Introduction to CVs
and Covering Letters
Computer Science Year 1 Students
Employability Lecture
Carolyn Parry
Computer Science Department Link Careers Adviser
Acting Deputy Director, The Careers Service
cep@aber.ac.uk
01970 622378
About me
• Languages graduate (London)
• Employed in property, international publishing &
software industries
• Communications Manager in large Stock Exchange
listed software PLC
• Small business owner (magazine publishing)
• Sales and Marketing specialist
• At Aber since 2001: (http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparry)
- Also Link Adviser to IMAPS and SMB
- University Equality Champion
- Fellow of Higher Education Academy
- Master practitioner of NLP and careers coach
- Entrepreneurship specialist
- Certified Belbin Assessor
About this session
It will help you to think like a recruiter so you know:
• how to structure your CV
• what to put in it
• how to write it
• so you get shortlisted and invited to interview!
Remember it’s a game …
… so learn and follow the rules!
What recruiters want
What
you
know
What you can do
Skills/potential
What you are like
Personality, values & drives
Association of Graduate Recruiters
(AGR)
“Employers are likely to be looking to graduates
who can demonstrate
softer skills such as team-work, cultural awareness,
leadership and communication skills,
as well as academic achievement.”
eSkills – the sector skills council
for ICT and Business
“The demand for technical skills remains high, but graduates are
increasingly required to be customer facing. Importantly, there is a need to
enhance graduate abilities to deploy skills in a business context and to further
develop their interpersonal skills for communicating with teams, clients and
sub-contractors. The trends and implications of off-shoring means that skills
required by employers are shifting, further emphasising the need for
graduates to be rounded in terms of their technical, business and
interpersonal abilities.”
Source: Researching Graduate Employment in IT eSkills 2009
How employers recruit
• Write job advertisement (sometimes including a person spec)
(Q: What personal qualities, knowledge/understanding and
skills do I need for this role?)
• Set interview dates (including a panel if appropriate)
• Place in press/online (possibly via HR)
(Q: Where is the best place to find good applicants?)
• Review CV and covering letter or
• Application form (very common for grad. training schemes)
• Select best applicants based on paper profile
(Q: Who best fits our needs? How do I evaluate?)
(NB: Possibly also use online tests to select)
Recruiter drivers
• Factor CV/form (paper not the person) in or factor out
• Minimize risk of recruiting wrong person
(costs time, money, and stress, sometimes worse than not
recruiting!)
• Find “best fit” candidate to get high ROI (industry)
(return on investment = (cost of recruit + salary + overhead
costs over employment period) - your contribution)
• Demonstrate appropriate selection/use of public funds
(eg to be compliant with Equality Act’s need for objectivity)
• ie: match paper profile to their mental picture or
written profile of ideal candidate.
Imagine you’re the recruiter
Q: You are the Project Manager of a 50 man software team and need a
new software engineer quickly. You advertised the post in Computer
Weekly and with Reed.co.uk and there are now 120 graduate CVs in
a pile on your desk.
Your time is short and you have an important meeting with your
client to sort out a major problem in a hour.
HR have been on the phone again, wanting to know who you want
to interview for the post.
How do you deal with this?
Many recruiters do this formally
• Always use application form
(contains personal statement section)
• Score applicants using recruitment matrix
(With first sift to split into “yes”, and “no” piles if not all
requirements met eg no covering letter before detailed scoring)
• Possibly use:
- online tests
- pre formal interview telephone screening
- assessment centre activities as well
The first sift
• Has the client applied as instructed?
Eg covering letter/application form plus CV
• First sift techniques:
– scan reading
(like you read newspapers and magazines)
– key words matching and relevance
– they are (unconsciously) influenced by layout
– get irritated/frustrated by poor applications
(inconsistent layout, spellings, grammar errors)
– remember applicant stories not names!
– look for best match possible!
Whichever job you want,
remember...
• Understand why you want it and what you can do!
• Demonstrate why you want it and what you can do!
• The answers you need to put together a good
application are in the question!
• Study the job ad or person specification and the
company website for clues
• Then make lists...
Their Requirements
Your best proof for each
(use multiple examples as necessary)
Personal qualities
1
2
3
etc
Skills/related competencies
1
2
3
etc
Knowledge
1
2
3
etc
Experience
1
2
3
etc
Tip! Remember to use their language
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone, blog etc)
• Focussed profile or career objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role (it has the answers!)
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or career objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role (it has the answers!)
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Example – student job
PROFILE
Hard working and reliable first year Aberystwyth University student
with proven customer service and cash handling experience
seeking regular retail work in the local area.
Example – grad job
PROFILE
An enthusiastic Geography finalist with understanding of ecological
management issues in addition to practical habitat restoration
experience. Now looking to build on recent work with national and
regional environmental organisations and to use well developed
analytical and interpersonal skills in a visitor-focused conservation
environment.
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or career objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Achievements and skills!
• Give strong evidence for every essential criterion in the person
specification/job advertisement.
• Do this by asking yourself
- What are my best 3 examples of [skill/knowledge needed etc]?)
• Use real situations, be truthful, be specific enough to build a
picture!
“Past performance really is the best indicator of future behaviour.
That’s what CVs and applications are all about really.”
Nigel Llewellyn
Deloitte and Touche
Example
Achievements and Skills
•
Teamwork – regularly work in teams of 4 to 20 people in a range of
settings including busy retail outlet, university group work and playing
competitive team sports.
• Communication – deal effectively with retail customers face to face
and over the phone; further developed skills as University First Year
Student Representative for year group of 200. Daily blogger with 350
subscribers (www.myblogaboutme.com).
• IT – categorise for clarity eg languages, operating environments,
databases, communications (see next slide for part example)
How to show technology skills
Categorise for clarity eg:
• IT
- languages
Developed Java programming skills through coursework
and writing Android game (over 200 downloads to date).
(etc, etc)
Give specific evidence so it is credible!
Help with competencies
