Effective CVs – marketing yourself to employers

1. Effective CVs – marketing yourself to employers David Henderson (d.m.henderson@durham.ac.uk) Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre

2. Key points • No perfect model for a CV • 1 or 2 pages in length • Your document so you decide structure and content • This is a professional self-marketing tool: presentation, content, spelling & grammar very important • Be very positive and use positive language

3. The basic contents of a CV…

4. Basics of a CV – Contact Details • Name – can be used as a heading • Nationality? • Address – term and home address? • Profile? • Telephone (Mobile & Landline) • E-mail address – not too quirky! • Compact, clear font e.g. Arial, Verdana

5. David Henderson 49 New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3PF Home: 0191 334 1432 Mobile: 0795553350 E-mail: d.m.henderson@durham.ac.uk Profile (Goal, Summary) Psychology graduate with highly developed analytical skills and commercial experience seeking employment in market research.

6. Basics of a CV - Education Education • Most recent/current programme of study – degree/postgraduate • Some employers may ask for 1st or 2nd yr results • Predicted grade? • Additional degree related information – particularly if relevant to job/organisation (e.g. modules/projects/dissertation) • Skills developed via study (presentation, analysis, research, technical etc) • International qualifications – present them as they are (do not attempt to equate with UK qualifications) • Reference to institution and dates attended • Some people separate education from qualifications – pertinent if you have attended numerous institutions

7. Education Durham University 2010-2011 MA Financial Management Modules included: Mergers and Acquisitions, Multinational Finance, Business Economics and Accounting, Organisation Behaviour, Strategy, Theory of Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Management Dissertation: Correlation of Business Cycles between Asian Emerging Economies and Developed Countries • 12,000 word research project analysing the impact of trade linkage on the correlation between business cycles. • Concluded that trade linkage strengthens the correlation between business cycles but can also be weakened by increased specialization of output • Employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodology Zhongnan University of Economics and Law 2006-2010 BSc International Economics and Accounting • Three-year study of economics and accounting with an emphasis on CPA courses. • Simulated training on computerized accounting package and completed in-depth research on risk management in the final year. • Graduated in top 20% of group; obtained the First Prize for ERP Competition, Shanghai University

8. Education 2007 – 2010 Durham University MChem (Hons) Chemistry Expected result 2:1 First year result: 62% Second year result: 67% Modules: Core Chemistry (Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Quantisation and Spectroscopy, Transition Metal Chemistry, Symmetry, Group Theory and Covalent Bonding) Ring Chemistry (Aromatic and Heterocyclic chemistry, Ring Chemistry and Stereochemistry) Chemistry of the Elements (Chemistry of the S and P Block, Magnetic and Spectral Properties of Transition metal compounds) Properties of Molecules (Surface Chemistry, Magnetic Resonance, Introduction to Polymers) Learning outcomes: • Developed a broad range of transferable skills including teamwork, communication, problem solving and decision making via assignments, laboratory practicals, workshops and poster presentations. • Broad range of technical and practical skills demonstrated including laboratory techniques and instrumentation (analysis of compounds using NMR, IR and mass spectrometry), data analysis and computational methods. 2005 – 2007 Geitonas School, Athens (Greece) International Baccalaureate Literature (Standard Level 6/7), Latin (Standard Level 5/7), Philosophy (Standard Level 7/7), Chemistry (Higher Level 7/7), Physics (Higher Level 6/7), Mathematics (Higher Level 6/7)

9. Basics of a CV – Relevant Information Work Experience • vacation work • placements • full-time work • voluntary work • Most recent first. Information to include dates, job title, employer, duties and responsibilities • Opportunity to highlight achievements and contribution • Organise work experience according to relevance e.g. legal, teaching, retail etc. Remember you do not have to group it all under one heading! • Group similar items – useful if you have done lots of similar jobs! • Focus your experiences to the key requirements of job • Recent experience…week spent with an employer while at school not necessarily relevant

10. OJSC B&N Bank, Moscow 14th Jul - 13th Aug 2010 (4 weeks)4th Aug - 4th Sept 2008 (4 weeks) Summer internships at the Depositary, Department of Execution and Support of Banking Operations • Compiled a report table presenting dividends accumulated on clients’ accounts • Initiated transformation of its layout to improve clarity and conciseness. • Effectively solved the document access problem by altering the filing organisation. • Studied internal regulations of the Bank, Russian regulatory legislation, typical deposit contracts, the SWIFT and keeping procedure of security certificates. Improved understanding of financial processes and legalities. • Attending meetings with clients improved my commercial awareness and understanding of clients’ needs.

