YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

The Wellington Timebank Presents:

How to Write a Successful Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

About Me

• Claudia Gonzalez• Eight years in Recruitment• Mexico (3 y) and New Zealand (5 y)• Permanent and contracting • Private and public sectors

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Your CV

• The Goal

• Living document – create a Master CV

• Tailoring the CV

• Peer review – Tell me what I do – moving past our lingo

A CV is a tool for someone to ask questions

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Wrong career or personal objective

• Too long, elaborate, generic

• Spelling and grammar mistakes• Third party proofreading

• Formatting inconsistencies

• Unnecessary details (marriage status, children, religion, political affiliation, photo all your hobbies or trainings)

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

The CV Formula

• Functional Vs Reverse Chronological

• Defining the format – Less is more• Applying through Springboard and other systems

• Personal details

• Career or personal objective • Who are you? • What drives you?• What is their benefit?

• Education and training • Relevant for this role

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

The CV Formula

• Work experience• Date/Role • Organisation (is an explanation required?)• Responsibilities (3 or 4)• Achievements – ability to add value

• Clarify (Created, designed, implemented)• Quantify (Percentages, numbers, overachievement, awards)

• Explain any substantial gaps

• Hobbies / Interests – can it be relevant to the role?

• Referees – Available upon request

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Other Things to Include in Your CV

• Foreign language skills

• On-going studies/other relevant professional development

• Publications

• Systems knowledge

Your Resume is Telling a Story!

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Permanent Vs Contracting

CONTRACTING

Fist page = Sales Page

• Personal details

• Elevator pitch

• Skills

• Relevant education

• Experience – 10 years limit

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Cover Letters

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

Cover Letters

1. Address it to a specific person (no spelling mistakes)

2. What position? How did you find out?

3. Demonstrate you know what the company does - Research

4. Explain your fit with the role - Mirror the Advert/JD

5. Mention if you are attaching any additional documents (like a portfolio)

6. Close with ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Best’ and type your name in the next line

7. Include contact details

8. Ask someone else to proofread it

9. Email it to yourself

Keep it short and sharp – ¾ of a page is Enough!

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS

THANK YOU