SSPSSR CAREERS SESSIONCVs & Employability skills

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

Tim ReedHead of Careers

Introduction

• What is the Careers and Employability Service?

• How to write a CV

• Employability skills

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

The Careers and Employability Service

• Location

• Staff

• Opening times etc

• Services & facilities

Specific CES facilities

• Reception & Careers library

• Options Leaflets & free careers literature

• Reference files, books & postgraduate prospectuses

• IT facilities - www.kent.ac.uk/careers/jobs/index.htm

• Alumni careers network

• Careers Employability Module (CEM) on Moodle

• Quick Query

• Careers Guidance Interview

• Talks & presentations

Careers Presentationswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm

Examples of Careers Talks

• Interview Skills, CV Workshop, Choosing a Career

• Careers in Politics, Getting a job in the Media, Applying for Teacher Training

• Journalism Workshop, T.E.F.L. Presentation, Using languages & Working in Europe

• Postgraduate Study in the Humanities

• Presentation by Deloitte

• Presentations by BUNAC: (i) Work in USA & Canada (ii) Work in Australia & New Zealand

• Presentation by Pearson (summer internships)

• Presentation by NHS

• Presentation by PwC: Commercial Awareness

How to use the CES

Begin by doing some research

Perhaps into yourself (ideas, interests, preferences)

Then into your opportunities (use vacancy database, Directories)

Use IT: CES website & PROSPECT PLANNER

Attend talks/workshops/presentations etc

Quick Query at CES

1:1 careers interview

How to write a CV

How to write a CV

• What is a CV?

• When is it used?

• What does it contain?

• Who do you send it to?

• What about the covering letter?

What is a CV?

• One of many ways to apply

• Your marketing tool

• A4 – sized

• Flexible & targeted

• Stylized: Chronological/Skills-based

• Different in other countries

http://www.prospects.ac.uk

http://www.eurograduate.com/planning.asp

When is it used?

• As the main tool for on-spec applications

• When requested by an employer

• In support of other application information

• Never without a letter/message

• via email as attachment

• When your Referee needs more info

What does it contain?

• Personal details

• Academic background

• Work Experience

• Interests & achievements

• Additional information

• References

Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/90)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British

Email: S.J.Andrews@hotmail.com Mob: 07727374619

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

2008 - 2012 University of Kent BA (Hons.) Sociology – expected degree class 2:1.

Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & Crime.

Project: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".

2007 - 2009 Manchester Community College.

A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D

2002 - 2007 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.

8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including English, Maths and French.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Summer 2011 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.

Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.

Summer 2010 Canterbury City Council.

Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.

2009 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.

Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers.

Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175.

Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team.

Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IT Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc.

Good level of spoken French.

Full, clean driving licence.

REFERENCES

Available on request

Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/90)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British

Email: S.J.Andrews@hotmail.com Mob: 07727374619

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS2009 - 2012 University of Kent BA (Hons) Sociology - expected degree class 2.1

Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & CrimeProject: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".

2007 - 2009 Manchester Community College.A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D

2002 - 2007 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Mathematics, English and French.

WORK EXPERIENCESummer 2011 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.

Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.Summer 2010 Canterbury City Council.

Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.2009 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.

Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers. Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175. Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team. Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc. Good level of spoken French. Full, clean driving licence.

REFERENCESAvailable on request

Tailoring your application• Emphasize relevant qualifications

• Highlight key text/information

• Focus on relevant skills

• Research employer requirements and insert key phrases into your application

• Cherry pick what you include!

For example: specific course module titles, work experience, voluntary activities, individual achievements, travel, IT skills, languages, sporting honours, positions of responsibility & egs of leadership, teamwork, flexibility, meeting/surpassing targets, communication, taking the initiative, problem-solving etc…

• Keep a comprehensive list of all of these!

CV styles

• Standard/Chronological

• Skills-based

• Computing/Online

• Media

• Legal

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

Hints on wording

• Avoid personal pronouns - No “I’s”

• Start with verbs wherever possible

• Use short sentences & concise phrases

• Focus on accomplishments

• Refer to specific projects with quantifiable results

• Use personal power words

Personal power words

created instructed analyzed produced

negotiated designed calculated maintained

administered controlled reviewed observed

consolidated delivered founded increased

studied invented supplied detected

programmed recommended distributed

developed solved prepared installed selected

arranged formulated solved started

Who do you send it to?

