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RHYBUDD DIOGELWCH PWYSIG

Mewn argyfwng pan fo angen dianc o’r ddarlithfa, gofynnir i chi ddefnyddio’r allanfa argyfwng penodedig

CVs for International

Students

by Aled WilliamsInternational Career Consultant

Helping answer your questions Cymorth i ateb eich cwestiynau

AIM & LEARNING OUTCOMES

AIM:

A practical workshop to help you write an effective CV

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

You should be able to:

•Understand the purpose of a CV

•Know what to include on your CV

•Recognise what makes a good CV by reviewing an example

•Identify further resources to help you prepare an effective CV

DISCUSS IN PAIRSIn pairs, for 2 minutes:

DISCUSS:

What questions or concerns you have about writing a CV for the UK job market?

Some key statistics

10

“Your CV has a maximum of 10 seconds in which to make an

impact”

“Will your CV pass the 10 second test?”

5000

“The average recruiter sees 5000 CVs a year. Any legitimate reason they find to make one

disappear makes their life that much easier – and yours that

much harder”

YOUR CV – YOUR PERSONAL “SHOP WINDOW”

WHY PRODUCE A CV?

• To MARKET yourself to an employer

• To SELL your skills, qualities and achievements

• To Obtain an interview

20

“On average, 20% of applications are shortlisted for

interview”

MIS-TARGETED APPLICATION

Their criteriaYour skills,

experience and qualifications

TARGETED APPLICATIONAdapt your CV for each application

Check the advert’s requirements

Emphasise the overlap

Their criteria

Your skills, experience and qualifications

EXAMPLE PERSON SPECIFICATION

Graduate Analyst, Leading Technology Consulting firm

Proven Teamwork skills

The ability to lead a team

Problem solving ability

Presentation skills

Work experience within a commercial environment

Enthusiasm & Energy

Flexibility

Geographical Mobility

Working knowledge of one major European language and / or one major Asian language

Interest in and knowledge of Technology and programming languages especially Java

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria

Types of CV Format - Chronological

1. Personal details

2. Education and qualifications (in reverse)

3. Work experience (in reverse)

4. Skills

5. Interests

6. Referees

Types of CV Format – Skills Based

1. Personal details

2. Personal profile - optional - prove it!

3. Skills profile - draw a match between your skills and the employer’s requirements

4. Education and qualifications, work experience, interests - factual, very brief

5. Referees

PERSONAL PROFILE

30 – 50 word Summary of your strengths which you want the employer to focus on

Short and Clear Statement of the type of work you are seeking

PERSONAL PROFILE - EXAMPLES

As a postgraduate with experience in the design and use of a wide range of IT applications, I have successfully combined academic study with commercial placements in the UK and overseas. As an initiator and task oriented team worker I am seeking a position in Business Management Consultancy

A MBA postgraduate with HRM specialism who is an effective multi-tasker with proven organisational skills in the retail and telecommunications sectors. Comfortable communicating with senior management or on the shop floor. Now looking for a career opening in Human Resources.

SKILLS STATEMENTS - EXAMPLES

Match to job description and use SPECIFIC examples:

Commercial Awareness - I have developed a good understanding of the nature of business through my degree studies and my retail experience in China where I met individual targets and undertook a customer satisfaction survey which led to some commercially viable solutions being adopted by the store

Team Work - During my MSc Retail project I co-ordinated group meetings to review progress and offered solutions to problems arising which further developed my diplomacy and negotiation skills

PRESENTATION

• Consistent font size & type (min 11)

• Clear and logical layout

• Reverse time order

• Avoid time gaps

• 2 pages maximum

• Arms Length Test

CONTENT

• Positive & Personalised (your advertisement)

• Targeted at opportunity, highlight relevant module specialisations and other relevant

areas

• Brief and punchy (NB 10 second test)

• Spell & grammar checked

• Persuasive not just informative

COMMENTS FROM A UK RECRUITER

What is the first thing you look for?Layout - logical, easy to follow

What is likely to make you reject a CV?Spelling mistake / lack of information, Bland CV

COMMENTS FROM AN OVERSEAS RECRUITER

Encourage students to write CVs which assist the recruiters. We may see anything from 70 to 200 CVs a day for 20-30 positions, so the CV must:

a. highlight skills clearly and concisely;b. sell any relevant work experience;c. keep relevant stuff on the first page

(TATA Communications, Mumbai)

GROUP WORK – ASSESSING CVsDiscuss the following in pairs, for up to 10 minutes:

You are a recruitment panel for an IT & Business Consultancy firm.The following CVs have arrived in your inbox.How would you assess them in terms of:

- Focus - How targeted are they?- Presentation – How do they look?- Readability – How well written are they?- Impact - What overall impression do they create?

Be prepared to feedback answers.

CV or LinkedIn Profile?

A LinkedIn Profile that does the business

1. Make the first words count2. Write a Summary and keep it fresh3. Optimise your profile for key words4. Upload your CV5. Add pictures, videos, slideshows etc.6. Use profile as networking tool7. Endorse and Recommend8. Join Groups and use discretion about who to follow9. Link to your profile from CV and email signature10.Keep your profile active

COVERING LETTERS

“Cover letters are the most important part of an application, although the majority of people spend the least amount of time working on them. When recruiters have 100s of CVs to shortlist from, cover letters are the first document they read. You must be able to show that you are able to meet the requirements of the job and inspire the recruiter to read your CV”

Association of MBAs

COVERING LETTER FORMAT

1. Set the Scene i.e. Who are you? Why are you writing? Why them?

2. Refer to CV & summarise key things you can offer

3. Close politely

The Covering letter should be One side A4 only

YOUR CV – A WINNING CV?

Will your CV pass the 10 second test?

First, ensure it passes the 4 factor test on:

FocusPresentationReadability

Impact

COMING UP

International Students: Employment RegulationsMon 3 Nov 15:10 – 16:00 Room 2.27, Law School

Simplifying Global Recruitment through Tier 5Thu 6 Nov 15:00 – 16:00Room 1.30, Law School

Book online:http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers/whats-on/

NEXT STEP?

Get your CV reviewed

30 min International appointment and 15 min Quick Enquiry bookable online:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers

Or 15 min Drop-In at 50 Park Place,

Mon – Fri 2:30 – 4pm

FOLLOW INTERNATIONAL CAREER UPDATES ON TWITTER

@cardiffglobal