This document provides a comprehensive guide on creating an effective curriculum vitae (CV) and covering letter, including types, structure, and presentation tips. It highlights the importance of tailoring a CV to the specific job, demonstrating personal strengths, and the necessity of a good first impression. Additionally, it outlines key components of a CV and cover letter, along with practical advice for job applications.

1. 1NUWAN GUNARATHNE [http://tecexpertz.com]
Nuwan Gunarathne
[http://tecexpertz.com/ ]
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

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curriculum vitae
 What is a CV?
 Different formats
 How Could a CV be Structured?
 Personal Details
 Education
 Work Experience
 Skills (Optional)
 Interests and Achievements
 References
 How Should I Present My CV?
 You are the HR Manager!

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, you should be able to :
• identify different types of CV
• understand the importance of having good CVs and
covering letters
• to be able to produce an effective CV and covering letter for
a range of different requirements

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• your marketing tool – often the first impression an
employer gets so it has to be perfect!
• an organised summary of personal details, education and
experience, targeted to the specific position or company
• a chance to demonstrate your strengths and enable you to
focus the reader’s attention on the aspects you want to
highlight
What is CV

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• Chronological
• Skills Based
• Targeted
• your CV is organic – it will change with time and
circumstance.
Different Formats

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How Could a CV be Structured?
• personal details
• education/qualifications
• work experience
• skills profile (optional)
• interests/extra curricular activities
• references

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1) Personal Details
• name
• address
• telephone number
• email
• nationality?
• date of birth?

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2) Education
• Can be reverse chronological order – most recent first
1. postgraduate study
2. university education
3. pre-university education GCSE’s/A-level (or
equivalent) with grades
4. any relevant courses e.g. intensive marketing course

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• introduction to database
management systems
• introduction to web design
• networks and
telecommunications
• object-oriented analysis
design and
implementation
• programming and data
structures
• programming solutions of
the internet
Education
2001 – 2004 London Metropolitan University
BSc Computing and Information Systems 2:1
Example of Education

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Example of Final Year Project :
• I developed a stand alone online test system using Visual
Basic 6 and Microsoft Access as the backend database. The
role of the database is to store login details for candidates,
display questions and choice of answers and also keep
details of the test result.

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3) Work Experience
• can be in reverse chronological order – most recent first
• employers name, location (what they do)
• full time, part time, voluntary Work
• dates
• job titles
• description of duties involved
• main achievements

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Example of Work Experience:
September 2004 – Current
Recruitment administrator (part-time) – NHS Trust,
London
• preparing offers of employment letters and terms of
conditions of employment
• arranging interviews, obtaining references, applying for
work permits and criminal record checks
• dealing with queries both face to face and on the telephone
• general office duties such as filing and photocopying

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4) Skills (Optional)
• Analytical
• Business awareness
• Communication
• IT
• Languages
• Organisation
• Problem Solving
• Taking Responsibility
• Team work
• Time Management
All relevant skills including:

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Example of Communication Skills
• good communication skills both oral and written, gained
from giving seminars and presentations whilst at
university
• communication skills displayed whilst advising customers
on a range of products when I worked at IKEA and John
Lewis

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5) Interests and Achievements
• positions of responsibility
• travel
• membership of clubs or societies
• music/Sport
• hobbies and other leisure activities

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6) References
• the names of two referees
(one professional and one academic)
• name and job title
• address
• telephone number and fax number
• email address

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How Should I Present My CV?
• good quality paper (white or cream)
• maximum 2 sides of A4 (1 side for USA resume)
• consistent font size and type
• correct spelling and grammar
• correct use of language
• attractive layout and easy to read
• get a second opinion (from someone who knows!)

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You are the HR Manager!
• Look at the 2 CV’s. Comment on them as if you were
assessing them for a job
• Judge them on appearance, content and how they describe
their skills
• You have 15 minutes to do this

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A resume does not get you a job…
A resume does get you an interview.
And, putting time and consideration
into your resume is one of the
best ways to prepare for your interviews!
Remember …

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Covering Letter

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What is a Covering Letter?
• a covering letter always accompanies a CV
• the main function is to attract and maintain the
employer’s attention
• it should emphasise interest in and suitability for
the job
• it must create a good first impression –
particularly if the application is speculative
• the cover letter should complement and develop
the information in the CV, not duplicate it

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Speculative Applications
• state why you are writing
• be clear what you are asking for
• needs to be more convincing/persuasive
• identify skills required
• follow up with phone call

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Responsive Applications
• why are you writing?
• evidence of relevant skills/experience
• illustrate understanding of job description
• why do you want to work for this company?
• what’s your motivation for wanting job?

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Covering Letter Structured?
• opening Paragraph
• middle paragraphs (2 max)
• closing paragraph

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Opening Paragraph
• introduce yourself
• who you are?
• why are you writing?

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Middle Paragraphs
• why do you want the job?
• why should the employer consider you?
• selling yourself
• demonstrate knowledge of the company and
industry

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Closing Paragraph
• restate your interest in the job
• convey your enthusiasm and motivation
• indicate your availability to interview/start the job
• end on a polite, optimistic note!

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24 Granger Road
London
N3 6LP
10 June
2005
Ms. S Johnson
Graduate Recruitment Manager
Carver Marketing Ltd
6 Bridge Lane
London
W1 7YU
Application for Position of Graduate Marketing Trainee
Dear Ms Johnson,
Opening Paragraph ………………………………………………………..
Middle Paragraph 1…………………………………………………………
Middle Paragraph 2…………………………………………………………
Closing Paragraph………………………………………………………….
Yours sincerely,
David Trent
• Dear Sir or Madam =
Yours faithfully
• Dear Ms Johnson
= Yours sincerely
• Don’t forget to sign the
letter!

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Present My Covering Letter?
• good quality paper (white or cream)
• maximum 1 side of A4
• word processed
• consistent font size and type
• correct spelling and grammar
• attractive layout and easy to read

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THE END
Name : H. Nuwan Gunarathne
Web : http://tecexpertz.com/