• Named company representative

• Director/Manager of Personnel

• Referees

• OTHERS WHO REQUEST IT

eg. Recruitment agencies, Postgraduate courses, Sponsorship/Funding bodies

Common Mistakes!

• Too long

• Untargeted

• Disorganised

• Contains errors/missspellings

• Not accomplishments focused

CV Nightmares

“Received a plague for employee of the year.”

“As indicted, I have over five years experience of analysing research statistics.”

“I am loyal to my employer at all costs …. Please feel free to respond to my CV on my work voice mail.”

Cover letter: "Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you shorty!"

What is a good application?

• Well-researched

• Targeted

• Accurate (content, speling, grammar)

• Informative

• Interesting

• Easy to read

• Enthusiastic

What about the covering letter? • One side of good quality A4 paper

• Formal/conventional layout

• Addressed to a named person

• State position applied for & where advertised

• Explain why applying

• Convince the reader of your interest & suitability (egs!)

• Give dates when available/can start

• Sign off “Yours sincerely” (if sent to named person)

John Andrews33 Union Street

Manchester M6 3AE

9th March 2012Ms Verity WiseGraduate Recruitment ManagerGreat Big Bank Co.Anywhere StreetLondonSW1

Job Reference Number 12345 (state this if it is mentioned in the advert)

Dear Ms. Wise

I am writing in response to your advertisement in “Prospects Finalist" for Research Trainees and enclose my CV for your consideration.

I first became interested in financial research through talking to a Kent graduate, currently on your training programme, at the University Careers Fair. Since then, discussion with my careers adviser and with management staff at my local branch has confirmed my decision to aim for a career in this field.

Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my interest in business together with my numeracy skills. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information Office was valuable in teaching me the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.

I will be available for interview if required at your convenience. I can be contacted at my home address (above) and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

John Andrews

Further Information

• Careers and Employability Service website www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

• CES booklet “Making Applications”

• AGCAS Booklet

• CES Reference Files (013 series)

• Example CVs (013)

• Quick Queries at the CAS

• Reference Books (eg. CVs for Graduates)

Employability skills

• Analytical skills

• Clear & Logical thinking

• Communication

• Gathering, assessing and interpreting information

• Numerical skills

• Organising

• Planning

• Problem solving

• Research

• Team work

• Working to deadlines

Employability skillswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

CES Moodle Resource

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

Employability Points

www.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints/

Global Skills Award

www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/skills/programmes/gsalectures.html

Kent Union Volunteering

www.kentunion.co.uk/volunteering/

CES Employability skills exercise

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillstest.html

Employment option examples

AdvertisingArmed ForcesArts adminBroadcastingCentral & Local Gov’t Computing/ITFinanceFire ServiceGuidance/Counselling Info Management/MuseumsJournalismLawMarketing/Sales Management Consultancy

NHS ManagementPersonnelPoliceProduction ManagementPublic RelationsPublishingPurchasingRetailSelf-employmentSocial WorkTEFLTeachingTourismTransport

Graduate Salaries 2012 Arcadia – retail management £18,500 - £23,000

Boots - brand/buying/marketing grad scheme £24,000 + £1k welcome!

Barclays Bank - future leaders development programme £36k (+£8k bonus!)

Civil Service - up to £27,000

Explore Learning - education management £21,000

Exxon Mobil - graduate schemes £34,000

FiveTen Group - recruitment £20-£25k

GCHQ - defence research £25,000 (+ benefits)

IBM - range of schemes £27,000 - £32,000

Jaguar Land Rover – purchasing grad scheme £27k

John Lewis - buying/retail management/merchandising graduate schemes £25,000

L’Oreal - management training scheme £28,000

McDonald’s - trainee business manager £18,500-21,500

MI5 - £24,750 + benefits - varies by function!

Motability - £28,500 (+ joining bonus!)

Slaughter & May - training contract £38,000

Waitrose - retail management £25,000

SSPSSR CAREERS SESSIONCVs & Employability skills

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

Tim ReedHead of Careers