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Writing a CV is hectic, especially if you’re starting from scratch, sitting down to write a winning CV will seem like a significant and time-consuming task. Even if you’re well aware of the basics or have previous experience of writing CV, you may be overlooking a simple but costly mistake as a result of habitually using the same old document.
Putting together the core information of your CV, such as
education and employment history, is a fairly easy task. While you may think these components are all you
need to market yourself effectively, you should probably add a personal
statement too, to give your CV the extra oomph it needs to secure that job.
What is a personal statement?
A personal statement, otherwise known as a personal profile, CV
profile or perhaps even a career aim, is essentially the blurb of your career
portfolio. This small paragraph sits at the top of your CV, concisely and
effectively displaying who you are, your skills and strengths relevant to the
sector or job role, and your career goals. Sounds like quite a mouthful, but
personal statements are no problem to write, we promise. They’re actually
really similar to cover letters, except you’ll be selling your best points to a
potential employer in about four sentences, rather than an A4 page. So, if
you’ve spent all this time jazzing up your CV to hook, line and sinker that
recruiter, adding a personal statement ensures they grab the bait, so your CV won’t be ignored.
Is a personal statement necessary?
The short answer is you don’t need to have a
personal statement. However, a study revealed that on average recruiters spend 8.8 seconds
looking at your CV, so rather than letting your CV get lost in this ‘Tinderised’
process, you should give them a reason to read on.
There are some genuine reasons why you might not choose to have
a personal statement, but it shouldn’t be that you can’t be bothered to write
one! It actually depends on your job search status – if you’re applying for a
specific job role and attaching a cover letter to your CV, then you may
actively choose not to have a personal statement. As we’ve already mentioned,
your cover letter is going to do a lot of the talking for you, so you may feel
it’s best not to have another summary. Saying that, the whole point of a CV is
to market yourself, so if you can include another piece of advertising, then
why not?
If you’re a graduate then it might be best to leave the
professional side of the personal statement at bay until you’ve gained some
more work experience – simply highlight the fact you’ve got a degree, and
outline the career path you’d like to follow. While it’s not a bad thing to
share your ambitions with recruiters, you’ll probably find the word count could
be better spent discussing your final year project in more depth (just when you
thought you’d never have to talk about your final year dissertation again!) If,
however, you’ve chalked up strengths and experiences during your time at
university that anchor you to the job you’re applying for, you should highlight
these in your personal statement, and make it clear to the recruiter that you
will excel in this job role.
Personal statements are also particularly handy if you’re trying
to enter a competitive sector such as PR, advertising, film, music and
publishing. As you can imagine, recruiters from these fields deal with hundreds
of CVs on a regular basis and will simply flick past your CV unless they spot
that competitive edge. Personal statements are the perfect way for you to grab
their attention and persuade recruiters to continue reading your CV, because
you’re telling them from the off exactly why they should hire you. Of course,
you’ll need to know how to write an effective statement first, but we’ll get on
to that in a bit.
You should also consider writing a personal statement if you’re
uploading your CV to a job board like Brighter
Monday, as this gives you the chance to highlight your career goals and
give your CV more context. While this is valuable information for recruiters,
it’s just as important for you to get it right, as your personal statement will
enable recruiters to match you with the right job and ensure that the role is
fulfilling. If you’re not entirely sure what job you want, or if there are a
few sectors you reckon you could enter with your particular skill-set, then
it’s probably best not to include a personal statement. If your opening
statement is too broad, you risk giving the impression that you haven’t done
your research properly, or you’re looking for any old job – not the best
impression to make on a potential employer!
The basic format
We know writing a personal statement can seem quite daunting but
honestly, once you’ve started writing it, the rest will come naturally. Here’s
a breakdown of the basics in creating your statement.
The most important thing to remember is that statements are
usually around four sentences in length, and definitely no more than six. Aim
for anywhere between 50 and 200 words and you’re golden.
Like the length, the grammatical person you’re writing in also
has some flexibility. You could choose to write in third person which can
appear more objective, for example ‘Project manager seeking… skills include…’
Or you could write in first person which tends to be more personal: ‘I am a project manager seeking… My skills are…’ It honestly doesn’t matter which
person you choose, just pick the one you’re comfortable writing in. As long as
you keep it consistent (and don’t actually use your own name if you choose to
write in the third person!) you can’t go wrong.
