Barcelona

1. a fast moving career in management consulting Barcelona Chicago Düsseldorf Lisbon London Madrid München Paris SãoPaulo Writing a Compelling CV Cambridge 11th October 2004

2. Chicago London Paris Düsseldorf Barcelona Munich Madrid Sao Paulo Lisbon DiamondCluster International The Global firm The London Office • Founded in 1994 • US$155 million in revenue for FY2004 • 550 consultants from more than 40 nationalities • 9 offices in North America, Europe and Latin America • 150 clients in over 35 countries • Quoted on the NASDAQ as DTPI • 48 consultants from over 14 nationalities • Recruits from universities, business schools and industry • Serves UK and Northern Europe (but also further afield like Colombia, India, Malaysia, NZ) • Clients are mainly blue chip companies in the financial and telecom sectors Page 2

3. Introducing Ourselves • Maria Pecorari • Hamish Thomas • Stephen Smith • Katie Vanderplank Page 3

4. Session structure Introduction What makes a compelling CV Example CV structure Dos and don’ts when preparing a CV Examples of good and bad CV writing Cover letters Example of a cover letter DiamondCluster recruiting contacts Page 4

5. Introduction • Today we will discuss what we, as a management consulting company, look for in a CV and ways you could structure your CV to best highlight your attributes to potential employers • We will also look at cover letters, which are an essential accompaniment to a good CV • We work with CEOs, CFOs and CIOs of Blue Chip companies, generally at the client’s site, so our graduates are in client facing roles from day one • If we select an applicant for an interview, it is because his/her CV reflects the qualities we look for and indicates potential to contribute to high client impact assignments Page 5

6. Introduction (cont) • Your CV is a crucial element in winning you the job you want • This year, the ratio of CVs received to those candidates who were interviewed was 16:1, the ratio of candidates interviewed to offers made was 10:1. • There is no “perfect CV” that would fit all employers in all situations • However, some “golden rules” apply in most cases – the aim being to present your skills and potential in a clear, succinct and high-impact manner Page 6

7. What makes a compelling CV? • Positioning • Targeted to the job you’re applying for • Content • Keep it short and to the point - definitely no more than 2 pages for a graduate CV • Keep it relevant - what does the reader need to know about your background to progress you to an interview? • Ensure correct grammar and spelling - ask a friend to proof read your CV to enhance your grammar and ensure spelling is 100% accurate • Include your University results, otherwise the worst will be assumed • Be honest but don’t be humble: detail your achievements and experience so that your capabilities stand out Page 7

8. What makes a compelling CV?(cont) • Presentation • Must be perfect! If you can’t present your CV appropriately, how could your potential employer trust you to prepare a client presentation? • Must be easy to copy - use white A4 paper with no graphics, cover page or binding. Companies will generally need to photocopy and file your CV • Must be consistent - use one font throughout, use bolding and vary size for emphasis • Must be easy to read - use bullets to make your points, not lengthy paragraphs Page 8

9. Example CV structure • Personal Details • Name, address, phone number, nationality, work permit (if required) • Education • Postgraduate study, undergraduate study, school qualifications (most recent first) • State overall result at University level (eg 1st, 2:1) and highlight subjects taken that may be of interest • Include details of your A-level results • Include a brief summary of any theses as these make interesting conversation points in interviews • Include any other achievements (e.g. awards and scholarships) Page 9

10. Example CV structure (cont) • Work experience • List relevant work experience, such as summer internships first, then other work experience • Highlight responsibilities, industry skills, personal development and content related skills (e.g. preparing presentations) developed during internships • Include (briefly) details of any part-time jobs held whilst studying or any volunteer work and skills you have developed that might be relevant to the employer • Positions of responsibility • Describe any opportunities you have had to demonstrate your leadership and people management skills • Skills • Emphasise computer literacy, languages and other skills relevant to the position you’re applying for • Interests • Include sports and hobbies as these demonstrate perseverance, a life outside of study and give you something to talk about in your interview Page 10

