Outline

Writing CVs and Cover Letters Selling yourself on paper

 Difference between CV/cover letter  What can go wrong with a CV?  How to write a good cover letter  Other available resources  How to get help from our team

How do CVs and cover letters differ?

Things to focus on in a CV

 Curriculum Vitae

 Make yourself look professional  Use bullets to say what you did, to add meaning to your job title

Bald statements of fact Could have been written by anyone No analysis of career or motivation

 Cover letters Personal statements Written in first person Highlight the things that make you special

Organized charity dinner (not just Ents Chair) Maintained network (not just Sys Admin) Developed customer relationships (not just Sales Assistant)

 Include extra-curricular projects where they make you look good  Put sections in order of impressiveness

You don’t need to say everything

Required skills

Some people may be prejudiced against (or for) you because of personal information

Some companies have a list of things that they are looking for, and will discard your CV if they’re missing (sometimes by machine!)  Basic computer packages  Basic operating systems  Driving license So don’t forget them!

Nationality Gender Hobbies Religion Politics

So think about what you really want to tell them.

Projects, not courses

Including references

Don’t list any courses taken unless they are:  unusual (management, specialist technical)  very specific to the job This is because they can guess the courses by the degree you are taking: it’s boring. Use projects to show off your skills instead  Include them with the year’s work/outcome  Mention any special role you played  Except for final year project, keep to one sentence

 Don’t make them ask!  Include one from college, another from work experience  References should be people:

Little things to look out for

How to write a cover letter

 You get four As at A Level, not 4 A’s.  Three and five bullets look better than four (and you should avoid two!)  Make sure your alignment is consistent  Use simple, elegant bullets, not fancy ones  Make sure to select right paper size (A4 or letter)  Send PDFs, not Word documents if possible (select PDF server as printer)  Check your margins (minimum 2cm)  Use attractive serif font (but not Times!): Georgia?

 What is a cover letter  Why is a cover letter important  When to use a cover letter  Preparation  Content and structure of your letter  Layout of a cover letter  Sources of further help

What is a cover letter?

Why is a cover letter important ?

 Your CV provides facts and figures  Many candidates’ CVs will look similar

You only get one chance to make a first impression

 A cover letter complements your CV  It is your personal sales pitch  It should impress the employer and encourage them to look at your CV or application form

You like/respect Who like/respect you Who will remember you Who have good communication skills Who are reliable

But most of all, they have to be willing to do it!

A good cover letter helps you to:  stand out from other applicants  demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and or the company  to draw together relevant facts from your CV and shape them to the needs of the employer  explain special circumstances or draw attention to a particular aspect of your experience A poor cover letter:  may mean your (impressive) CV is overlooked

When to use a cover letter

Preparation

1. To accompany a CV

    

When an employer specifically asks for a CV or When an advertisement says 'apply in writing'

2. Speculative applications To explain why you are sending a speculative CV

3. To accompany an application form If you have little space or opportunity to sell yourself on the form, or to emphasise something

4. Letter of application

Covering letters are not easy to write: plan ahead Attend careers presentations and events Talk to others Read the advert—look at the website—graduate profiles List the skills/qualities required in this job and by this employer  Use your personal development plan to extract evidence of your skills and experience  Brainstorm some ideas first

An expanded cover letter

Content and structure

Four paragraph structure

 Use a logical sequence of information designed to capture the reader's attention  Express yourself simply and clearly  Use the four paragraph structure: just enough for ⅔ of the page

1. Introduction  who you are  what you are applying for  where you saw the vacancy advertised  what you are enclosing I am currently in my final year of an MEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London. I am writing to apply for the post of Graduate Sandwich Engineer as advertised on your website, and enclose my CV for your consideration.

Four paragraph structure

Four paragraph structure

2. Why this job and why this organisation

2. Why this job and why this organisation

 Demonstrate your interest and your understanding of the job and the organisation  Structure according to what convinced you to apply…

 Don't state the obvious: you are the largest multinational sandwich producer with 80,000 outlets worldwide  Do say why that matters to you and what it is about them that makes you want to work for them  Keep it real and keep it simple

the organisation: I met one of your recruitment team at your company's presentation and … or the job: I'm looking to develop my career as a sandwich engineer and working for Crumbs Ltd with its tremendous investment programme in my field of interest, is…

Four paragraph structure

Four paragraph structure

3. Why you are their ideal candidate

3. Why you are their ideal candidate

 Highlight your key skills, experiences and attributes which you know they want and value. Link to your CV  DON’T only focus on your personal ambitions, growth and desire for continuing development  DO focus on how these skills, experiences and attributes will contribute to their company

 Include things which show initiative and useful transferable skills: e.g. optional language study, relevant business subjects, work experience...

