Writing a CV and Application

Letter
NERS
2019
Writing Effective CVs
& Application Letters

Stand out
from
the crowd!
Learning outcomes

• Understand the purpose of a CV &

Application Letter
• Know what to include in a CV and
Application letter
• Understand how to structure a CV and
Application letter in order to market
yourself effectively
• Understand how to target your CV and
Application letter to specific opportunities
What is a CV?
•Your marketing document, subjective and personal to you
•An up to date portfolio of your skills and experience which are
relevant to a particular post
•Informative but concise

•Designed to get you an interview, not a job

•“Persuasive sales document selling you

(the product) to an employer (the
customer)" – Employers’ definition
When to use/Why have a CV?
•Requested by an employer/recruitment agency
•Asked to apply in writing
•Making speculative applications – employment or work
experience
•Making applications for PhD/Postgraduate courses –
check requirements first
•For careers fairs
•As a reference document for
application forms
Why do Employers Use CVs?
•To shortlist candidates for interview
•To see how you present yourself on paper
•May take just 15 seconds to skim a CV and make
a decision
•May use software to scan for key words
•Your CV needs to match the
employer’s requirements as much
as possible
Selecting information
An effective CV is:
Targeted to the job for which you’re applying
Accurate, interesting and up to date
Accompanied by a Covering letter
To achieve this:
Identify the employer’s criteria
(what are the key skills, experience required for
post?)
Select appropriate evidence (from any aspect of
your life) to show that you match their criteria
Take advice from others
 Content may include the following
Personal details Work
experience
Skills

Education/
References qualifications

Career
goal Achievements
Employment Voluntary
history work

Dates
Current
studies

Positions of Personal
responsibility profile Other activities
Disaster CV
It may seem obvious that this is not an
acceptable CV, but the process of identifying
all the classic mistakes and discussions as to
how to improve this CV should help you
recognise how you should go about writing
your CV.
Curriculum Vitae
Personal details
Name; Di Saster
Date of birth; 29/02/1995
Address; 13 Hapless Road, London
Telephone; 0852 5428654
Sex; Female
Marital Status; Single
Nationality; British
Education
1983-1987 Hapless Road Junior School
1987-1994 Hapless Road Senior School: 10 GCSEs, 4 A levels - Economics, History, Maths,
General Studies
1994 - to date Any University, Anytown, studying for a BA inEducational Studies
Work History
1988-1989: Paper Round for ABC Newsagents
Delivered newspapers for 50 people
1994-1995: Assistant Bar Manager for the Pink Flamingo, Anytown
I became familiar with the full range of products supplied in the bar and enjoyed striking up
a rapport with customers. (Left after disagreement with the manager)
Extracurricular Activities
Entertainments Officer for the University Drinking Society
Captain of the University Women's Hockey Team
General Skills
Conversational Mandarin
Word Procesing Skills
Driving Licence (7 points)
References
Dr Jones, Any University, Anytown
Mr Derek Saster 13 Hapless Road, London
 Targeting your application
Use the Job Description and Person specification to
target your application to the employer’s criteria
Job description: information about the job (key
responsibilities and duties). May include details of key skills,
qualifications and personal qualities required
Person specification:
List of the key skills, personal qualities and
qualifications required and whether they are essential or
desirable (often presented in table format). May also state
how criteria will be assessed (application, interview, skills
test…)
Targeting Your CV:
Skills and Qualities most Requested by
Employers
Self management Social, cultural & global
Communication awareness
Team working Application of IT
Problem solving Numeracy
Creativity & innovation Discipline specific
World of work/commercial
awareness
Think employability skills
From:
•Degree
•Work experience
•Voluntary work
•Leisure CBI survey November 2008

•University life 78% of senior executives agreed

that employability skills are
•Previous life/lives! the most important factor when hiring
Identifying skills from your
experiences–think CAR
Context –situation and tasks
what/where/when/with whom?
Action
what did you do?
Result
what happened? what outcome?
Skills from your experiences
Activity Task Skill
Working in •Dealing with •Customer care
a pub public •Communication
•Conflict resolution
•Handling cash •Numeracy
•Accuracy
•Working long •Time management,
hours in a busy •Energy
environment
•Working under
pressure
Compiling a CV: Personal Details
Essential:
Name and contact details (address, phone number, e-mail)
Optional:
Nationality (mention if work permit not required)
Not required (in UK):
Age
Marital Status/Number of dependants
Gender
Photograph
The above will vary between countries (see
www.prospects.ac.uk for country specific information)
 Example personal profiles
A graduate student with research skills developed
through project work and an internship, looking for a
career in a political consultancy.
A highly motivated final year student with relevant
experience gained at an independent production
company and through wide ranging involvement with
York university’s award winning student media.
A 3rd year Economics student with commercial
awareness and good analytical and numerical skills
developed through my degree and from internship
experience with McKinsey, eager to make a career in
Management Consultancy.
Education/qualifications

