SSPSSR CAREERS SESSION“CVs & Employability Skills”

Tim Reed T.M.Reed@kent.ac.uk

Careers Advisory Service

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

The Careers Advisory Service

Location Staff Opening times etc Services & facilities

Specific CAS facilities computer-aided guidance quick queries careers interviews job vacancy database

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/jobs/index.htm careers library

Careers Library Reception Reference information Postgraduate prospectuses DVDs, CDs, online PCs, free careers

literature etc …..

And also: Newspapers Careers booklets Alumni careers network Talks & presentations

Careers Presentationswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm

Examples of Careers Talks Interview Skills Careers in Politics Choosing a Career CV Workshop Getting a job in the Media Applying for Teacher Training Journalism Workshop T.E.F.L. Presentation Using languages & Working in Europe Presentation by Deloitte Presentations by BUNAC: (i) Work in USA & Canada (ii) Work in Australia & New Zealand Visit by Army Presentation by Pearson (summer internships) Presentation by NHS Presentation by PwC: Commercial Awareness

How to use the CASBegin by doing some research

Perhaps into yourself (ideas, interests, preferences)

Then into your opportunities (use Directories, vacancy lists)

Use IT: CAS website & PROSPECT PLANNER

Attend talks/workshops/presentations etc

Quick Query at CAS

1:1 careers interview

HOW TO WRITE A CV

Introduction

What is a CV? When is it used? What does it contain? Who do you send it to? What about the covering letter?

What is a CV?

One of many ways to apply Your marketing tool A4 – sized Flexible & targeted Stylized: Chronological/Skills-based Different in other countries

http://www.prospects.ac.uk

http://www.eurograduate.com/planning.asp

When is it used?

As the main tool for on-spec applications When requested by an employer In support of other application information Never without a letter/message via email as attachment When your Referee needs more info

What does it contain?

Personal details Academic background Work Experience Interests & achievements Additional information References

Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/89)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British

Email: S.J.Andrews@hotmail.com Mob: 07727374619

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

2008 - 2011 University of Kent BA (Hons.) Sociology – expected degree class 2:1.

Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & Crime.

Project: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".

2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.

A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D

2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.

8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including English, Maths and French.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Summer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.

Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.

Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.

Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.

2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.

Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers.

Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175.

Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team.

Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IT Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc.

Good level of spoken French.

Full, clean driving licence.

REFERENCES

Available on request

Sarah Jane Andrews (5/11/89)33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British

Email: S.J.Andrews@hotmail.com Mob: 07727374619

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS2008 - 2011 University of Kent BA (Hons) Sociology - expected degree clas 2.1

Final Year Subjects: Risk & Society, Urban Sociology, Youth & CrimeProject: “Sociological Implications of UK Credit Card Debt".

2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.A Levels: English B, Sociology B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D

2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Mathematics, English and French.

WORK EXPERIENCESummer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.

Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.

Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.

Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS Secretary of the Sociology Society, involved booking speakers. Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £175. Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University netball team. Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc. Good level of spoken French. Full, clean driving licence.

REFERENCESAvailable on request

Tailoring your application Emphasize relevant qualifications Highlight key text/information Focus on relevant skills Research employer requirements and insert key phrases into

your application Cherry pick what you include!

For example: specific course module titles, work experience, voluntary

activities, individual achievements, travel, IT skills, languages, sporting honours, positions of responsibility & egs of leadership, teamwork, flexibility, meeting/surpassing targets, communication, taking the initiative, problem-solving etc…

Keep a comprehensive list of all of these!

