Hints and Tips for Writing your CV and Cover Letter
Writing
and Organisation:
Your CV not only presents your qualifications and work history, it also demonstrates
the quality of work that you produce. Your CV tells the prospective employer
a number of things about your decision-making, organisational, and communication
skills. This is an opportunity to impress them with your ability to provide
them with a professional document.
Profile
Statement:
You are just a name on a page until you add a personal
touch with a lively and captivating summary of your best qualities. Your personality
shines through and the reader wants to learn more about you.
Headings:
There
is no set rule as to what headings should be used. However, they should be
instantly recognisable and lead the reader to the information they seek.
Design:
If
it is not possible to quickly find specific information, the reader may not
bother. A CV that is well laid out and presented will enable the reader to
retrieve the maximum amount of information in the 20-30 seconds they have
allotted for the task.
Cover
Letters:
Business etiquette dictates that a focused cover letter
accompanies the CV or application form. It is expected. The job hunter who
does not write a cover letter is seen to be a person who either cannot be
bothered or does not know any better.
Length:
The reader only wants to know specific information.
What information is presented and what is left out is the
CV writer's job. Too little information and the
reader is left with the impression that the candidate is unqualified. Too
much information and the reader could get bored and not even get to the important
parts. If all the information you need to convey can be attractively presented
on one page, then one page is all you need. A two-page CV allows for more
detail. The first page grabs the reader's attention with crucial information,
and the second page enhances and confirms that information. When the number
of candidates for a position will be very low, (e.g., upper level executives
in highly specialised fields), more than two pages may be required.
Grammar
and Spelling:
Even if perfect grammar and spelling are not necessary
for the job, mistakes look sloppy and show that you do not care about details.
Careful proofreading will catch these errors. If you are unsure, try WhiteSmoke
software. Click here for our demostration
page.
Printing
Quality:
Photocopies are inferior. Photocopying says, "This document
has been sent as a mailshot - the writer is not serious enough about the job
to be bothered to put
the time and effort into applying specifically for this job."
Also, the original needs to be sharp because your CV may be photocopied and/or
scanned for distribution within the company. For clarity and ease of reading,
inkjet printing does not compare favourably to laser printing.
Paper
Colour and Quality:
100 gsm weight paper, either white or ivory, is appropriate.
Strongly coloured paper may stand out from the rest but will not be practical.
Some colours do not photocopy, fax, or scan very well. This makes it difficult
for your CV to be circulated inside the company. Using inappropriate or poor
quality paper will infer that your standard of work is also of poor quality.
Extra
Effort:
When you present yourself for an interview, you make
sure that you look your best. Your CV presentation should also be at its best.
You can achieve this by including a couple of extras. Thermal binding and
hard backed envelopes, coupled with your well-written and well-designed CV,
demonstrates your enthusiasm and above-average interest in the position available.
Bring a list of your referees presented on a Reference Sheet that matches
your CV. Info
about referees.
CV Expert Advice About Presenting your CV and Job Offers
We all face the challenge of seeking a new job at some time in our lives,
and as you are probably already aware, there are both pitfalls and triumphs
to be encountered. In this section we will endeavour to guide you on how to
get the most rewarding return for your effort.
A professionally
written CV would increase your chances of reaching interview stage, but there
are many ways to approach the search for a job, and the more approaches you
can try, the better your chances of success.
Presenting your CV
* CV preparation * Cover letters * Application forms * Psychometric testing
CV Preparation:
There
is no one correct way to create a CV, although they do tend to follow a pattern.
The best advice is to devise one that shows off your background, your skills
and your potential to the full.
Do not think of a CV as something you write only once. It is, as the term curriculum vitae suggests, an account of your life, and so it needs to be kept up to date and added to when significant things happen in your life. Some people find it useful to keep a personal file to record details of events in their working and/or personal life. Not only does it make interesting reading from time to time but also it gives you things to reflect about.
When engaged in job hunting activity, having all the relevant details close to hand for easy reference is a must, both for the creation of a comprehensive CV and for general reference. It can be surprising how easy it is to forget in which month you took an academic examination, dates spent on work experience, or the address of a referee.
Cover
Letters:
The covering letter is a companion to your CV, but is written entirely
separate from it. Its purpose is to introduce you briefly as a candidate,
indicating your career goals and objectives. It is recommended that your covering
letter include the following information:
-
•The
exact position for which you are applying. How you came to apply for the
position, as this can be
useful to the organisation in terms of assessment of recruitment procedures.
• Long and short-term job objectives, with brief reference to information contained in the CV.
• Behavioural and other strengths that especially equip you to do the job well.
In the attempt to fit this information in such a small space, we recommend
that you adopt the following policies with regard to the writing style of
your cover letter:
-
•
Vary your vocabulary to avoid repetitions and overuse of any one word.
• Avoid using over-exaggerated adjectives like 'impressive report'.
• Use carefully selected strong verbs like 'managed', 'developed', 'achieved', 'initiated' and 'directed'.
• Always write in complete and grammatical sentences e.g. ' I look forward to hearing from you'.
