CV Guide How to identify your key skills with Solent Futures
Contents Employer research Analysing the job advert and tailoring your CV Selling your skills Convincing language Disclosing information about a disability International students CV basics References CV examples • 1-page skills • 2-page reverse chronological • 1-page standard • 1-page creative • International undergraduate • Postgraduate • Postgraduate international • Part-time • LinkedIn Covering letter/email Contact us
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Introduction Ultimately how you present your CV and covering letter/email is your choice – there is no right or wrong way. The aim of this guide is to empower you to create an individual CV that is factual and showcases your skills, ability and experience. The guide also provides information on researching the employer and analysing the job description to help you produce targeted applications using positive language with eye-catching layouts. There are CV examples to provide you with ideas on how to produce your own CV, and guidance on using LinkedIn as your online CV.
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Analysing the job advert and tailoring your CV The job advert has been carefully constructed by employers to show potential candidates what they are looking for.
Employer research
It is essential that you read it carefully, enabling you to tailor your CV and demonstrate the skills and experience you have which are relevant to the post. Start with a highlighter and highlight the key responsibilities, skills and personal attributes that the employer is looking for. This will really help you to make your application targeted, clear and concise.
Before you start applying for a job, make sure that you research the employer and have an understanding of who your prospective employer is, their vision and the environment in which they operate. Although you can never know exactly who will be reading your CV/ covering letter, you can get to know the company and evidence this knowledge in your application. If your application is tailored towards the specific company and job, you stand a much higher chance of being called for an interview. The following points should give you an idea of where to start your research:
Name • Make sure you know the employer’s full name and carefully check the spelling.
Know where to look • The corporate website, especially the ‘about careers’ and recruitment sections • The organisation’s social media accounts: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (what tone is used: fun, friendly, formal?) • In the news: search for press releases and any stories or headlines for this organisation. Set up a Google alert. • Trade and specialist publications, and, for large companies, annual reports (available from the SSU library).
Team player A good team player can adjust to the company culture and work effectively with different types of people. Provide an example of when you have worked in a team to achieve a goal. Managing relationships – show that you have the ability to establish and build professional relationships with people – for example, being a peer mentor at university or compromising with your class peers in a group work task.
Proactive See the example below:
Graduate Sales and Marketing Executive The Graduate job and the recruitment process • What do you need to find out about the organisation as an employer? • What does the position/graduate programme involve? • Contact details for the recruitment team; name of person/people in charge • Has this organisation won any awards related to recruitment and the workplace (for example, TARGET jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards, Stonewall Top Employers) or its products and services? • What do current graduates say? (Read profiles on the employer website, glassdoor.co.uk and targetjobs.co.uk.) • What training and development is on offer? How is this structured and delivered? • What are the opportunities for progression and career development? • From reading the employer’s literature and exploring other sources of information, what is your general feeling about this organisation? • Why you would like to work for this employer? • What could you offer this employer?
Working as a team player alongside the national accounts directors, you will be a key point of contact within the commercial organisation and will be responsible for managing relationships with two major grocery retailers. The role involves advising buyers on price changes and promotions, and introducing new lines. You will need to be proactive, demonstrate excellent communication skills and be dedicated to working towards the company’s key performance indicators.
• How does this employer like to see itself? • What are its stated or implied core values? • What emotions does the employer’s brand create? • How does the organisation brand itself and what do you think about this?
Communication skills The ability to communicate with a wide range of people at all different levels within the company. Provide an example of when you have worked on a project with a wide range of people from your course/ placement/work experience, and so on.
Dedicated to achieving key performance indicators KPIs are company targets used to demonstrate how effectively a company is achieving its key business objectives. Provide an example of when you have worked towards targets or objectives and achieved a successful outcome.
Our growing company is on target to double its turnover in the next five years and is seeking ambitious and dynamic graduates who want to be part of an exciting team and develop their career within a fast-paced, challenging environment. If you have a business or marketing degree and a high level of commercial awareness, we would love to hear from you. In return we offer a competitive salary and excellent career prospects.
