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Effective CV writing
Career Development Centre
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Session objectives
This session will help you to:• understand the importance of targeting
a CV• decide what to include in your CV• choose an effective format and
language for a CV
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What is a CV?
• The curriculum vitae – course of life
• A personal marketing document
• An opportunity to make an excellent first impression
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What are employers looking for?
• Self-reliance: self management, self-awareness, pro-activity, willingness to learn, self-promotion, networking, planning action
• People skills:team-working, interpersonal skills, oral communication, leadership, customer focus
• General skills:commercial awareness, problem solving, flexibility, computer literacy, numeracy, commitment
• Specialist skillsoccupational skills, technical skills
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Target your CV
• Identify what each employer wantsjob advert, employers’ websites, careers information research
• Identify evidence that demonstrates you meet the employer’s criteria
• Make your CV relevant, accurate and obvious
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Supporting your CV with evidence
• Use positive, powerful simple language
• Provide evidence of your skills and experience using the CAR method:– Context –Where were you? What did you have to do?
– Action – What action did you take? Be explicit about your role.
– Result – What was the outcome & why? Would you do it differently next time?
“As customer service team leader in a fast food restaurant, I dealt with customer issues and complaints quickly and efficiently, receiving appreciation from my line manager”
“As customer service team leader in a fast food restaurant, I dealt with customer issues and complaints quickly and efficiently, receiving appreciation from my line manager”
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CV content• Name and contact details:
– postal address, telephone/mobile number, e-mail
• Profile • Education• Work and / or voluntary experience• Skills• Other achievements / interests• References
in order of relevance
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An employer’s perspective
Simon Reichwald- CEO Graduate Success
http://mycareer.wmin.ac.uk/video/r1603.html
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Sample CVs
• A Skills-based CV
• A Chronological CV
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The covering letter / email
• The main purpose is to get your accompanying CV read
• Regard it as a marketing statement• Keep it succinct and targeted to the job
requirements • Observe the conventions of business
letter-writing
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Covering letter / email
• Reference
• Why you are writing
• What you are offering the employer
• Why you want to do this type of work
• What attracts you to the company
• When you are available for interview
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Email etiquette
• Use the same structure as a formal covering letter • Use a formal greeting
– Dear Sir/Madam or the name of the person. – Do not say Hi or Hello
• Write in proper English, do not use abbreviations or email or text language
• Sign off correctly with ‘yours sincerely’ (for named person) or ‘yours faithfully’ (for Dear Sir/Madam)
• Do not include automatic personal statements or links to your personal social websites
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Further information and guidance
Career Development Centre services:• 20-minute quick queries:
CV, covering letter, application form advice• 45-minute individual guidance interviews:
detailed career guidance, mock interviews
Resources:• CV Guide• Videos and DVDs• Free sector-specific and general careers
publications
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What do I do next?
• Practice and perfect your CV writing skills
• Read the Career Development Centre leaflet on CVs, application forms and covering letters
• Attend future sessions (‘Job seeking strategies’, ‘Successful interview techniques’)
• Contact your Career Consultant
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Contact usHarrow
Room EG.16
Maria Hewlett Building
Nearest tube: Northwick Park
Central London
1st Floor Cavendish House101 New Cavendish StreetLondon, W1W 6XH
T: 020 7911 5184E: [email protected]
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers
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In summary
It is important to:
• Choose an effective format
• Use appropriate language accurately
• Target your CV to address the requirements of each employer
• Provide evidence of your experience and skills using CAR, when appropriate