Careers Service Guide
2016
Career Toolkit Apply yourself
Career Toolkit
Apply yourself
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Whether you are applying for bursaries, internships or vacation/graduate jobs, you will need a CV, cover letter and knowledge about how to complete an application. Here’s how! Think about the requirements
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Look at our CV resources
Download CV Guidelines and Just One Example of a CV from our website: If you are applying for a specific www.careers.uct.ac.za/cs/cvs-cover-letters-and-applications. opportunity, you must research the Hard copies can be collected at our office. organisation, role and requirements in the advert (skills, experience 4 Read and apply etc.). If you only want to get started, your CV can be a basic document that is ready to be If you have a CV, revise and improve it according adapted for future opportunities. to these guidelines. Use headings that are appropriate to your experience (not ones you find in a CV template). 2 Brainstorm your experience Target your CV to the specific opportunity. This includes activities in and out of school and university, sports, societies, voluntary and paid work and experiences like exchanges, awards or achievements. Write down your qualifications and other training that you’ve had.
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Use the CV Checklist Use the CV Checklist resource (see above link) to ensure that you have all your bases covered.
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Write a Cover letter With our Cover Letters guideline and sample (see the link above) write a cover letter that explains why you are applying to the organisation and why you are a great candidate.
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Fill in an application form
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Doing the groundwork for your CV will give you what you need to answer application questions. Remember to follow the instructions given. Watch the Your Jobs Online video found on our website:
There is a lot you can do to prepare for an interview. We have great resources on our Careers Service website, which can help with your preparation. Visit www.careers. uct.ac.za/cs/interviews for more information. Although the Mock Interview Programme would have taken place by the time you read this, if you are on campus next year, make a point of taking part in it.
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Ask for help if you are stuck Make an appointment with a careers advisor who will assist if you have questions or are stuck with your application. Remember: we expect you to work on your CV according to the above steps before making an appointment. To book, visit www.careers.ac.za and log in to MyCareer.
Prepare for interviews
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Don’t just press repeat Remember to tailor each new application to the specific job that you are applying for. Be careful not to reuse the same information.
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