Preparing an Effective CV and Cover Letter - Engineering Shaun Pulman, Career Consultant

1. Preparing an Effective CV and Cover Letter - Engineering Shaun Pulman, Career Consultant Room 126, The ClockTower 09 373 7599 ext 89409 Email: careers@auckland.ac.nz www.auckland.ac.nz/careers

2. Outline • Where to start - Identifying your skills • What skills are required? • General principles of a CV • How to write a cover letter • How the Careers Centre can assist you

3. General Principles of a CV CV QUIZ – True/False • It is best to use the same CV and cover letter for every application • False • A CV should be between 2 – 4 pages • True • On average an employer only spends two minutes looking at each CV • False (20-40 seconds, first impressions are important) • A CV should be written in an essay format with full paragraphs explaining everything in detail • False (use bullet points, underlining, headings, clear sections) • It’s necessary to always include a cover letter • True (unless it’s stated otherwise)

4. Identifying your skills Most employers are looking for the ‘package deal’: Q + WE + S + PQ Qualifications + Work Experience + Skills + Personal Qualities Therefore, to be competitive, we need to show them what we have to offer that’s relevant in each of these 4 areas!

5. Identifying your skills Different Types of Skills SPECIALISEDnumeric, modelling, programming, quantitative analysis, project work... TRANSFERABLEcommunication, research, problem-solving,teamwork, analytical, time-management, organisational Personal Qualitiespatience, persistence, creativity, accuracy...

6. Identifying your skills: You can develop skills from many activities For example • Working in a shop/restaurant • Travelling overseas • Uni clubs • Class representative • Involvement in a cultural group • Camp America, Girl Guides, Duke of Edinburgh Award • Playing in a band/sports team • Doing volunteer/community work • Attending community education courses • And many more…

7. Identifying your skills and qualities: What extras can I bring to the organisation? Some examples of additional skills you may have • Playing instruments – time management • ICT skills – innovative, problem solving • Event management – time management, organisational • Cultural knowledge and language skills • Sports coaching – leadership, teamwork • Singing – discipline, calming • Drama – teamwork, creativity • Art and craft/design – creativity, attention to detail • Fund raising – organisational, planning • Outdoor pursuits - leadership

8. What skills are required in work? An example of matching skills: What employer wants: What I have that matches: • project team for university course teamwork skills • member of dragon boating team for two seasons • organising committee for school fair • worked in customer service team of four at McDonalds

9. What skills are required for a particular position? • Matching your skills with employers needs requires research Check the requirements of the organisation you’re applying to: • Look at the job ad/job description/strategic plan for the next 2 to 3 yrs • Talk to people in the field or in similar job • Research what is happening in the media

10. Skills Activity: Education/Work/Extra-Curricular Activities Situation Task • Organising Committee for the School Fair • Elected on to a committee of 5 people to raise funds for resources. Researching potential sources of donations and organising the Fair stalls. Action • Wrote Fair newsletter asking parents for help with stalls, donations and bringing goods to sell at the Fair • Approached local businesses for sponsorship and prizes • Ordered equipment for Fair • Participated in regular Fair Committee meetings and recorded the minutes of the meetings Result • Made a $10,000 profit for the school • Received positive feedback from the school principal and due to success on this committee was invited to join the Parent Support Group Skills • Self-reliance, setting objectives, innovation, team work, project management, resourcefulness, planning, time management, leadership, organising, problem solving, presentation skills, public speaking, motivating others, hard working, marketing, listening, negotiating…

11. What do employers want to see in CVs:? ** Document should be paper clipped or stapled – binding not necessary Source: CV Survey of Auckland Employers, 2006 (conducted by AUT)

12. Target your documents Focus on employers’ requirements because you can…. Catch employer’s interest quickly Show employer that what you offer is relevant for them Communicate your motivation Enhance your chances of an interview! T&T example here

13. What goes in to your CV Sections of information for all CVs

14. Contact Information Chin-Wai Leung Family Name: Leung Given Name: Chin-Wai English Name: Sherryl 58 Manchester Close Herne Bay Auckland Phone: 09 307 9432 Cellphone: 021 234 567 Email: cwleung09@gmail.com Residency: Permanent New Zealand Resident

15. Personal Statement I am formally trained in electronics, telecommunications, data transfer systems with progress into data processing, particularly data capture, technical specifications, programming, computer interfaces and system testing. My career objective is to broaden my experience and skills in computing, particularly in communications, local area networks and in computer languages, with a company that will make use of my investigation, diagnostic, analytical and system solution skills.   I believe my strongest assets are my self-disciplined professional attitude, accuracy, adaptability and eagerness to learn more to develop the highest standards possible.

16. Highlights/Key Strengths/Areas of Skills and Knowledge/Summary of Skills and Experience: • Bullet pointed one-two liner phrases that prove your suitability for the role and related to the criteria stated in the job ad and job description. Example: • Computing Skills • Specification and design of computer systems from user’s requirements • Programming substantial technical systems (language: primarily BASIC) • Hardware testing and diagnostic procedures • Interfacing of external hardware to computers • Barcoding • Use of Digital Command Language (RSX 11M+), Personal Computer DOS, CPM • Use of DOS and Windows packages (Lotus, Word, Open Access) • Technical drawing • Communication Skills • Design of communication protocols within computing systems • Presented outline of electrical engineering systems logic to staff meeting • Problem-Solving Skills • Problem analysis and design of system solutions for electrical engineering project • Time-Management Skills • Managed team to ensure project completed within deadlines.

