Make winning CVs, covering letters and applications Sandy Chow Emerging Talent Attraction Manager Agenda • Introduction (5 Mins) • Understanding the job you are applying for (15 mins) • Top Tips – how to write your Cover Letter, CV & Application (30 mins) • Reflection and Review (30 mins) • Summary / Q&A (10 mins) 2 Understanding the job you are applying for? In groups of 5, please discuss:What do you need to know? How / where do you find out about these information? What do you do with your research? 5 mins 4 What do you need to know? - What does the company do - What does the job involve - What type of people they are looking for - Recent news ( company & department) 5 How and where do you find these information? - Company website Internet (Google, Wikijobs) News / Industry publications On Campus events Social Media Speak to people currently doing the job!!! 6 What do you do with your research? - Cross match with your skills / knowledge and experience - Demonstrate it in your cover letter, CV and application form 7 Top Tips – how to write your Cover Letter, CV & Application In groups of 5, please discuss:What needs to be in your CV? How long should it be? What should it include? What should not be in your CV? 2 mins 9 Example CVs review (5 mins) • Review individually • Discuss with your neighbour which one is good / bad 10 What makes a good CV • • • • • No more than 2 sides of A4, Font size 10 Tailored to the job you are applying for Clearly laid out Informative but concise Accurate in content, spelling & grammar 11 Common mistakes on CVs • • • • • • • • • Spelling and grammar 56% of employers found this Not tailored to the job 21% Length not right & poor work history 16% Poor format and no use of bullets 11% No accomplishments 9% Contact & email problems 8% Objective/profile was too vague 5% Lying 2% Having a photo 1% Reference:- http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm#What 12 In groups of 5, please discuss:- What should your cover letter include? - What format / tone of voice should it be? - What should min / max length be? 5 mins 13 Purpose of a cover letter:- A letter of introduction A selling mechanism The entrée before the main meal An example of your writing skills A perfect skills match Reference :http://content.mycareer.com.au/advice-research/cover-letter/the-purpose-of-a-cover-letter.aspx 14 Examples of bad cover letters Reference: http://www.businessinsider.com/worst-cover-letters-2011-10?op=1 15 What makes a good cover letter • Opening the letter The opening paragraph should be short and to the point and explain why it is that you’re writing. • Second paragraph Why are you suitable for the job? • Third paragraph Here’s your opportunity to emphasise what you can do for the company. • Fourth paragraph Here’s where you reiterate your interest in the role and any additional info i.e. when you are available for interview / start work • Closing the letter Sign off your cover letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ Reference: http://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/blog/2012/september/how-to-write-a-cover-letter 16 Examples of good cover letters Reference:http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cover_letters.htm 17 In groups of 5, please :Discuss what are your biggest challenge when completing an application form? 2 mins 18 Typical Faux Pas in application forms • • • • • Not answering the question Too long / too short Copy & Paste Lack of evidence / examples Lack of research in role / company 19 Top Tip #1 – Written Communication Example question Question Describe a situation when you effectively managed your relationships with other people to ensure a goal was delivered successfully. (350 Word Limit) In your answer you must tell us: • The actions you took to improve the way you worked together • How you adapted your approach to work more effectively with the others • What would you do differently next time? 20 Top Tip #1 – Written Answer #1 Communication Whilst at a clinic at XXX Hospital, I had to deal with an agitated patient who was impatient with the hospital clinic system. I reassured the patient that I understood his frustration, and attempted to reassure him; he was undergoing a lot of stress. I was calm and clear. Next time, I would let it worry me less! 21 Top Tip #1 – Written Communication Situation - As part of my university modules, students were Answer #2 divided into groups of four and each group had to lead the lesson one week. The task involved watching a film and then discussing the most important aspects of it in a presentation to the rest of the class. Task - We brainstormed as a group which aspects we thought important to broach. However, when we were dividing up the responsibilities between the four of us, I thought it important to play to the strengths of each individual team member so, rather than just letting the group divide up the workload randomly, I initiated a discussion about what every team member thought they would excel at. 22 Top Tip #1 – Written Action - I listened to the others’ views on which part of the presentation theyCommunication would like to be involved with and adapt my contribution respectively. I am a confident public speaker and nobody had yet expressed a desire to lead the delivery of the presentation, so I offered to do so, which the rest of the team agreed with. Result - As a result, our power point presentation was impressive and it was confidently and engagingly delivered to the class. If I were in the same situation again, however, I think that I would encourage more collaboration between team members and suggest that pairs, rather than individuals, work together on each section of the presentation in order to improve its overall quality. 23 STAR model answers Situation Task Action Result Remember:- Link in your research 24 Reflection & Review In pairs (15 mins) • Spend 10 mins individually • Review your current CV and cover letter • Note down what changes you need to make to improve • Swap with the person next to you. Spend 5 mins to discuss if they agree / have any additional feedback 26 Practice application form (15 mins) • On your own, using STAR model, provide 1 example each for the below competencies:– Being One Team – Leading by example – Putting Customers First – Seizing responsibilities – Creating a positive environment 27 Thank you. 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