11. Dos and don’ts whenpreparing a CV DO • Check, check and check again for spelling and grammar errors • Use a consistent style (1st person or 3rd person) • Use active verbs e.g. “Managed” instead of : • “I managed the…” (Leave the “I” out) • “Was responsible for managing…” (passive construction) • Include enough detail for your CV to fully reflect your background and achievements • Explain any gaps or irregularities in your CV in the cover letter (e.g. gap year) • Ensure your name is visible on all pages • If emailing, ensure your CV is attached in a widely readable format and use your name as the file name instead of CV.doc etc Page 11

12. Dos and don’ts whenpreparing a CV (cont) DON’T • Use fonts less than 10pt (11pt is ideal) • Use acronyms or jargon unless clearly explained • Use margins less than 1” top and bottom and 1.25” on the sides • Include an “Objective” statement (should be articulated in your cover letter) • Include a photo unless required by the recruiter • Pad out your CV to make it up to 2 pages – only include what’s necessary • Use coloured paper, shading, coloured text or “creative” fonts – it doesn’t photocopy well and looks unprofessional • Explicitly state personal qualities – demonstrate them using your background Page 12

13. CV Excerpt Don’t include a meaningless purpose / objective section – only use if it adds value to your CV Poor alignment Irregular line spacing Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 13

14. CV Excerpt Poor grammar and excessively wordy sentences instead of concise bullet points Shading doesn’t photocopy well Stating personal qualities is meaningless – demonstrate them in your achievements and experience Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 14

15. CV Excerpt Mix of bold / plain font doesn’t work Too many sentences in one paragraph Too much detail for high school activities Inconsistent verb forms Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 15

16. CV Excerpt Additional information on potentially unknown MBA school Information communicated succinctly in bullet points Highlights good results in subjects relevant to position Overall results – sufficient to demonstrate candidate is high achiever Appropriate level of information about course Includes title of thesis which will be of interest to employer Language skills are highly valued by employers. Ability should always be indicated Details relevant IT skills Demonstrates leadership in extra-curricular activities Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 16

17. CV Excerpt In general, excellent layout and level of detail to describe consulting experience Shows size of team and scope of work Uses bullet points instead of lengthy paragraphs Always uses consistent verb forms Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 17

18. CV Excerpt Demonstrates leadership and responsibility Emphasises outcomes of internship Highlights relevant skills from unrelated placement In general, well presented using appropriate level of detail. Skills of value to employer are highlighted. Examples of good and bad CV writing Page 18

19. What makes a compelling CV? • Positioning • Targeted to the job you’re applying for • Content • Keep it short and to the point • Keep it relevant • Ensure correct grammar and spelling • Include your University results • Be honest but don’t be humble Page 19

20. What makes a compelling CV?(cont) • Presentation • Must be perfect! • Must be easy to copy • Must be consistent • Must be easy to read Page 20

21. Cover letters • Don’t get the company or recruiter’s name wrong – EVER!! • Tailor the cover letter to the company / position advertised • Do your research - this will also equip you well for an interview • Not just company website • Industry forums • Publications • Demonstrate your motivation for applying and why you are well suited to the position • Draw from your research and highlight an aspect of the company and / or industry that appeals to you (but never copy text verbatim from the company website or brochure) • Emphasise several skills you think equip you particularly well for the job • Don’t go overboard or pad it out Page 21

22. Cover letters (cont) • Explain any gaps in your CV or irregularities (eg if you are applying for a position which is inconsistent with your background) • If you are applying for a particular position, state which one it is, as recruiters often advertise for several positions at once • Should easily fit on 1 page, and should generally be 3-4 paragraphs long • Draw highlights from your CV, but avoid doubling up on too much information Page 22

23. Provides context to application Excellent grammar and use of language Has obviously done research prior to application and provides appropriate motivation for applying to DiamondCluster Cover letter example Page 23

24. Internship in similar firm illustrates understanding of type of work involved Uses internship to highlight skills that appeal to DiamondCluster Demonstrates willingness to travel and makes strong case for DCI to make an offer Cover letter example (cont) Page 24

25. Recruiting contacts Email your cover letter and CV by Monday 22nd November to: ukrecruiting@diamondcluster.com We will be at the Careers fair tomorrow and there will also be a DiamondCluster presentation at Cambridge on Wednesday 3rd November Page 25