CURRICULUM VITAE

[The Don]

Don't listen to @Phil; Don't put references on your CV. Have them on a separate sheet and take that with you to the interview.

[Phil]

Don't listen to @Phil; Don't put references on your CV. Have them on a separate sheet and take that with you to the interview.

Ohh I've never done that nor heard of anyone doing so but I think that's good!

[lRhyss]

Covering Letter

• Often the first thing a prospective employer sees
• May only spend 20 seconds on it initially
• Must be good enough to be put into the ‘possible’ pile
• Or it will be binned
• Must be relevant to the application
• On spec applications should be targeted as much as possible to the business/job you are aiming for
• Must be clear, concise and to the point - no longer than one page
• Must be spelling and grammar checked
• Don’t rely on spellcheckers to do this.
• It’s not all about you
• Too much ‘I’ (I did this, I am that etc.) can be off-putting
• Let the employer know what you can offer them
• Not just what they can offer you
• Avoid clichés, sounding pompous or ordinary
  
  • I have excellent personal skills; I am a good team player; I am hardworking/successful/dynamic…
  
  
• Where is the EVIDENCE? Instead of saying you’re successful – give an example
  
  • EVERYONE says they are hardworking, excellent communicators and good team players – BE DIFFERENT!
  
  
• Don’t use vague generalisms
• Be careful using these words:
  
  • Aggressive, Ambitious, Competent, Creative, Detail-oriented, Determined, Efficient, Experienced, Flexible, Goal-oriented, Independent, Innovative, Knowledgeable, Logical, Motivated, Meticulous, People person, Professional, Reliable, Resourceful, Self-motivated, Successful.
  • All are meaningless without examples…
  • If you use them – be specific
  
  
• Address your letter to the appropriate person
  
  • Dear Mr Gizajob or Mrs Gizajob
  • Don’t know the marital status? then use Ms Gizajob
  
  
• Dear Sir/Madam if you don’t know the correct person
  
  • Try to find out the correct person
  
  
• Create a favourable impression
• Can be considered lazy not to address the letter unless it’s speculative
• Speculative letter should still be targeted to the company/industry.
• Start off by making yourself clear as to why you are writing
• Opening paragraph
  
  • In response to your advert of January 1^st in The Times I would like to…
  • In view of your company’s recent expansion I am writing to…
  • I was pleased to hear from Mr Brown that there will be/is a vacancy for a…
  • I am writing to apply for the position of ….. as advertised in…

[Sian]

The one thing I know is that you are well within your rights to not put references, and they shouldn't really ask you why, in finance etc they think it's odd if you do include them and job agencies never put the references on your CV.

Oh and use bullet points when describing your experience, your interests etc.

[Zak]

My CV is two pages, so one when double-sided. Keep it concise. I include my references on my CV (for part-time positions they probably won't check them). Qualifications, Employment are the main two.