Cvs & covering letters 2016 booklet by Ali Armstrong Zorraquin

2016 How to write targeted CVs and Covering Letters that will get you noticed. Click to open booklet

Alison Armstrong Bournemouth University 10/18/2016

Contents

Getting started with your CV …………………………………………………………………………………………………… p.2 Presentation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. p.3 CV Structure, sections to include…………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.4 - 6 Things that annoy employers………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.7 Skills Based CV ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.8 Academic CVs………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.9 Creative CVs …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… p. 9 Video CVs & Social Media ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 10 Cover Letters ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.11 Speculative Cover Letters ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p.12 Common Spelling & Grammar errors …………………………………………………………………………………….. p.13 Examples of CVs Chronological and Skill based……………………………………………………………………….. P.14-19 Covering Letter example ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… p. 20

Writing CVs and Covering Letters that will get you noticed Getting started with you CV Curriculum Vitaes (better known as a CV) today come in all shapes and sizes. From traditional reverse chronological CVs to Skills based CVs, Video CVs to Infographics, how you present your experience is pretty much up to you – it is after all your document. However, by sticking to a few ground rules you will be able to impress employers and show them that you are right for the job. Getting on to the “Yes” pile So how do you get your CV noticed out of the pile of CVs sitting on a potential employer’s desk? Employers are short of time so do not want to trawl through long blocks of text or to search for relevant skills or experience. They may only look at your CV for 30 seconds initially so to get onto the “yes” pile you must get your best / most relevant information on the front page and target your CV to the role you are applying for. You may find that you need multiple versions of your CV if you are going for different types of roles. This is particularly true if you are looking for temporary work or part time casual work where you need to emphasise administrative or catering / bar work experience, rather than your background in Engineering product design or digital networking expertise! Understanding your skills Before writing your CV brainstorm all the skills that you think you have gained from your experience to date. According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters, employers generally look for the following skills and attributes:          

Dealing with complexity and ambiguity Relationship building Leadership Adaptability Resilience Balancing opposing views Teaming and collaboration Co-creativity Cultural sensitivity Commercial awareness

Look at all your experience, from University activities, your course, part time work, volunteering, and your interests and think how you can demonstrate how you have gained these skills. Think like an employer! Stop, think and put yourself in the employer’s shoes;   

what are they looking for? What will interest them about your experience? How can you explain that you have the relevant skills and attributes that they are looking for?

When you write something down, ask yourself; “is this relevant?” “How is this useful to the employer?” 2

Target your CV to the role – Generic CVs don’t work. Although time consuming, really tailoring your CV to the job description will be much more effective than sending the same CV a hundred times to different jobs. When you put together your CV do it with the job description of the role you are applying for in mind. If they ask for communication / presentation / specific IT skills etc. then tailor your CV to show them how you have them. Be concise   

Most employers ask for a 2 page CV even if you have been working for 20 years your CV still has to be 2 pages long. However be sure to follow instructions – If the employer asks for a one page resume then don’t give them more! Academic CVs can be longer (approx. 4 pages long) although some institutions will accept longer CVs. Your work experience should not go back more than 10 years as a rule however if you are back from a career break or changing career you might still like to highlight previous experience, cutting down on more recent, less relevant experience.

Presentation        

CVs should be no more than 2 sides of A4– for some industries they could be 1 and for academia the CV could be up to 4/ 5 pages. Avoid “funny” emails “bigbob@hotmail.com” This does not give a professional image. Experience should be in reverse chronological order – unless you use different titles to sub divide your experience. If you have two roles under “finance experience” or “Retail” put the most recent first. Avoid spelling mistakes and poor grammar! A top irritation with employers, so double check and get a friend to proof read your CV for you and then read it again. Short sentences for short attention spans! Using bullet points to break up your experience makes it easier to highlight relevant skills and experience and makes it easier for a busy to recruiter to scan your cv Avoid sans serif fonts which can be difficult to read when reduced to size 11 in word. Fonts such as Ariel or Calibri, Tahoma are much clearer to read when reduced. Don’t overuse Italics or Underlining Use bold to highlight company name, position and dates. The eye reads from left to right so put company name first then title and dates on the right Avoid zany fonts and crazy colours – think about the type of job you are going for – is it suitable? As a rule, it is really only creative and graphic design type roles that you might be expected to provide a more “creative” style CV