The simpler your CV layout, the better. The last thing
recruiters want is to trawl through a bundle of words trying to pick out your
good bits like they’re the orange ones in a packet of revels. So, firstly you
don’t really need a title for your personal statement. It sits under your name
and contact info, and before the first chunk of your job or education history,
so it’s pretty obvious it’s an introduction to you. Secondly, make the spacing
a little bigger and try increasing it to 1.5. As it’s the first thing a
recruiter will read, you want this to be as clear as possible – it’s often a
real decision maker.
Okay, so what do you actually include? When drafting your
personal statement, split it into three sections: who you are, what you can
offer the company, and your career goals.
TIP: Bullet point things you might mention
under each of these sections, then list the qualities that position you as the
ideal person for the job.
Who you are
In the ‘who you are’ section you might state that you’re:
§A
recent graduate with a 2:1 degree in Creative Writing from the University of
Surrey seeking an entry-level position in…
§A
highly-skilled mechanical engineer looking to resume a position in…
§An
ambitious purchasing manager looking to progress into…
What you can offer the company
In the ‘what you can offer the company’ part, you’re basically
selling your absolute top skills and strengths and backing them up with
evidence. If you’re tweaking your CV because you’re applying for a particular
job, use the job spec to create your statement. For example, if the employer is
looking for someone with attention to detail and you’ve got experience
meticulously proofing essays or presentations etc., then say so!
If you’re crafting a more general personal statement with a job
title in mind, be sure you include achievements and expertise that are
noteworthy and will make you stand out in that field. For example, if you’re
looking for a position within graphic design and you’ve got extensive Photoshop
experience working on a major campaign, not only can you claim you have these
skills in your personal statement, but you can back them up too – perfect!
The important thing to remember here is to not litter your
personal statement with a trail of buzzwords. You might well be an ‘extremely
driven strategic thinker with excellent communication skills and extensive
experience in marketing’, but all you’ve really done here is told the recruiter
that you’ve worked in marketing with no actual proof of your other claims. To
top it off, you’ve also revealed this information in an extremely boring way
that recruiters have heard a million times before; when it comes to selling
yourself, you don’t want to write something as bland as overcooked rice, you
want to lovingly craft flippin’ sea food paella. So try to highlight real,
relevant skills and back them up with evidence to make the statement strong.
Try something like this for the middle section:
§During
my degree I have developed an excellent eye for detail due to the heavy demands
of assignments and research. As a result I am also able to work under pressure,
especially when balancing my educational workload with my volunteering
placement at local nursing homes.
§Knowledgeable
engineer with a wide skills-set, including condition based maintenance, through
working on automated systems such as…
§Through
utilising my communications skills when working in managerial positions at
large corporations, I have developed successful working relationships and
resultantly, an advantageous professional network.
Career goals
The final section of the personal statement is to highlight your
career goals. More than anything this shows the recruiter that you are a
professional worth investing time and money in. Take a look at these examples:
§I am
looking for a challenging, fast-paced environment within media to utilise my
written knowledge and develop my creative skill-set further.
§Looking
to re-establish a career in a progressive organisation which requires
engineering expertise, after a short career break to take care of a new-born.
§I am
looking to secure a challenging role in a market-leading automotive company
where I can bring fresh strategic vision and value to the business.
Dos and don’ts
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key points to remember when crafting
that all-important statement.
Do…
§Get
straight to the point – recruiters don’t like to read waffle!
§Provide
evidence of your skills and experience, but be brief! Offer just enough to hook
the recruiter.
§Remember
that you’re marketing yourself.
§Make the
statement look purposeful – you need show you know what you’re talking about,
without sounding too arrogant.
§Reflect
the job specification in your statement.
§Be
real! Recruiters ultimately want to know you as a person and what you can bring
to the table.
§Proof
read for spelling and grammar.
§Read it
aloud to make sure it flows properly. Probably best to get someone else to run
an eye over it too.
Don’t…
§Overuse
buzz words – you might want to chuck a few in there, but a hyperbolic stream of
empty qualities and meaningless words is just off-putting.
§Mix the
grammatical person – remember either first person or third, not both.
§Be
boring – you want to sound unique with noteworthy qualities.
§Copy
from your cover letter or copy your cover letter from your statement – that’s
just lazy.
§Ramble!
