CV and cover letter bite sized talk. University of Westminster Career Development Centre

1. Bite-sized
Career Talks | 2017
Successful CVs and
Covering Letters
Louise Bamford
Careers Consultant

2. What will be covered…
 What makes a good CV
 Why the Covering Letter is key
.….For the UK

3. CV facts and figures
For how long do employers look at CVs?
5 – 7 seconds
How many spelling mistakes are acceptable?
A big fat zero
Rejection rate if you have a photo on a UK CV?
88%
Source: BeHiring 2012

4. What is a CV?
 Curriculum vitae – course of your life
 A personal marketing document about YOU
 First impressions count!
 Celebrate your individuality and be yourself

5. What makes a good CV?
 Keep it succinct – why use 20 words
when 5 will do?
 Target – one size rarely fits all
 Keep it relevant – what does each employer
want?
 Back it up – list achievements not duties!
 Separate sections and bullet points for
readability
 Axe what is not essential!

6. What employers look for?

7. Evidence
 Identify what each employer wants
 Demonstrate how you meet the criteria
 Provide specific evidence of your skills and
experience using the CAR method
Context – where were you? What did you
have to do?
Action – what action did you take? Be
explicit about your role
Result - what was the outcome and why?

8. Evidence Based Skills Language
Inactive Style
• My duties included serving customers at the bar
• I handled cash and kept the area tidy. I had to work
under pressure and work well in a team
Active Style
• Initiated and implemented an idea for a new student happy
hour promotion resulting in 10% increase in sales
• Supervised 3 staff members – communicating individual
responsibilities, whilst encouraging team collaboration so
department targets were consistently met

9. Getting the format right
Chronological CV Skills-based CV
Starts with your most recent job /
education and works backwards
Advantages
 Emphasises continuity and
progression over time
 Easy to follow
 Good if you have worked for well
known companies
Disadvantages
 Difficult if your career is patchy
 Harder if changing careers
 Not so good if you have limited
relevant experience
Presents your main skill areas
Advantages
 Strong emphasis on skills
 Jobs and work history are more
secondary
 Overcomes the difficulty of not
having a lot of experience
 Flexible
Disadvantages
 Difficult if you want to emphasise
continuity
 Might lose the impact of any
prestigious companies you have

10. Sample CVs
 Chronological CV
 Skills-based CV

11. CV language
 Every word counts!
 Use positive, powerful and simple
language
 Action words
 Sell not tell!
 Check and double check grammar and
spelling
 DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
FOR ANYTHING

12. Creative CVs – if appropriate

13. CV checklist
How does yours
shape up?

14. Covering letter / email essentials…
 Keep it business-like
 Write to a named person or Dear Sir/Madam
 Watch spelling and grammar - do not use abbreviations,
email or text language
 Include credible explanations for weak points (if needed)
 Sign off correctly – ‘yours sincerely’ for a named person or
‘yours faithfully’ for Sir/Madam, or Regards for an email

15.  Reference / subject line
 Paragraph 1 – Why are you writing
 Paragraph 2 – What are you offering the
employer (key points)
 Paragraph 3 – What attracts you to the job
role and company
 Paragraph 4 – End on a positive note
Get the content right….

16.  Show you know what is involved
in the role and what the
company does.
 Link this to things you have
done and enjoyed.
 Make it personal to you (vs
other applicants)
…..Why do you want to work in this
role and for this company?

17. CV Help from Career Development Centre
Online information and advice on
 CVs, Covering letters and application forms
Face-to-face advice and guidance
 20 minute quick query session
 45 minute in-depth individual guidance or
mock interview session
…….And Mondays 11 – 1pm here at
Marylebone!

18. Our new online content management system to
engage with you and your future career

19. What is it?
An online secure hub where students can:
 Access Career Development Centre services
and resources
 book appointments
 book careers events
 view vacancies
 find work placements
 view employers
 view careers information
 download resources
 complete online forms
 ask a question

21. Download slides from
Slideshare
www.slideshare.net/cdcwestminster
Evaluation
How did we do?

22. Summary
 Follow the instructions
 Target every application
(country, sector, company, role)
 Choose a style and language to market you
effectively
 Use evidence to persuade
 Quality Vs quantity!

23. Career Development Centre Services
1-to-1
Guidance
E-Advice
Vacancies
& Events
Information
Resources
Volunteering
Talent Bank
Mentoring