CV Structure – Sections to include Name and Address Do not write the word “Curriculum Vitae” at the top of the page – instead put your name in large font with your address, telephone number, email and if you have LinkedIn or a blog put that here too. It should not take up too much space. You don’t need a photo, to state your religion, if you are married, if you have children. If you are an international student and have a work visa it is useful to state that here. Profile / Personal Statement You don’t have to add a profile although some employers and Recruitment Consultants in particular like candidates to add one. They can be particularly useful if the employer asks you not to send a covering letter. A Profile or Personal Statement allows you to target your CV to the role, you will need to tweak this for each job you apply for. The idea is to give a quick summary about who you are and your key experience and achievements relevant to the role. Remember, profiles are not essential and if you find yourself writing something clichéd then don’t waste space on one! “Reliable, hardworking, honest finance graduate with excellent team working skills” This is an example of what NOT to do! Firstly the employer will have read this on a hundred other CVs and secondly this is unsubstantiated. Avoid profiles with a list of subjective adjectives that don’t say anything unique about you. Think about what makes you different. What are the best things about your experience that might appeal to an employer? You could see a profile as a film trailer about yourself; choose three achievements / facts that demonstrate attributes or skills relevant to the role you are applying for. You want to hook the reader in so that they bother to read the rest of your CV. Education If you are an undergraduate, a recent graduate, postgraduate or an international student studying in the UK it is generally a good idea to put your education first. However, once you have been in the job market for a while this may change and you put your most relevant work experience on the front page.   

Put your education in reverse chronological order. Be sure to include dates and results – or expected grades. If you gained your qualifications abroad it is helpful to explain your results with phrases such as “equivalent to top 5% of the year” you can also contact a specialist at NARIC naric.org.uk. to discuss equivalencies. GPA and percentages do not generally need to be explained.

Work Experience Remember that you need to impress an employer in 30 seconds so get your most relevant experience on the front page. If you are applying for a role as an assistant psychologist and have done some work shadowing or work experience in a care home, but your most recent job was a part time waitressing job, be sure to put 4

your care work experience first. Even if you were shadowing for a couple of days– it provides evidence of your interest in the field. You can call this experience “Relevant Experience” or “Care Work Experience” to really target your CV to the role. The rest of your experience can then be listed as “Other Employment/Experience” and then listed reverse chronologically. Theming If you have lots of different types of experience from different times in your life try using different titles to group experience “banking experience” “Retail Experience” “mentoring” etc. I’ve worked in part time jobs but how is this relevant? If you are applying for a role as an Assistant Biologist, Cyber Security Analyst or TV Production Assistant, you might wonder how you are going to convince an employer that you have the right skills for the job. Remember that employers don’t expect you to have lots of experience in this area, your task is to show them how the skills you have are transferable. Part time roles in catering, retail, and care work give you lots of transferable skills such as communication, team work, customer service, problem solving, working under pressure, commercial awareness, leadership etc. Describing your experience 

Write about what you did, not what your responsibilities were. Own your experience. Rather than; “the role required good communication skills” instead say;

“Effectively communicated with colleagues, department representatives, suppliers and maintained excellent relationships with key clients and stake holders”   

Focus on your achievements. Instead of writing long paragraphs keep them punchy – try starting your sentences with “action verbs” i.e. developed, managed, identified, negotiated, organised Where possible try to quantify results – i.e. you improved efficiency by X% or raised £1000 for charity. Give a context, did you help co-ordinate an event for 10 people or 200? Don’t leave out information that you then talk about in Interview

How to write about your own business If you set up your own business or are doing freelance work etc. be sure to make it clear that you proactively launched the business and talk about the experience as you would for any other role. Balance your CV Be sure to give the most space to the most relevant experience – if you are a final year student and have done a placement for your sandwich year then dedicate more space to this than your current part-time bar or care work. No relevant work experience yet? If you have not done any work shadowing or gained any kind of experience in the area you want to work in, you need to show the employer that you have gained transferable skills from your studies, from volunteering or extra-curricular experience. Perhaps you have organized an event for the wine society or have done a lot of presentations and group work as part of your degree course. Becoming a Student Rep is a good thing to have on your CV. 5