Fast-paced, challenging environment
Responsibilities include:
Don’t underestimate the power of what you have learnt in your degree. Think about how certain modules/projects relate to the job description.
• Managing buyer relationships with retailers and advising buyers on price changes and promotions • Promoting consumer brands • Managing retail stock levels • Working to divisional KPIs (key performance indicators).
General background information
Take positive action and use your initiative without waiting for instruction. Provide an example demonstrating when you have showed leadership or vision on a project/live brief, and so on.
The employer wants to see that you can work under pressure without panicking. Emphasise examples of high performance in difficult environments, such as working to deadlines, or with limited resources or demanding clients.
Business or marketing degree
Commercial awareness An interest in business and an understanding of the wider organisation in which a company operates. Show that you have an understanding of what the establishment wants to achieve, its ethos, vision, competitors, and so on.
Outline of main business and general information • What products does it make/services does it provide? • What is the organisation’s mission statement and how would you sum this up in your own words? • Main location (HQ) and regional locations • Size and annual turnover.
Clients and customers • Who uses this organisation’s products/services? • In which countries does this organisation operate?
Main competitors • What other organisations operate in this area or offer similar products/services? • How do these organisations compare? In what ways are they different/similar?
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Key Words TIP: Check out the employer insights reports at https://targetjobs.co.uk/employer-hubs You’ll find an overview of numerous graduate employers, including information on their recruitment processes and top tips on their applications, interviews and assessments.
If you’re applying for a job online, your CV will often need to contain the right keywords to get through to the next stage. Keywords are job-specific phrases and terminology, and can include particular qualifications or areas of expertise. Check the job description to identify what these are and make sure you’re including them at natural and appropriate points in your CV.
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Selling your skills There are key employability skills and personal attributes that employers will be looking for. Use your experience gained during study, work experience, placements, volunteering, clubs, societies and part-time work to evidence that you have the competencies that the employer wants. Here are some examples of the ways in which you can demonstrate the skills that employers value.
Communication skills • Prepared and delivered a presentation or speech • Written essays, dissertations, reports, projects related to your course • Broadcasted on university radio • Created publicity materials for events.
Teamwork • Worked on a team project during your course • Active member of a sports team or society • Worked with others in your part-time job/volunteering to achieve a certain goal • Played in a band/concert.
Flexibility/adaptability • Covered a colleague at work at short notice • Adapted your style of working to work better with peers on your course • Successfully changed courses • Tried new things outside your comfort zone.
Initiative • Discovered a better way to do something • Proactively arranged a placement or work experience • Started an enterprise business plan • Got on with a task without being asked.
Leadership • Taught a group or trained a colleague • Chaired a team or society • Had a role of responsibility, such as student ambassador or course rep • Mentored another student.
Problem solving • Addressed a difficult topic or sensitive issue • Identified an issue and found a solution to it • Worked around a difficulty or a constraint • Dealt with a situation to keep everyone in your group satisfied.
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Interpersonal communication (life skills we use every day to communicate and interact with others) • Motivated others on your course, or in your part-time job • Remained calm and helped defuse a difficult situation • Listened to others in order to reach a decision • Showed diplomacy and helped solve a conflict.
Numeracy • Operated a till and handled money • Work experience/placement in a job using numbers • Appointed treasurer for a club or society •C ompleted a course or unit that involved maths, statistics or data analysis.
Convincing language Using accurate and powerful verbs can help make your CV more interesting and dynamic. Using verbs at the beginning of sentences can be very powerful. Here are some examples of words and phrases that you may find useful. Remember that these must be backed up with examples, otherwise they are meaningless.
Digital/computer literacy • Designed a website for a business idea • Used social media to promote the Summer Ball • Confident user of LinkedIn/Twitter • Produced reports and graphs using Excel.
Networking •A ttended a university fair and spoke with industry professionals/ employers • P articipated in a course-related event and shared ideas with students from another university • Joined a mentoring scheme.
