CURRICULAR VITAE AND COVER LETTER WRITING

This presentation gives a fresh graduate on how to come up with a better CV and Cover letter when seeking a job and also enable him or her to understand the Do's and Dont's when going for an interview.

2. What is a CV?
a short account of one's career and qualifications
prepared typically by an applicant for a position
a shortwritten description
of youreducation, qualifications, previousjobs,
and sometimes also yourpersonalinterests, that
you sendto an employerwhen you are tryingto
get a job
Curriculum Vitae: the course of one’s life.
An outline of education/work.
A marketing tool to sell yourself.

3. When should you use a CV?
To apply for an advertised vacancy that asks for a
CV.
To apply speculatively.
They are also a useful source of information for when
you are completing job application forms.

4. What do we know about CVs
Promote yourself and
your suitability for the
role
Different CVs for
different objectives –be
clear about purpose
Clear layout and logical
structure
Concise
No such thing as a
general CV
Targeted to the sector,
the employer, the job
Avoid ready-made
templates
Relevant –be selective
about information you
give
Skills must be included
Positive language
Spelling and grammar do
matter!

5. What should be included in a CV?
Your contact details.
A personal profile (optional).
Employment history/work experience.
Education/training.
Skills/achievements.
Interests.
References.

6. Do Don’t
Use a clear font.
Use bold and larger
font to highlight your
name and headings.
Have a sensible email
address.
Highlight your skills
and achievements.
Use fonts that are
difficult to read.
Have an unprofessional
email address.
Just list skills without
providing
evidence/examples.
Have more than 2
pages.
What makes a good CV?

7. Do Don’t
Target your CV towards
the job you are applying
for.
Use bullet points to make
the CV easier to read.
Check spelling and
grammar.
Give relevant dates e.g.
in employment history.
Leave lots of white
space.
Include your primary
school.
Waffle.
Send a CV without a
covering letter.
What makes a good CV?

8. Structure of a CV
Start with your personal details…………………..
? –you need to make informed choices about how
you want to structure the rest of the CV.
……………………………and end with your references

9. Personal Details
Name
Address –use only one correspondence address if
possible
Telephone number
Email –using an appropriate address
Nationality –no obligation to include this but may
be useful to clarify work permit status
Date of birth –needed
Gender –needed
Photographs –not normally included on CVs

10. PERSONAL PROFILE
Optional
Might also be called “career objective” or “summary”
Purpose is to highlight key points that you want an employer
to know about you (e.g. skills, experience, career objective)
Less is more. 1 –3 sentences, maximum of 4 lines
Examples:
A highly motivated DBM ______ student looking for a work
placement in……………. . I have strong problem-solving skills
and a logical and analytical approach.
A ______ undergraduate with substantial work experience
in ……………, looking for an opportunity to develop a career in
…………….

11. Education
Should be in reverse chronological order i.e. most
recent first
Things to consider:
Relevance –no need to include a comprehensive list of
every topic studied
Including some modules may be helpful when
applying for jobs where there is a link between it and
your studies
Give grades if they are good ones!
The older the qualification, the less detail you give.

12. Work Experience
Include full time, part time and voluntary work and
work placements
Generally list in reverse chronological order (most
recent first)…
…. or, group into “related” and “other” work
experience
Show dates you were there and your job title
Show the employer/organisation name, broad
location and if helpful, the nature of their business

13. Example
September 2014 –present
Office Administrator (part-time)
Drafting letters ensuring clarity, accuracy and clear
presentation
Organisinginterview schedules and liaising with external
agencies regarding work permits and criminal record
checks
Communicating effectively both face to face and on the
telephone
Accurately maintaining office information systems

14. Identifying relevant skills
This can be determined through:
The job description
The person specification
The job advert
The organisation’s website
Occupational research e.g. accountancy
Sector research e.g. finance

15. Presenting a skill in a CV
Good communication skills, both oral and written,
gained from delivering clear presentations and
producing well-structured academic assignments
whilst at college .
Whilst working as a retail sales assistant, I
demonstrated my ability to listen effectively and to
give customers information in a clear and
appropriate way.

16. Sample Action Verbs
Management
Conducted, coordinated, developed, directed, established, evaluated,
facilitated, formulated, guided, improved, presided, scheduled, supervised,
trained
Communication
Addressed, clarified, conferred, drafted, explained, formulated, motivated,
negotiated, persuaded, presented, promoted, translated, wrote
Technical
Analysed, assembled, built, consulted, designed, examined, identified,
interpreted, operated, overhauled, remodelled, repaired, researched, revised
Helping
Advised, arranged, coached, counselled, diagnosed, facilitated, instructed,
oriented, represented
Financial
Administered, analysed, balanced, budgeted, calculated, contracted, forecast,
marketed, planned, projected, recommended
Sales
Consolidated, distributed, expedited, generated, increased, marketed, obtained,
penetrated, promoted, recruited, stimulated