•Consider how much detail? (reverse

chronology)
•Subject knowledge? (modules, projects,
dissertation)
•Transferable skills? (analytical, team work,
problem solving etc)
•Pre –university qualifications – keep brief –
consider their relevance
Work Experience – paid/voluntary
Reverse chronology
Consider relevance of jobs – do you need
to include everything ?
Think tasks ,skills and achievements.
Consider themes: e.g. administrative;
finance related; retail; relevant/other.
Group them as relevant to the job for
which you are applying.
Additional Sections
•Achievements and Positions of Responsibility
•Voluntary work
•Additional skills (IT, languages)
•Interests/extra curricular activities
•References (names & contact details or available
on request)
 CV formats: chronological
Outlines your career history in date order, beginning with the
most recent items (reverse chronology)

Includes details of skills within relevant sections

Conventional approach and easiest to prepare

Works well for students with a good all round mix of

education and work experience
Alexander Thoday Tel: 01904 777777 Mobile:7777777777
11 West St
York YO103DD Email: at@hotmali.com

Education
2009-12 Economics and Economic History BA (Hons.) Predicted: 2:1 University of York
•Expanded and acquired analytical skills through applying the concepts and logic of mathematics
•Critically evaluated a range of economic and social data
•Considering the way ideas evolve over time has involved surveying a broad spectrum of resources and making
independent inferences about their bearing.
2002-9 The School, The Town
A level: Economics A; Geography A; English A; General Studies B
GCSE: 10 subjects at A* -A

Work experience
2011 Intern KPMG
•Completed vacation scheme in tax department, giving an insight into the fundamental aspects of a large professional
services firm
•Responsibilities included verifying financial data, preparing presentations, attending strategic meetings and working as
part of a team assigned to a marketing project.
•Gained an understanding of technical issues, including the use of software packages.
•Socially responsible policies of the company presented the chance to support community projects, promoting a strong
sense of reward.
•Interacting with colleagues from different levels within the business, demonstrated the importance of diligent written and
oral communication.
2009 – present Student Ambassador, University of York
•Work with a team contacting graduates to update the alumni database; requires succinct and flexible communication
•Fundraising for the university’s Annual Scholarship Fund requires a confident and articulate approach
•Awarded ‘top student of the campaign’ prize
2007 Data Analyst, Forest Hill Accountants
•A summer placement working with financial data; gave practical application of a range of numeracy skills
•Adhering to deadlines was essential, requiring excellent time management and resilience
Positions of Responsibility
2011 Vice Chair, University of York Economics Society (elected position)
•Working with a group to manage budgets, corporate relations and events organisation
•Organised programme of speakers from large financial organisations
•Required effective teamwork, leadership and proactive motivation of others
2008-9 Head of The School
•Required flexibility and the ability to take initiatives through to their conclusion
•Required public speaking, resourcefulness and diplomacy
2004 -9 Regimental Sergeant Major, CCF
•Membership of the Combined Cadet Force led to promotion to the highest possible rank
•Maintained excellent standards of dress, organisation and teaching throughout the ranks,
requiring determination and the ability to delegate.
Other interests
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
•Completed Bronze and Silver awards requiring sustained commitment through charity
work and expeditions
Piano playing
•Playing a range of contemporary and classical music led to working in The Horse and
Groom Restaurant at weekends and special occasions. Met a diverse range of people and
developed my interpersonal skills in a new context
Travel
•2010 and 11 Trekking in Peru and other areas of S America gave me a range of
unforgettable experiences and the chance to obtain a scuba diving qualification, as well as
the chance to learn about and experience life in different cultures and environments
References: Available on request
 CV formats: Skills based
Highly focused CV which relates your skills and abilities to a
specific job or career area

