CV and Cover LetterSeminar

15:00 – 17:00Wednesday, 10th April

15:00 - 15:15 InterResource- Who are we and what do we do?

15:15 – 15:45 How to write a good CV?

15:45 – 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 – 16:45 How to write a good Cover Letter?

16:45 – 17:00 Questions

Today’s agenda

Upcoming events

CV & Cover Letter Group Counseling 16th April

careerevents.au.dk

Exclusive event for graduate 6th June

Join InterResource!

How to find usau.dk/interresource

facebook.com/interresource

interresource.bss@au.dk

Fuglesangs Allé 4 Monday-Friday 9:00-15:00Bartholins Allé 9 Monday-Thursday 9:00-15:00

CV and Cover LetterLouise Bach-Nielsen

Purpose of seminar

• Targeting your CV and letter of motivation to the Danish labour market

• Tips for unsolicited applications

• How to approach the enterprises

CV

Starting to Write your CV

• Is your own personal marketing tool, as it provides the first impression that a prospective employer has of you.

• Important that your CV is well laid out in a clear format, which makes it easy for the employer to read and find the relevant information he or she requires.

• Simplicity is always best. Unless you are applying for a graphic design position, - keep it simple! Avoid using too fancy and complicated decorative fonts and colours.

• A good CV is clear, concise and easy to read. Make use of bullet points and headings to provide a clear framework and make the information easy to follow.

• Two pages.

• English or Danish ?

Competences

List a couple of your most important competences

Two Types of CV

Skills based: • Focuses on competences and tasks• Interesting when you: • have been working in few enterprises• have limited work experience• have very different experience• want to change your field of work

Chronological: • Focuses on your work history• Provides a good overview over time

• In Denmark always reverse chronological order

CURRICULUM VITAE

NN501 G Street, N. W.Washington, DC 20006(202) 676-0000

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONSExtensive and diverse health care experience in both acute care and research hospital settings. Knowledgeable of current regulatory standards, biomedical technology, and medico-legal considerations. Strong background in designing, implementing, and directing patient care programs. Experience with hospital information systems.

ADMINISTRATIONAdministered all operations for in-patient and ambulatory patient care units.Managed unusual incidents related to personnel functions and medical care.Acted as liaison between medical and nursing staffs.Supervised two to four para-professionals.Participated in auditing medical records for compliance with accreditation standards.Administered in-service educational programs.

RESEARCHCollected data for research studies and protocols.Incorporated findings into clinical applications.Collaborated in development of clinical investigations.

HEALTH CAREAssessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated holistic care for diverse patient populations.Designed, administered and directed teaching programs.Worked extensively with biomedical technology.

EDUCATIONMaster of Health Services Administration, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, January 1987.BS in Nursing, Hampton Institute, Hampton, VA, May 1976.

EMPLOYMENTThe National Institutes of Health, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, Clinical Nurse (May 1980present). ).

Michael Reeves Medical Center, Chicago, IL, Staff Nurse (May 1979-April 1980).University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, Staff Nurse (September 1976-May 1979

How to Structure your Chronological CV

1. Personal details

2. Personal profile

3. Work experience

4. Education

5. Skills

6. Interests

7. References

How to Structure Your CV

1. Personal details

Make sure this section clearly states your:

NameNOTE: if your name does not obviously show if you are male or female, include this as well

Nationality

Residential address

Phone number

Email address - work

Date of birth (optional, but helpful)

Photo?

Example- Personal details

Name XXXDate and place of birth XX-XX-XXXX, FranceAddress XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Denmark

E-mail XXXX@XXXXX.XX Telephone +45 XX XX XX XX

How to Structure….

2. Personal Profile

This is your opportunity to write a brief summary about yourself.

• What are your main skills?

• What are your personal qualities?

• Think in keywords and try to be as specific as possible. Remember that everyone writes that they are a communicative, team player.

• This is also a good place to put your language skills and an overview of what you are looking for. Please make sure you change this if it doesn’t match the job description you are applying for!

• Keep it short and to the point.

Example- Personal Profile

• Administration: reliable administrator with extensive experience in dealing with administrative procedures from administrating network database to large scale courses and meetings.

• Communication: experienced and versatile communication professional dealing with many different stakeholders, both internal and external communication.

• International: a proactive person with good intercultural communication skills and the ability to relate to wide range of people. A strong team player who is inspired by other people but also works independently.

A determined and proactive communication manager with international experience and good administrative skills. An intercultural communicator with excellent French and English skills. A strong team player who is inspired by other people but also works independently.

How to Structure…

3. Work experience

• List your most recent experience first.

• Give the name of your employer, job title, dates of employment and, of course, what your tasks and achievements were. Well known employers in your country may not be known in DK

• Use an appropriate job title if the one you actually have is misleading. Relate to Danish educational system.

