This document provides guidance on creating effective CVs and applications for recruiting purposes. It discusses selecting relevant experiences and skills to demonstrate fit for the job or course. The key points are to understand what the employer seeks, clearly show your potential through stories of your experiences, and get tailored feedback from the Careers Centre. Different styles like chronological, skills-based, and academic CVs are presented. The document stresses using active language, proper formatting, and the STAR method to evidence achievements when discussing experiences in CVs and applications.

1. Welcome to
CV & Applications

2. Session Aims
• Function of the CV and Application process
• Selecting relevant content for the recruiter
•Connecting your experience & recruiter
requirements
•UK style of CV and Applications

3. •Understands what the employer is looking for!
•Clearly demonstrates your potential for the job/course
•Promotes yourself
•Tells your story
•Designed to get you to interview!
What’s the purpose of application?

4. - Recruiters want to read about the skills / qualities you have
that are relevant to them and their selection criteria.
- This is a ‘matching process’!
i.e. Mirror the job description or recruitment expectations.
- A CV is a marketing exercise
- You are promoting your skills, in general or to a targeted
audience.
Look in detail at company web pages / recruitment packs.
The matching process

5. Offer
Academic
Personal Work
Portfolio
Evidence
Portfolio
Evidence
-------------- 
Lifetime
Recruiter
Expectation
Self Analysis / You The
Recruiter

6. Different Styles of CV
•Chronological/traditional
•Skills based / targeted /
functional
•Academic
•Different – to attract attention

7. Chronological
CV

9. Skills Based
CV

10. •Contact Information
•Short Personal Profile: 2/3 lines
•Where I am
•What I want
•What I offer
•Education
•Work Experience – Relevant & Other
•Role specific skills
•Interests – what else do you do?
•Referees
What to include in your CV?
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs/cvs

11. Evidencing your experience in CVs & Applications
 Make connections between what you have done and
what the role expects / requires
 Focus on your role in the examples & evidence you give
 End on your achievements
 Make sure you answer the question
 Use STAR…….

12. STAR
Process

13. Writing Style/ Layout in
Applications & CVs
• Detail is convincing
• Use Active Language
• Accurate grammar and spelling
• Clarity, carefully and clearly laid out
• Format/ presentation- logically ordered, easy to read
and not cramped

14. Careers & Employability Centre
• Short interview with a Careers Adviser - discuss your
career plans 11-5 Mon- Fri plus (Book on the day)
• Briefing sessions- Applications forms, CVs, Skills,
Finding Work
• Events- we have a comprehensive events programme
• CV and Application Feedback
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers