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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.aspx8/10/2019 1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012
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Session OutlineAssessing your skills
Principles of a good CV
What employers look for in a CV
Covering letters
Further sources of help
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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CV formatDepends upon employment sector and job
Chronological
Skills based
What to include?
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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
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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
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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
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Action words: generated
led
delivered
devised
promoted
tested
saved
managed
analysed
solved
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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!eklfXef8/10/2019 1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012
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No previous work experience?Then think about how you have
developed skills through
Hobbies/Societies
Sport
Voluntary Work
University Work
Life Experiences
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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
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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
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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/careers8/10/2019 1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012
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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
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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
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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
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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.jsp8/10/2019 1st Year Bio Food and Nut SciencesCVs Skills2012
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Careers Centre, Ground Floor,Northumberland Building
Tel 0191 227 [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]