Guidance on CVs, covering letters & application forms
in Placement Booklet and on S4S Bb site follow guidelines closely Remember the aim of a CV
CVs CVs produced as part of Skills for Science: academic tutors may discuss guidelines hand-in draft CV at tut w/c 27/02/12 feedback from tutor and/or peers during tutorial,
using feedback sheet CV drop-in clinics 10-11am 8/3 Rm 321; 9-10am 9/3 Rm321; 10-11 16/3 Rm 321, 11-12 15/3 Rm 5221 submission deadline 30th March to Helpdesk email copy to
[email protected] if intending applying for placements
CVs get feedback from placement administrator (only if you follow guidelines!) update during summer - results, work experience etc final electronic version by 24th September 2012 to
[email protected] It is your responsibility to ensure the final version of your CV is appropriate for applications update during your second year - results work experience etc.
General points: must be factually correct (employers sometimes ask us for
verification of information e.g. results transcripts) check spelling and grammar use bullet points be as positive, informative and interesting as possible 2-3 sides of A4 maximum length both content and presentation are important
Get some critical but constructive feedback Ask yourself: Would you give this person an interview based on this CV?
Specific 'content' points: present course info should start on page one - include
module and overall results be concise re work experience: group similar experience together emphasize skills acquired start of placement is 2013 head the CV with Sheffield Hallam University BSc(Hons) xxx year 2 modules are included in the year handbook - include them!
Specific 'presentation' points: personal info / early education - can use slightly smaller font avoid paragraphs and full sentences use bullet points
selective use of bold to highlight achievements / key words avoid the use of 'I' change page set up from default for better layout;
presentation is important and may indicate IT skills! look at a hard copy of your CV before submitting it; proofreading and presentation
Which is easier to read? This? When producing a CV, many people:
• Fail to identify what the employer is looking for • Undersell and underestimate themselves • Fail to provide the right evidence to support key skills • Fail to ask for constructive feedback
or this? When producing a CV many people will fail to identify what the client (i.e. the employer) is looking for. They may not be confident and hence will undersell or underestimate their abilities, hence providing a reduced picture of their skills. They may also fail to provide the right evidence to support the key skills they are claiming to have. Even worse they may not even mention those skills. Not obtaining an interview is often seen as negative and complete rejection of the person and rather than asking for constructive feedback to help with future applications people may give up.
Remember: your CV is to get you an interview (1st impressions count!) the reader may only take 15 seconds to scan a CV follow the guidance provided (p39 booklet) and use the
resources available to you look at the websites given with the CV guidelines
Covering Letters Many companies require a covering letter to accompany
application forms and/or CVs
the covering letter must be specific to the application (a
general one will not do)
use the job descriptions on Bb (S4S employability folder) to
produce a covering letter
submit the covering letter (along with your CV) to
Helpdesk by 30th March 2012
submit electronically to
[email protected] for feedback if
you intend doing a placement
Covering letters (contd) follow guidance in placement booklet (p43) ensure you use appropriate layout and terminology
must be factually correct check spelling / grammar (presentation)
Covering Letters (contd) link job description / requirements to your skills / course should encourage the reader to look at CV convey enthusiasm for the job / company
Once you have a good covering letter you can use it as guidance when producing further specific ones for applications next year
Application forms example questions included in booklet practice answers over the summer email to
[email protected] for feedback build up a 'bank' of answers - personalise to
specific applications
use normal writing
Application forms (contd) small spaces to get concise answers think of your attributes / strengths; include in answers ensure answers relate to job description
Further help…. Use facilities available to you: placement team resources in Careers Service (Alison McHale, SLS) 'google' CV, application forms etc to see examples
(remember these can be bad as well as good!) look at websites given in booklet (p 41) more workshops on applications in Y2 but may be
opportunities to apply for before then
And if you are still undecided….. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jan/18/thir
d-graduate-jobs-work-experience