17. Education Make a choice about what details to include • Academic awards and other distinctions • Subjects/details of courses if relevant to employer • Grades – if a selling point • Projects • Courses or workshops relevant to the job you’re applying for

18. EDUCATION Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 2008 - 2010 University of Auckland Key grades Civil Engineering Materials and Design A Technical Communication for Engineers A- Environmental Engineering Design A- Introduction to Structures A Fluid Mechanics 1 A Land Information Systems B+ Mathematical Modelling 2 B Awards Recipient of the Tonkin and Taylor Scholarship in 2010. Winner of 2009 Engineers Without Borders Design Challenge. Project partner in 2008 EWB Tonga Biodigester design. NCEA Level 3 2005 – 2007 Takapuna Grammar School School prefect

19. Extra-curricular activities • Class Representative March – June 2010 • The University of Auckland • Responsibilities: • Liaising with students, lecturers in order to keep students informed. • Negotiating on behalf of students to ensure student needs are met • A member of the university consultative committee • Skills: • Strong negotiation skills • Ability to speak to large lectures of students (up to 200 students) • Achievement: • Elected by fellow students for this role due to previous year’s success in role.

20. Work History Landsdowne Limited, Auckland Dec 2008 – Feb 2009 Information Systems Officer (Summer Position) Responsibilities Specifying, designing and implementing automatic data capture system (data transfer directly from scientific instruments to computer) Evaluating commercial software and hardware in terms of costs/benefits Programming for workstation computers Landsdowne Limited – Refinery, Auckland Dec 2007 – Feb 2008 Instrument/Energy Engineer (Summer Position) Responsibilities Installing and upgrading computer system associated with energy metering Supervising instrument workshop Specifying, designing and commissioning instrumentation systems Analysing energy consumption for energy reduction

21. Work History FURTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Sage Restaurant, Auckland City Nov 2004 – Oct 2005 McDonalds Family Restaurant, Auckland City Mar 2002 – Feb 2003 Body Shop, Takapuna Jan 2001 – Mar 2001 Responsibilities • Serving customers • Ordering stock • Supervising staff • Assisting with promotional activities Achievements: • Promoted to maitre d’ at Sage Restaurant • Crew member of the month at McDonalds; two months running

22. Interests Touch Rugby – played at social level for last three seasons Surf Life Saving – Past President of South Beach Club for five years Photography – keen interest which has extended to developing a collection of contrasting national scenery prints These interests have further developed my teamwork skills, leadership skills and creative skills

23. Referees • Names, titles/designations, phone contacts • Between 2 - 4 referees • Lecturers, employers, sport coaches, senior people in organisations that you have belonged to • Easily accessible by phone (can include overseas referees) • Well informed about you • An option: “Referees available on request”

24. Cover Letter Tips An effective cover letter: • Focusses on the employer’s requirements • Demonstrates knowledge of the employer and the job • Is written in a business letter format • Is positive and shows motivation • Is typed neatly and error free • Is up to one page in length • Invites the employer to read your CV

25. How to write a covering letter • State what you are applying for and where you heard about it, and briefly outline your enthusiasm for the position • A paragraph about your education, and directly why it is relevant for the position/profession/industry/firm • A paragraph about your work experience, and directly why it is relevant for the position/firm • A paragraph about your enthusiasm/suitability for this specific position/firm – try and build a connection. Mention any contacts you have in the company or research that you have done – website/media/projects • Express your desire for an interview to discuss further your suitability for the position • Limit to one (typed) page

26. Dear Re Graduate Software Developer, reference number 34598 I was very pleased to see the Graduate Software Developer role advertised on SEEK, and I would like to apply for the position. I believe that the combination of my international and domestic work experience, along with my recent Master of Science make me a strong candidate for the position. I have a comprehensive background in software development through my postgraduate study at The University of Auckland. I feel that I gained excellent skills from both a theoretical and practical perspective. The fact that I gained high grades indicates that I place a strong emphasis on achievement, which I know is strongly valued at Zoom Software. My work experience is broad within the field of information technology, and I believe that this will provide me with a solid base from which to enhance my career as a software developer. I have seen that your organisation prefers people with all-round skills, and I think that my ‘can-do’ approach would suit the work environment. Recently I met your Chief Information Officer, Kevin Andrews, at a career fair at The University of Auckland, and we spoke about the some of the projects that are in progress at Zoom Software. He encouraged me to apply for this position, as he said that I had the type of skills and outlook that would enable me to succeed there. I have since conducted some research into the organisation, and I am extremely enthusiastic about the culture that you have created. Enclosed is my CV for your perusal, and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Please contact me either by cell phone on 021 444 4444, or by email on cliang@email.com Yours sincerely

27. How the Careers Centre can assist you • Engineering fair 28 April 2011, Faculty of Engineering • ‘Drop in’ service for 10 minute discussion, every week day except Wednesday 11am – 2pm in ClockTower 126 • Workshops – Job Search strategies, Interview Preparation Details on CareerHub. • Practice interviews • 25 minute one to one career guidance appointments on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm

28. CareerHub – www.auckland.ac.nz/careerhub

29. Contact Me Shaun Pulman Careers Consultant s.pulman@auckland.ac.nz Ph 373 7599 ext. 89409 • University Careers Services centre: • The Clocktower, Room 126 • 22 Princes St, Auckland City • careers@auckland.ac.nz • www.auckland.ac.nz/careers • 373 7599 ext. 88727