You might find it easier to use the “Skills based” CV format to showcase the relevant skills you have gained. Voluntary Positions Many people disregard this experience as they did not get paid, however employers are very interested in candidates who have given up their time to help in the community. You can develop immediately transferable skills fundraising, organising events, collaborating with others to build / inform / promote or research so make sure you illustrate this in your CV. Treat the voluntary work as you would a job. List the Organisation, dates and title. Extra-Curricular Activities If you are involved in any clubs, societies, teams, student rep etc. here is the place to talk about it. Were you a member of a committee, did you help promote an event, did you raise any money? IT Skills Unless you are applying for IT / Digital animation roles, you can list your understanding of software packages towards the end of your CV. If this is a technological role that requires specific packages that you have then you might want to include this in your personal profile at the start of the CV. A dedicated IT section is definitely necessary. Language Skills If you have language skills list them here. If the job specifically asks for a particular language and you speak it, include this in your profile on the front page with your level of proficiency. Interests Employers like to find out about you as a person and often pick up on particular things from your interests section that they may ask you about in interview. If you like reading say what kind of literature, if you play sport, say how often, if it is in a team, if you compete. If you have lots of interests and activities you might find it helpful to group this in titles “sport” “music” etc. If you are a post graduate or graduate avoid listing extra-curricular activities or responsibilities from school if you have nothing more recent– best to skip the section if this is the case. Awards & Scholarships If you have any particular awards, have won funding or any competitions here is the place to write about it. References You do not need to include references on your CV and you can put “references available on request” however, if you would like to list them it is advisable to include only their name, organisation and email address and not the telephone number - you need to be in control of who is contacting your referees. Ensure that you have the referee’s permission first. If you are asked to interview and the employer then requests the telephone number of the referee you can then pass it to them. You usually need two referees – one academic and one employer. If you don’t feel you know any academics yet, make a point of contacting your course tutor and asking them if they would mind being your referee. 6

Things that annoy employers Poor grammar and spelling This is one of the worst things you can do on a CV. Print off your CV and get others to read it through for you to spot any typos or grammatical errors. Although some will be flexible if they are interested in your CV, most employers will bin your CV if they come across mistakes. Clichés! Some of the biggest turn offs for recruiters who look at CVs are phrases such as: “I’m great at working as part of a team and independently” This really does not tell the employer much and it is a phrase that they have seen repeatedly. Instead, ensure you give solid evidence of these skills. “Worked effectively with a team of 4 colleagues on the X project “ “independently planned and implemented the marketing strategy for the wine Society during my 1st year” sounds much stronger. “I am hardworking, reliable and honest” – are you? Again, overused and unsubstantiated! “I like socialising with friends” According to Hays and Reed this is one of the most overused phrases around. Unattractive formatting and poor structure Employers need to be able to skim through your CV and find the relevant information quickly and easily. It should also look good so think about your layout. Some possible headings for different sections:        

Personal Profile Education Employment Voluntary work Awards Achievements Additional Skills – this can also be more targeted (IT skills or Language Skills) if relevant to the role. Interests

Too much information A CV is not just a place to write your life story! Keep the information you provide targeted to the Industry and role you are applying for.

Alternative types of CVs Skills Based / Functional CV A “Skills Based CV” differs from the more traditional “Chronological CV”. It allows you to show how the skills and knowledge you have gained so far can be transferred to a different type of role. They can be useful for a number of scenarios:      

You have very little work experience or relevant work experience You are changing career direction You have gaps in your education or work experience. You are applying for part-time jobs that may not be relevant to your degree or previous work history You have too much work experience to keep your CV to 2 pages and often the tasks or skills have been the same in each job role You are re-entering the work place after a period of time

Instead of putting an emphasis on the companies you have worked at, a Skills Based CV allows you to summarise your experience under a selection of selected skills. This is useful as it enables you to really target your CV to the job. It helps the employer to see how the skills you have gained in a different industry / role are relevant to the role. For example, if a person is studying conservation but is interested in applying for an accountancy internship, it might be difficult for the employer to see the connection in a traditional chronological CV. However, a Skills based CV will allow you to show the employer that actually your conservation degree had a large element of statistics and data collection requiring attention to detail and numeracy.

Tips for putting together a Functional / Skills Based CV A functional CV would have the same sections as a Chronological CV only that you would have a substantial “Skills Section” and then just a list of your previous employment in the experience / employment section. Page 1 Profile and Skills Page 2 Employment, voluntary work, Education & Interests    

Before writing your CV take a look at some job descriptions of roles you are interested in. Underline the key skills they are looking for and use the same headings (approx. 5) Write a profile introducing yourself and 3 key achievements with your objective (see profile section) Give examples of how you have developed this skill in your voluntary work/hobby/ part time work/ education or previous work experience. Then list your employment / voluntary work etc. but give brief details of your responsibilities.