Four paragraph structure

Content checklist

4. Polite and Positive ending  Conclude with a friendly ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ type statement  Include practical details: I'm away on holiday for two weeks from...  If applying speculatively ask about the possibility of arranging an interview or a visit. If overseas you might have to be prepared to travel e.g.: I am planning to visit Paris during September and would be happy to discuss this application with you then.

 Say what job you’re applying for / where advertised  Tell them about extra research or contact that has led you to want to apply:  meeting one of them at presentation/Careers Fair/visit  good reports from friend in previous year  use of their product  contact through supervisor  article in press  Use to show enthusiasm for job/organisation and specific aspects of what they do: I was particularly interested in what X said about your work in...  Back up what you tell them with evidence from your CV

Content checklist



 Be concise  Be specific  Be positive. Avoid negative information about yourself e.g. "although I have no experience in…” Refer to the skills you do have that are transferable and relevant  Use action verbs as you would in a CV - achieved, organised, negotiated  Use some of their language (in moderation), especially to mention their fields of work and the qualities they want you to have  Check spelling e.g. licence/license, liaison, US z vs. s  Show your letter to others for comment and to pick up any errors

My research project demonstrates my special technical knowledge in this field as well as managing a project under very tight deadlines and technical difficulties. Working as Sandwich Bar Supervisor at Imperial College has helped me develop skills in leading and motivating a team. I've enjoyed this work and really feel I can apply these skills to make a difference and build a career at Crumbs Ltd.

Content checklist





 Start every sentence/ paragraph with ‘I...’  Recite their company literature  Tell them what the job is  Use a long word where a short one means the same  Use jargon  Use long sentences  Use long or unspaced paragraphs: 150 words max

Content checklist



 Generalise I am applying to you because of your global reputation

 Make meaningless, unsupportable claims unsupported by evidence I wish to succeed in everything I do I am a good team-player

 Use humour  Flatter them: but be aware of cultural differences

How to layout a business letter  Your name and address (top right or top centre on CV) Remember: cover letter/CV may get separated Use the correct address (term vs home) Give mobile Use an appropriate email  Justify everything else let  Their name (research it!) and address  Date (24 October 2006)  Sign off If personalised (Dear Ms Jones) use Yours sincerely If general (Dear Sir/Madam) use Yours faithfully No commas in sign off!

How to layout a business letter

Some final points..

 Put a title in bold on the next line  Space paragraphs. Don’t indent.  Use same good quality plain paper as your CV  Use the same font as for your CV  Use clear font: 11 or 12 pt size depending on font readability  Sign your letter by hand

Disclosing personal information  Although you should avoid negative information, there may be situations when it is appropriate to do so: e.g. poor exam results in a particular year.  Present this information in a positive light, evidence of your drive / resilience. The company is only interested in whether or not you have what they need. Do focus on all the positive things you have going for you.

Some final points…

Summary

Applying by email  The content of the email should be the same as if you had sent it on paper.  Keep it formal.  Name attachments sensibly.  Remember that your formatting may not look the same on another person’s computer. Tailoring your letter  Tailor the letter to each employer / job, giving the right emphasis to particular skills etc. specifically required.  A “one-size-fits-all cover letter" will not help you stand out.

Remember: this is your best opportunity to sell yourself  Preparation: do your research  Structure: use ‘Four Paragraph Plan’  Content

Job Title and Advert Reference Number Graduate Training Programme 2007

be concise and clear make it personal, genuine, specific support with evidence

 Layout as a business letter  Check and re-check Give them every reason to say YES!

Sources of further help

How to get help from our programme

 Identify your key skills: personal development plan  Imperial Careers Service: Website Careers library Bookable CV sessions  Careers advisor  The http://prospects.ac.uk website has information on cover letters and includes examples with possible problems  Other websites e.g. University of London Careers Service or see links on Technical Communication website

 Use the check sheets to help you produce your CV and cover letter  E-mail Supawat Supakwong: [email protected] Attach your two documents Include link, scan, or text of job advert if possible You must at least say what kind of job you’re looking for (engineering, banking, etc.) Suggest up to three times in the next two weeks that you would be available to discuss your documents  A graduate teaching assistant should be in touch with you shortly