• If your professional work experience is lacking, you can also mention any internships (as long as they don’t go back further than 5 years)

Example - Work experience2011 Communication Consultant

In partnership with the Management team, definedand planned the communication strategy. Responsiblefor all communication activities relating torestructuring activities.

French BusinessFrancewww.website.com

2007 – 2010 Public Relations Specialist & Assistant tomanaging directorManagement and facilitation of numerous marketingprojects and communicating with business partners.Created, maintained and further developed a largebusiness network in UK and France. Producedtraining and marketing material in French and English.

Global MarketingFrancewww.website.com

2011 Communication ConsultantFrench Business, France

In partnership with the Management team, defined and planned the communication strategy. Responsible for all communication activities relating to restructuring activities.

How to Structure…

4. Education

• Start with your most recent education first.

• List the subject and where you studied.

• If you have a degree please state the level and skills you achieved. Relate to Danish conditions.

Example Education

2006 - 2007 Public Relations Consultant & CommunicationManagerDistance learning. Diploma with final grade 1,8 (grade scale 1-10 with 1 being the best)

ECUK, UK

1994 - 2000 MA: Information & CommunicationCommunication and information planning,communication in organizations, oral communicationand information, project handling

University ofParis, France

1994 – 2000 MA: Information & Communication University of Paris, France

Communication and information planning, communication in organizations, oral communication, and information, project handling

How to Strucure…

5. Skills

• Language proficiency, clearly and honestly stating your fluency level.

• Computing experience and possession of a driving license should be included.

How to Structure…

6. Interests

• These are particularly relevant if you were involved in activities in which you had leadership responsibilities, or which involved relating to others in a team.

• Once again be precise, e.g. Reading [what exactly? i.e. 20th century fiction], Sport [which sports? i.e. tennis or squash].

• Similarly if you have published any articles, jointly or by yourself, give details. If you have been involved in any type of volunteer work, mention this.

• Prospective employers will often look at the hobbies and interests listed in someone’s résumé as it gives them a more comprehensive picture of the candidate and can give vital clues on personality and motivation. This is especially often the case if the candidate is a graduate with not much work experience.

How to Structure…

7. References

There are two options here:

• you can use the generic statement 'References are available on request’, which means that the future employer has to ask permission for access to your references;

or

• you can include the names and contact information of your references on the CV, if you have approval.

Europass CV

Points to Remember

• Max 2 pages

• Use simple language

• Documentation: do not send documentation unless mentioned in the job ad

• Have someone read over your CV

• Do a spell check! (“I speak fluent Englesh, Inglish, Eniglish” does not really instill confidence)

• CV in Pdf.

• Print out your CV

This I know also Not something they asked for,

but still interesting

You

This I matchPut yourfocus here

This I can learn Don’t touch upon this before the job interview

This I matchPut your focushere

Strategy for applying

The job

Cover Letter

Preparing your Cover Letter

Start by;

• Researching the company well

• Reading over the job description thoroughly

• Preparing your letter by thinking about the following points;

Why do you think you are specifically suitable for the role?

What are the competences you possess that match the role?

Why would you want to work for that particular company?

Cover Letter – inspiration

Motivation• Why are you applying for this specific job?• Show appreciation for the organisation • Do you know their strategy/ mission?• How do you see yourself fitting in the organisation?

Cover Letter– inspiration

Professional competences • What can you offer? Explain your professional competences – how will

they match the tasks• What advantages will they gain from hiring you?• Relate to the task and how you can use your competences to solve them

Cover Letter- inspiration

Personal Competences

• Remember to include your personal and social competences

• Give examples – not just hot air and buzz words – e.g. what do you mean by flexible and structured?

Guidelines

• Future oriented and targeted

• One A4 page

• Use examples

• Pick the top 3-5 essential requirements from the advertisement and answer them carefully

• Make sure you close positively - "I look forward to meeting you at an interview to discuss further…"

Solicited

Unsolicited applications

Headline. Description of you and your proposed function in the enterprise

What can you offer: ”sales speech” – how and why will the enterprise benefit from hiring you

Summary:Summarize your competences and explain how they match theproposed function

Tips

• Focus: Stay focussed and be explicit regarding your job wishes

• Contact the enterprise: Phone, e-mail, personal contact

• Follow up. Show your motivation and make them remember you

Unsolicited

Contacting an Enterprise

Identify the Job/enterprise

• What is your market value?

– Which companies could be interesting for you – and not least interested in you?

– Think in broad terms – focus on matching the possibilities with your competences!

Contacting an Enterprise

To phone or not to phone?

• Yes, only if you have relevant questions.

• You could be remembered as the person, who wasted time.

• Prepare the questions beforehand.

Examples of Questions:

• Do they recruit people with your educational background?

if yes, for which positions?

• What kind of responsibilities do those employees have?

• Which personal competences are important to have in the job?

• How long will they keep an application