The document provides guidance on writing an effective CV, including formatting, sections to include, and level of detail. It recommends keeping the CV clean and elegant with a few typefaces. Key sections should include name and qualifications, a short profile, key achievements, skills, career summary, education, and interests. For each position, a brief company description and key responsibilities should be listed, quantifying achievements. Relevant education, qualifications, courses, and memberships are also important to include.

1. CVs, Recruiters, Interviewing -
how to succeed
Presented by Lewis Turner

2. The Start!
Writing a CV

3. Beginning your CV
Keep it clean and elegant, use only a couple of typefaces, and simple
elegant,
separators for the sections.
JOHN DOLE-SMITH BEng. (Hons)
DOLE- ← Name and professional
MBA MIEE qualifications clearly shown
Mount Pleasant, Cambridge, CB3 0RN followed by contact information.
Tel:+44 1223 443920
Email:j.d.smith@displaylink.com
Profile:
Ambitious and enthusiastic Software ← Short summary of your
Engineer with demonstrable experience, skills and abilities in
commercial C++ in a Windows no more than five lines.
environment.
Seeking an opening with new
challenges and opportunities to
expand his personal and technical
skills.

4. Your Achievements
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Architected a new software
solution for a complex machine ← The 3 or 4 things
automation product, delivering
on time and on budget
which you are most
Successfully led a high calibre proud of in your
software team on multiple career and education
projects.
so far.
Planned and scheduled the test
strategy to minimize on-site
on-
problems on delivery.

5. Your Skills
KEY SKILLS
Works well on own initiative or as part of a ← Clearly state both technical and
team, works well under pressure, experienced
at seeing projects through from inception to soft skills
completion, quick and enthusiastic to learn,
flexible.
6 years C++, 3 years C#, 1 year C
(Embedded), Win32 (NT/2k/XP), MFC, COM,
multi-
multi-threaded applications
OOAD, 6 years SQL (Oracle and Sybase), 2
years PLC (IEC61131), VB, IP networks, Linux
Solid knowledge in CAN, Stäubli robots (6-axis
(6-
robotic arms), Servo/Stepper motors &
controllers, IP networks, electrical and
mechanical competencies, PCB design

6. Your Career
CAREER SUMMARY
04/2006 to date My Current Co Ltd
Machine Automation Software
← Include a brief one line of
Senior Software Engineer what the company does.
Responsible for the design, implementation and
testing of machine control systems including software
← Brief job description and then
and hardware. Leading teams to deliver projects
within time cost and quality requirements.
list key responsibilities.
Key Technologies: C++ (Inc. STL), C# (Inc.
WinForms), Embedded C, Win32, OOAD, Multi-axis
Multi-
Robot Control. ← Be specific and quantify your
08/2007 to 03/2006 LastCompany Ltd
achievements.
Machine Control Development
Software Control Engineer
Responsible for designing, implementing and
commissioning software for machine control and
safety systems in a cell culture machine including 6
axis-
axis-anthropomorphic robotic arm, motor controllers,
pneumatic and electrical automation systems.
01/2003 to 07/2007 CCG Ltd
Computer Graphics Cards ← Positions which are not
Junior Software Engineer
Developing low level device drivers for graphics cards.
relevant because of time past
should show much less detail

7. Your Education
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
1998-
1998-2001 1st class BSc. (Hons.) degree in Computer
Science from University of York
← Mention your most
Key Modules:
Embedded and Real Time Systems, Digital and Linear significant qualifications
Design, Digital Computer design, Operating
Systems,Software Specification and Design, User
Interface Design, Engineering Project Management,
or grades to date and any
Computer Graphics and Visualisation, Networks and
Distributed Systems.
relevant courses or
Projects:
diplomas.
Design and construction of analog and digital
microcontroller based audible 'piccolo' modem,
including writing some embedded assembler for
If you are quite
digital signal processing. Key Technologies: C, PIC
and Z80 microprocessor programming experienced, this can just
Designed and wrote a 3d demo program in OpenGL be the top line!
to demonstrate a range of techniques for creating
realistic visual rendering. Key Technologies: Linux,
Unix, C, OpenGL.
OpenGL.
1996-
1996-1998 East Barnet School: 4 A Levels, Physics(A),
Computing(A), Maths(B), Chemistry(B)

8. Interests and Memberships
Member of the Institute of Electrical ← List memberships to
Engineers
guilds, institutes or
organizations here.
INTERESTS
I am a keen football player and am currently
the treasurer of the local club. Personal ← There is often a
computing interests include C++, 3D graphics
(OpenGL), embedded software and all things keen interest in this
Linux. Often contribute to the open source
community and am an active member of section as it reveals
ACCU character and your
general attitude - for
example, liking
technology!
← But make it true..