Academic CV  

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Academic CVs can be long documents but it is important to stress that employers will not necessarily be impressed by everything you have done; instead they want to know which of your achievements are relevant to the job they are trying to fill. Help the employer by targeting your experience to the institution and role you are applying for. Generally employers will give your CV a minute and a half on first scan, so making your document easy to navigate is crucial. The majority of academic CVs are built around the three pillars of research, teaching and administration. Use these headings and sub headings such as Teaching, Research, Funding, Publications, and Awards to break up experience. This will enable the employer to skim through your CV more easily. Look at the role carefully – is it mostly research based or is the largest element going to be teaching, programme co-ordination or pastoral care of students? Get the most relevant information near the front of the page. If the role is mostly teaching then put that experience before you list all your research and publications It is important to illustrate the right research focus. If you are applying for a job where you will be writing bids then show how your research ties in with the employer’s. Highlight any help you’ve given your department (paid or unpaid) – demonstrating, open days, schools events, organising study groups or seminars

Format An Academic CV should be in reverse chronological order and depending on experience can be several pages in length (anything from 2 – 40 pages!) however 4-5 pages is usually the average length. Ensure that your name is on every page and number the pages of the document. Examples of Academic CVs can be found by looking online and at Vitae www.vitae.ac.uk and Jobs.ac.uk http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice

Creative CVs When applying for roles in more creative industries, particularly in art and design roles, employers might look for a more creative approach to the CV format. Within Advertising and Marketing business related roles, although not always expected, some people have attracted an employer’s attention through using very unconventional CVs and been successful. The key thing to remember is that although having an attractive, easy to read design that stands out is important, it is crucial not to forget about content. Before designing your CV make sure that you have followed the guidelines for putting together a targeted CV and then concentrate on personalising your document with beautiful typography and graphics. There are several places you can find inspiration on line and you can also borrow books about writing creative CVs from the Edge Student Development Centre. Check out the BBC’s view on CVs for getting into TV http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/article/art20130702112136472 Some creative CV links: https://uk.pinterest.com/giveagradago/creative-cv-inspiration/ 9

http://saintnicks.uk.com/top-tens-creative-cvs-1/ http://weare.guru/creative-cvs/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/07/01/the-most-creative-cvs-and-job-applications-ever/joshbutler/

Video CVs and using Social Media to contact employers Video CVs More and more employers are using video interviewing as part of their recruitment process. The Video CV doesn’t replace the paper CV but is another way to approach employers. Think about the content. Below are some links and an interesting article by the Guardian about the subject. http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/job-application-videos/ The Guardian article provides an insight into preparing Video CVs https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/how-to-make-video-cv Remember that content is crucial! Although this person sent a video CV via Snapchat that went viral, it didn’t actually meet all the criteria for the job so the candidate wasn’t successful. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/04/elski-felson-snapchat-resume-cv_n_6798050.html Other examples of people using social media to catch the employer’s attention are here: http://mashable.com/2011/05/20/social-media-resumes/#9Mn6R5oNpiqj

Successful Covering Letters A covering letter is, for many employers, just as important as your CV so it is important to dedicate time to getting it just right. Avoid generic covering letters like the plague! Employers can spot them a mile off. Several complain that applicants often forget to remove the name of their competitor from the first paragraph of their covering letter – you know what happens to that application – straight in the bin! The covering letter gives you the chance to really target your application to a particular organization or role. Apart from obviously looking for people with the right skill set, what employers want to see is:   

that you have done some research about their organisation that you understand the sector and the role you are applying for that you are enthusiastic and excited about working for their organisation – not just any organisation

Format -

A covering letter should presented be as a formal letter with date, company address, your name and address, date and reference to the job advertised. Length – no more than 3/4 side A4 (approx. 400 words). Use a clear font no smaller than 11 (Tahoma, Ariel, Calibri etc.) Dear Sir or Madam end with “Yours faithfully” Dear Mrs Bloggs end with “Yours sincerely”

Get a name! -

Where possible address your letter to the person in charge of recruiting. Call the company or look on the website, you can also look on LinkedIn to get the right name. This also shows how you have done your research and been proactive. If you cannot find one however you can use “Dear Sir or Madam”

First Paragraph -

State the reason you are writing and where you saw the role advertised From the start get your interest and enthusiasm across for example “I was very interested to see the role of X advertised….”

Second Paragraph State why you want the role and why you want to work for the company. -

Show that you have done some research about the company and that you are applying because you really want to work for them (not just any company!) By going the extra mile you will go a long way towards standing out from the other applications. Look at their website, Google the company – is there an article in a trade publication about the company that you could comment on? Have they been in the news recently? If you are interested in Marketing/Advertising – were you impressed by a particular campaign that they ran? Compared to their competitors what is it about them that interests you – size, client base etc. Is there something you like about their culture? If you met someone from the organisation and talked to them about the company – say so! This will underline the fact that you proactively attended one of their workshops / approached someone or went to find out more about them at the Careers Fair on campus. Remember that at Careers Fairs 11

recruiters will make a note of the people that they met that impressed them so it is a good idea to mention the name of the person you spoke to. What is it about the particular job role – what is it that enthuses you about it?