CV styles

Standard/Chronological Skills-based Computing/Online Media Legal

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

Hints on wording

Avoid personal pronouns - No “I’s” Start with verbs wherever possible Use short sentences & concise phrases Focus on accomplishments Refer to specific projects with quantifiable results Use personal power words

Personal power words created instructed analyzed produced

negotiated designed calculated maintained

administered controlled reviewed observed

consolidated delivered founded increased

studied invented supplied detected

programmed recommended distributed

developed solved prepared installed selected

arranged formulated solved started

Who do you send it to? Named company representative Director/Manager of Personnel Referees OTHERS WHO REQUEST IT

eg. Recruitment agencies, Postgraduate courses, Sponsorship/Funding bodies

Common Mistakes! Too long Untargeted Disorganised Contains errors/missspellings Not accomplishments focused Error examples

www.createyourcv.co.uk/CMS/191_CV-Bloopers!.asp

What is a good application?

Well-researched Targeted Accurate (content, speling, grammar) Informative Interesting Easy to read Enthusiastic

What about the covering letter?www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/coveringletters.htm

One side of good quality A4 paper Formal/conventional layout Addressed to a named person State position applied for & where advertised Explain why applying Convince the reader of your interest & suitability (egs!) Give dates when available/can start Sign off “Yours sincerely” (if sent to named person)

33 Union StreetManchester

M6 3AE

26th January 2011Verity WiseGraduate Recruitment ManagerGreat Big Bank Co.Anywhere StreetLondonSW1

Job Reference Number 12345 (state this if it is mentioned in the advert)

Dear Ms. Wise

I am writing in response to your advertisement in “Prospects Finalist" for Graduate Trainees and enclose my CV for your consideration.

I first became interested in retail banking through talking to a Kent graduate, currently in the second year of your Management Training programme, at the University of Kent Careers Fair. Since then discussion with my careers adviser and with management staff at my local branch has confirmed my decision to aim for a career in this field.

Through my degree course I have been able to develop my interest in business, particularly in my final year project on the use of credit cards. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information Office was valuable in teaching me the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.

I will be available for interview if required at your convenience. I can be contacted at my home address (above) and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

Sarah Jane Andrews

Further Information Careers Advisory Service website

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm CAS booklet “Making Applications” AGCAS Booklet CAS Reference Files (013 series) Example CVs (013) Quick Queries at the CAS Reference Books (eg. CVs for Graduates) DVDs “Your Job’s online” & “Looking Good on Paper”

Employability skillswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

Analytical skills

Clear & Logical thinking

Communication

Gathering, assessing and interpreting information

Numerical skills

Organising

Planning

Problem solving

Research

Team work

Working to deadlines

Employability skillswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

CAS Moodle Resourcewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

Employability Pointswww.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints/

Graduate Skills Awardwww.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/skills/programmes/gsalectures.html

CAS Employability skills exercisewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillstest.html

“ANY” DISCIPLINE CAREERSAdvertising

Armed Forces

Arts admin

Broadcasting

Central & Local Gov’t

Computing/IT

Finance

Fire Service

Guidance/Counselling

Info Management/Museums

Journalism

Law

Marketing/Sales

Management ConsultancyNHS ManagementPersonnelPoliceProduction ManagementPublic RelationsPublishingPurchasingRetailSelf-employmentSocial WorkTEFLTeachingTourismTransport

GRADUATE SALARIES 2010 Arcadia £17,500 - £23,000 + 25% store discount AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment) from £21,500 + final salary

pension Asda £23,000 Sainsbury’s £23,000 - £25,000 MI5 £23,500 + benefits - varies by function! Marks & Spencer £24,000+ Police (HPDS) £24,675 after initial training Reckitt Benckiser £26,000 - £28,000 Unilever £26,500 Civil Service up to £27,000 Lloyd’s £28,000 - £31,000 Mars £29,000 + Royal Navy £29,006 + £12,000 joining bonus ExxonMobil £33,000+ Linklaters £37,400 Aldi £40,000 - £60,000 (after 3yrs) + fully expensed Audi A4

SSPSSR CAREERS SESSION“CVs & Employability Skills”

Tim Reed T.M.Reed@kent.ac.uk

Careers Advisory Service

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm