Tips forLinkedIn & CVs

Sarah BrownUCD Career & Skills Consultant

sarah.brown@ucd.ie

World’s largest professional social network

with over 546m members

make networking easy

find out what people + companies are doing

stay up to date on industry discussions

build a professional identity

Your LinkedIn profile…

• Gives you a professional online presence

• Allows you to build relationships with people in your area of interest

• Keeps you up to date with developments in the sector - discussions in groups

• Acts as a great tool for research - individuals, career paths, companies

• Helps you source advertised opportunities

• Assists you in preparing for interviews

WHAT’S AN ALL-

STAR PROFILE,

AND WHY DO I

NEED ONE?

Your key skills (at

least three).

You need to populate the key

sections of your profile and

provide specific information,

including the following:

A profile picture

A headline

A summary

Over 50 connections

Your target industry and location

Your current position, with

details of your activities

and achievements

Two previous positions

Your education

Customise invitations (300 characters max)

Hi Jenny. I’m a sociology student at UCD, and I’m exploring a career within community fundraising. I’m interested in learning more about *charity* so I am hoping that you can share some insights with me. If you’re free for coffee or able to schedule a call that would be great. Many thanks, Aoife

Utilize the UCD Alumni Network

• www.linkedin.com/alumni function

• Defaults to your university

• Click on students /alumni

• Search by keyword e.g marketing

• Filter search results by what people do/ where they work/ what they studied/ where they live

Come to a LinkedIn masterclass to learn more – Book through CareersConnect

Your CV provides a first impression

Employers use it to decide:Can you do the job?Will you do the job?

Will you fit in?

So it’s worth getting it right!

Step 2: Think of Evidence or Examples you

Could Include to Match That Competency

Class project?

Football Team?

Fencing Society?

Summer job?

Volunteering?

STEP 3: Edit your C.V. and Cover Letter to Highlight the Evidence of These Key Skills

Key words in Job Spec

Evidence and similar language

Examples and evidence on C.V

• Well laid out on 1 or 2 pages. • Plain black type with a clear uncomplicated design• Avoid funny fonts, and graphics• Font size 11 or 12 • Avoid abbreviations• Consistency – spacing, indentation etc.• Avoid large blocks of text – use bullet points• Bold for emphasis but don’t overdo• No photographs• Use your name to head your CV, rather than Curriculum Vitae• PDF

Top Tips - Format

• Customise every application

• Highlight the benefits of hiring you

• Be specific & give examples to back up your claims

• Focus on skills and achievements

• Include outcomes where possible

• Only include relevant details

• Chronological or skills based CV?

Top Tips - Content

Come to a CV workshop to learn more –Book through CareersConnect

Know what makes you tick! Assess your skills, personality & interests

Research your options online & by attending

events

Build your skills at careers seminars

Expand your network – use LinkedIn, join professional

bodies & go to events

Make sure your CV is up to date

Refresh your interview techniques

Apply for graduate jobs or graduate study

What should you be doing now?

www.ucd.ie/careersWhat Does UCD Career Development Centre Offer?

5 Annual recruitment fairs involving 210+ graduate

employers

Presentations on campus: 173 employer recruitment & 159

career development workshops

www.ucd.ie/careers

Online Resources

Free Psychometric Assessments

GradConnection + GoinGlobal

Jumpstart Module

Careers Connect System

Careers Connect

Book a Quick Query Appointment

Apply for graduate roles & internships

Book to attend workshops, employer events & fairs

Upcoming Events

3rd October 2018 11am – 5pm RDS

UCD Career Development Centre

Find us online

YouTube

The UCD Co-Curricular

Skills Awards

• Get formal recognition from UCD for the skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained via participation in co-curricular activity, on and off campus.

• Enhance your self-awareness, self-efficacy and self-confidence and develop skills and attributes required for success in the workplace and life beyond university.

www.ucd.ie/careers/skillsaward/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=IvJTkV5IPDU

The SPARC (Supporting Partnership And Realising Change) programme enables UCD staff

& students to work together on projects and bring ideas to life.

The UCD Career Development Centre provides support for these projects in the form of

funding and project planning.

For more information and to apply for SPARC visit - www.ucd.ie/sparc

Closing date is Friday 12th October

Sarah BrownCareer & Skills Consultant UCD Career Development Centre