Third Paragraph Outline how your skills and attributes match the job A covering letter is not a place to repeat everything on your CV but a place to highlight your most relevant skills / attributes for this particular role. Look at the Job Description, what are the key skills / experience they are looking for? Select 3-4 and describe how your experience will be beneficial to them and make you the ideal candidate. Where possible, quantify your achievements: “Worked with the committee to brainstorm, agree and act on a plan to reverse a decline in membership of the wine society. Increased membership by 5% compared to last year” Final Paragraph A positive ending These is where you reiterate your interest and tell them that you are attaching your CV. Be positive and upbeat and state that you look forward to hearing from them. It would be useful to mention any dates you are not available for interview and you could put your contact details for quick reference for the employer. Useful resource for Academic Covering letters http://www.jobs.ac.uk/media/pdf/careers/resources/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-for-academic-jobs.pdf

Speculative Covering Letters Some stats say that between 60%-80% of jobs are never advertised. Many employers (e.g. SMEs or Media and Television production companies) have less formalized recruitment processes and smaller recruitment budgets than larger corporate organisations. They tend to recruit from within or through their contacts. This is why networking is so important. These unadvertised roles are part of “The Hidden Job Market”. Being able to write a great speculative covering letter will help you to approach these kinds of companies to find out about any opportunities that might come up. Top Tips  

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Research! Ensure you find a name – try to avoid sending a speculative letter to the HR Department, instead look at the website and send to a manger working in the department you are interested in. State why you are interested in the company and the department and give an overview of your skills and experience avoiding being too specific. You want to open a conversation with them so give them an overview of your skills and interests. Your aim is to come in for a chat initially so that they can meet you and keep you in mind for any openings. Make sure you follow the rules for the Covering Letter above

Common Grammar and spelling Horrors on CVs and Covering Letters and applications 

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Competition for jobs is fierce so employers can afford to be picky. Poor grammar and spelling is a top pet hate amongst employers, so don’t let your application end up on the reject pile because of a few typos. Read and re-read your application document and get someone else to read it for you. Don’t just rely on Spell Check! Spell check will not fined words witch are miss used butt spelled rite! If you have English as a second language, find a native speaker of English (hopefully one with great spelling and grammar!) and get them to double check it for you. A CV is a formal document so it is important that you use formal language when writing. Avoid slang and text speak! Contractions i.e. I’m, you’re, they’re, we’re, it’s should not be used either. Replace with I am, you are, we are, they are, it is. Common Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

Your/You’re Many people confuse these two. “Your” is possessive “your home” and “you’re” means “you are” Its/It’s Its – Not it is e.g. I love Dorset for its beautiful countryside It’s – It is it is a contraction for “it is” or “it has” e.g. Dorset is beautiful, some say it’s (it is) the most beautiful county in England, it’s (it has) got miles of gorgeous sandy beaches Affect/Effect Affect – To influence something - Affect is usually used as a verb Effect – The result of something - Effect is usually used as a noun There/Their/They’re Confusing these three words is a very common mistake on CVs There – Used when referring to a place or object - There are many people / over there Their – This is used as possessive – when something belongs to them – Their strategy They’re – They are Other Common mistakes Loose/lose, Liaise i.e. e.g.

John Baker john.baker2@hotmail.com Flat 20L Mayfield Avenue, Poole, Dorset 07537495945178

Provide minimum information. Add LinkedIn profile and if you have a blog or website add it here

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/johnbaker-6716458b

Keep profile targeted to role and focus on your achievements – what is unique about your experience?

A final year Business Studies undergraduate with a years’ industry experience in product development at the UK’s largest distribution company. Excellent project management skills with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments. A confident leader, able to adopt strategies for structuring and organising projects and responsibilities. Focused on securing a graduate role in Management Consultancy.

EDUCATION Bournemouth University

BA Hons Business Studies (2:1)



You can include relevant modules or give a n overview of your degree or 2013 –dissertation. 2017 Avoid listing all subjects.