• Keep your style simple and your tone businesslike and friendly - just as you would if you were speaking
to the reader of the letter.
• The interviewer is looking to employ you in the future, not in your past, so orient everything you write
with a bias to the future.
• Always end the letter on a positive note.
In addition, there are a number of layout considerations to be
carefully thought about when writing your covering letter:
-
•
Use a standard business letter layout for your cover letter.
• Ensure that your letter is perfect in every way i.e., spelling, grammar, and consistency of information with
the details contained in your CV.
• Margins must be appropriate in order to frame your letter attractively.
• Only single line spacing should be used and correct line spaces must be left after addresses, between
paragraphs, and before and after 'Yours faithfully'.
• Typically, a block or justified paragraph format is used rather than the outdated indented paragraph format.
• A subject line is used - underlined and/or emboldened.
• Do not forget to sign your letter.
• Detail the number of enclosed documents.
• Use a standard, clean typeface or font - highly stylised text is distracting to the reader and indicates an
unprofessional approach.
Application Forms:
In
addition to the submission of a CV, some employers require that candidates
also complete an application form. Application forms should never be completed
in a hurry. Speed leads to mistakes and so it is advisable to make a photocopy
of the form and perform a 'dry run' before completing the form proper. This
will enable you to correct any mistakes and polish your application as it
will appear on the real form.
If possible, try to type your application form. Take care to read the instructions scrupulously, as some employers require that application forms be completed in handwriting. Typing an application form can be awkward and if you choose this method, we recommend again that dry runs be performed on photocopies first in order to correct mistakes and eliminate any special formatting issues.
If the form is to be hand-written, then use black pen, which reproduces better on photocopies, and make sure your handwriting is neat and legible. Badly written and poorly spelled applications will end up at the bottom of the interviewer's list of likely candidates.
Ensure also that you include sufficient information about your past so that an employer is clear as to what your responsibilities and duties were in previous positions. General descriptions such as 'Clerk', or 'Administration' do not convey a clear picture of a role and do very little to sell you to an employer. Also, take the opportunity to give the employer some general information about yourself through use of the further information section that is located at the end of most application forms.
Psychometric
testing
The
way that a person performs in a job does not solely depend upon their ability
- personality also plays a very important part. Used in conjunction with other
measures and assessments, a personality profile can provide a useful insight
into an individual's style of behaviour and how they interact with other people.
It is worth remembering that there is nothing miraculous about a personality measure- what comes out is determined by what you put in. It is a structured way of getting you to describe yourself. In line with best practice, if you are required to complete a personality assessment, you should be offered feedback as a matter of course.
Points to bear in mind when considering the use of an occupational profile include:
-
•
These tests look at your style and approach to work, not your ability.
• They do not have time limits and there are no right or wrong answers.
• These tests will give you an objective perspective of yourself.
• By presenting and occupational profile along with your professionally made CV, your application will stand
out as one of a serious and thoughtful candidate.
• You may not like what you see when you read your completed profile. The same could be true for a
prospective employer.
Tips:
-
•
If you see a weakness in your own profile, don't take it personally - nobody
is perfect, and employers
know this.
• Be aware of your limitations as highlighted, work on them and come out in better shape.
• When completing a questionnaire, ensure you are in a positive and work-like frame of mind.
Whether looking for that first job, promotion or a career change, most people today are likely to have to face a personality profile or psychometric test to evaluate their aptitude and attitude for a job. The results of these assessments are rarely revealed to the candidate by the potential employer but are often used in guiding the interview and in the final decision making process.
While there are many books to help you through aptitude tests on literacy, numeracy, problem solving, etc, there was, until now, very little information available to help guide people through personality profiling assessments.
MyDISC profile can provide that extra bit of help with a service specially designed to help job seekers to preview what these tests will say about them, and how to counter the questions that these profiles will raise in an interview situation. For more information, visit MyDISC profile today to learn more.
Job Offers
*
Acceptance * Written
offer * Pressure to commit
* Respect wishes current employer
* Respect wishes prospective
employer
* Obtain a contract of employment
* Negotiate * Consider
options carefully
* Wisdom of changing jobs
* Negotiated terms to contract
Acceptance
Despite
the initial euphoria resulting from a job offer, we recommend that you take
at least 48 hours to consider it properly. You may have other offers in the
meantime and you may want to consider negotiating certain terms. It's very
difficult to backtrack after agreeing on the spot.
Written
offer
Ask
to see any job offer in writing, faxed or emailed through to you. Once the
job is yours, you need to have clear confirmation of salary, joining date,
job description and any bonuses or perks you have negotiated in advance. A
written offer is more easily referenced than a verbal agreement.
Pressure
to commit
You
should expect to be given at least 24 hours to make up your mind. Any less
and could indicate that the company is hiring - and firing - without careful
consideration. If a company insists that you give them an answer that very
day, it's worth asking yourself why they would have cause to rush. This may
reflect how they treat employees on a day-to-day basis.