Samples
Here’s a few final examples of personal statements for you to
gloss over. Hopefully it’ll spark some inspiration for your own!
Graduate
I am a
recent graduate with a 2:1 degree in Creative Writing from the University of
Surrey seeking an entry-level position in copywriting. During my degree I have
developed an excellent eye for detail due to the heavy demands of assignments
and research. As a result I am also able to work under pressure, especially
when balancing my educational workload with my volunteering placement at local
nursing homes. Over the last year I have also balanced an editing position at
Surrey’s media society, where I have devised content ideas and managed a small
team of writers, proving that I have potential to excel within a professional
writing field. I am looking for a challenging, fast-paced environment within
media to utilise my creative knowledge and develop my writing skill-set
further.
Career
break
Highly-skilled
mechanical engineer looking to resume a position in industrial construction.
Extremely knowledgeable with seven years industry experience. Possesses a wide
skill-set, including condition based maintenance, through working on automated
systems on large-scale building projects. Looking to re-establish a career in a
progressive organisation which requires engineering expertise, after a short
career break to take care of a new-born.
Career
progression
I am an
ambitious purchasing manager looking to progress into a senior purchasing
position within the automotive sector. Through utilising my communications
skills when working in managerial positions at large automotive corporations, I
have developed successful working relationships and resultantly, an
advantageous professional network. Due to over 12 years of experience within
this industry, I am fully equipped with commercial awareness and product
knowledge. I am looking to secure a challenging role in a market-leading
automotive company where I can bring fresh strategic vision and value to the
business.
Applying for a job online can be a confusing process, especially
as it varies for each and every employer. Here’s a run-through of how to master
that online job application process, all the way from constructing your CV to
finally hitting that send button.
Your CV
The first step in applying for a job online is actually crafting
your CV. It might seem like a fairly straightforward process, but you shouldn’t
take this step too lightly. A well-written CV can put you miles ahead of your
competition. Think of it as a first impression. You don’t want to overthink it;
otherwise you may look like you’re trying too hard. You shouldn’t dismiss
spending some time on perfecting your CV either though since you only get one
shot to make a first impression.
Keep it specific
You need to be clean and concise in your CV when it comes to
applying online. There are certain things many job-seekers think will make
their CVs stand out, but are in fact better left out. Remember that a recruiter
has to sift through dozens of CVs a day, so adding pointless information to
fluff out your CV might actually make them throw yours away. Besides, it’s
likely they’ve seen these tactics before, so you’re not really fooling anyone.
On this note, you should really make sure the skills you’ve
listed in your CV are actually related to the skills required by the job. When
you apply online, you’re probably going to encounter an applicant tracking system (ATS) rather than an employed
recruiter. These are programmes designed to look through
applications and pick out the ones with relevant skills, to then send to the
recruiting department. ATSs do this by looking for keywords. They aren’t very creative and literally look
for exact keywords like communication, teamwork and time-management in your CV to match the job
specification. So ATSs aren’t going to be able to spot these keywords if
they’re not written clearly.
And likewise, professional recruiters have a keen eye for spotting these skills and they only
have a few minutes to skim through each successful CV. If they see something
they’re interested in quickly, they’re
more likely to set your CVaside for an
interview.
Fonts and layouts
Choosing the right font and layout can make or break your CV if
you’re competing with dozens of other candidates. Even though the ratio between
vacancies and applicants has been steadily rising in favour of the applicants,
you’re still going to have to deal with some competition.
To make your CV stand out to a recruiter who has to see many of
these every day, make sure you choose nice, clean fonts. And same goes for the
layout. It’s going to be easier for the recruiter to spot important information
this way, and they’re more likely to read through it instead of just giving it
a cursory glance. Using flowery designs and needlessly complicated fonts are
going to make your CV look less professional too.
It would be best if you send or upload
your CV and cover letter as PDFs; Word documents are not as
reliable. For example, if the document is opened in a different version of the
software than the one it was made in, the fonts may not be interpreted correctly
and the whole text is going to look messy. Formatting can also be
misinterpreted, with similar results. PDFs are not affected no matter what
version of the reader you’re using.
Applying online
Many large companies have their recruitment process handled
by specialised software. That means before your CV reaches
an actual human recruiter, it first has to pass through a programme that sorts
these applications; so that’s the ATSs mentioned earlier. These nifty little
programmes are great for companies dealing large volumes of applications since
they speed up theprocess immensely.