Degree Included modules on Project Management, Global Economies, Business Simulation and Marketing  Dissertation explored how economic growth in the Services Industry is affected by low levels of customer service. It looked at ways of improving the situation with reference to the views of customers and managers A levels: Media: A iMedia: A Games development: A Business: C ICT: C GCSEs: 7 A-Cs 2011

PROJECT MANAGEMENT RELATED EXPERIENCE Longvie ltd       

Product Executive/Brand Manager

Sourced, developed and brought to market various consumer products from suppliers all across Asia Developed and secured relationships with major UK retail buyers and overseas clients acting as the main liaison for multiple business meetings. Self-created a market research tool which increased productivity of the product sourcing by 20%, market competitiveness and consumer purchasing behaviour stages. Worked closely with the marketing department on the branding, product development and packaging stages for each ongoing project. Confident and experienced with tradeshow promotions, establishing business connections and promoting product ranges to clients and consumers. Confidentially presented newest and existing product presentations to directors and in-house sales team Adapted to a rapidly changing working environment which enhanced my organisation skills by taking responsibility and initiative for multiple fast-paced projects. Where possible, quantify

OTHER EMPLOYMENT GAME: (2014-2015) / Matalan: (2012-2013) / Retail Sales Assistant      

July 2015 – July 2016

results – illustrates commercial awareness and highlights achievements

Developed excellent communication skills from assisting customers during peak sales times. Adapted quickly and effectively to various roles gaining addition responsibilities. Deputised for Manager in Men’s department at Matalan. Supervised staff and provided training for part-time weekend staff acting as first point of contact for any queries new staff had. Created strong working relationships with colleagues which allowed for improved productivity. Consistently demonstrated a high level of customer service which was recognised and rewarded by senior management. 14

GGK Enterprises  

Electrician’s Assistant

2011-2013

Gained technical, hands on knowledge relating to electrical based components and situations. A fast-paced environment which required rapid thinking and problem solving whilst under pressure assisting a team of highly qualified electricians.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS Final Year Research Project 2016-2017  Awarded a grant in recognition of excellence by Centre for Excellence in Learning (CEL) Administration, Bournemouth University.  Received BU funding to present my research project at The annual Academy of Marketing Conference 2016 (Newcastle and Barclays Eagle labs).  Presented to a group of 200 delegates from academia and Industry.  My project was shortlisted for an award and nominated for the Academic Conference in Berlin Summer 2016.

UNIVERSITY EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROJECTS Bournemouth University Marketing Society

Committee Member

Show how you developed skills in extra curricula activities

2014-present



Assist in sourcing speakers for events on campus including securing AMV BBDO for a workshop attended by 50 students. The event received excellent feedback.  Improved social media strategy for the society in my second year leading to 15% rise in membership on last year’s numbers. Liverpool Victoria (external course provider) CMI Certificate 2015 

Worked on a series of business case studies. Collaborating on the projects enhanced my communication, decision making and team leading skills. Disneyland Paris Interactive Media Conference 2014 

Attended the media conference as an extension to my course, gaining further understanding of the media industry from film directors and radio hosts.

IT SKILLS  

Expert in Microsoft Office programmes: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Basic coding understanding from A level subjects around designing and construction of Flash animation and Unity game platforms.

INTERESTS An avid reader of modern American literature. I exercise and swim regularly at my local gym.

REFERENCES Jeff Bridges , Senior Product Manager at Longvie LTD: jbridges@longvie.com Dr D. Burns: Marketing Lecturer at Bournemouth University: dburns@bournemouth.ac.uk

Make your CV unique, avoid subjective adjectives and focus on facts and your achievements. Remember this is the first thing the employer will see so target the profile to the job.

David Shwartz 3 Hardy Road, Poole, Dorset david.shwarz@gmail.co.uk Tel: 07989 989 765

PROFILE Final year Accountancy & Finance undergraduate with highly effective time management, leadership and communication skills demonstrated while supporting the Human Resources team at Poole Council and Captaining the BU rugby team. A fascination for different cultures and an interest in business leads me to seeking a graduate role in Global Talent and HR within the Banking Sector. You don’t need to list all the EDUCATION

subjects you studied, particularly if you are not looking to go into an area related to your degree. You could list most relevant subjects and a dissertation title.

2014 – 2017

Bournemouth University BA (Hons.) Accountancy & Finance

2013

Brislington College, Bristol A levels: Business Studies (A) French (B) Maths (B) GCSEs: 10 A-C grades including Maths, English & Science

HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERIENCE June – Sept 16     

Poole Borough Council

Developed my team working skills through supporting a very busy personnel department with general office administration. Demanded the ability to work to deadlines and prioritise my time Identified and researched suitable candidates for the recruitment and selection process and produced reports based on data collated. Honed my communication skills by participating in team meetings to discuss potential candidates and issues related to the selection process and feeding back information based on my research Took on extra responsibility assisting senior level staff and broadened my knowledge of the HR environment. Demonstrated my ability to work with people at all levels, from director level, external contacts and the general public as I was first point of contact for all enquiries regarding job applications and ensured that callers received fast and efficient response to their enquiries. Use Action verbs and