Respect
wishes current employer
Serve
out your notice period in full. A prospective employer may question your future
loyalty to them if you renege on the terms of your notice, as well as the
possibility that you may lose money owing to you and risk court action. Make
sure you allow enough time before the commencement of your new employment
to complete your notice period. If there is no notice agreement in force with
your present employer, offer at least 2 weeks to allow them the chance to
begin selection of your replacement
Respect
wishes prospective employer
Pay
careful attention also to what you have agreed with your prospective employers.
If you agree to a certain start date, and are for some reason unable to join
the new company on a certain date despite a previous commitment, you may be
in breach of contract.
Obtain
a contract of employment
As
soon as is feasible, ask your prospective employer for a copy of your contract
of employment. The small print should be examined closely, especially such
clauses relating to holidays, bonuses (whether they are performance related,
for example), what any sick pay or maternity pay beyond statutory provision
may be. It is advisable to clarify these issues before you agree to the job,
as it is practically impossible to renegotiate terms if you don't like them
once you've joined
Negotiate
If
there are any aspects to the job and its conditions of employment, now is
your chance to negotiate. If they really want you, the new company will be
prepared at this point to offer concessions, such as flexible working hours
or company funded-transport. You are advised to be very careful, however,
as excessive and unreasonable demands made after an offer can result in the
offer being withdrawn
Consider
options carefully
If
you are in the enviable position of having other job offers, you can afford
to let each company know that they have competition and that you are available
to the highest bidder. It is quite acceptable to say you are unable to accept
an offer because another company has offered a greater salary, but you would
reconsider if they matched this. If the company you prefer genuinely can't
afford to match this, you can ask for a pay appraisal in 3 or 6 months' time,
or negotiate other, less costly perks instead
Wisdom
of changing jobs
Consider
whether this new job offer has made your current job more attractive. Having
handed in your notice, you may find that your present employers are anxious
to keep you, with the offer of a pay rise or more flexible work hours as temptation.
This is one reason why we advise that you wait before accepting an offer,
as the time to take to accept will give you the opportunity to explore such
options.
Negotiated
terms to contract
The
final terms of any negotiation that you undertake should be added to your
contract, rather than simply agreed verbally. As an example, one job candidate
argued for - and got - 28 days' holiday, which she thought standard, and then
realised after joining the company and seeing other contracts, that she had
meant 4 weeks; the rest of the staff only got 20 days. Considerable benefits
can be gained, sometimes inadvertently from last-minute negotiations.
FAQ about our Pro-CV Writing Services
Within this section you will find a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have any questions still unanswered after reading this section, please email me at questions@pro-cv.co.uk.
How
long does it take you to write my CV?
- After receiving your information, it can take from one day (a rush service)
up to 7 working days. Most of the time, a proof copy is ready for you to review
within a week.
How
much will it cost?
- See the Price List
page
How
secure are my credit card details?
- Completely secure. All the information entered into our ‘Order Page’
is encrypted using a 128-byte encryption method.
What
do I do if I don’t have a credit card?
- We accept international money orders and cheques drawn on UK. Contact me
about paying via cheques in Canadian or US funds.
Can
you re-write my existing CV?
- Yes, we will review your existing CV and send you additional questions,
as necessary.
Can
you update my Pro-CV or CV Expert CV?
- Yes, see the Welcome
Back page for further details.
Can
I order extra copies of my CV?
- Yes, laser-printed hard copies on Conqueror © paper are available.
Go to the Order
Page to quickly and easily place an order.
What
if I need more than one CV?
- Depending on the number of changes necessary, your second CV may qualify
as "Major Changes" rather than a whole new CV. Call or email me
for more information about your particular needs.
What
do I do if I don’t have an email address or regular access to the Internet?
- We can do all the communications and work by post, fax, and/or telephone.
It is not a problem.
What
if I am a mature student – do I still qualify for a ‘Student CV’?
- Many mature students do qualify for the one-page "Student CV."
It depends on a number of issues, primarily the amount of relevant work experience.
Do
I need a cover letter if I am applying online?
- It is highly recommended that you send a cover letter with ALL submissions
– hard copy and electronic.
Should
I send a thank
you letter after my interview?
- Only 5% of job seekers send a thank you letter after
an interview, so you will stand out from the other candidates if you do. Also,
use this letter to emphasise or add information to the interview and / or
for damage control if necessary. Two templates - a short one and a long one
- are included when you order a CV.
To win you have to be the best!
At Pro-CV this is our job.
Ready for a new CV? Go to our online form to get started.
Home CV Facts Price List Order CV Pack Books UK Books US Books E-books Job Links UK Jobs USA Jobs Canada Jobs Scotland Jobs Ireland Jobs Austrailia Jobs India Jobs Contact Link to us Welcome Back Learn English Job Finder Qualifications Resume Writing Resources Engineering Jobs CV Verification CV Writing Info Job Boards Cover Letters Thank You Letters Job Search Career Planning Internships Career News CV Writer Update your References Debra Mills Resources Contact Debra Mills LinkedIn
© Copyright Pro-CV™ 1999 - 2008, All rights reserved.
