CV and cover letter tips from 'ready for work' workshop.Very good for opportunists. Could help you get a job in your career field.Read to apply.

1. Graduate Career Office: CV
and Cover Letter
PRESENTERS
KATLEGO MASHEGO & MARILE ROOS

2. Curriculum Vitae
 Difference between CV and Resume
 CV – long, covers your entire career, static
Resume – short, no particular format rule, highly customisable
 South Africa, the terms resume and CV are used interchangeably. The term resume is
used more for jobs in the private sector and CV is more commonplace when applying
for public service positions
 Personal history
 Personal advertisement – selling tool
 Ensure you Identify and Address the Employers needs
 Give Evidence of Relevant skills and qualities
 Present a professional image

3. CV – Things to cover & avoid
 Ensure you have a job spec/description
 This will help you structure CV
 Ensure you follow the application instructions
 Structure it so that it is easy to read
 Avoid – Jargon, hobbies unless they contribute to you get the job, photo of self,
too many tables, borders

4. CV - Key Elements
 Correct spelling
 Correct Grammar
 Concise – to the point
 Adjust it according to the job spec
 Must be logical
 Use headings and short sentences with bullet points
 Reverse chronological order
 Consistent font (e.g. using Arial in once section and then Calibre in another)

5. CV – Structure
 Career Objective/Personal Profile
 Personal Details
 Education
 Experience
 Skills
 Leadership & Achievements
 Training
 Memberships and Associations
 References

6. Types of CV’s
 UP/GCO CV
 Consulting CV
 Primary criteria are strong academic performance, strong work experience (includes
extracurriculars if you’re still in university), and leadership
 Focus on results, preferably quantifiable results
 Academic CV
 Longer than generic CVs: a 4 or 5 page academic CV.
 Publications. Include most important and most prestigious first. Also include any items
that are in press or under review
 Teaching experiences should be included, briefly list responsibilities

7. Cover Letter
 Is formal introduction of your CV
 Create interest and encourage the reader to look at your CV
 Look at the Employers specifications and make sure you highlight what you posses
(education, experience, skills, achievements, etc.)
 Each Cover letter needs to be adjusted according to job spec
 Avoid abbreviating words and jargon

8. Cover letter Structure
 Dear Sir/Madam – if you do not know who the person is
 Subject line
 3 – 4 paragraphs
 Par 1 – Introduction
 Par 2 / 3 – Motivate why you are suitable and why you want to work at this
organisation
 Par 3 / 4 – Closing
 Must be 1 page max
 Follow instructions if any are given – e.g. attach Cover letter

9. Social Media
 Companies research potential employees
 Be careful what you post/share/like
 Do not take for granted that it is your social platform, employers are watching
 Reasons for rejecting
 Those whose social media profiles include provocative photos, evidence of drug use or
drinking, negative posts about previous employers or co-workers, or comments that
might be interpreted as racist, sexist, or ageist

10. Social Media – things that could lead to
job loss
1. Making racist, sexist, or other offensive comments
2. Complaining about your job
3. Sharing confidential information
4. Posting something stupid on behalf of your company
5. Sharing when you should be working
6. Posting drunk photos from work gatherings
7. Broadcasting your job search

11. Mock Interview
 Churchill Agutu
 Associate Consultant – Bain & Company

12. Interview
 Know yourself, company and the job applying for
 Prepare, prepare, prepare !!!!
 Have your own set of questions
 Be on time
 Dress well, but comfortably
 Body language is important
 Water accept, tea or coffee do not accept
 Giving eye contact to all members of the panel
 Firm hand shake
 Always feel free to ask them to repeat or rephrase a question so that you understand what is being asked
 If unsure of a questions always try answer it even if you may get wrong, rather say I am not sure but I think…

13. Acing your first interview
 Be Yourself
 Be respectful
 Be Interested
 Be informed
 Be Honest
 Be Different
 Be value-orientated
 Be Determined
 Be Organised
 Be Great

14. Competency based answering
 S = situation
 T = task
 A = action
 R = results

15. Questions???