Skills Academy Application Forms CVs & Covering Letters
Vanissa Amliwala Careers Consultant Wednesday 4th June 2014
Working lifebare facts Six different jobs One redundancy 12 pay
rises 125 days off sick 875 small disagreements or grumbles Drink
32,396 cups of tea/coffee one office romance Source: Benenden
Health March 2013 Survey of 200,000 British Workers
What will be covered Applications Forms in 6 simple steps All
you need to know to write a winning CV Covering Letters the dos and
donts Further help and advice
Application forms Step 1 what to expect Step 2 how to prepare
Step 3 providing evidence Step 4 be a STAR! Step 5 the big blank
box! Step 6 what next
Application forms Step 1 What to expect Categories of
information Personal details, work permit status Education:
qualifications, dates and institutions Employment history: dates,
job title, details Competency / motivational questions The big
blank box! Additional information / supporting statement
References
Application forms Step 2 How to prepare Print out the job
description, person specification, job advert Do some research look
beyond the advert Stick to the rules! Note any instructions and pay
attention to word count/limits Draft answers in rough first Fill in
all sections, do not leave ANY blanks. Put N/A for sections/boxes
that are not applicable Check and double check for spelling and
grammar errors Remember to keep a copy
Application forms Step 3 Evidence Speak the language of the
employer Finding evidence group work, academic work, presentations,
dissertation, student union activities, work experience,
placements, employment, voluntary activities, personal interests
Provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and
abilities
Step 4 Be a STAR! Situation Task Action Result
A STAR Example Describe a situation when you had to give
excellent customer service following a complaint. A customer rang
up complaining that they'd waited more than two weeks for a reply
from our sales team regarding a product query. Situation Task I
needed to address the client's immediate query and find out what
went wrong in the normal process. I apologised, got the details and
passed them to our head salesperson, who contacted the client
within the hour. I investigated why the query hadn't been answered.
I discovered that it was a combination of a wrong mobile number and
a generic email address that wasn't being checked. I let the client
know and we offered a goodwill discount on her next order. The
client not only continued to order from us but posted a positive
customer service tweet. Action Result By Michael Higgins: The
Guardian Professional 10th March 2014
Motivation Question Why do you want to work in this role and
for this company? Show you know what is involved in the role and
what the company does. Link this to things you have done and
enjoyed. Make it personal to you (vs other applicants)
Application form Exercise Library Assistant in the European
Studies Library Person specification Short-listing form Scoring:
Criteria met = 2 (specific example - STAR) Partially met = 1
(example but not complete) Not met = 0 (no example or irrelevant)
Three Applications: A, B, C
Application forms Step 5The BIG blank box! Hehelp!
Application forms Step 5Supporting Statement & Additional
information Read the instructions very carefully and follow them
exactly Address ALL the requirements Good opening paragraph
explaining what attracted you to the job and organisation Use
headed paragraphs for each of the criteria in in the person
specification Provide STAR examples to evidence your skills Dont be
tempted to re-cycle an old application! Check and double check
spelling and grammar
Application forms Step 6what next? Shortlisting Applications
are read/scanned and checked against a competency grid Applications
that meet most of the competencies will be shortlisted. If
competition is fierce only those that meet ALL the essential
criteria will be shortlisted Not shortlisted Missing key
information, insufficient evidence, did not meet the essential or
desirable criteria, spelling errors, poor grammar
CVsWhat will be covered CV essentials What makes a good CV What
should you include in your CV Getting the format right CV language
CV top tips Covering Letters the low down
What is a CV? Curriculum vitae course of your life A personal
marketing document about YOU First impressions count! Celebrate
your individuality and be yourself
An employers perspective Simon Reichwald - CEO Graduate
Success
What makes a good CV? Keep it succinct why use 20 words when 5
will do? Target one size rarely fits all Keep it relevant what does
each employer want? Back it up list achievements not duties!
Separate sections for readability Axe what is not essential!
Situation Task Action Result How to evidence your skills
Getting the format right Chronological CV Most common format.
Starts with your most recent job, and then works backwards.
Advantages Emphasises continuity and progression over time Easy to
follow Good if you have worked for well known companies
Disadvantages Difficult if your career is patchy Harder if changing
careers Not so good if you are new to the job market Skill-based CV
Presents your main skill areas Advantages Strong emphasis on skills
Jobs and work history are more secondary Overcomes the difficulty
of not having a lot of experience or too much Flexible
Disadvantages Difficult if you want to emphasise continuity Might
lose the impact of any prestigious companies you have worked
for
Sample CVs Chronological CV Skills-based CV
Words are powerful
CV language Every word counts! Use positive, powerful and
simple language Action words Sell not tell! Check and double check
grammar and spelling
CV Exercise How many mistakes can you find?
CV top tips Your CV should reflect you Target your CV Choose an
effective format and appropriate length Follow the recruiters
instructions Pay close attention to detail - presentation,
language, spelling and grammar Provide evidence of your skills and
experience Dont attach a photo unless asked to do so Always use
white or cream A4 paper, 2 pages, single sided, no staples,
easy-to-read font size 10-12 DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS FOR
ANYTHING
CV vs Application Form CV Application Form You control content
Employer controls content You identify skills and experience
Employer specifies skills and experience You choose the
Standardised
Covering letter / email Video careercake
http://careercake.com/episodes/5-
steps-to-an-incredible-cover-letter/
Covering letter / email What to include Make it personal
Reference / subject line in bold Paragraph 1 Why are you writing
Paragraph 2 What can you offer the employer Paragraph 3 What
attracts you to the job/company Paragraph 4 State when you are
available for interview and end on a positive note
Covering letter / email top tips Your marketing statement Keep
it business-like Write to a named person or Dear Sir / Madam
Highlight how you meet the job requirements dont waffle, keep it
short and relevant Include credible explanations for any weak
points Watch spelling and grammar - do not use abbreviations, email
or text language Sign off correctly yours sincerely for a named
person or yours faithfully for Dear/Madam
Summary Application Forms How to prepare, sell not tell,
evidencing your skills STAR example CVs what makes a good CV, what
to include, evidencing skills, positive language and different CV
formats Covering Letters/Email your marketing statement, make it
personal, make an impact, sign off correctly Check and double check
spelling and grammar
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