1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012

8/10/2019 1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012

1/34


2/34

CV QUIZ Work with a partner to answer the True/False questions

http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-

advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspx
http://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspxhttp://www.careerplayer.com/tips-and-advice/general-advice/polish-up-your-cv.aspx


3/34

Session OutlineAssessing your skills

Principles of a good CV

What employers look for in a CV

Covering letters

Further sources of help


4/34

Assessing your skillsSubject-specific skills such as:

Understanding complex scientific data

Understanding scientific systems and concepts

Laboratory skills

Numerical and statistical awareness Scientific report writing

Software tools and packages


5/34

Assessing your skillsStudying life sciences also gives you skills in:

teamwork and leadership

communication - both in speech and writing

negotiation and persuasion time management and organisation

the use of general IT facilities

presenting reasoned arguments to a range of audiences

retrieval of information

numeracy

commercial awareness through work experience


6/34

Your CV

A CV. is a purpose designed application form

highlights your achievements

can distinguish you from other candidates

aims to get you an interview

is your sales brochure!


7/34

When should you use a CV and

covering letter? If the employer asks you to apply in writing

When attending recruitment fairs or networking events

to leave with employers

(You may prefer to take a business card for the company

then send them your targetedCV)

When you send off speculative applications


8/34

How NOT to use a CVDo not:

Put a CV in with an application form for good measure

Send a CV without a covering letter

Use an out of date CV and hope they wont notice

Send a long CV covering everything youve done

Add a photograph to your CV when applying for jobs in

the UK


9/34

Aim of your CV and Covering

letter

To get the attention of the

employer so you will be

invited for interview

An employer will generally

just scan CVs - (If in doubtthrow it out)

Therefore:

Be clear

Be concise

Be purposeful

Be unique


10/34


11/34

Principles of an effective CV Think about having a brief profile at the start of the

CV saying who you are, what you have to offer and

what you are looking for, for example:

Adaptable and enthusiastic science undergraduatewith strong interpersonal skills seeks a graduatetraineeship within the pharmaceuticals industry


12/34

Principles of an effective CV Use quality paper

Modern typeface, e.g. Arial

Font size 11 or 12 in main text Leave plenty of white space between sections

Check spelling, grammar and typos!

Dont use jargon or send a photocopy

Generally, make it 2 pages in length

Good Presentation = Good Impression


13/34

Take time with your CV Read the job description and person specification carefully

Give information about your degree e.g. relevant modules

Target your CV to the company - demonstrate that you have

all of the skillsthat the employer is looking for

Try to imagine what the employer would want to read in a CV


14/34

Collect your evidence

Research

The Job or position

The employer or organisation

Yourself

brainstorm all your experiences, achievements and skills

then pick out the most relevant ,unique, impressive

..Know what you have to offer and what the

employer wants.

CVs & Applications:

before you start


15/34

Analysing Adverts

& Job Specifications

From the job description or advert draw out

The qualifications, skills, experience and qualities the

employer looking for

make a shopping list

Then match your qualifications, skills & experience

against this list

15


16/34

CV formatDepends upon employment sector and job

Chronological

Skills based

What to include?


17/34

Essential content: Your name (not curriculum

vitae!)

Current address Email address (a sensible

address)

Telephone number(s)

Dateseducation andqualifications

Datesworkexperience/career history

Part time work

Vacation work

Placement Previous employment

Voluntary work


18/34

Making an impact with your CVPresentation

Make it attractive and easy to read

Create a logical structure with clear headings e.g

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, SCIENTIFIC SKILLS,INTERESTS

Give space and emphasis to the most important

information

Use bullet points or short text

Use sub headings, bold text, and white space

Use positive language


19/34


20/34

Qualities Employer Look For

Evidence of:

Communication skills -

written, verbal, interpersonal

Teamwork

Planning and organising

Oral presentation

English language skills

Initiative

Adaptability

Numeracy

IT

Commercial acumen


21/34

Action words: generated

led

delivered

devised

promoted

tested

saved

managed

analysed

solved


22/34

Action words: A leader

A strategic thinker

Enthusiastic Experienced

Customer-focused

Flexible

Innovative Proactive

Professional

Persuasive

Resilient

Successful

Generated Led

Delivered

Devised

Promoted Organised

See Power words
http://www.prospectsnet.com/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/Job_applications/Power_words/p!eklfXefhttp://www.prospectsnet.com/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/Job_applications/Power_words/p!eklfXef


23/34

No previous work experience?Then think about how you have

developed skills through

Hobbies/Societies

Sport

Voluntary Work

University Work

Life Experiences


24/34

Referees It is usual to list the names of 2 referees one academic

and one work related

Give their full name, job title and full contact details,including telephone number and email

Always ask for permission before using their names

If using an international referee ensure that they are able

to email or fax a reference in English

It is okay to say References available upon request


25/34


26/34

Electronic ApplicationsEmailing your CV direct to a potential employer

Do not use text speak in your message

Always send your CV and covering letter as attachments

Ensure the word processing package you are using can be

opened by the recipient

Use standard font e.g. Arial

Follow up by posting a hard copy


27/34

Applying for jobs abroadStyle and content of CVs vary

Length of CV

Qualifications differ in different countries

Cultural differences Preferred format

Emphasis

Attachments (photos, copy of certificates)

Signature

See

The Global Resume and CV Guide in the Careers Centre

Going Global at : www.northumbria.ac.uk/careers

www.prospects.ac.uk/country_profiles.htm
http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/careershttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/country_profiles.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/country_profiles.htmhttp://www.northumbria.ac.uk/careers


28/34

Covering LettersAlways include a covering letter with your CV

Write to a named contact if possibleExplain why you are writing

Say where you saw the job advertised

Explain your interest in the position andorganisation


29/34

Covering Letters (continued) highlight what you can offer

explain any personal circumstances or anomalies

address and sign off correctly:

Sir/Madam = Yours faithfullyName = Yours sincerely

no longer than one page

follow up by phone if you have sent off a speculativeapplication


30/34

Speculative Applications

Target your CV to the company you are interested in, just

as you would with an advertised vacancy

Find a named person to send your application toyou

want it to land on the right persons desk

Target your covering letter to the company, making it clear

why you are writing to them e.g. for a job, placement

Explain why you are interested in the company

Give details of your relevant skills and experience

Follow up your letter with a telephone call


31/34


32/34

Further sources of help Reference/loan resources in the Careers Centre

E-Leaning Portalfrom the Careers

tab, click the link to Careers & Employment and enrol

Click Resources for Schools, then: DVDs and Online Support

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs_and_cover_letters

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying_for_jobs.htm

http://www.windmillsonline.co.uk/skills
https://elp.northumbria.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsphttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs_and_cover_lettershttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying_for_jobs.htmhttp://www.windmillsonline.co.uk/interactive/section_1/subsection_2/page1.htmlhttp://www.windmillsonline.co.uk/interactive/section_1/subsection_2/page1.htmlhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying_for_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs_and_cover_lettershttps://elp.northumbria.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsphttps://elp.northumbria.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsphttps://elp.northumbria.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp


33/34


34/34

Careers Centre, Ground Floor,Northumberland Building

Tel 0191 227 [email protected]

[email protected]

www.northumbria.ac.uk/careers
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.northumbria.ac.uk/careershttp://www.northumbria.ac.uk/careersmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012