See
• Subject benchmark statement for Computer Science
• www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science_it_your_
skills.htm
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/subjectdo
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/whatempswant
• Behavioural Competencies Dictionary
... to get you thinking about your abilities
and how to write about them
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or career objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role
• Education and qualifications (reverse date order please!)
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Education and Qualifications
2010 – 2014
Aberystwyth University
BSc (Hons) Software Engineering
Expected outcome 2(i)
Key modules: x, y and z (ie what is key to the employer)
2003 – 2010
Penglais School, Aberystwyth
3 A Levels: IT (B), Maths (B) Geography (C)
1 AS Level: PE (B)
10 GCSEs grades A* to C including subject(A*),
subject (A), Maths (B) and English (B,B)
Key Skills Level 3 Maths
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or career objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Employment section
• Job descriptions:
- What did I (have to) do?
- What did I learn/gain (skills?)
- How did I add value/contribute?
What difference did I make?
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2008 RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Machynlleth
• Organised and prioritised personal work schedule
• Recorded and analysed visitor numbers following national campaign
• Reported findings at RSPB Wales conference via a presentation to 180 delegates
• Developed communication and team working skills by liaising effectively with colleagues
2007 Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter
• Cleared river bank for re-introduction of otters as part of a small team
• Prepared publicity material in advance of work beginning
• Developed team working and marketing design skills
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or carer objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
•
Interests (show the real you appropriately)
•
Referees
*professional version please!
Structure
• Contact information (Name, address, email*, ‘phone)
• Focussed profile or carer objective
(where now, what qualities, skills, experience, where headed)
• Achievements and skills - match to role
• Education and qualifications
• Employment experience, split into relevant and other if
appropriate to suit role
Interests
•
•
Referees (inclusion varies according to context)
*professional version please!
Order?
• The order of the sections in your CV will
depend on what you wish to emphasise for
the particular job you are going for
• Consider what is most relevant and put it
where it makes most impact!
• Different jobs may well need a different order
Layout
• Even margins - minimum 1.5cm all round
• Good use of white space - check spacing
between lines
• Clear signposting using subheadings - use bold,
consider different typeface, avoid underlining
• Clear typeface - Arial or similar
• Keep section whole - avoid splitting
between pages
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2008 RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Machynlleth
• Organised and prioritised personal work schedule
• Recorded and analysed visitor numbers following national campaign
• Reported findings at RSPB Wales conference via a presentation to 180 delegates
• Developed communication and team working skills by liaising effectively with colleagues
2007 Devon Wildlife Trust, Exeter
• Cleared river bank for re-introduction of otters as part of a small team
• Prepared publicity material in advance of work beginning
• Developed team working and marketing design skills
Language
•
•
•
•
Concise and positive
Speak the industry language
Use their keywords
Use active verbs for punch
Do quality check for...
Slip ups
• My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people.
• I was responsible for dissatisfied customers.
• While working in this role, I had intercourse with a variety
of people.
Also check for...
Typos and Spelling Errors
• In my spare time, I enjoy hiding my horse
• I am involved in a wide range of extra circular activities
• I hope to hear from you shorty.
• I am a conscious individual
• I am experienced in teaching marital arts
• Instrumental in ruining an entire operation for a large
supermarket chain
• My job involved severing customers
Keys to a successful CV – recap
• Use clues provided to tailor content to role
• Effective structure and layout
(Clear and consistent structure, effective signposting through
subheadings, clean typeface, balanced use of white space)
• Effective content
(tailor self to role using the clues in job advertisement/person
specification, avoid assumptions – if it’s not down in black and white
they won’t know it)
• Effective Language
(Use relevant key words for skills and industry, concise, active verb
language, professional level of language; check spelling/meaning)
• NB: Follow the application instructions!
• Submit as a PDF to ensure print quality
Covering letters
The purpose of the letter is to:
• make sure that your application is seen by the relevant person
• explain your motivation/interest
• demonstrate you understand the company and industry you
want to work in
• draw attention to key points on your CV
• deal with possible issues effectively
• to highlight your suitability for the job
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet
Use covering letter to...
• Express interest/motivation for applying
(Why this job?)
• Demonstrate you know about the industry/company
(Why this industry/company?)
• Highlight key points
(Why you? What can you offer that they want?)
• Deal with possible worries
• Always focus on how you can help them
before you outline what’s in it for you!!
Dealing with worries
- yours and theirs!
• Gaps in your CV
(Employer wonders: what happened to cause the gap(s)?)
• Health problems
(Employer wonders: Will the illness return?)
• Exam grade issues
(Employer wonders: What happened there?)
• Incomplete course
(Employer wonders: What was the reason for the change?)
• Lack of employment experience
(Employer wonders: How much of a risk is this applicant?)
• Disability
(Employer wonders: How will this affect their ability
to do the job?)
Phrase carefully and address issues
in covering letter!
Useful Links - applications
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/cvs
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/covlet
• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm
Useful Links - Competencies
• Subject benchmark statement for Computer Science
• www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science_it_your
_skills.htm
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/subjectdo
• www.aber.ac.uk/careers/whatempswant
• Behavioural Competencies Dictionary
Top tips/reminders
• You never get a second change to make a first impression!
• The CV gets you the interview, the interview + CV get you
the job
• Match yourself to the job needs (personal qualities,
knowledge, understanding & experience and skills)
• Think features and benefits
• Be truthful (ensuring you present effectively)
• Reduce/remove any risks the employer might perceive
• Turn negatives into a positive
Avoid...