9. Completed CV
JOHN DOLE-SMITH BEng. (Hons) MBA MIEE
DOLE-
Mount Pleasant, Cambridge, CB3 0RN
Tel:+44 1223 443920 Email:j.d.smith@displaylink.com
PROFILE:
Ambitious and enthusiastic Software Engineer with demonstrable commercial C++ in a Windows environment.
Seeking an opening with new challenges and opportunities to expand his personal and technical skills.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Architected a new software solution for a complex machine automation product, delivering on time and on budget
Successfully led a high caliber software team on multiple projects.
Planned and scheduled the test strategy to minimize on-site problems on delivery.
on-
KEY SKILLS
Works well on own initiative or as part of a team, works well under pressure, experienced at seeing projects through from inception to
inception
completion, quick and enthusiastic to learn, flexible.
6 years C++, 3 years C#, 1 year C (Embedded), Win32 (NT/2k/XP), MFC, COM, multi-threaded applications
multi-
OOAD, 6 years SQL (Oracle and Sybase), 2 years PLC (IEC61131), VB, IP networks, Linux
Solid knowledge in CAN, Stäubli robots (6-axis robotic arms), Servo/Stepper motors & controllers, IP networks, electrical and mechanical
(6- mechanical
competencies, PCB design
CAREER SUMMARY
04/2006 to date My Current Co Ltd
Machine Automation Software
Senior Software Engineer
Responsible for the design, implementation and testing of machine control systems including software and hardware. Leading teams to
teams
deliver projects within time cost and quality requirements.
Key Technologies: C++ (Inc. STL), C# (Inc. WinForms), Embedded C, Win32, OOAD, Multi-axis Robot Control.
Multi-

10. Completed CV Cont.
08/2007 to 03/2006 LastCompany Ltd
Machine Control Development
Software Control Engineer
Responsible for designing, implementing and commissioning software for machine control and safety systems in a cell culture machine
ma
including 6 axis-anthropomorphic robotic arm, motor controllers, pneumatic and electrical automation systems.
axis-
01/2003 to 07/2007 CCG Ltd
Computer Graphics Cards
Junior Software Engineer
Developing low level device drivers for graphics cards.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
1998-
1998-2001 1st class BSc. (Hons.) degree in Computer Science from University of York
Key Modules:
Embedded and Real Time Systems, Digital and Linear Design, Digital Computer design, Operating Systems,Software Specification and
and
Design, User Interface Design, Engineering Project Management, Computer Graphics and Visualisation, Networks and Distributed
Systems.
Projects:
Design and construction of analog and digital microcontroller based audible 'piccolo' modem, including writing some embedded
assembler for digital signal processing. Key Technologies: C, PIC and Z80 microprocessor programming
Designed and wrote a 3d demo program in OpenGL to demonstrate a range of techniques for creating realistic visual rendering. Key
Technologies: Linux, Unix, C, OpenGL.
OpenGL.
1996-
1996-1998 East Barnet School: 4 A Levels, Physics(A), Computing(A), Maths(B), Chemistry(B)
Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers
INTERESTS
I am a keen football player and am currently the treasurer of the local club. Personal computing interests include C++, 3D graphics
graphics
(OpenGL), embedded software and all things Linux. Often contribute to the open source community.

