Relevant Work Experience, Other Work Experience. Also, other

experience gained within academia could be included e.g. as RelevantProfessional (or Technical) Experience.

Do not leave unexplained gaps, but you dont have to list all jobs orqualifications, if they are numerous, not relevant or a long time ago e.g.2004-06 Various temporary summer jobs including sales, constructionand warehousing.

2. SKILLS-BASED CV

This format is best used when applying for jobs where you are trying to

change field. By highlighting your transferable skills, and de-emphasising thetechnical content of your education, you can help the recruiter see how youmight fit into their non-research job.

Typical headings might include: Personal Details; Personal Profile;Skills Profile e.g. examples of team working; Education; Work History;Interests; Referees (2)

A Personal Profile or Career Aim can be very effective in setting thescene for the reader just make sure it says something concrete, and

avoids vague waffle:

X Highly motivated postgraduate with good team skills looking fora job with excellent training where I can develop to my fullmanagement potential.

Numerate graduate with up-to-date IT knowledge, provenleadership skills and practical customer service experienceseeking a move into Sales in the IT sector.

Skills can come before your qualifications, but if your education is

relegated to the second page, make sure the first page refers at leastto you being a graduate.

This type of CV can be very useful if you have a lot of work experienceand want to draw out your skills and achievements to highlight yourability to do the job in question.


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3. ONE PAGE CV

Increasingly, it is becoming common to have a short version of anacademic or chronological CV. This one-page CV is easier to read andcan be sent out in the first instance.

A one-page CV should be a brief version of your complete CV, listingmajor research, publications and achievements.

4. ACADEMIC CV

Whilst some academics have strong views on the correct format for academicCVs, weve found that these can differ. However, essential areas of coverageshould include: Research, Administration and Management and Innovationand Engagement.

CVs written for academic jobs, whilst they should aim to be succinct andpowerful, need to contain sufficient detail to inform the academic selector ofthe essential coverage above so unlike CVs for wider options do not need tobe limited to 2 pages. There is no strict guidance or universal agreement onthis but at the early stages of your academic career it is unlikely that your CVshould exceed 4 pages.

INTERNATIONAL CVs

If you are applying for work outside the UK, you must check the standard CV formatfor that country and adapt your CV accordingly. In the USA, for example, theemphasis is on a one page document and in Germany, a photograph in the top righthand corner is the norm. Our Library has an excellent publication called GlobalResume and CV Guide to help you with this.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Careers & Employability booklet CVs for International Students is availablefrom the Careers & Employability Centre or downloadable from our Website. This

booklet contains additional information on creating a CV for International Studentsand has some very useful tips and hints about English usage and grammar. Youmight also find our booklet Employment Regulations for International Studentsuseful.

ON-LINE CVs

The need to target your CV and provide evidence of skills is essential when youare asked to submit a CV on-line. Many firms or recruitment agencies will searchelectronically for key words like organised, managed or Excel (according tothe description of the job for which you are applying). Some firms search for


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behavioural traits like enthusiasm or responsibility. If you have not used thekey words, they will not be highlighted in the electronic search and so you mightnot be selected for interview.

If employers use this method of selection, they will make their key words clear, so

it is even more important that you do your research before submitting an on-line CV toan employer.

MATURE STUDENTS AND CVs

Mature Students often have a wealth of work and life experience that can be veryvaluable to a future employer. Not all employers initially realise this, and so MatureStudents need to anticipate the gap and go the extra distance to market themselveson their CV. Career Changers should focus more on transferable skills gained fromprevious employment, rather than job specific, specialist skills.

Consider using a Personal Profile.

You may also want to include another section called Summary of Experience.This could be positioned in several places in the CV; before Education, beforeEmployment History, instead of a Skills Profile. The Summary of Experienceshould summarise your work history to date but highlight skills you havedeveloped that make you stand out from other graduates.