Particularly good for career changers/mature graduates

Highlights skills and major achievements

Minimises impact of unrelated work experience

Saves repeating similar details in similar jobs

 Daniel Jones
151 Any Road, York YO10 3AB
0789695949 abc123@ tiscali.co.uk
Personal Profile
A determined and enthusiastic Politics and Economics undergraduate, predicted to achieve 2:1, keen to use knowledge and skills developed in
work experience and voluntary roles to progress within a public sector human resources role.
Skills
Communication and interpersonal
•Worked effectively in teams in both academic and work environments
•Experience in hospitality has developed effective listening skills to identify client’s specific needs, in both luxury hotel and city centre bar
•Meeting and discussing student issues with academics as Board of Studies Representative required the ability to articulate clearly and to
negotiate
Working to deadlines and under pressure
•Late nights and early mornings required for preparations for book launch in hotel. Needed appropriate power supplies, contingency plans and a
professional approach to challenging clients.
•Joint responsibility for the organisation of large scale fundraising events. Prioritised activities effectively, especially during exam periods
Delivery of high quality work, taking responsibility for decisions
•Accountable to and representative for a large and diverse group of students as elected president of the Mature Student Association.
•Objectivity, accuracy and consistency required as a Mystery Shopper
Planning & organisation
•Planned, budgeted and organised extensive, independent overseas expeditions, most recently to China by train. Required adaptability and
determination
•As an English teacher - designed lessons meticulously, ensuring appropriateness for all classes
•Effective time management and self discipline has brought academic achievement while working and holding positions of responsibility
Self awareness to improve own performance
•Realised limitations while working for a small school with limited resources in Inner Mongolia. Used on-line forums extensively to exchange
ideas, advice and resources from overseas
•Developed Negotiation skills through pursuing additional course at university
Language skills
•Native English and Welsh speaker, also studying Mandarin.
•Basic knowledge of Greek and conversational level French
Computer skills
•Excel and Word used daily and Power point regularly
•Confident with publishing and photo-editing suites such as PhotoShop, Draw and Publisher
•Basic knowledge of HTML
Education
2009 -12 BA Politics and Economics University of York 2:1 expected grade
•Developed an excellent understanding of political systems and the ability to interpret political issues and events.
•Developed financial/business awareness from a global perspective
2004-8 Mayfield Comprehensive, Newtown
•A levels: Biology A; Physics A; Chemistry B
•GCSEs: 11 A* -B including English and Maths

Work Experience
10/2009 - present Mystery shopper GRG Research
•Undertaking research into customer service in a variety of retail establishments
10/2009 – present (vacs) Grand Hotel, Newtown
•Waiter – developing further customer service experience
•Events organiser – planning and delivering book launch event
08/2009- 10/2009 Barman Queen’s Head, Newtown
•Working in a team in a busy, pressurised environment
10/2008- 06/2009 Teacher of English, New World Language School, Mongolia
•Planning and delivering lessons to young learners, while adapting to a new culture and language

Positions of Responsibility
2010-11 Board of Studies Representative for academic department University of York
•Liaison between academic staff and students; seeking and understanding student issues and concerns; attending
committee meetings; reporting back.
2010-11 President of Mature Students Association, University of York
•Chairing a committee working to further student interests, including planning and developing a social programme.
2009-present Fund raiser for Cancer Research
•Being creative with ideas and planning and organising student events
Interests
Travel – independent travel in vacations to China, USA and within Europe. Expanding my awareness of different cultures
Judo – holder of Brown belt
Cooking - Keen on experimental cooking and trying new recipes from around the world.
References Available on request
 CV Formats: ‘Creative’ CVs
Useful in certain sectors, e.g. media/creative arts
Stand out/be remembered/attract attention
Demonstrate design skills/creativity
Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of this
approach.
Making a more visual CV may help you to arrange your
ideas, even if your final CV is more traditional.
Two examples follow
CV Formats: ‘Creative’ CVs

Creative CV (full version)

by Jonathan Frost (York)
Guardian careers blog
article
CV Formats: ‘Creative’ CVs
Retro interactive online CV
Tips for layout
Do:
Two A4 pages-print 11 or 12
Leave some white space but not too much!
Consider bullet format to avoid large blocks of text
Separate the sections clearly – using appropriate headings
Double-check spelling, punctuation and grammar

Don’t:
oUse the heading CV or Curriculum Vitae
oAllocate space inappropriately to unimportant facts
oCram the pages with detailed facts
Remember!
Employers may:
•Skim CV (15 seconds?)to make a decision
•Take into account general presentation
•Look for key words
•Use software to scan for key
points or spelling/grammar
errors
Application Letters: The Basics
•Your chance to show interest, motivation and
enthusiasm for the job
•Tailor/personalise your letter to fit the job/company
•Usually 1 side of A4 and occasionally:
•A handwritten letter of application
•A longer letter of application
•Layout: Your address in top right of page, employer’s in
top left
•Include the date
•Include reference to vacancy
•Write to a named person if possible
•Correct valediction: ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Yours faithfully’
•Check for spelling, grammar, typos & keep a copy
Covering Letters: Content
Introduction
Who you are and why you are writing

Why you are interested in this job and this

employer
Show interest and knowledge of the company and post (targeted,
well researched application)

Why you are suited to this job

Highlight your strengths, skills and experience relevant to the job
Refer to sections of your CV – don’t repeat verbatim

Conclusion
End on a positive note