Experience • Demonstrated skills in • Extensive academic/ practical background • Experience in all aspects of • Knowledge of • Proficient in • Provided assistance to • Competent in
Ability • Trained in • Proficient in • Competent in • Working knowledge of • Expert in • Proven ability to • Professional use of • Familiar with
Customer service • P rovided a first-class customer service, taking care of customer needs and ensuring that the customer was satisfied • Resolved a customer enquiry effectively • Remained calm when dealing with a customer complaint •H elped out at an open day, assisting members of the public with enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner.
Time management • P rioritised workload to complete university assignments by the deadline •O rganised time effectively to ensure prompt arrival at course placements • P lanned an event and ensured the activities did not overrun by working to strict timings.
Success • Promoted to • Succeeded in • Proven track record in • Generated • Launched • Expanded • Rewarded for
Personal attributes • Committed to • Dedicated to • Dedicated to • Enthusiastic • Actively sought • Driven by • Motivated by
Relevant work experience •H aving relevant work experience is often deemed to be essential by many employers. • I f you haven’t got relevant experience, you may want to consider a skills-based CV.
Tasks
Responsibilities
• Analysed • Evaluated • Assessed • Collated • Created • Initiated • Suggested • Managed • Organised • Presented • Researched • Liaised with
• Responsible for • In charge of • Administered • Project managed • Conducted • Coordinated • Supervised • Represented • Managed • Led • Assigned to • Directed
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Disclosing information about a disability
International students The typical UK CV will differ from CVs/resumes in other countries. You will be expected to identify relevant skills for a job vacancy and provide examples of how you are developing those skills.
You do not have any legal obligation to disclose a disability on your CV or covering letter. It is your own personal choice.
The typical UK CV will therefore require more than just a list of your academic qualifications and experience.
When making this decision, you should consider whether your disability raises a potential health and safety issue – for example, if you have epilepsy and may experience a seizure at work. Another factor in this decision is whether or not you require any adjustments to enable you to undertake your day-today work or even to attend the interview.
Before you start drafting your CV, think about what you can contribute to an organisation. Reflect positively on your international background and experience, and write about the aspects of your background that could help you make a distinct contribution.
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Here is an example of how you can positively disclose a disability:
Consider the following:
Language skills Your knowledge of more than one language could help an organisation communicate with their overseas markets or suppliers.
Additionally, I have a very high degree of flexibility and adaptability which has been developed largely as a positive consequence of my disability which has never restricted my ability to provide an excellent service to my employers and customers. I have a strong desire to develop a career in management and am particularly interested in working for Excell Employ as I have a keen interest in the ongoing development of the IT industry.
Cultural awareness You could use your particular cultural background to advise and inform an organisation on how to make the right impact on their international customers and clients.
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Knowledge of both UK and overseas business practice If you have worked in your home country as well as having gained some work experience in the UK, you may have developed overseas contacts and networks. This could be used to help a UK organisation reach the right people and organisations to maximise their export potential.
To find out more Please visit solent.ac.uk/careers/equality-and-employment/ disability-disclosure on the portal for further information.
Converting qualifications abroad You may want to consider converting your qualifications if you are applying for an opportunity abroad. To find out more about the recognition of qualifications, see ENIC-NARIC (enic-naric.net).
CV design in other countries Be aware that CVs and covering letters are presented differently in other countries. The following websites, expatica.com and justlanded.com provide country-specific career and employment information, including CV design. Prospects also has very informative specific information on working in different countries (prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/working-abroad).
Visa requirements
TIP: • Always present your disability in a way that will show you in a positive light. • Emphasise how your disability may have enhanced your skills and abilities in some areas. • Employers want enthusiastic and positive employees, so concentrate on achievements and skills. • Look for disability-positive employers. These employers are committed to promoting opportunities for people with disabilities. • Only discuss your disability in terms of its relevance to your performance in the job. • Don’t assume the employer will have a negative attitude – your experiences and skills may give you the edge over other candidates. Employers have excellent equal opportunities and recruitment practices.
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If you are not sure about your visa restrictions, please check https://www.gov.uk/visas-immigration. There is no requirement to declare your visa status on your CV; however, you will need to declare this to the employer, should you be offered the job.