DISABLED STUDENTS AND CVs

If you have a disability, it is up to you when you choose to disclose this, if at all. Ifyou decide to disclose your disability at the CV stage it is important, as ever, tomarket yourself effectively and highlight the skills and qualities that you have gainedthrough the management of your disability. For example, a visually impairedstudent/graduate may have developed an aptitude for IT and other technical skillsthat will be useful in the area of employment in which he/she is interested. It mayalso be useful to highlight the determination and self reliance that undertaking adegree and managing your disability may have required.

For further information on this look at www.skill.org.uk

Careers & Employability runs two workshops on Should I Disclosure a Disability to aPotential Employer? and How to Identify Disability and Diversity FriendlyEmployers. To sign up for these and all other workshops, log ontowww.cardiff.ac.uk/careers


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COVERING LETTERS

Your covering letter is a vital part of your application infact your CV is incompletewithout it. A covering letter personalises your CV and gives you the opportunity toexpress your enthusiasm and specific suitability for a post. It is not an excuse to

repeat word for word the content of your CV, but an opportunity to highlight the mostinteresting and relevant sections. Ultimately, your cover letter is a further opportunityto sell yourself.

TIPS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION

Your cover letter should be: Concise - 1 page of A4 is sufficient Laid out as a formal business letter showing your address (top right) and the

name and address of the employer (top left) Sent to a named person if possible - not Dear Sir/Madam Spell checked and grammar checked AND proofread by a friend/Career

Consultant for mistakes

SUGGESTED FORMATFOR COVER LETTTERS

Section 1 Who are you? (I am currently.)Why are you writing?In response to a specific advert or speculatively.

Section 2 Why them?Explain what attracts you to a company/type of work

Give evidence that you have done some thinking and researchabout the employer.Personalise this section dont send the same paragraph toevery employer do your research first

Section 3 What makes you think you can do the job?Outline your skills and experience. (As you will see from myattached CV.)Refer to your CV, but dont repeat points.If you are replying to a specific advertisement, match yourself totwo or three points in the job description.Bring out a real enthusiasm in this section.

Section 4(optional)

Dealing with problem areas.A failed A level, a change of course or a health problem can bementioned here.Only do so if you feel the problem area is significant. Ask aCareer Consultant if in doubt.If you are referring to a mistake, emphasise what you have learntfrom the problem.

Section 5 Give details of how you can be contacted and/or your availabilityif appropriate.Close on a positive note (eg I look forward to hearing from you)


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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For further information and CV/cover letter examples take a look at the following:

Websites

Vitae website:http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/1339/Marketing-yourself.html (usefulinformation on Marketing yourself to Employers via CVs and applications.)

Prospects website:www.prospects.ac.uk (Careers Advice section includes advice and examples ofCVs and cover letters.)

Targetjobs website: http://targetjobs.co.uk/ Careers Advice section includes

information on CVs and Applications

The Windmills Programme:http://www.windmillsonline.co.uk/interactive/section_3/subsection_3/page2.html

Books

You're Hired! CV: How to write a Brilliant CV, Trotman, 2009

Creative CV Guide, University of the Arts London, UCA & University CollegeFalmouth 2010

Brilliant Cover Letters, Pearson 2009

Winning Cover Letters, Trotman 2009

The Art of Building Windmills, Peter Hawkins GIEU, 1999

Appendix 1 (over page) shows the same fictional persons CV presented 2 differentways for 2 different positions. The first is for a post in Human Resources in thePublic Sector, the second is for a Management Consultancy position


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Rebecca Lane

EDUCATION

2010 - 2011 Cardiff Business SchoolMSc Human Resource ManagementCourse content covered Employee Relations, OrganisationalTheories, and Industrial Relations. Used case studies to examine newmethods of motivation and recruitment.

2006 2009 Bristol University

BSc Psychology (Class 2:1)

Dissertation: Increased use of Occupational Psychology in largebusinesses.Key modules: Research design and data analysis, Statistics,Psychometrics.

