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Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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CVs and Cover LettersCVs and Cover Letters
Abi SharmaAbi Sharma
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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• Understand the purpose of a CV• Know what to include and structure• Review good and bad example• Identify how the careers service can help you
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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The CV – True or False ?
• The CV must be at least 3 pages.• Employers like photographs.• You must include your address. • CVs should contain tables and grids.• Careers Advisers proof-read CVs.• Hobbies should only be in the covering letter.
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What’s the purpose of a CV?
• Present yourself well on paper• Be specific to the job• Give enough relevant information • Give the right impression
An effective CV should win you anAn effective CV should win you an
interviewinterview
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What is different about a UK style CV?
• UK employers expect a CV to focus clearly on relevant skills and experience.
• Employers expect a CV to be targeted to their vacancy.
• Employers don’t expect a set format but expect to see certain required information.
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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• Less focus on educational qualifications and awards/honours and much more on skills
• No ‘personal details’ section • No longer than two pages• You need to provide the names of two
referees but not actual letters of reference
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What to include?
• Essential– Personal details – Education history – Relevant Work / Other Work– References
• Optional– Personal profile – Positions of responsibility – Volunteering– Skills – Interests / Leisure Activities
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Personal Details- main purpose is for contact details (phone/email)
- is the email address appropriately professional?- don’t need date of birth, marital status or nationality- may wish to state right to work
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Personal Profile (optional) - where you are now, where you want to get to in your
career, what relevant skills you have
- skills ‘proven by’, ‘developed through’ etc…
- no more than 3 lines
- a film trailer!
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Education History• Most recent first• Expected grade if known• A level subjects/equivalent, grades• GCSE/equivalent• Include relevant achievements e.g. scholarships, prizes • List relevant modules • Talk about your final year project – if relevant• Demonstrate relevant skills learnt
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Work History• Divide into relevant and other• Clarify: role, where and when• Skills developed – give concrete examples• Avoid list of duties• Don’t have to include EVERYTHING• But DON’T underestimate value of diverse
range of work experience
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Other Skills• Ideally round up skills that don’t fit elsewhere• Specific skills such as: IT, Languages, Lab experience,
etc.• Quantify experience i.e. competency level• Keep it relevant and provide evidence
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Interests• Don’t include for the sake of it• Be careful what you write • Use it to make you stand out from the
crowd• Can help to fill skill gaps
e.g. leadership = team captain
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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References• Most employers want at least two (academic &
professional)• Get permission • Useful to have references forwarded from
tutors/employers in home country• ‘References Available on Request’ is acceptable
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Common Grammar Errors
• Use of tenses• Spelling mistakes – avoid US dictionaries!
Programme not Program!• Language – no excuses!
– Grammar Leaflet and books – Careers Centre
– Language &b Learning Unit www.languageandlearning.qmul.ac.uk
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Other Common Errors
• Chronology• Lack of information• Poor use of margins and formatting• Use of tables and photographs• Resume style- too brief• More than 2 pages – too long!• Use of footnotes
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Cover Letters
1st Paragraph (short) :Who you are/why you’re
writing to them
2nd Paragraph: Why you want that particular role
3rd Paragraph: Why you are suited to the role – skills
4th Paragraph: Why you want to work for that company and why suited to them
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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How can we help you?
• CVs• Mock interviews• Employer presentations• Workshops (lunch/early eve)• Drop In sessions / long careers discussions• Courses• Vacancies www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/jobs
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
19Queen Mary Careers ServiceWG3 Queens Building – 020 7882 5065
Opening times:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-5pmFriday 10.30am-4pm
Drop-in sessions:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm
2.00pm-4.30pm
Part of
www.careers.qmul.ac.uk