A presentation designed to assist you in compiling a great-looking professional CV that best represents your skills, qualifications and experience to future employers.

1. CV writing
AKA The 30-second sell
Steve Whittington, SchoolJobs

2. Objective
This session aims to:
• Demonstrate the importance of the CV within
the context of the application process
• Provide you with the tools to develop an
effective CV that reflects your personal
experience, knowledge and skills
• Avoid disasters like this...

3. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
1. The school may receive over 50
applications for a single vacancy.
TRUE!
Last week I received 167 applications
for an advertised role.

4. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
2. The employer reads the cover letter
before reading the CV.
FALSE!
Imagine you are shortlisting for a position.
You receive 50 applications. What is the
most efficient way of selecting
candidates?

5. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
3. It is possible to make an
employment decision in less than
30 seconds.
TRUE!
I will prove it!

6. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
4. Content is more important than
presentation.
FALSE!
They are equally important. Consider
the last time you were marking student
work. See example.

7. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
5. Each application receives an equal
amount of consideration.
FALSE!
Some are quickly rejected, others
pondered over. Sometimes, early
applications receive more attention.

8. Dispelling some job application myths
True or false?
6. Principals are
rational, unbiased, unemotional, 10
0% reliable professionals who are
never tired or stressed.
LOL! As if….!

9. How is
this
picture
relevant
to this
session?

10. ‘Selling’ your ‘magazine’
• The 1st page of your CV is
PRIME REAL ESTATE
• Your USP is like a Nobel Prize winner on the
cover of Time magazine. Don’t waste it!
• Do you know what your USP is?

11. Knowing your brand
Lifestyle Hopes, drea
ms and
aspirations
Imagination
Liberty
Innovation
regained
Simplicity Passion

12. Knowing your brand
Apple Microsoft

13. Knowing your brand
Coca-Cola Pepsi

14. Knowing your brand
Qantas Virgin

15. Knowing your brand
Collingwood Hawthorn

16. What are you known for?
Academic
Caring Sporty
Organised
Patient
Leadership
potential Relate well to Hard-working
students

17. Your brand
Write down (BFF p.4) 3 – 5 bullet points that
accurately describe your ‘brand identity’:
e.g.
• Enthusiastic and outgoing
• Comprehensive subject knowledge
• Relate well to my students
• Strong community values

18. What does a great CV look like?
• Answer: How do you like your coffee?
• i.e. A CV is a very personal document that
reflects your individual strengths & values.
• Know your strengths and lead with them:
Highly qualified? Experienced? Sporty?
Passionate about curriculum? Then say so!
• Blow your own trumpet funky horn! Banish
bashfulness. Kill or be killed (bit dramatic!).

19. CV ‘modules’
• Personal statement
• Qualifications
• Key skills and achievements
• Employment history
• Professional development and memberships
• Activities and interests
• Referees
See template on BFF pp.12-13

20. Which module goes where?
• That depends on your brand!
• Academic? Emphasise your qualifications.
• Career change? Emphasise your experience.
• High achiever? Emphasise your achievements.
• Not sure what your brand is? Ask those who
know you best and whose opinion you value.

21. CV style guide
• Personal statement
– Strong personal voice; use I and me; convey passion
and enthusiasm
• Key achievements
– Dynamic language; past tense; omit 1st person; convey
objective voice; increase credibility, decrease risk
• Key skills/qualities/competencies
– Dynamic; objective; use strong adjectives to
emphasise nouns (e.g. extensive experience
in, collaborative leadership style etc.)

22. Using dynamic language
Which sounds more impressive?
• I was involved in administering NAPLAN
Or
• Coordinated the school’s NAPLAN procedures
and liaised with colleagues to ensure efficient
and timely reporting
Now write three of your own dynamic
achievement statements.

23. Your CV: The basics
Do Don’t Depends
Put Résumé or CV at the
Keep to 2 – 4 pages Use minimal colour
top
Give your file a suitable Hyperlink to portfolio
Put your photo
name page
Keep it ‘clean’: Balance of Use fancy fonts and
Link with social media
white & black graphics
Keep formatting
consistent: Send in multiple copies
Bullets, fonts, tables and or hard copies
tabs

24. Choosing referees
• Professional
– Your current Principal or Deputy Principal
– Placement mentor/supervising teacher
– University lecturer
• Personal
– Seldom required
– Possibly a parent or member of school community
• Check with them first! Choose wisely and
confirm contact details

25. Conclusions
• Quality overrides quantity
• Applying for jobs is an exercise in selling
– Know what you are selling
– Articulate it concisely
– Don’t sell yourself short
– Ensure what you are selling is what people want
• Don’t be afraid to solicit feedback on your
application
• If in doubt, seek advice

26. To download this presentation and
other resources register at
www.schooljobs.com.au
For more information about
Steve Whittington see
www.oxfordeducation.com.au