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
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
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“Standard” CVs which are not tailored to the job or the organisation!
Oldest information presented first!
Attempts to deceive
More than 2 pages
Coloured, decorated and/ or poor quality paper
Inappropriate font (avoid Comic Sans, Bradley Hand, Blackadder ITC etc) or
too small a font – never smaller than 10 – 11 in something like Ariel
Sloppy, inconsistent formatting – unprofessional appearance
Too much narrative – use of ‘I’
No white space
Headings unclear, making it hard to follow.
Inappropriate email addresses eg fluffybunny@hotmail.com
Forgetting to put your name on your CV!
 Uninformative Profiles which are vague and avoid facts or evidence
 Very long profiles (should be 2 – 3 sentences max!)
 Calling yourself Curriculum Vitae !!
More to avoid...

Omitting your university course and appropriate details

Avoid a long list of all GCSEs – just include the overall number, eg “10 grades A – C (4As,
2Bs,4Cs) including Maths (A), English (B)[+ any other key exams]

There’s no need to include your primary school

Make sure you don’t exaggerate experience, in terms of amount and quality

Avoid making the recruiter work too hard – include enough information given on roles and
responsibilities

Avoid missing out unpaid work

Do not include long list of ‘Key Skills’ which are just empty claims with no proof!

Please do not write in ‘Interests’ ‘Socialising with friends and going down the pub’

No interesting interests!

Too many interests– when do they have time for work?

Constant references to travelling – will the person leave and cost me aggravation and money?

No Covering Letter - or letter too short/long/wrongly set out


Unexplained Gaps in your CV – suspicious
Slip ups in grammar, punctuation and word use

Typos and spelling errors
PDP – support for your growth
Self Knowledge
Graduate Skills
Interests
Aspirations & Constraints
PDP Portfolio at AU packed
full of resources to help you
with ......
Knowledge of
Opportunities
Labour market info
Understanding what
employers want
Positive marketing
Excellent CV and covering
letter
Additional support
• Further information - www.aber.ac.uk/careers/applyjobs
- Advice on CVs, covering letters, application forms,
interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests
- Elearning modules -
www.aber.ac.uk/careers/casmods
• Support from personal tutors for module
• Support from me – 3 drop in sessions (Sign up sheets out) soon
Monday 4 March 1.30 – 5pm
Tues 5 March 2.00 – 5.30pm
Wed 13 March 1.30 - 5pm
• Support from CAS for real job applications
– The Careers Service Union Office
10.30 – 1pm daily.
How the Careers Service can help
•
•
•
•
•
•
One to one guidance
Career Development programme (CDP)
Wide range of free leaflets and handouts
Comprehensive library and website
On-line lectures and interactive e learning
Employability events programme and Employer visits
www.aber.ac.uk/careers/eventscal
• Job Link for casual jobs and work tasters
• Go Wales grad. work placements, internships and Year in
Employment scheme
• Vacancy database www.aber.ac.uk/careers/casjobs
Stand out for the right reasons
“Past performance really is the best indicator of
future behaviour. That’s what CVs and
applications are all about really.”
Nigel Llewellyn
Deloitte and Touche
Where to find us!
The Careers Service is in the Students Union, next to the shop!
The Careers Service
Tel: 01970 622378
email: careers@aber.ac.uk
Twitter: @AberCareers
www.facebook.com/abercareers
www.aber.ac.uk/careers