2. During this workshop….
• CV design and content
• CV examples
• Covering letters
• Where to look for part-time, vacation work and
volunteering opportunities
• The recruitment cycle
• Further information and help
4. CVs - some observations…..
• CVs aren't read - they are scanned
• The majority are rejected and those who meet
the entry requirements & show care and
motivation are short listed
• There are no hard and fast rules - just guidelines
• No sample will meet your needs exactly. Use
ideas from several different CVs
• No 2 CVs should ever look exactly the same
• Target your CV to what you are applying for –
this may mean having several different versions
• Expect conflicting advice – decide what
makes sense for you
• The market is competitive – put in the effort to
get real results.
5. The basic sections of a CV….
Personal details Name, address, email,
telephone number
Profile Optional. Try not to sound
clichéd, arrogant or vague.
Education & Provide a summary of your
training qualifications
Include part & full-time,
Employment
temporary & voluntary
work & placements, including
family jobs.
6. The basic sections of a CV…
Related to the job you are
• Skills &
applying for. Highlight any
achievements
positions of responsibility
• Interests & Current or recent, avoid
ordinary or obvious things
hobbies
One academic plus one other
• References
(employer). Ask permission
first.
7. Golden rules…
• Length Usually 2 pages
• Paper Good quality white or cream
• Fonts Keep fonts simple and
consistent, usually size 12
• Effects,
Exercise caution. Avoid excessive
graphics, underline, bold, capitals and
templates colour. Some templates make all
CVs look the same.
8. Over to you….
• In pairs or 3’s spend 10 minutes looking
at Cheryl Smiths CV.
• Cheryl is applying for a part-time Sales
Assistant Role in Debenhams.
• List what’s good about the CV and what
you would change.
9. Specific to you….
• Profile
• Content of degree modules
• Skills gained need to be
appropriate
• Layout
• Volunteer jobs, work experience
10. Cheryl Smith
Floor 5 Flat 7 77 High Street
Faraday Halls of Residence Harbourne
Uxbridge Birmingham
Middlesex West Midlands
UB8 3PH B17 8PD
Email: hs05ces@brunel.ac.uk Mobile: 07850 929839 Date of birth: 13/11/1986
Career objective
Second year Psychology student with particular interest in Cognitive Psychology and Psychological Disorders and four years experience of working with children.
Committed to a career within children’s charity sector.
Education
Sept 2007 – to present BA (Honours) Psychology
Brunel University
Modules include: Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods, Cultural Differences, Psychoanalytic Approaches, Cognitive
Psychology, Psychological Disorders, Developmental & Social Psychology.
Sept 2005 – June 2007 A level- Sociology (B), Art (B), Music (C), General Studies (D).
St. Bernard’s Convent Grammar School Sixth Form, Birmingham.
Sept 2001 – June 2005 GCSE- Maths (A), English Literature (A), English Language (B), Religious Studies (A), Double Science (B/B), Art & Design (A),
German (B), Music (B), Technology (A).
St. Bernard’s Convent Grammar School, Birmingham
Skills Profile
Literacy
My psychology degree is giving me the ability to write both succinct reports and more lengthy analyses, exploring issues in detail. I am also able to critically evaluate,
allowing me to anticipate problems or difficulties.
Numeracy
The ability to handle and interpret statistical information drawing implications from data summaries and probability statements.
Computer literacy
The ability to use a computer package for word processing, statistics, or data management, and the ability to learn new ones.
Interpersonal awareness
Knowledge of the mechanisms of social communication and the potential sources of personal conflict. Working with people at different levels.
Problem-solving skills
The ability to identify different strategies and approaches to solving problems. This may be on a large-scale level, in applying totally different perspectives or levels of
analysis to the problem, or at a more basic level, in terms of choosing appropriate methods to deal with it.
Information-gathering skills
I can seek information on a particular topic or general area, know where to look, what to use and how to use it.
Research skills
Knowing how to go about gathering systematic information, whether by observational, experimental or case-study techniques.
11. Experience
Sept 2007 – Present Date Hillingdon Borough Council
I run a Sports Club for children with special educational needs two afternoons a week which includes:
• Safeguarding and looking after 5-25 year olds with special needs
• Keeping accounts of the float and medical records
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Taking registers of staff and children
• Developing fun new activities
• Supporting children/young people and their families
• Making sure the team works efficiently
• Ensuring children are progressing
July 2005 – August 2007 Hillingdon Borough Council
I was a play scheme instructor and assistant to children with behavioural problems. My responsibilities included- as above plus:
• Liasing with staff, parents and children
• Working effectively in a team
• Carrying out additional training
• Reporting back to the council on how the club is going
• Maintaining a sensitive understanding at all times
Jan 2005 – August 2007 Clarks Shoes
I was a Sales assistant working in the Heathrow, Uxbridge and Regent Street branches at the weekends and in university/college holidays as needed. My duties included:
• I have been given responsibilities, which included going over banking, and handling cash lifts.
• I have been very keen to learn new things such but still shown dedication to the job.
• I have been able to improve my leadership responsibilities by using my initiative to pick up customers and general floor control.
• I also learnt how to change and improve how shoes, handbags and other products are displayed around the shop making use of my problem solving skills.
• This job involves serving and advising customers, as well as collecting and fitting shoes. I also do stock work, which requires me to use my organisational skills.
• You need to be able to talk to a variety of people.
April 2004 – December 2004 Next Ltd
• Employed as a Customer Service Adviser at weekends which included:
• Carried out general cash handling duties including refunds and exchanges.
• Job role involved quickly identifying and adhering to needs e.g. stock replenishing.
• Used telephones and computers to order stock.
December 2003 – January 2004 Boots
• Employed as a Sales Assistant during the Christmas sales period which included:
• Carried out general cash handling duties including refunds and exchanges.
• Job role involved quickly identifying and adhering to needs e.g. stock replenishing.
• Used telephones and computers to order stock.
References
Dr Martina Reynolds Brunel University Ken Saunders Hillingdon Council
Martina.reynolds@brunel.ac.uk k.saunders@hillingdon.gov.uk
12. Getting it wrong - how to put an
employer off…
• Bad spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Untidy layout and presentation
• Gaps in dates, inconsistencies
• Vagueness, not giving enough information, lack of
focus
• Giving too much or irrelevant information
• Jargon or abbreviations which may not be
easy to understand
13. Top 5 CV lies…
• Making up jobs if you haven’t had one
before!
• Exaggerating levels of responsibility in
previous jobs
• Last salary – often rounded up. £7.25
per hour becomes £7.75
• Hobbies & interests – the ability to
order a croissant in a boulangerie
becomes “fluent French”
15. Covering letters
A business-like, word processed, formal, carefully
presented, one-page letter which should:
• Say what you are applying for
• Explain why you are interested in the job and that
employer
• Emphasise your suitability and highlight your
strengths
• Indicate your interest in meeting the
employer
16. What to avoid in a covering letter
• Over elaborate, flowery language used out of context:
“Additionally, my interpersonal skills can also be a
major factor, in terms of being an ideal candidate for
this job. The proficiency to be organised ….. my
tendencies to be … and hence not….. My extensive
and prolonged general knowledge….. ”
• Massaging a company’s ego/telling them what they
already know
“Top Shop is a renowned leader in retail with a first
class reputation in the fashion industry”
• Humour and informal/text language. Eg:
Hi, I want to get a job with u
18. How to find part-time/
vacation work
• Part-Time & Vacation Work Fair
• www.brunel.ac.uk/pcc/jobshop
• View the local newspapers such as the
Gazette and Leader
• Contact recruitment agencies in person
and on-line
• Summer work experience schemes
• Voluntary Work
19. Volunteering
• How to find volunteer work:
www.brunelvolunteers.org
www.do-it.org.uk
• Why join?
Volunteering awards
Resources
20. Where can I get more info…….
• Job Hunting
• Working rights
• View part-time/vacation vacancies
www.brunel.ac.uk/pcc/jobshop
• Drop in and get your CV checked
• PCC resources
www.brunel.ac.uk/pcc
• Brunel Volunteers