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References When applying for jobs or further study you will often need to supply at least two references – one academic reference and one employer reference. Application forms usually ask for the contact details of your referees. A CV does not need to include references – the employer will ask for them when required. Be courteous and always ask your referees’ permission before you pass on their details.
Employer reference An employer reference can come from a placement, part-time work, work experience or volunteering opportunity. These references often outline your work skills and how well you worked in a team – these opinions are very valuable to new employers. References from family and friends are not acceptable, even if they have employed you.
Academic reference At Solent, your school office can supply an academic reference which will confirm your course and dates of study. An academic can provide you with a personal reference, but it will not be written on University notepaper or signed using their University title.
CV basics There is no such thing as a perfect CV or a format that will be successful every time. However, there are some general guidelines to follow that will help to present your CV in the best possible light. In this section you will find different CV examples and a simple checklist.
What can your CV include? The order of your CV is your choice and will depend on the type of CV you are writing, and the opportunity you are applying for. • Name and contact details • Profile/summary/career aim/objective • Education • Employment history/work experience (paid or unpaid)/volunteering • Skills • Achievements/awards • Interests • References
Presentation The way you present your CV is your choice and there is no correct way. However, you may want to consider the following when thinking about the style and presentation: • Use the same formatting throughout your CV. • Use a clear, legible font in size 10–12. • Choose one simple way to highlight sections rather than a mixture of bold, underline, capitals and italics, unless designing a creative CV. • Use short sentences rather than long paragraphs. • Keep your CV to 1–2 pages. Although there are no set rules, you will want to make certain your spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct.
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Social media
Prioritising information Allocate space on your CV according to the relevance of the information. Give more space to parts of your experience that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. If you did a related module in your degree, give some details about it (such as grades and assignments). Be sure to include any relevant specialist skills and knowledge. When listing details, make sure your most recent attainments appear first and then work backwards.
Profile/summary If you are planning to include a profile section, you may discover that it is one of the most challenging sections to get right. In order to help focus your writing, you could use the following prompts: • Situation • Skills • Selling point
Employers are increasingly looking at your social media profile as part of their recruitment process. Make sure all the platforms that have open access are professional and show you in a positive light. If not, check you have the appropriate security settings in place. For more information on social media please see the LinkedIn example on page 26.
Video CVs Although growing in popularity in some sectors, video CVs aren’t about to replace traditional CVs, but they can help your application stand out. Rather than replacing traditional CVs, videos enhance job applications by providing employers with more insight into your personality. A video CV is a great way to demonstrate your presentation and media skills. Before embarking on a video CV, think about the sector and employer you are applying to. Often video CVs are used when applying for creative or customerfacing roles in advertising, media, communications or sales. As with any CV, remember to consider your audience, do your research and check the content. For more advice on video CVs, contact the employability and enterprise team.
Writing a sentence on each of these three points could provide you with a structure to your profile. As a second-year photography student with an interest in portrait and street photography, I am experienced in the use of a wide range of camera and studio equipment, and fully competent in Adobe Photoshop and Camera RAW. In 2015 I was a semi-finalist in the London Festival of Photography. I am keen to perfect my studio skills and develop a varied portfolio.
Sending your CV via email Most CVs are either sent to an employer via email or uploaded to an online job board. Here are a few points to consider when sending/ uploading your CV electronically. • Save your final CV as a PDF. • Double check that you are sending your most recent and relevant CV. • Check the file name clearly says what it is – for example, MartinSmithCV.pdf.
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CV examples The following pages provide examples of different CV layouts. Your CV is your gateway to an interview, so make sure that the type of CV you create is appropriate to the job/industry you are aiming for. Take a highlighter to the job description and make sure that there is evidence in your CV that you have the personal attributes, skills and qualities that the employer is looking for.