17. Interests and Achievements
Optional. Don’t include this section for the sake of it.
Think about what the information adds to your CV –
what are you trying to get across?; how will it help to
persuade an employer to interview me?
Avoid using the heading “hobbies”
Avoid a simple list
Only include things which you are happy to be
questioned about in an interview
Convey your skills, attributes and/or personal
development

18. References
Often used only in the final stages of selection
Provide the contact details of your referees ( name,
address, job title, telephone no. and email address)
rather than a “standard” reference letter
It is usual to provide two referees –one academic
and the other preferably work related
Out of courtesy, always check with referees first
If you prefer not to include details on your CV, you
can say “References available on request

19. General tips and advice
•Be concise –ensure that every sentence counts
and includes relevant information, avoid vague,
general statements; be specific. Your CV should be a
maximum of two pages.
•Be eye-catching –ensure the CV is clear, easy to
read, using bullet points to separate sections of text.
Use bold for headings.
•Be positive –use active verbs in the past tense to
emphasise what you did, for example organised,
managed, coordinated, analysed etc

20. Be honest –always provide evidence for
your claims.
Be knowledgeable –research and identify
the skills required for your chosen field and
clearly describe examples where you have
demonstrated those skills.

21. cover letter
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document sent with your resume
to provide additional information on your skills and
experience.
Employers use cover letters as a way to screen
applicants for available jobs and to determine which
candidates they would like to interview. If an
employer requires a cover letter, it should be listed in
the job posting

22. What should I include in a covering letter?
Why you are writing.
Why you want the job.
Why you are interested in the company.
Sell your main skills/achievements
relevant to the role.
What you would like to happen next.

23. Opening paragraph
Why are you writing?
Responsive -name specific job vacancy and where
advertised
Speculative –state broad type of work you are
interested in, on what basis (e.g. work placement,
full time) and when you are available
Who are you?
 A xxx undergraduate looking to develop work
experience in …....

24. Middle paragraphs
Why that orgnaistaion and why that job/industry?
-demonstrate knowledge of and interest in both
-make links through your degree subject if
appropriate
Why you?
-why should they consider you?
-what key skills/strengths can you offer?
-support your statements/assertions with evidenc

25. Closing paragraph
Polite ending –convey interest and enthusiasm in
the role
May be indicate any times available/not available for
interview.
For speculative approaches, say that you will follow
up your letter with a telephone call within a certain
period e.g. within a week

26. your address

Ms. S Johnson
Graduate Recruitment Manager
Dear sir/Madam,
Re: Application for Position of Graduate Marketing Trainee
Opening Paragraph ………………………………………………………..
Middle Paragraph 1…………………………………………………………
Middle Paragraph 2…………………………………………………………
Closing Paragraph………………………………………………………….
Yours Dear Sir or Madam = Yours faithfully
Dear MrJacob
 = Yours sincerely

27. Do Don’t
Find out the name of the
person you need to write
to.
Research the employer
and show that you know
something about them.
Highlight your key
skills/experience related
to the job.
Just repeat what you
have put in your CV.
Write more than a page.
Use the same letter for
different
jobs/companies.
Send a letter containing
spelling mistakes.
What makes a good covering letter?

28. Your interview starts before
you walk into an employer’s
door..

29. Interview Skills
Yes…well…you made a few
mistakes…

30. Q1 You are getting ready for your interview.
What do you choose to wear?
(Write the correct letter down)
A
B

31. Q2 Or…if you are male…
A B C

32. Q3 You have chosen your footwear.
What about the rest of your clothes?
A B C

33. Q4 Or…if you are a woman…
A B
C

34. Q5 You know that small details can
make a difference. How would you
advise a friend to do her nails?
A B

35. Q6 What else shouldyou do before the
interview?
Check directions. A
Leave home in plenty of time B
Read a little bit about the employer C
Practice interview questions D
Go out with your friends the night before and get
home late E

36. I’m not
going to get
the job –I’m
terrible. A
I’m
definitely
going to get
it. I’m great.
B
I hope I’ll get
the job. I’ve
prepared
really well. C
I don’t like it
here. D
Q8 Who has
the best
attitude?

37. Q9 You have arrived! Which of the
following expressions would be the best
as you greet your potential employer?
A B
C D

38. Q10 Which greeting is the best?
Hi A
Good
morning/afternoon B
All right mate?C

39. Q11Which of these answers would
be best?
Thank you for
coming. Did you
find us easily?
Not really. I
got lost A
Yes-no
problem.
B
Don’t
know
really.C

40. Can you tell me
why you are
interested in this
job?
Because
it pays
well. A
Because I have
always been
interested in this
type of work and I
feel that I could
offer a lot. B

41. Q15 Which is the best answer?
Tell me something you are proud of.
When I worked really hard and achieved
grades I was proud of. A
When I told my teacher/boss what I thought
of him/her B

42. General tips and advice
Preparation!
Arrive in good time.
Turn off your phone!
Smile and shake the interviewers hand.
Be prepared to give answers to common interview
questions.
Ask a couple of questions at the end.
Sell yourself.
Thank the interviewer for their time.
Ask for feedback.

43. Thank You for Your Attention