Today we will:
Examine what recruiters want and what
you can offer
Identify the basic principles of CV and
cover letter writing
Review our own CVs.
What do employers want?
CAN you do the job
Do you WANT the job?
Will you FIT in?
CAN = skills and experience
www.prospects.ac.uk
What can you offer?
Brainstorm what a researcher has to offer.
Include skills, experience, knowledge and personal attributes.
Employer concerns
Lack of commercial awareness
Limited work experience
Inability to market skills
Narrow focus/overspecialised
Unrealistic expectations
Difficulty in adapting
CIHE ‘Talent Fishing: What Businesses want from Postgraduates’ - March 2010
Pitch yourself
How can you find out
more?
Job description
Company web page
Staff web pages
Press: national and trade
Networks
Make use of the informal
call!
How should you pitch to
different employers?
Target your CV
Should be designed for a specific purpose
Is an individual document
Should highlight achievements, not duties
Should persuade the reader to interview you
CV review
In groups, review the advert, and then the
CVs
How well have the candidates pitched
themselves?
Ranks the CVs in order of who you would
invite to interview.
Writing a CV
Title with your name
Personal details
Education
Employment
Skills and interests
Referees
Appropriate length
International variations
Style
Academic
Reverse chronological
Skills based
Combination
Occupational ‘norms’
Profiles
Conventions
Common Mistakes….
Spelling errors
Too much, too little information
Irrelevant details (including age)
No personality
Poor presentation
Dull vocabulary
Too general.
Basic principles
1) Relevance: research the yourself, sector, employer and job description. 2) Order: put the most important information first and give it the most
space.
3) Format: make it easy to read, normally use 2 sides A4
4) Attention to detail: check spelling and grammar, beware of cut and paste!
5) An effective covering letter.
CVs - final points
Start with a clear understanding of what the
selector is looking for
Ensure your CV is targeted and relevant
Use the best examples you’ve got
Review – ask yourself “so what?”
Ask others for feedback - first impressions.
Covering letters
Need to highlight key selling points and add value
opening paragraph - outline the purpose of the letter: who you
are, what specific job you are applying for, and where you saw the
job advertised
why you want the job - demonstrate your interest with enthusiasm
what you have to offer - refer to your CV or application form and
highlight the main evidence that your skills and experience match
the job requirements.
why you are interested in this employer/job - demonstrate you
have done your homework on them
closing paragraph - a polite and positive ending, stating when
you would be available for interview.
Persuasive applications
Experience
Demonstrated skills in…
Extensive academic/practical
background in…
Experienced in all aspects of…
Knowledge of/experienced
as/proficient in…
Provided technical assistance
to…
Success
Promoted to…
Succeeded in…
Proven track record in…
Experience involved/included…
Successful in/at…
Instrumental in…
Delivered…
Roles
Analysed/evaluated…
Established/created/designed…
Formulated…
Initiated…
Orchestrated...
Managed…
Presented…
Ability
Trained in…
Proficient in/competent at…
Initially employed to…
Expert at…
Working knowledge of…
Coordinated…
Organised…
Responsibilities
In charge of…
Supervised/delegated…
Now involved in/coordinate…
Familiar with…
Employed to/handle…
Assigned to…
Project managed…
Personal attributes
Committed to…
Confident
Enthusiastic user of…
Thorough...
Actively sought…
Case Study: Dr. Andrea
Simpson
Further help
www.ncl.ac.uk/careers
www.vitae.ac.uk
www.academiccareer.manchester.ac.uk/
We’re here to help
CV checks
Application checks
Practice interviews
Mock assessment centres
Drop-in advice, Monday to Friday
Level 1 of King’s Gate: 10am to 4.30pm