Job description Events Assistant Salary/Rate £17,000 - £21,000/annum Location Kingston upon Thames, Greater London Recruiter Absolutely Recruitment Hours Full time Job Description We are now looking for a proactive, highly organised and personable individual to join our dedicated events team as an Events Assistant. • The successful applicant will be able to: • Demonstrate a wide range of skills, including excellent interpersonal1 and organisations skills2 • Demonstrate flexibility and ability to use initiative3 • Have experience with working to strict deadlines4 and remaining calm under pressure • Ability to get on with people in a small team5 and work autonomously • Highly accurate with attention to detail6 , very well organised and able to follow procedures • Energetic, enthusiastic7 and proactive • Proficient in social media8 and Microsoft Office Confident telephone9 manner and impeccable customer service10 • Event management11 experience or degree would be an advantage but not essential • Candidates with experience within a similar role would be an advantage, however we would consider someone educated to degree level12 or equivalent with a positive attitude and the desire to succeed.
There is no need to write CV at the top, your name and contact details will be sufficient.
A clear profile summarising some of the key skills and requirements from the job description will help your CV stand out straight away.
Samantha Jane Ella Shoemark Email: samshoemark@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile Number: 07765 278138 Address: 12 Oakley Road, Radstock BA6 5QS
A diligent and highly organised graduate with considerable events management experience. An enthusiastic7 person who is always willing to learn. Able to manage projects working to strict deadlines4 , whilst paying excellent attention to detail6 . A natural ability to build rapport and develop effective relationships with both colleagues and clients, to ensure that successful outcomes within the events process are achieved. Education BA (Hons) Sports Studies12: 1st Class Honours: Southampton Solent University, September 2012 – July 2015 Studied sports theory, including psychology, sociology, coaching and sports policy, combined with gaining practical experience within industry. • Gained a 1st in my dissertation which examined the media coverage of female athletes in the Commonwealth games 2014. This required a high level of research, analytical and interpreting skills, whilst being able to present my findings in an articulate and well written manner. 3 A-Levels, Beaminster School Sixth Form, 2009 – 2011 • Biology: D, Physical Education: D, Psychology: C Key Skills Event Management11 • Lead organiser for the Coaching Innovation Symposium at Solent University. This was attended by 80 sports development practitioners and 120 students. Through successful planning and promotion through a social media8 campaign including Eventbrite and Hootsuite, the event was a great success. • Gained valuable experience of using Gantt charts to get an overview of the event and to organise2 and prioritise the tasks ahead, ranging from securing a venue to sending out invites. • A s a Graduate Associate I worked alongside my colleagues to organise and deliver our Annual Sports Award Ceremony. Responsibilities included gathering voting data, preparing programme content and dealing with important administrative and planning duties. Interpersonal1 and Communication • As a Camp Counsellor, I was in charge of the practical and pastoral care of two groups of 13 year old girls. • Built rapport with the girls by spending time getting to know them. This meant that when I helped them solve personal issues such as homesickness or manage conflicts, we did this from a position of trust. • A s a Bar Supervisor, I motivated my team5 to work together to provide our visitors with excellent customer service10 through leading by example. This level of service extended to telephone9 enquiries and booking reservations.
You can have more information about yourself on your LinkedIn page, this is ideal when using a one page CV.
Include details about any course achievements which the employer will be interested in. Although Sam has not studied Events Management, she clearly states the relevant skills gained through her degree and has linked them to the job description.
Choose the skills according to the employer’s specification, provide evidence to back up your skills.
Problem Solving • Overcame design and content issues3 with the Coaching Innovation Symposium event brochure by liaising with the marketing department. Made edits to the text and negotiated a proposal that worked for everyone involved in the project. • During group projects I had a high level of initiative3 and creative input whilst brainstorming ideas. These leadership skills were fundamental in assisting the group to develop a plan. Employment History • Graduate Associate - Sports Development Officer: Southampton Solent University, January 2015 – Present • Bar Tender/Supervisor: Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, June 2013 – December 2015 • Camp Counsellor – CCUSA: Camp Kamaji, Minnesota USA, May 2015 – August 2015 • Voluntary Events Manager: Solent Works, Southampton Solent University, September 2014 – May 2015 Achievements • UK Anti-Doping Accredited Advisor – February 2015 • Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award – April 2009
1 page skills This CV format allows you to organise content by skills and acknowledge headlines relevant to the job description.
