Creating your CV. The University of Dublin, Trinity College Careers Advisory Service

Transcription

1 Creating your CV The University of Dublin, Trinity College Careers Advisory Service

2 Aim of the Seminar At the end of this session you will have: an understanding of CV purpose and how recruiters view CVs. the information required to write an effective CV that will represent you, your skills and experience to a potential employer. an ability to critically evaluate the content and visual impact of your own CV.

3 Job Descriptions & Person Specifications Job description or job role Details the key duties and responsibilities of a post Person specification Details the knowledge, skills and experience the post holder will need to have and to what level they will need to have them in order to fulfil the key duties and responsibilities set out in the job description

4 Matching Process Employers Requirements Matching Process Candidate s Evidence Job advert Job description Person specification Research sector, organisation, media articles, network Past experiencesstudy, work, extracurricular How you achieve things in life- skills, knowledge, competencies Weave research into structure and content of CV & cover letter

5 Are You Fit for the Future? Transferable Skills- Teamwork, Oral communication, Interpersonal skills Academic Skills- Problem solving skills, Capacity for independent and critical thinking, Logical and orderly thinking Attributes- Enthusiasm, Ability to benefit from on the job training, Flexibility and adaptability (Trinity Survey of Employer Needs 2011)

6 Microsoft Our intern programme begins with an in-depth induction and followed by on-the-job training, bespoke skills training and one-toone performance reviews. Above all, you ll do real work and have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on our business. You ll do so as part of a large group of interns, with whom you can network with and socialise. Our technical intern roles include Software Development Engineer in Test, Software Development Engineer, International Project Engineer, Technical Program Management, and Computational Linguistics positions.

7 Microsoft: The Requirements Current student of Computer Science/Engineering, IT or a related discipline Broad knowledge and coding ability in at least one of the following programming languages/environments: C/C++, C#, or Java Excellent problem solving skills Good communication skills Passion for technology

8 Criteria for Selection Academic excellence (2.1 Honours upwards) in fields such as computer science, physics, engineering, pure or applied maths, financial modelling for opportunities as Java Developers or Financial Software Consultants Attributes and skills Track record of high academic achievement Willing to take initiative and responsibility Excellent Communication, Presentation and Time Management skills Good team player Strong mathematical background Interest in financial markets Willingness to travel-european language an advantage

9 What makes a good CV?

10 CV Basics Length. Format (chronological/skills/combination). Headings. Personal Details. Career Objective/ Personal Profile (optional). Education & Qualifications. Employment History. Additional Information. Interests & Achievements. Skills Profile (optional). Referees (2 referees 1 academic, 1 employer)

11 Personal Details: Top of Page Name in larger print - No need to put Curriculum Vitae Mark Kelly 34 The Walk Seaview Dublin 7 joebloggs@tcd.ie Mobile: Career Objective (optional)

12 Career Objective & Personal Profiles Career Objective: Computer science student/graduate seeking an internship/position in a computing role in a large multinational company so as to gain practical experience in the IT industry. Has specific interest in web programming and would like to strengthen skills in this area. Personal Profile: 4th year Computer Science student with programming experience developed through working on college projects and in my work experience last summer Excellent teamwork skills developed through soccer, committee experience and group work projects Genuine commitment to ongoing personal development as demonstrated through extra courses taken

13 Education & Qualifications Place most recent first Profile your course and its relevance to the job: i.e. Relevant subjects taken Grades attained and awards Title of relevant Projects / Dissertations / Thesis Placements abroad Education 2008-Present BA (Mod) Computer Science Trinity College Dublin 2 (4 year degree) Expected result: 2008-Present Masters in Computer Science Trinity College Dublin 2 (5 year degree)

14 Employment History: Tailor your experience to job you are seeking/show your contribution June 10-September 10 Programmer: OpenServ 23 College Green Dublin 2 C++ development for Microsoft Windows NT Software testing/troubleshooting PC maintenance Repair and maintenance of printers (Epson and Hp printers) June 09-September 09 Marketing Assistant, Supervalu, Balbriggan Assisted Supervalu in designing a customer service questionnaire that involved using Excel and presenting the findings to the regional marketing manager. This project informed her future decisions. Awarded a bonus for my efforts. Skills gained: Analysis, IT and Presentation

15 Up Your Game

16 Skills Profile Key Skills Problem solving An analytical, logical and determined approach to problem solving demanded by my academic work and work experience in a software development company last summer. Ability to work independently Worked unsupervised for much of the time while working in the USA as a software tester. Communication Skills Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in presenting group projects in college and in the publication of articles for Trinity News.

17 Self Motivation and Enthusiasm Energetically represented students at Trinity through my roles as class representative and secretary of the Dublin University Computer Science Society As Treasurer of the Boxing club kept accounts for a committee of eight. Helped organise a campaign to extend membership of the club which resulted in twenty new members

18 Take account of your Personal Circumstances Student with a disability should you disclose this? Mature student with periods of unemployment? Failed exams?

19 Don t forget! Arm s length test So what test?

20 / Digital CVs ing CVs save as a PDF Employers sometimes scan CVs Digital versus presentational CVs

21 CV Checklist Is the CV relevant to the position for which you are applying? Is the layout clear, concise, well presented and professional? (e.g. use of bullet points/no underlining) Is it in reverse chronological sequence? Can an employer see the relevant points at a glance? Have you emphasised skills, experience and achievements? Is it free of spelling and grammatical errors? Does it paint a positive picture of you?

22 Cover letter Three main sections: Introduce yourself What brings you to write? Ad, contact, article Your motivations to apply Why this type of work? Why this organisation? What you offer Evidence of key strengths (nb. job description) Address to named person Address any issues gaps, grades etc. Availability for interview

23 Application Forms: A Summary Research the job and the employer Identify the skills and qualities being sought Assess and record the evidence of your skills Match your skills and competencies to those the employers are seeking Read the application form instructions carefully and follow them Answer every question Recommended: attend a CAS Application Forms workshop

24 Resources CVs & Application web pages & Careers Service Guide Get feedback on your CV from your Careers Adviser! Online or in person Gradireland.com

25 Resources Prospects.ac.uk International CVs: Going Global Personal Statements completing-an-application/personal-statement (register) l

26 What the Career Service Can Do for You Careers Service Guide Web & guidance software Prospects Planner & Careers Report Careers Information Centre Careers Events Careers Week Training Practice Interviews On Video Testing-Profiling for Success Online Services-e.g.Going Global Individual guidance

27 Staying Up To Date RSS feed to get automatically updated info to your desktop Just click the

28 Use Contacts

29 Our Availability Meetings (By Appointment) 10.00am, 11.00am, 12 Noon 2.15pm, 3.15pm To Make An Appointment To ask a question / CV Review mary.odonnell@tcd.ie edel.caraway@tcd.ie