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How to create a great CVHow to stop your CV hitting the slush pile...
4th June 2010
A great CV is the
gateway to a better
career
Aims and Objectives
• By the end of this session you should:
– Understand what a CV is and how it should be used
– Know the elements required in a great CV
– Be able to prevent some of the common CV errors
– Get some tips and hints to stand out from the crowd
– Know what employers want to get from your CV
Notice
• Some of the content may seem obvious
• However, the number of errors in CV’s is not decreasing!
• These tips will prevent you making some of the common mistakes!
Do you have a CV?
Is your CV perfect?
Is your CV up to date?
Does your CV contain the
right information?
Is it addressed to the right
person?
Ask yourself...
Understanding what a CV is...
What is a CV?
01
What is a CV?A dictionary definition
Your CV is an advertisement for you
and your skills.
It may be the only way an employer
can select you from the masses!
What is a CV used for?
• Employers will chose who to interview based on CV’s
• So, no matter how good you are, a poor CV could mean no interview!
The three golden rules for CV’s
What are the rules for CV’s?
02
The 3 Golden Rules
• Keep it simple
• Present it well
• Make sure it is accurate!
Rule 1 - Keep It Simple (KISS)
• You have a short time to sell yourself
• Keep it clear and concise
• Less is more
Rule 2 – Present it Well
• Make it look smart and professional
• Take time to ensure it is correct and right for the job you are applying for
• Ensure there are no typos or errors
Harry Smith
CV
Rule 3 – Make Sure it is Accurate
• 86% of interviewers think that CV’s they receive are not accurate
• In reality only 35% of CV’s are factually correct†
• Don’t be caught out with an inaccurate CV, be in the minority and tell the truth!
†Business Balls Survey
Knowing what to include
What should you put in your CV?
03
Build Your CV
• Creating a CV is not an exact science
• However if you ensure you include the following information you will cover the information
an employer will require
What should a CV contain?
• Personal Details
• Education and Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Interests and Achievements
• Referees
Personal Details
• Name
• Address
• Phone number
Date of Birth
Education and Qualifications
• Your degree subject, grade and university
• A Levels
• Key GCSE’s (Maths and English)
• Mention the grades you received unless they are particularly low
Work Experience
• List all roles
– Show the useful skills such as working in a team and providing a high quality service as
a waiter
• Where possible show skills which are relevant for the job you are applying for
– Emphasise where you have demonstrated skills for the role
• Use positive verbs for description
Skills
• What else are you good at? For example:
– Languages – fluent in German and Italian
– Computing – good IT skills including Excel
– Driving licence – full clean driving licence
Interests and Achievements
• This can show your wider personality
• Keep it short as it is secondary
• Try to show a variety of interests
• Can you demonstrate leadership or employability skills?
– e.g.: scout leader, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, planning and organising events
What is a good interest?
• stamp-collecting, going to the cinema and reading
– This may suggest that you are a solitary person who doesn't get on with others.
– This may not be true, but employers have nothing else to go on at this stage
• reading, cinema, travel, socialising with friends.
– This is better, at least you suggest that they can get on with other people.
What is a good interest?
• Cinema: member of the University Film-Making Society
• Travel: travelled through Europe by train this summer in a group of four people, visiting
historic sites and practising my French and Italian
• Reading: helped younger pupils with reading difficulties at school.
– The impression given by this is of an outgoing proactive individual who help others.
Much better than the first example!
Referees
• You can either add two referees to your CV or state that ‘referees are available on
request’
• If this is your first job you could ask university tutors, mentors or friends
No, don’t list your mother...
How to use English to your advantage
Can you write like a copy writer?
04
Using Positive Verbs
• For example, rather than:
– I had to complete staff rotas and get people to undertake work
• Use a more positive approach
– I developed staff rotas and managed the staff to complete tasks
It’s a great CV, now make sure it is seen
How do I get my CV read?
05
How long should my CV be?
• How long do you think recruiters spend on average deciding to screen out a CV?
Just 8 seconds
How long should my CV be?
• Keep it short and punchy
• There are no hard and fast rules, but most people say that a CV should be...
• No more than two sides of A4
3
How do I present my CV?
• On paper use a high quality paper stock in white or off-white
• Avoid lurid colours (you will stand out for the wrong reasons)
• Ensure it is clear and well printed
Chose the right font
• Any font you use should be clean and simple to read
• You could try:
– Calibri
– Times New Roman
– Arial
– Verdana
•Avoid fonts which may not be clear or professional
Emailing your CV
• Format
– PDF – can be opened on any machine and looks professional
– MS Word – some compatibility issues, beware hidden data
– Text or the body of an email – to be avoided!
What is your email address?
Perhaps you
should consider
a better email
to send your
CV from!
Getting to the Right Person
• 83% of HR departments will immediately reject inaccurately addressed CV’s or covering
letters†
• If you are not sure who to send it to, give the company a call to check!
†Royal Mail Survey
Use the personal touch
Don’t just send out carbon copy CV’s – make the effort
to personalise each one for the role and employer
involved
The closer your skills fit to the job specification the more
likely you are to be interviewed
What if my CV does not fit?
• If you find that you cannot tailor your CV to meet the job specification you need to ask...
Is this the right job for you?
The covering letter
• Should I use a covering letter with my CV?
– YES!
• The covering letter will allow you to explain exactly why you want the role and how you
would be suited to it.
• It should answer the question ‘Why should you invite me to interview’
The power of mistakes...
Should I proof read my CV?
06
It’s important to get it right...
Remember!
Spot the Mistoke...
In my spare time, I like hiding my horse
Spot the Mistoke...
I hope to hear from
you shorty
Spot the Mistoke...
I worked with a full
sh*t systemshift
Spot the Mistoke...
I’m an accurate
and rabid typist
And finally...
07
Getting it right!
• Just remember that your CV is important
• Follow the simple rules
• Make sure there are no silly mistakes
48
Good luck with your new career!
49
Useful Weblinks
08
Here are some useful web links
• The University of Kent Careers service has a wide range of useful information about CV’s
– http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm - How to write a successful CV
– http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm#templates – CV Templates
• The Great CV’s site has advice on covering letters
– http://www.greatcvs.co.uk/why-important-write-cover-letter.html
• Total Jobs has advice on creating ‘Winning CV’s’
– http://www.totaljobs.com/Graduate/Content/OneChanceToMakeTheFirstImpression.html
• The Careers Service has an online CV builder
– https://www.cvbuilder-advice-
resources.co.uk/careersadvice/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2
Presentation to insert name here 51
Wilf Voss