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Samantha Jane Ella Shoemark Email: samshoemark@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile Number: 07765 278138 Address: 12 Oakley Road, Radstock BA6 5QS
Put your most recent qualifications first and allow more space for them. Summarise pre-university qualifications.
A diligent and highly organised graduate with considerable events management experience. An enthusiastic person who is always willing to learn. Able to manage projects whilst working to deadlines and paying excellent attention to detail. A natural ability to build rapport and develop effective relationships with both colleagues and clients, to ensure that successful outcomes within the events process are achieved.
Student Ambassador: Southampton Solent University September 2012 – September 2014 • Helped with open days at the university, manned stands, gave campus tours and answered questions about Solent. • Spent time on our careers coach advising students about their options at Solent. This involved talking to students from a diverse range of backgrounds regarding their higher education aspirations, and required a high level of interpersonal and communication skills. Additional experience Seasonal Bar Tender & Supervisor: Freshwater Beach Holiday Park June 2013 – December 2015
Education BA (Hons) Sports Studies: 1st Class Honours, Southampton Solent University September 2012 – July 2015
• Responsible for a small team and managed the cashing up process. • Motivated my team to work together to provide our visitors with excellent customer service through leading by example. This level of service extended to telephone enquiries and booking reservations. • Confidently interacted with customers and my colleagues to make sure food/drink orders were being fulfilled and the cleanliness of the bar/restaurant was maintained.
Studied sports theory, including psychology, sociology, coaching and sports policy, combined with gaining practical experience within industry.
CCUSA Camp Counsellor: Camp Kamaji, Minnesota USA May 2015 – August 2015.
• Gained a 1st class honours in my dissertation which examined the media coverage of female athletes in the Commonwealth Games 2014. This required a high level of research, analytical and interpreting skills, whilst being able to present my findings in an articulate and well written manner. • Confident with presenting in front of a diverse range of audiences. Created and delivered numerous presentations on a variety of topics both independently and as part of a group. • Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creative input in group projects. These leadership skills were fundamental in assisting the group to develop a plan.
• Responsible for the practical and pastoral care of two groups of teenage girls. • Built rapport with the girls and established effective relationships with them. This trust and communication was essential when supporting them to solve personal issues such as homesickness or manage conflicts. • Planned and taught four arts and crafts lessons each day and set good examples of punctuality to ensure the girls were on time.
3 A-Levels, Beaminster School Sixth Form 2009 – 2011 • Biology: D, Physical Education: D, Psychology: C
Achievements • UK Anti-Doping Accredited Advisor – February 2015 • Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award – April 2009
Event Management Experience Sport Development Officer - Graduate Associate: Southampton Solent University January 2015 – Present
Bullet points can focus your paragraphs. Group your relevant experience clearly and concisely.
• Worked alongside my colleagues to organise and deliver our Annual Sports Award Ceremony. Responsibilities included gathering voting data, preparing programme content and dealing with important administrative and planning duties. • Attended multiple university open days and interacted with prospective students and their parents or guardians to speak about the university and what we have to offer. • My recruitment responsibilities included being in charge of accurately processing over 500 UCAS application forms within tight time deadlines to recruit athletes for our sports scholarships and high performance programme.
Voluntary Events Manager: Solent Works, Southampton Solent University, September 2014 - May 2015 • Lead organiser for the Coaching Innovation Symposium at Solent University. This was attended by 80 sports development practitioners and 120 students. Through successful planning and promotion of a social media campaign including Eventbrite and Hootsuite, the event was a great success. • Learned the value of using Gantt charts to establish an overview of the event and to prioritise the tasks I needed to do, ranging from securing a venue to sending out invites. • Overcame design and content issues with the event brochure by liaising with the marketing department. Made edits to the text and negotiated a compromise that worked for everyone.
2 page reverse chronological This CV format allows you to arrange content by time, with your most relevant experience first.
Samantha has also created a two page CV for the Events Assistant postion on page 12. 14 CV Guide solent.ac.uk/careers
List additional experience separately.
If you include a profile make sure it is relevant and concise, you can include your career objective as long as it is relevant to the opportunity.
