AKA The 30-second sell

Steve Whittington, SchoolJobs

CV writing

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...

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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

Dispelling some job application myths

True or false?6. Principals are rational, unbiased,

unemotional, 100% reliable professionals who are never tired or stressed.

LOL! As if….!

How is this picture relevant to this session?

‘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?

Knowing your brandLifestyle

Imagination

Liberty regained Innovation

Simplicity

Hopes, dreams and aspirations

Passion

Knowing your brand

Apple Microsoft

Knowing your brand

Coca-Cola Pepsi

Knowing your brand

Qantas Virgin

Knowing your brand

Collingwood Hawthorn

What are you known for?

?Academic

Caring

Organised

Leadership potential

Sporty

Patient

Hard-workingRelate well to students

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

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!).

CV ‘modules’

• Personal statement • Qualifications • Key skills and achievements• Employment history • Professional development and memberships• Activities and interests• RefereesSee template on BFF pp.12-13

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.

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.)

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.

Your CV: The basics

Do Don’t Depends

Keep to 2 – 4 pages Put Résumé or CV at the top Use minimal colour

Give your file a suitable name Put your photo Hyperlink to portfolio pag

eKeep it ‘clean’: Balance of

white & blackUse fancy fonts and

graphics Link with social media

Keep formatting consistent:

Bullets, fonts, tables and tabs

Send in multiple copies or hard copies

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

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

To download this presentation and other resources register at

www.schooljobs.com.au

For more information about Steve Whittington see

www.oxfordeducation.com.au