2003 - 2005 Binton Sixth Form College, Richester3 'A' Levels: Psychology (A), Spanish (B), Mathematics (B)

1997 - 2002 Greys Comprehensive School, Richester9 GCSEs: Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A), English (A),History (A), Economics (B), Geography (B), French (C), Music (C)

WORK EXPERIENCE

April- Aug 2010 Richester County CouncilHousing Benefit ClerkWorked directly with benefits claimants on telephone and in person,offering advice in one-one interviews.Organised new internal filing system. Outcome: claims process lesstime-consumingPresented strategy document to senior directors outliningimprovements to best use of office space, taking into considerationemployee needs. Outcome: document agreed and implemented

June 09-April 2010 InterFurniture plcLogistics Co-ordinatorWorked as part of Production team. Measured stock.Shadowed Personnel Manager for 4 days.

2006 2008 McDonalds Restaurant (mainly weekends)Part-time Shift Manager. Organised and motivated staff to delivergood customer service. Took part in and delivered Customer Serviceand Retail Skills training to groups of 6-10 staff on regular basis.

Summer 2008 Research Assistant. Collected and collated data for a national

survey, working as a member of a Social Science research team of 12

5 Roderick Street, Cardiff, CF1 3ATTel: 029 2066666

Email: [email protected]


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people. Exceeded own data collection targets and coached 2 otherteam members to collate and present data on EXCEL spreadsheets.

RELEVANT SKILLS

Interpersonal Work well at all levels. Communicated with different departments whilstworking at the Council and worked well with claimants on one-to-one basis. Motivated andtrained staff at McDonalds Restaurant. Coached colleagues in 2008 Research Assistantrole.

Understanding of HR issues Some involvement with recruitment decisions at McDonalds.Broad awareness of legal issues affecting HR. Read Personnel Management and PersonnelToday to keep up-to-date. Associate member of CIPD and regularly attend briefings,meetings and development events.

Teamwork- Made effective contributions as both team member and team leader during workexperience roles. Also, in sport and charity work.

Organisation Excellent administrator with the initiative and ability to look to improveprocedures and achieve desired outcomes.

Computer Skills- Worked with wide range of databases and statistical computer packages(MS Office, Word, Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint, Internet).

Problem Solving - Logical and determined approach to problem solving demanded byresearch work at University and work experience as Logistics Controller and Shift Manager.

INTERESTS

Charity Work: CSV Volunteer in Bristol and Cardiff; supported disabled young peopleon both individual and small group basis. Team leader for group of 5volunteers who regularly organised day trips for the young people.Positive feedback from CSV Manager

Travel: Planned, organised and undertook a wide range of travel in Africa andacross Europe on an independent basis during past 5 years.Increased cultural awareness and competency in 3 Europeanlanguages.

Hockey: Played at Southern Schools, University 1st Team and currently for

local 1

st

division side.

Languages: Spanish, Italian and French to good conversational and written level.

REFEREES Dr V Wise Mr Geoffrey MillbyHead of Human Resources Operations DirectorCardiff Business School Inter FurnitureCardiff University Kingswood HouseCardiff CF3 2PU Richester RB4 2NU


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Rebecca Lane

5 Roderick Street, Cardiff CF1 3ATTel: 02020 666666E-mail: [email protected]

PERSONAL PROFILEA commercially-aware and IT literate graduate, who recently completed a MSc inHuman Resource Management. Excellent problem solving, interpersonal andcommunication skills now looking for a career opportunity in ManagementConsultancy.

KEY SKILLSProblem Solving- An analytical, logical and determined approach to problem solvingdemanded by research work at University and work experience as a LogisticsController and Shift Manager.

Ability to work independently Demonstrated when working with little supervision onMSc dissertation and during range of work experience.

Teamwork- Effective contributions made as both team member and leader in paidwork experience, sport and charity work.