Lucy is looking for a digital communications post and linking to her blog demonstrates her writing skills.
Provide information about the skills you developed during your work experience, you can also include duties and responsibilities.
Focus on the skills gained through employment rather than just describing your role. If you have minimal relevant experience focus on your transferable skills.
It is not necessary to write references upon request. This is personal choice.
Although still a traditional 2 page reverse chronological, the layout is different.
2 page reverse chronological This CV format allows you to arrange content by time, with your most relevant experience first.
Lucy has designed her CV to send speculatively to companies she has targeted for digital communication roles. 16 CV Guide solent.ac.uk/careers
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You don’t need to include your postal address. Some employers may have a preference for local candidates and therefore highlighting that you live outside of their area may count against you.
In keeping with the style of her CV and industry, Aysha has chosen to include a creative title to capture her expertise and personality.
Include a link to your online work, website or blog.
You can give yourself a professional title.
This CV draws attention to skills, make sure you can back up any skills with evidence e.g. from your LinkedIn account or social media platforms.
Use your CV to showcase your designs and creativity.
If it isn’t obvious from your CV which area you want to go into, make sure you provide details in your covering letter or email.
Make sure your social media accounts are up to date and you are only sharing professional information and images. Highlight relevant achievements.
1 page CV
1 page creative CV
This CV shows your relevant experience on one page. You can include links to further demonstrate your skills via Linkedin, Twitter, portfolios and blogs.
A creative CV lends itself to showcase your design skills and is appropriate for jobs within the creative sector.
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Be aware that student email accounts are only accessible when you are a student and therefore you may want to use your personal email address.
This CV clearly outlines his relevant skill set for computer generated imagery.
Relevant and industry specific work experience is listed on the front page.
Highlights the importance of the degree and the industry skills obtained.
International undergraduate CV
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You may want to give yourself title to highlight your profession.
Use the same font and format throughout.
Links undergraduate degree study to Masters. Clearly emphasise passion for your subject.
Shows enhanced learning through Masters study.
Show evidence of professional membership.
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Postgraduate CV
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Ensure you give your term address not your home address.
This CV is a factual one page CV.
Use a professional email address, and ensure your voice mail message is appropriate. Make sure your personal profile is relevant to the part time opportunity rather than your degree or long term goals.
Use your international background to highlight skills.
If you are looking for part time work, your work experience may be more relevant than your degree subject and therefore you should list this first.
List all languages spoken and your fluency.
Adding interests can make you stand out from the other applicants.
Postgraduate/international CV This factual CV has been created for the job market in Belgium. When sending your CV abroad always check the preferences for design/content in the contry. See page 9 for more infomation.
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Part-time CV Part time work lends itself to a one page CV.
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You can search for alumi from your course at university and see who they are working for. This can be an excellent resource when targeting companies for jobs and work experience.
Make sure that your photograph is clear and professional.
Skill endorsements are a simple and effective way of building your professional brand and engaging your network.
This resembles the same format as a profile summary on your CV. Your summary should be engaging and impressive to your reader.
You can add links to your profile to show the work you have created.
LinkedIn CV
You can subscribe to groups of interest to enable you to keep well informed on industry and opportunities.
Receiving recommendations from people that know you in a professional capacity is a great way to give your profile a credibility.
Having a complete profile is the most effective way to showcase all of your talents, backgrounds, experience, interests and areas of expertise.
LinkedIn allows you to build an online CV and network that you can constantly add to. Employers can directly target you with their vacancies and you can make connections with companies of interest and search for jobs.
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Covering letter/ email A covering letter or email is an essential part of the application process, whether you are applying speculatively or for an advertised position. You can normally attach a covering letter to an online application. The covering letter is used to introduce yourself to an employer, and to highlight key skills and the reasons for your application. You can use the body of the letter if you are applying via email or attach it as a pdf. The following layout provides a guide to the information you might want to include in your covering letter/email – the order of the paragraphs is flexible.