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Sept 15 – June 16   

Human Resources Administrator

Bournemouth University

bullets to break up the text and provide evidence

PAL Leader

Used creativity when planning workshops for to engage students and effectively explain difficult concepts Frequently communicated with students in my group to listen to their concerns and needs and prepare relevant materials Collaborated with fellow PAL leaders to prepare and deliver interactive and effective sessions for groups of up to 15 students. Received excellent feedback from academics and students

Show the skills used in context

Sept 2014-May 2016  

The Old Fire Station Nightclub

Bar Supervisor

Supervised a team of 5 bar staff and took responsibility for health and safety on the floor. I developed the ability to remain calm under pressure in a very busy environment As supervisor I was often required to diffuse situations by using tact, persuasion and also assertiveness.

Nov 2013- June 14   

(part time)

Sainsbury’s, Bournemouth

(part time)

Checkout Assistant

Worked quickly and efficiently providing excellent service to customers at the tills Given responsibility for maintaining my section in order, identifying when products needed restocking Worked well in a team and maintained a positive, proactive attitude in my role

RESPONSIBILITIES 2015 – Present 2014 – 15

Bournemouth University Rugby Team Captain, Event Coordinator in RAG week

Developed exceptional planning and organizational skills in running events and the ability to problem solve effectively. Honed my leadership skills in delegating responsibility and motivating team members to deliver against deadlines and motivate my team to do their best and show resilience when playing rugby. INTERESTS Travel: Extensive independent travel through Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States of America during my gap year. An incredible experience that taught me independence, resourcefulness and the ability to manage a tight budget. Developed an understanding of different cultures which fuelled my interest in working in International Talent management and HR Sports: I play rugby regularly and am currently Captain of the BU team Reading: I regularly read biographies and autobiographies of sports personalities. I also keep up to date with current affairs and occasionally read HR trade Magazines (HR Magazine and Workforce) ADDITIONAL SKILLS IT skills: Efficient use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and the internet. REFERENCES Jenny Medly, Academic Adviser, Bournemouth University email: medlyj@bournemouth.ac.uk Jeff Winter, HR Manager, Poole Council

email: jeff.winter@poole.ac.uk

Skills Based CV

Sarah Rogers 47 Range Road, Bournemouth 07793 200300 / 01202 656567 srogers@hotmail.com

Ensure your profile focusses on achievements and is targeted to the role

Final year Events Management undergraduate with a years’ experience in events co-ordination in the commercial sector. Active committee member of the University RAG, with a proven track record in successfully engaging students in charity events on campus. Improved RAG social media strategy and linked with local radio thereby smashing our fundraising targets by almost 20% on last academic year. Looking to move into a marketing role within the Voluntary Sector.

RELEVANT SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Choose Skills based on the job description or key skills you feel are needed to do the role

Event Fundraising & Marketing  Assisted in the organisation of a variety of events at Everstone Events including celebrity dinners, live music events as well as conferences.  Produced business plans, quotes for clients and managed resources against a tight budget.  Produced flyers using Photoshop to post internally and on social media sites to promote company events.  Devised a social media strategy for RAG which led to us exceeding our fundraising targets by 20% on previous year.  Organized a number of fundraising events with colleagues at University RAG society including a live music event attended by 500 people. Demanded high levels of organisation and the ability to prioritise my time between study, part time work and societies. Quantify achievements where possible and give context and results when Communication Skills describing your experience.  Worked with a team of 4 event co-ordinators. Strong interpersonal skills allowed me to build effective working relationships with our suppliers, building up mutual respect, crucial when running large scale events.  Built relationships with clients, listening to their needs and collaborating in the design of bespoke events.  Confidently communicated with suppliers, successfully negotiating important discounts on catering and firework display, reducing costs by 15%.  As Rag Rep at University, significantly increased Facebook and Website traffic. First point of contact with local charities and press.  Encouraged all students RAG members to actively participate and ensured that all volunteers were made to feel valued and recognised for their efforts. Writing  Produced events promotional literature at Everstone Events which was published on social media and the company website.  Wrote effective, targeted copy for flyers and social media sites for the RAG events distributed throughout the local area and at BU. Wrote press releases to promote events within the local community.  Researched, produced and edited a 10,000 word dissertation as well as conducting research for real projects during my placement year. IT  Proficient IT user with some web writing experience - Competent with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop.  Excellent understanding of many social media platforms including Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn as well as Augmented Reality apps such as Zappar.

