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.
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Winning CVs and Cover Letters
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.
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.
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
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!
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/
Editor's Notes
Professional timeline of education, work experience and key skills. Not your whole life story! Focus on relevant knowledge, experience and skills and career aspirations.
Discussion point: What do you hate about CVs, what aspects do you find challenging, what types of CV formats are you aware of? Feedback you have had on your CVs etc.
Average time spent scanning CVs initially as part of filtering.
The study’s “gaze tracking” technology showed that recruiters spent
almost 80% of their resume review time on the following data points:
Beyond these six data points, recruiters did little more than scan for
keywords to match the open position, which amounted to a very cursory
“pattern matching” activity. Because decisions were based mostly on
the six pieces of data listed above.
*Eye Tracking Online Metacognition: Cognitive Complexity and Recruiter Decision Making. Will Evans, Head of User Experience Design,
TheLadders. 2012.
CV rules – what should be included, omitted or amended. Can use the Great little CV Quiz here.
How many types of CV can you name?
P/T jobs
Placements
Skills
Chronological
Functional
Academic
Typically customer focused roles – strong emphasis on communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills. Typical jobs within retail, admin, call centres, hospitality, sales etc. 1 page, very basic CV. Focus on work experience, key transferable skills as sought by the employer and then education and interests.
More formal – 2 pages where possible. Targeted profile, education, technical skills (if relevant), relevant experience, other work experience, key skills and achievements including positions of responsibility, interests and references available on request line.
Certificates, courses, professional training, quantifiable achievements in work, positions of responsibility etc.
Draw out relevant skills whilst undertaking interests. Avoid clichés e.g. socialising with friend, travelling and going to the gym. Provide an interest and associated skill e.g. Chess allows me to use my lateral thinking skills, photography demonstrates by creativity and eye for detail etc.
Can accompany CVs to explain to an employer what you want to apply for and why you want to work for them.