8 Highfield Street Southampton SO22 8YY 07765 245789 jayhill@hotmail.com 1 July 2016 Rose Sullivan One Voice Media 4–5 Southernhay West Exeter EX1 1JG Dear Ms Sullivan
Example layout of covering letter or email:
Marketing and PR Assistant
Date
As a recent PR and communications graduate, I am applying for the role of Marketing and PR Assistant with One Voice Media, as advertised on Solent Graduate Jobs. I feel this role is an excellent match for my skillset and career aim.
Employer’s address Salutation • Dear Ms Smith or Dear Sir or Madam • Get a contact name where possible as this creates a good first impression.
Heading • Job title/job reference/purpose of letter
Introduction • Indicate whether you are responding to an advertised job or applying speculatively. • Introduce your current situation. • Make clear what you are hoping to achieve. • Demonstrate your enthusiasm for and knowledge of the job.
I have previously worked as a PR Assistant with South West Tourism Alliance, carrying out various reporting assignments, writing up press releases and reviewing various restaurants and events. I was responsible for contacting different organisations and scheduling appointments to review their services. This role required a high level of communication, organisation and networking skills. Prior to this, I completed a four-week summer internship with McCann Erickson where I gained experience of working across leading brands including Bentley Motors and Cathay Pacific. On a daily basis I was responsible for activities ranging from event management to media relations (producing press releases, pitching stories to the media) and social media campaigns (drafting content for Facebook, Twitter and blogs, monitoring online reputation and sentiment tracking). I see from your website that One Voice was shortlisted for an Excellence in Marketing Award 2015 for the 2014 Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink Marketing and PR campaign. I was impressed with the use of a multi-platform approach to target different audiences and, should I get the opportunity to work at One Voice, I would love to take part in the 2016 campaign. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely
Your main strengths clearly linked to the person specification
Jay Hill
• Convince the employer you are the right person for the job by highlighting relevant experience and skills. • Emphasise key features from your CV. • Give evidence of relevant skills, using examples from your coursework, employment and other interests.
Knowledge of the job and company • Say why you want the job and show you have researched the company, profession or job. • Communicate what interests you about the organisation. • Describe how you would be an asset to the organisation.
Positive ending • Restate your interest and summarise your suitability and enthusiasm for the company. • Be proactive and state how you will follow up the letter. • End the letter positively and remember to sign it.
Valediction • ‘Yours sincerely’ (when you know the recipient’s name) or ‘Yours faithfully’ (for Dear Sir or Madam) • Your name • Enc/s (if you are enclosing your CV or application)
Covering letter example
28 CV Guide solent.ac.uk/careers
solent.ac.uk/careers CV Guide 29
Technical Internship at Taylor Francis
Dear Mr Tale I am applying for the above position as advertised on your website. I am currently studying BSc (Hons) Computer Systems and Networks. This course is a 4 year sandwich degree with a year placement, concentrating on both the business and technical sides of the industry. My course requires me to complete a 48 week placement, I am available from May 2017 onwards. Your selection criteria stipulates a requirement for a good understanding of specific technologies. My degree has given me an in-depth knowledge of the major components and principles underpinning computer network technologies, including Cisco and Microsoft. The course has also provided an opportunity to explore factors influencing system performance within the networked environment, and evaluate the hardware requirements for specific applications. I have several years experience in management, customer service and electronics. This has given me a wide range of transferable skills related to the job description including:
Solent Futures
• Technical and commercial • Problem solving • Communication • Customer service
Get your CV or application checked
I am impressed by the work your company undertakes supporting technology development within inner-city schools, and the partnerships you have developed with the local community. In exchange for the opportunity to gain work experience at Taylor Francis I can offer enthusiasm, commitment and reliability.
One-to-one advice and guidance
Thank you for considering my attached CV and I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely Jake Williams
Mountbatten Library, Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm during term-time, no appointment necessary.
Attend a drop-in session for quick queries, and CV and application checks. Book a career appointment for in-depth advice, careers guidance and mock interviews.
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Email CV example.
30 CV Guide solent.ac.uk/careers
@GetHiredSSU Southampton Solent University Employability and Enterprise
solent.ac.uk/careers CV Guide 31
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