1. Selling
yourself to
employers
ON PAPER
IN PERSON
ONLINE
Charlotte Tracy
Head of Marketing

2. About me
Reviewed 1,000+ CVs on
Fish4jobs Jobs Roadshow
Head of Marketing for Fish4jobs one of
UK’s leading job sites – 1.3 million job
seekers visit us each month
Involved in recruiting over 50 staff

3. About this webinar
• 3 sections: Selling yourself...
– On paper
– In person
– Online
• 30 minutes:
– 20 mins presentation
– 10 min Q&A at the end
• Do interact by posting questions
using ‘Questions’ tab
Visit ‘Attachments’ section:
• CV advice & templates
• Cover letter tips &
templates
• Interview advice & FAQs
• Using social media in your
job search
• And more…

4. Selling yourself
on paper

6. Mistake #1: Bad formatting/layout
Tips
 No perfect layout
 Easy to scan read
 Chronological flow
 2 pages
 Lead with the best stuff first!

7. Structure
• Contact details
• Personal statement
• Key achievements/skills
• Work history
• Education
• Hobbies & interests (where relevant)
• References available upon request
Attachments:
1. CV template
2. Graduate CV template
3. School leavers CV template

8. Avoid fancy formatting

9. Mistake #2: One CV

10. Different CVs for different roles/industries
Attachment:
1. CV advice

11. Mistake #3: Generic or no personal profile
• 3 sections
1. Who you are (education and work
history)
2. What you can bring to the table
(skills, achievements)
3. Your career aim (what job you
want)
• Avoid clichés
• Keep it concise
• Tailor
Attachment:
1. Write a profile that
packs a punch

12. Examples that state the obvious
“A highly motivated, hard
working and enthusiastic
individual who possesses
the ability to learn new skills.
I am punctual with excellent
timekeeping and
attendance. I consider
myself to be very reliable,
honest and trustworthy, I get
on well with people and
enjoy working as part of a
team or on my own initiative.
I am of smart appearance
and well spoken.”
“An employer would find me
reliable and responsible as
well as being extremely
flexible and co-operative. I
am eager and willing to
expand my skills and try out
new challenges that may
come my way. I am a bubbly
and bright person who
works well in a team and
solely. I also believe I have
enough experience and life
skills to excel at any
challenge thrown my way.”
"I am a committed and hard
working individual who
enjoys a challenge. In
addition to strong
communication skills, I am
able to work effectively in a
team. I can also
demonstrate advanced
problem-solving skills and
thrive under pressure. My
drive and ambition ensure I
am a valuable addition to
any company."

13. Examples that sell
“Enthusiastic school leaver with
five GCSEs looking for an
apprenticeship in the
engineering field Possessing
good written and verbal
communication and an interest
in engineering which has
spanned my lifetime with
particular passion for electrics.
For my GCSE Design &
Technology project, I built a
working calculator and was
awarded an A*. Looking for a
start in the exciting world of
electrical engineering where I
can learn a trade and realise a
lifetime ambition.”
“A motivated, adaptable
and responsible school
leaver seeking an entry-
level position in public
relations which will utilise
the organisational and
communication skills
developed through my
involvement with
promotional work during
vacations.”
“As recent graduate from
Durham University, with a
2:1 honours degree in media
communications, I have
undertaken several
internships within leading
organisations such as
Bertelsmann and Times
Warner. These placements
have enabled me to develop
not only specific media
industry experience, but also
a valuable and transferable
skill set in this fast-paced
sector.”

14. Mistake #4: Poor spelling and grammar

15. Some real life examples...

16. Mistake #5: Too personal

17. Unnecessary personal data
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Children
• National insurance
• Passport number
• No photos!
• Relevant hobbies

18. Relevant hobbies & interests
• Examples:
– Captain of school hockey team
(demonstrates leadership)
– Duke of Edinburgh Award (demonstrates
commitment)
– Volunteer/community work (proactive)
– Visiting museums and art galleries (if
applying for jobs in architecture or the arts)
– Cars (if applying to be a mechanic/work with
cards)
– Amateur dramatics (if applying for drama or
role that involves public speaking)

19. To recap...
 Keep the layout clear and easy to scan
read, 2 pages
 Tailor your CV to individual role/types of
role
 Include a personal statement that makes
you stand out
 Get someone to proof read your CV
 Remove any personal data that isn’t
relevant (esp. hobbies!)
Attachments:
1. CV tips
2. CV template
3. Graduate CV template
4. School leavers CV template

20. Cover letters: should I bother?
• Simple answer, yes!
• Majority of candidates don’t include one so
sets you apart
• Snapshot of why your skills, achievements
and experience make you relevant for the job
• Always include cover letters when applying
for jobs on job sites
Attachments:
1. Cover letter tips
2. Cover letter templates incl.
school leavers & graduates

21. Cover letters: top tips
 Keep it short, structured and snappy
 Tailor it to each job you apply for
 Back up with relevant examples
 Bring your reader up to speed on your current situation
 Stick to plain, professional language
 Proofread your letter or email with eagle eyes before sending
 Sounds simple, but remember to include your address, telephone number and email

22. Selling yourself
in person

23. Most common interview mistakes
 Poor body language
 Failing to do your homework
 Not staying positive
 Not dressing the part
 Lack of confidence
Attachment:
1. Common interview
mistakes

24. Interview FAQs
1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why should we hire you?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. Why do you want this job?
5. Give me an example of when you...
Attachment:
1. Common interview
questions

25. Selling yourself
online

26. The hidden job market
•70% jobs aren’t advertised
Getting your CV found
Make sure it’s visible
Include the right keywords
Keep it fresh

27. Social media: Cleaning up your act
• 80% of employers Google candidates
before interview/hiring
Top tips:
 Google yourself
 Keep good company
 Professional names
 Set up Google alerts to monitor
Attachment:
1. Using social media in
your job search

28. Using social media to your advantage
• Get connected
• Get recommended
• Build an online platform
• Put Twitter to work for you

30. And finally...
facebook.com/fish4jobs @fish4jobs