11. 2009 (July-Sep)Invida International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd Position: Finance Analyst (Intern) • Monthly preparation of group reports (Hyperion, Excel) to Singapore headquarters within tight deadlines • Analysed the actual results against budget and rolling forecasts and conducted variance analysis. • Quarterly checking of all finance policy performance and made suggestions for improvements. • Assisted Dept Manager for internal audit (local & PWC audit).

12. Administrative Assistant Durham County Council (June – September 09) Responsibilities: Broad range of clerical duties within town planning department, including organizing meetings, taking minutes, word processing documents and handling public telephone enquiries. Achievements: Directly responsible for planning a public meeting in respect of a significant city centre development. Arranged venue and public speakers, liaised with local media and promoted event to local communities.

13. Policy research experience April 07-July 08 Constituency Administrator, Sir Peter Soulsby MP for Leicester South Duties included: undertaking constituents’ casework, responsibility for the office reception and telephone callers, supporting the Communications Manager by monitoring and recording media coverage, assisting with the organisation and running of meetings and constituency events, providing some research support for the preparation of briefings and letters. Other experience June 09 – September 09 Retail Assistant, Tesco Duties included: providing high level customer service (checkout duties, shop floor customer care), stock room management, staff training (customer service)

14. Basics of a CV – Relevant Information Positions of Responsibility/Extra-curricular Activities • Clubs/societies/committees • Emphasise nature of responsibility/level of involvement Skills/Additional Qualifications • Skills based courses e.g. STAR, Durham Award • Key element of a skills based CV – alternative to an extensive work experience section • Chronological CV – IT, language, relevant technical skills (e.g. SPSS, C++) • Skills referred to should reflect those required in the position applied for Interests and Activities • Offers employer a more personal picture of you but also opportunity to highlight personal qualities and skills (e.g. working with others) • Context important – how often? level of attainment? achievements? References (do not have to be included in a CV!) • Ideally one academic and one other – employer, personal (e.g. college tutor) • Don’t forget to ask permission!

15. Positions of Responsibility Social Secretary – Collingwood Football • Initiated contact with local employers regarding team sponsorship. Following a number of presentations secured year long funding with two companies. • Organized two week tour of USA. Responsible for itinerary and all communication with opposing teams.

16. Structure of a CV…

17. Helpful to break the CV up into a series of key headings and sub-headings • Effective means of grouping and reinforcing key information about yourself • Effective use of headings can help to target your CV to the employer/role • Does not matter what the headings are but must logically reflect what you have done and achieved; must also enhance structure of CV and improve ‘scanability’ • Styles of CVs – chronological, skills, targeted, academic

18. Education Achievements Internships Administrative experience Volunteering Extra-curricular activities Key Skills Relevant experience Positions of responsibilityInterests Financial sector experience Other experienceEmploymentCommercial experience Gap year Awards

19. Top tips for an effective CV • Appearance matters – first impressions really are important and careless presentation could fast track your CV to the recycle bin • Personal statement/profile – this can make a positive impact be highly effective but follow the usual CV rules to: brief, concise and evidenced • Tailor it to the position – your CV should be constructed with the job in mind so make sure you use the person specification and job description as a guide • Be concise – some recruiters spend just 8 seconds assessing a CV so ensure the content is meaningful and the evidence easy to find • Pay attention to detail – your CV is a personal marketing document and should reflect your professionalism so triple check for spelling and grammar errors • Quantify your achievements – just detailing what you did is only half of the story. Employers want to know how you did it and what the outcome was • Update regularly – even if you aren’t looking for a job keep the CV current with details of extracurricular activities and achievements

20. Resources • Careers Centre website http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/cvapp/cv • Prospects http://www.prospects.ac.uk/sample_cvs.htm • CV appointments at the Careers Centre Careers Online https://careers.dur.ac.uk/home.html