YWPZA - Getting the Job

16 – 18 November 2015, Pretoria, South Africa1

Getting the job: How to sell yourself on a

two-page CVAshton Maherry

CSIRYWP-ZA Western Cape Chair

http://www.ywp-za.org/uploads/8/6/7/4/8674715/cv_workshop.pptx



https://cvmkr.com


http://www.themuse.com/advice/the-41-best-resume-

templates-ever


4 Tips to make your Resume stand out

http://mashable.com/2013/01/13/effective-resume-tips/

1. Stick to a standardised font : Times New Roman, Georgia 10-12pt. NEVER COMIC SANS!

2. Keep important points at the top3. Don’t be so stiff4. Clean up your resume regularly


Resume Killers: 3 Things That Will Get Your Resume

Thrown in the Trashhttp://mashable.com/2013/01/20/resume-killers/

1. You don’t meet the basic requirements– And if you do, then lay it out simply – often screened by HR

2. You’re not a culture fit– “just someone looking for a job” – broad skills or cover letters that do

not mention the company by name.– Tweak your Resume based on the position and company. Make

deliverable connections of how your experience, skills and personality are a perfect fit for the job.

3. You don’t pay attention to detail– Same font (cover letter and CV)– “To whom it may concern” “Dear Sir or Madman”– State position in the cover letter exactly

– One spelling error and I’m out


The 5-step Editing Process for a Perfect Resume

http://mashable.com/2014/03/15/editing-resume/

Step 1: Consider the BIG Picture• resist the urge to focus on typos or style• Does this sell you as the perfect candidate• Are there gaps in experience required and experience in my resume• If so how can you bridge those gaps• What makes my experience stand out from similar candidates• Does the top third of your resume serve as a hook to get the person to

read more• Is there anything on your resume that doesn’t need to be there?Tip: Look at LinkedIn profiles of people at your level in your field and see how they tell their stories. You can learn a lot from them.


Step 2 – Scrutinize the Bullets and Details

Is each word the best one? Is sentence structure right? Can you say it more clearly, effectively or quickly? And add EXAMPLES! Or Show them!• Is this the strongest possible language you could use?• Can anything be said more clearly? Or in fewer words?• Is there any language that someone outside of your company or industry

wouldn’t understand?• Could anything benefit from examples?• Can anything be quantified? Can you show a benefit?• Are any words used over and over? Can they be replaced with more

creative language?Pro Tip: Have a friend who’s not in your field read your bullet points, and ask what he or she thinks your strongest achievements are. Do you agree? If not, adjust so the most important ones really stand out.

http://www.themuse.com/advice/185-powerful-verbs-that-will-make-your-resume-awesome

http://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-get-you-hired


Step 3 – Fact CheckAre the sources names correct? Company names correct? Read every word on your resume again, this time asking yourself:

• Are the companies you worked for named the same thing? Still located in the same city?

• Are your position titles accurate?• Are your employment dates correct?• Are all of the numbers and percentages you use to describe increases,

quotas, budgets, savings, and achievements (reasonably) accurate?

Pro Tip: In the editorial world, we have to make sure every number we print is 100% accurate, but you have a bit more leeway with your resume. As long as you’re reasonably sure that you increased customer satisfaction, fundraising numbers, or sales 25%, don’t worry about having the “official” numbers to prove it.


Step 4 – ProofreadYou can work intently on a document for three hours and somehow not notice that you’ve used “their” instead of “there” or mistaken “bran” for “brand.” So, proofreading one last time is a step you can’t skip.

Have someone else look your resume over. But before you do, proof word by word, asking yourself:• Are there any typos? Wrong word usage?• Does each bullet point end with a period (or not)? Either is fine, just be

consistent.• Are you using the serial comma (or not) throughout?

Pro Tip: When proofreading, it’s helpful to temporarily change the font, or to read your resume from the bottom up—your eyes get used to reading a page one way, and can often catch new errors when you mix the format up.


Step 5 – Make sure it Looks Nice

Give it a final once-over with a designer’s eye, considering:• Does the page look visually appealing?• Is the page overly cluttered?• Is the font size too small? Is it difficult to read?• Is the font size and format for each section consistent?• Does the layout make sense?• Is your contact information easily findable?Pro Tip: Make your document easier to skim by adding divider lines between sections. Editing your resume again and again—adding in your new accomplishments, shifting the way you talk about an experience based on something you’ve seen someone else do, and making sure there’s nothing you’ve missed.

The best masterpieces are never done.


5 Steps to Crafting a Killer Cover Letter

http://www.themuse.com/advice/5-steps-to-crafting-a-killer-cover-letter1 page 4-6 paragraphs

1. Be ALL about THEM– Say what you can do for the company– Word it in a way that highlights your passion for what the

organisation does (been engaged in this field for four years through my experience in…)

– NOT this would be a great step in my career2. Be a Copycat

– Here’s the secret: When employers create a job description, it’s essentially a checklist of the things they’re looking for in an employee. So, in your cover letter, you want to tick off as many of those checkboxes as possible.

– Mimic the job description—not word for word, of course, but by finding the things that the company is looking for and highlighting specific examples of how you have them. This will help you focus on credentials that are really important—and help the employer focus on why you’re the perfect match for the job.


3. Be Skill-focused– Resume usually around jobs you’ve

had rather than skills. – Highlight 2-4 of your relevant abilities,

then write 2-3 sentences about how your experiences specifically showcases them

4. Be Specific– Facts figures and numbers (unless

they aren't impressive)5. Be Yourself

– Put your personality into it!Try avoid Acronyms

Cover Letter (continued)


www.linkedin.com


What every college student should post on

LinkedInhttp://mashable.com/2013/08/12/linkedin-college-students/

• Post a profile photo (no selfie)• Include coursework and extracurriculars• Show off your schoolwork (pictures/videos)• Ask professors and advisers for recommendations• Connect with industry leaders• Comment on industry-specific articles• Ask questions in LinkedIn groups• Look into different career paths• Check for spelling and grammar errors• Make sure the details match your CV


Personal Reflections• A good CV will get you an interview not the job• Not interested in your high school marks• Mention courses and modules relevant to the application, and expand the

research projects (Honours and Masters). We will request the academic transcript if we are interested

• No Typos and Grammar errors• Only information relevant to the position• Include drivers licence• No Photos (we have google)• Resume name (Ashton_Maherry_CV_versionfinalv5.pdf)• Keep it updated• Watch Acronyms• Professional Associations• Professional Natural Scientist (Pri. Sci. Nat.) with SACNASP• Certified copies of your ID and Academic Transcript and Degrees


A good CV will get you an interview not the job

[email protected]

Recruiting & HR

YWPZA - Getting the Job