11. Covering Letters
Do one!
Tailor it
Be careful about names
Keep it simple
Polite and to the point

12. Covering letter example
Dear Mr. Turner,
I am emailing in response to your advert on the Cambridge Network for a Senior Software
Engineer.
Since 1999, I have worked as a software engineer for ABC Company, where I have been
repeatedly recognised for developing innovative solutions for multimillion-pound, globally
multimillion-
deployed software and systems. I am responsible for full lifecycle development of next-
next-
generation software, from initial requirement gathering to design, coding, testing,
documentation and implementation.
With proven and solid client-facing skills, I have participated in proposals and presentations
client-
that have secured six-figure contracts. I also excel in merging business and user needs into
six-
high-
high-quality, cost-effective design solutions while keeping within budgetary constraints.
cost-
My technical expertise includes cross-platform proficiency (Windows XP / Vista, UNIX, and
cross-
Linux); fluency in several languages (including C, C++, VB, Java, Perl and SQL); and
advanced knowledge of developer applications, tools, methodologies and best practices
(including OOD, client/server architecture and self-test automation). I am also a strong
self-
advocate of agile.
My experience developing user-friendly solutions on time and on budget would enable me
user-
to step into a software engineering role at XYZ Company and allow me to get up to speed
very quickly.
I can be contacted on 07813 563762 or by email on joe.smith@abc.co.uk and look forward
to speaking to you in the near future.
Yours sincerely,
Joe Smith BEng

13. The Job Search & Recruiters

14. Attitude
Spend no more than an hour or two each day on job
hunting
Keep a record of who you have approached, and
when
Keep a record of any recruitment agencies you have
approached
Sometimes you have to put up with a big number
rejects or no replies to get those interviews
You must not let these rejects get you down
Do not be frightened or embarrassed to ask friends,
acquaintances, family / relatives
Make sure you have emailed them your CV so they
can pass it on

15. Jobsites
Do NOT rely only on job boards such as
Monster, Jobsite and Planet Recruit
Work through company directories such
as the A-Z on the Cambridge Network
A-
http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/dire
ctory/ or the local equivalent
Other sites include
http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/tow
ns/all-
ns/all-index.htm and
http://www.business-directory-
http://www.business-directory-uk.co.uk/
Another little known but useful site (for
Cambridge) is
http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/cambrid
geuk/sect2.htm

16. Recruitment Agencies
Why?
They match a company’s requirements in terms of
qualifications, skills, experience and personality to
the candidates on its database
They know the employment market and can
prepare candidates for interview
Should guide individuals through the selection
process

17. Recruitment Agencies – they are all different
Vacancy driven
Candidate driven
Search
Should tell you the clients BEFORE sending your CV
If can, do send direct, but don’t undermine

18. Some (good) agencies
ECM Selection
IC Resources
Provide
MJH Personnel
Vertex
Vector

19. Interview Tips

20. Preparation – be prepared!
Know as much about the
company and the position as
possible
Have contact details!
Check your route
Read their website
Growth or a replacement?
Be well groomed

21. Be intelligent
Intelligent candidates are well
prepared
Relevant examples in your
experience
Remember names and dates
Take your CV with you, maybe
a pad and pen
Clear concise answers
I not we!
Listen to the questions

22. Be yourself (no acting)
Relax enough to let your real
personality come through
Pleasant personality, this coupled with
good attitude will make you stand
above others
Give good eye contact to all without
staring people down
Give a firm neutral handshake (no wet
fish), but no knuckle grinders
Humour is OK in an interview as long
as it is relevant and within reason

23. Your Questions
Do not ask questions you
could and should have
found the answer to
before the interview
Ask questions that are
relevant
Not Salary, holidays or
other benefits

24. Your Feedback
Give feedback before you
finish the interview
If you are honestly keen on
the role let them know
How you feel you could
contribute, why you would
enjoy working with them
It has to be true & natural
feedback, not a prepared
speech

25. Your Aim
Naturally smart
(intelligent)
Likeable
Strong desire for the
company and position

26. Sample Interview Questions
So, what do you know
about us?
Why do you want this role?
Why should we select you
for this role?

27. What are your strengths?
What are your
weaknesses?
Tell me about some of
your past achievements?

28. What do you want from
your next position?
How would you describe
your management style?
Talk me through your
CV?

29. How would your
manager describe you?
How do your colleagues
view you?
How do you react to
criticism?

30. What is the hardest
thing you have
done?
Where do you see
yourself in 3 to 5
years?

31. Are you still awake?

32. Any Questions?
Lewis Turner