EDUCATION Bournemouth University Abbeyfield School

BA (Hons) Events Management (expected 2:1)

A levels: English A, Philosophy B, French B, AS level Spanish B Target the CV to the role using GCSEs: 7 As, 3 Bs (including Maths and English) titles such as “Relevant” or “X related Experience”

MARKETING RELATED EXPERIENCE Everstone Events, London  

Events Co-ordinator

2015 - 2016

Assisted on a variety of corporate events, from live music to bespoke events tailored to the needs of every client. Worked as part of a team of 5 other events co-ordinators and contributed ideas for events which were implemented throughout the year’s placement. Responsible for independent projects and assisted on larger scale festivals organised by senior level co-ordinators. Unlike a chronological CV, here you give a brief overview of the role and responsibilities – skills are developed - 2015 in the “Skills 2014 Section”

OTHER EMPLOYMENT Topshop, Bournemouth   

Sales Assistant

Deputised for the department manager. Provided excellent customer service and dealt calmly and effectively with any difficult situations that arose such as customer complaints. Responsible for training new members of staff on how to use the retail point of sale, cash management and order management systems. Assisted customers in choice of clothing, strengthening client facing skills, commercial awareness and product knowledge.

Ridgeway Office Solutions, Poole 

2013 - 2017

Office Assistant

Summer 2013

Supported a busy team of 10 with general administrative duties, often working to deadline and dealt with customers and suppliers on the phone.

VOLUNTEERING Bournemouth University RAG Society

Media & Communications Co-ordinator

2013 – Present

 Improved social media strategy for engaging BU students in fundraising initiatives.  Gave presentations and liaised with charities to organise talks for students.  Participated in events including LEGGIT hitch hiking to France to raise £1,000 for Hope for Children. Hillyfields Community Lunch Club Volunteer 2011 - 2012  

Be sure to include Engaged elderly visitors in lively conversation and made them feel heard. information about Assisted in local fundraising activities, including marketing for coffee mornings and a church Volunteering fete. for all

INTERESTS 

Enjoy portrait painting and take weekly art and ceramics classes. University squad, running with friends and doing yoga.

roles – and again, quantify achievements Keep myself fit playing netball the wherewith possible.

REFERENCES Available on request.

Format should be as a formal business letter, no more than 1 page of A4 (approx.300- 400 words max) 19th July 2016 John Hepworth

Sarah Rogers

Help Age International Church Street London ECI

15 Johnston Avenue Bournemouth Dorset, BH8 srogers@hotmail.com

Dear Mr. Hepworth,

Where you can, get a name! avoid “Dear Sir or Madam” if possible

RE: Marketing Assistant Vacancy REF. 2370

Paragraph 1. State why you are writing and try to get across your interest in the opening sentences

I was extremely interested to see the role of Marketing Assistant advertised on the Guardian Jobs website and am writing to apply for the position. Paragraph 2: Why you want the role, why at their company – show your research!

I have recently graduated from Bournemouth University with a BA Hons English (2:1) where as part of my course I completed a one year sandwich placement at a bespoke Events Company in London. Throughout my time at University I have been an active member of the RAG Committee taking responsibility for the marketing of all our events to the student body. I am now extremely keen to pursue a career in Marketing within the voluntary sector and having researched HelpAge International, I was particularly impressed by the innovative social media campaign “Age Demands Action”. I would relish the opportunity to develop the skills I have gained from my work experience and my degree whilst helping to improve conditions for the elderly, both nationally and internationally. Paragraph 3. Outline how your skills, attributes and experience match the job

During my time at Everstone Events I managed a portfolio of corporate clients. This was a fast paced role where I worked as part of a small, close knit team to successfully deliver a variety of events. I was engaged in all aspects of event co-ordination, from coming up with new ideas to negotiating with suppliers and ensuring the smooth running of the event on the day. I maintained excellent relationships with our clients and communicated effectively with internal departments and a range of suppliers. I was also responsible for the maintaining the social media channels of Everstone Events, promoting the events on our client’s Facebook Page and snap chat channels. At University as Rag co-ordinator as well as raising £1,000 for charity, I developed a social media strategy that increased our membership and helped us to smash the previous year’s fundraising targets by 20%. Final Paragraph: reiterate your enthusiasm and end onawareness a positive upbeat I would love the chance to work with Help Age International. I imagine that raising aroundnote the issues

faced by the elderly is a real challenge and I would very much like to develop my marketing skills to promote such an important cause. I am attaching my CV for your reference and very much look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached on 07793 200300 or via email srogers@hotmail.com. With kind regards, Yours sincerely, Sarah Rogers 20