This document provides guidance on creating effective CVs and cover letters. It discusses the purpose of different types of CVs and tailoring them based on work experience. Recruiters typically spend 6 seconds scanning each CV, focusing on names, titles, and keywords. The document recommends including an objective statement, relevant experience, key skills, and interests tailored to the specific role. Cover letters should introduce the applicant, demonstrate why they are suited for the role and interested in the employer.

1. Winning CVs and Cover Letters
Tahira Majothi
careers consultant
Careers and Employability Service
http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/

2. Aims
Identify and understand the purpose of
different types of CVs.
Critically reflect on and tailor your own CV and
cover letter.
Access support available via the Careers and
Employability Service.

3. What is the purpose of a CV?

4. Why are CVs so challenging?

5. Average time spent scanning a CV

6. ‘Gaze-tracking’ Technology
Name
Current and previous roles
Names of employers (past and present)
Education
(Source: http://cdn.theladders.net/static/images/basicSite/pdfs/TheLadders-EyeTracking-StudyC2.pdf)

7. Key points
Recruiters found visual
features (i.e. boxes,
graphics etc)
distracting.
Recruiters preferred
CVs with “an obvious
information hierarchy.”
Recruiters focused on
keywords to filter
suitable matches.

8. Layout: first impressions count!

9. There are CV variations!

10. Part-time work
Typically customer- facing roles
Focus on:
 Relevant work experience
 Interpersonal attributes e.g.
communication, teamwork,
flexibility and organisational abilities
 Key skills – IT, languages, driving
licence, First Aid training etc.
 Education
 Interests

11. Placements and Work Experience
 Name
 Profile / Career Objective
 *Education (Most recent
first)
 *Relevant Experience
 *Key skills and
achievements
 *Other work experience
 Interests
NB: * Indicates sections that are interchangeable depending on essential and desirable criteria in the person specification/job advert.

12. Graduate-level
 Name
 Professional social media e.g. LinkedIn, blogs, websites etc.
Update the following:
 Profile / Career Objective
 *Education (Most recent first)
 *Relevant Experience
 *Key skills, achievements, positions of responsibility,
professional associations
 *Other work experience
 Interests
NB: * Indicates sections that are interchangeable depending on essential and desirable criteria in the person specification/job advert.

13. Profile = Business Card
 Degree or most recent qualification first
 Overview of relevant work experience
 2-3 relevant competencies (match to person
specification or job advert)
 Career objective

14. Professional Social Media
 Google your name – happy
with results/images?
 Update your privacy settings
beforehand
 Mention professional ‘active’
accounts only

15. Education
 Most recent first. Reverse
chronological order.
 4-5 relevant module titles.
 Include dissertation title if aligns
with company values/mission etc.
 Other professional training/courses
if relevant.

16. Relevant Experience
 Most relevant, not
necessarily most
recent!
 Dates, job title and
name of company
 Key achievements /
responsibilities
 Incorporate skills
using positive power
words

17. Positive power words

18. Other Work Experience
 Quantify achievements.
 Explain responsibilities.
 Include charity or voluntary
work commitments.
 Evidence transferable
knowledge, experience and
skills.

19. Key Skills and Achievements
 Provide evidence of 3-4 skills as required by
employer (e.g. communication, teamwork,
leadership, flexibility, organisational skills etc).
 Certificates, awards, scholarships,
professional achievements, positions of
responsibility, membership of professional
associations, fund raising/charity work etc.
 If relevant, provide details of IT/technical
skills, languages, driving licence etc.

20. Interests
 Provides an insight into your
personality.
 Being a member of a
club/society/charity demonstrates
teamwork, leadership and willingness
to learn whilst helping worthwhile
causes.
 Weave skills and attributes into
interests e.g. travel/year abroad has
enhanced international outlook as
well as communication, budgeting,
negotiation and organisational skills.

21. Summary
 Research the employer and job
role first.
 Tailor order of education,
experience and skills on CV,
depending on role requirements.
 Provide tangible examples of
relevant transferable knowledge,
experience and skills.
 Proof-read!

22. Personalise cover letters

23. Cover letter content
 Format – Find the right person to address the letter/email to
 Opening – What job do you wish to apply for? When and where did you
see it advertised?
 Why you? – Introduce yourself, why are you the right candidate? Think
relevant knowledge, experience and skills.
 Why them? Demonstrate your employer research, be specific about why
you chose to apply to them in particular.
 The closing – Thank them for considering your application, make clear
your availability for interview and follow-up to check on progress.

24. Careers and Employability Support
CV Checks:
University House
Tuesdays (10am - 12pm) & Thursdays (2pm – 4pm)
http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/careeradvice
CV and Cover Letter Guides:
http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/page/careerguides
Salford (On-campus) Recruitment Fairs 2014-2015:
http://www.careers.salford.ac.uk/page/meetemployers

25. Images CC Flickr
1. Scott Kellum, Portfolio Mailer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/devoinregress/
2. David K. Puzzled Kitty. https://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticrevolver/
3. Charlie Baker. My mood. https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlieeclark/
4. lars erik skrefsrud morning coffee, http://www.flickr.com/photos/skrefsrud/14438341782
5. Rubix Cube. Yugank Singhal. Boy Playing with a Rubix Cube. https://www.flickr.com/photos/92559412@N08/
6. Peas. 3.30.10 The Face of Customer Service. https://www.flickr.com/photos/iampeas/
7. University of Salford Press, Women in Construction. https://www.flickr.com/photos/salforduniversity/
8. Graduate, Am Markt, Bremen, Germany. https://www.flickr.com/photos/aluedtke/
9. University of Salford Press. Antonio Espingardeiro. https://www.flickr.com/photos/salforduniversity/
10. Popupology, 3-d business card series VIII – handshake. https://www.flickr.com/photos/popupology/
11. Jason Howie. Instagram and other Social Media Apps. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonahowie/
12. Lester Public Library, Study. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterpubliclibrary/
13. Branch Manager, Assistant Branch Manager Dog Meme. http://llwproductions.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dogs-branch-managers.jpg
14. Domenico. My new job at the call center. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kugelfisch/
15. Melody Joy Kramer. Rocky SWK. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkmjk/
16. Geraint Rowland. Waiting Game. https://www.flickr.com/photos/geezaweezer/
17. Jim Shelley. Peacock. https://www.flickr.com/photos/29154662@N08/
18. Luke Chapman. Gift wrapping. https://www.flickr.com/photos/s13_eisbaer/