Computer Skills - Worked with wide range of databases and statistical computerpackages (MS Office, Word, Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint, Internet).

Communication Skills Worked in an advisory role with the Public whilst at theCouncil. Presented tutorials and as a staff/student committee member. Alsodelivered training for small groups (6-10 people) and coaching on individual basis.

Business Awareness Experience of working in public, private and voluntarysectors.

EDUCATION2010 - 2011 Cardiff Business School

MSc Human Resource Management

2006 - 2009 Bristol UniversityBSc Psychology (Class 2:1)

2003 - 2005 Binton Sixth Form College, Richester3 'A' Levels: Psychology (A), Spanish (B), Mathematics (B)

1997 - 2003 Greys Comprehensive School, Richester9 GCSEs: Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A), English(A), History (A), Economics (B), Geography (B), French (C),

Music (C)


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WORK EXPERIENCE

April-Aug 2010 Richester County CouncilHousing Benefit ClerkProcessed claims and communicated with claimants.

Organised new internal filing system for paper work andcomputer files. Outcome claims process less time-consumingPresented strategy document to senior directors outliningimprovements to best use of office space. Outcome: Documentagreed and implemented

July 09-April 2010 InterFurniture plcLogistics Co-ordinatorWorked with Production Manager to measure stock imports andexports. High degree of planning and numerical skills required.

2006 2009 McDonalds Restaurant (mainly weekends)Part-time Shift Manager. Organised, motivated, and trainedand coached staff to deliver good customer service.

Summer 2008 Research Assistant. Conducted a national survey.

2005 - 2006 Gap yearFour months with Africa & Asia Adventure. Partly raised moneyto fund the scheme. Helped teach sport in secondary school.Independent travel.

Language Course 8 weeks, Southern Italy.

INTERESTS

Charity Work: CSV Volunteer in Bristol and Cardiff; supported disabled youngpeople. Team leader for group of 5 other volunteers whoregularly organised day trips for the young people. Positivefeedback from CSV Manager.

Travel: Planned and organised wide range of independent travel in

Africa and across Europe during past 5 years. Developedcultural awareness and competency in 3 European languages.

Hockey: Played at Southern Schools, University 1st Team and currentlyfor local 1st division side.

Languages: Spanish, Italian and French to good conversational and writtenlevel.

REFEREES Dr V Wise Mr Geoffrey MillbyHead of Human Resources Operations Director

Cardiff Business School Inter FurnitureCardiff University Kingswood HouseCardiff Richester 2PU RB4CF3 2NU


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FURTHER HELP

If you have found this booklet useful, you may want to pick up or download our otherbooklets from:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

Career Central is an extensive online careers resource accessible from ourhomepage www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers by signing in using your Cardiff usernameand password. You will find a wealth of information, activities, video clips andreflection exercises covering all aspects of career exploration, job hunting, workexperience and much more.

Careers & Employability runs a series of workshops in conjunction with thesebooklets. You can find out more about these on our website.

We offer Career Management Skills (CMS) workshops at the Graduate Centre on aregular basis throughout the year. To find out about upcoming workshops pleasecheck the Graduate Centre website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/gradc

THIS BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE IN WELSH AND ON CD

on request at the Careers & Employability Centre

Careers & Employability aims to offer a fair and equal service to all its clients, regardless of their sex,ethnic origin, age, sexuality, religion or disability. We are able to offer additional support to studentswho may benefit from extra help. Please contact us for further details.

DISCLAIMER

The information and advice provided by Careers & Employability is given in good faith and allreasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy. Neither Cardiff University nor the individualmembers of staff shall be liable to any person in contract, tort, statute or otherwise for any loss,distress or damage of any kind howsoever caused (except for death or personal injury caused by thenegligence of Cardiff University or the individual members of staff). All information and advice isprovided only on the basis of this disclaimer.


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cvs for taught masters students

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