Creating your CVArt & Design

Fiona ChristieSenior careers consultant

f.christie@salford.ac.uk

Outcomes for todayTo reflect on what preparation is required for

writing your CV.

To identify key components of different types of CV

To anticipate what employers want from a CV

Critically reflect on your own CV and consider how to use for different purposes

The basics

Know yourself

Know your target

Create a tailored CV with great content and presentation

Important to stress!You may need more than one version

of your CV

Be prepared to adapt your CV for each application – part time work, creative, other…

Know yourself

Your studies

Your employment

Your interests

Anything elseCritical: Think skills, think achievements…

What does an A&D graduate have to offer to any employer?

Skills from Art & Design imagination and creativity;

critical awareness of self and external factors and the ability to be reflective;

interpersonal and social;

resourcefulness;

an appreciation of diversity;

creative problem-solving;

teamworking;

the ability to work independently;

decision-making;

oral and written communication;

visual presentation;

information and research;

self-motivation and self-management;

organisation and planning;

IT, particularly using creative software.

Put yourself in their shoes – what an employer needs to know?

Do your homework: Research your market/employer

Graduate Prospects – the careers adviser’s wikipedia

This is an example of a picture slide, impact statement to go here. This is an example of a picture slide.

Use social media for your research and to make connections.

UCA – useful resources

Types of CV

Chronological vs Skills-based/functional

Standard headingsPersonal details – brief and relevant

Profile/career objective

Education

Relevant work experience

Other work experience

Skills

Achievements or Positions of Responsibility

Interests/Hobbies

Referees Not all headings required – choose what’s right for you

Strong language: Quantify where possible – e.g..,

“Successfully contributed to two exhibitions which included 10 pieces of my work of which I sold 5 to new customers.”

Strong language: Stress personal involvement – eg.,

“I volunteered to work with Art & Design GCSE students, actively planning activities for an after-school club.

Strong language: Use power verbs – eg.,

“Co-ordinated a small team of casual staff in my part time job in a coffee shop, supervising rotas and adapting to needs of the business within the tight constraints of staff time and resources”

The basics of presentationA4 – good quality white/cream paper – maximum 2

pages

Arial font or similar – minimum size 10

Clear headings in bold - signpost the reader

Reverse chronological order (most recent first)

Use bullet points – short paragraphs (4-5 lines max), and clear spaces between sections

Avoid too much fuss – eg., indenting and columns

Get creative

Get creative

Infographic CVs

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/stand-out-applying-work-infographic

Online

Linked in, Tumblr, Video??

- your online presence is a business card

Covering Letter

Your current situation – brief introduction

Why this job?

Why this organisation?

What you can offer that matches the job? Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Good luck