As an applicant, these ATSs might seem a bit unappealing. For one
thing, you can’t really use your personal charm to get by. You should
instead identify the keywords it might look for and make
sure you use as many of them as possible. You can find these keywords by
looking through the job description. Some
recruiters will ask you to fill in an online form instead of or in addition to
sending your CV. Make sure you fill everything in.
You might be leaving out stuff that’s actually very important for the tracker.
Even though some online applications don’t ask for a cover letter, it’s still a good idea to send one with
your application to strengthen your chances of securing that all-important
interview. A well
written cover lettercan
elevate your CV, since it gives you a chance to discuss your skills relevant to
the role in more detail.
Some larger companies don’t use recruiting agencies or job
boards, andprefer to handle the process themselves in-house.
These companies use similar software that’s tailored to their needs. They
usually post their job offers on their own websites or on their social media
pages, so be proactive in your search! Make sure you understand the recruitment process of the company
you are applying for and whether it’s handled by an actual recruiter or by an
ATS. Most companies provide an email address where you can request further
details, so don’t be shy about using it.
Sending your CV via email
So some job postings may require you to send your CV and cover
letter directly to the recruiting department. When sending the email, remember
you’re sending the email to a real person. State
clearly in the subject line the job you’re applying
for: include the job title and reference number. In the body of the email mention how you found out about the opening; whether it was a through a
job posting or via someone you who already works there. Don’t forget to specify what documents you‘re attaching. If
anything happens to the attachment, the recruiter has to know what documents
they were supposed to receive.
If the recruiter doesn’t reply within a reasonable time-frame,
send in an email to ask about the status of your application. This shows you
are truly interested in the position and you are doing your due diligence. It
can also spur on the recruiter to make a decision regarding the position in
question; they’re busy people you know!
Applying even when they’re not hiring
So what happens if you want to apply for a job, but company you
want to work for isn’t hiring right now? Well, it’s still possible to apply for
a role that doesn’t exist yet, you just need to make sure your CV and cover letter are top-notch and that you’re sending it to the right person!
You need to find a direct contact,
rather than applying through an application platform, or by sending an email to
an anonymous HR rep you found online. That means you need to search for the
head of recruitment’s email address.
Career fairs
Meeting someone who
already works at the company you want to apply for is a great way to gain an
advantage over your competitors. You can meet recruiters in person at career fairs. This is a great opportunity to get more information about job offers and you can
also make a really good first impression too.
Showing up to these sorts of events proves that you’re truly committed to finding
a job, and you’re willing to put in the extra effort to make sure you succeed.
If you do find a recruiter who wants to look over your CV, make
sure to take down their full name and email address. When you
contact them, remind them in what context you met and how thankful you are for
this opportunity. This is going to make you look like you’re already part of
the team with your friendly, yet professional, approach.
If you’ve found a recruiter’s email address through a shared acquaintance, mention their name, and, if it’s
relevant, how they know each other. If they’re friends outside work, you may
choose not to mention that in the email. Make sure you check with the person
that gave you the email address first to see if they’re okay with you
mentioning them!
Proofread!
Few people actually take the time
to carefully proofread their emails or online applications before
sending them. Auto-correct functions don’t always do the job, especially when it
comes to word order and phrasing.
And
make sure you’ve actually attached your CV and
that it’s the correct document. If you have more than one version, make sure
you label them correctly. You could always download the documents once you’ve
attached it to the email to double check everything’s in order!
An old African proverb says, “When there is no enemy
within, the enemies outside can do you no harm.”
Self-awareness is one of the most important skills
for success. How you behave and respond to external situations is governed
by internal mental processes. Self-awareness uncovers
any destructive thought-patterns and unhealthy habits.
This leads to better decision-making and behavioral responses.
Here are 12 exercises for greater self-awareness:
1. The three Why’s
Before acting on a decision, ask yourself “Why?” Follow
up your response with another “Why?” And then a third. If you can find three
good reasons to pursue something, you’ll have clarity and be more confident in
your actions.
Being self-aware means knowing your motives and
determining whether they’re reasonable.
The philosopher Wittgenstein said, “The limits
of my language means the limits of my world.”
Emotions create powerful physical and behavioral
responses, and are more complex than “happy” or “sad.” Putting your
feelings into words has a therapeutic effect on your brain; if
you’re unable to articulate how you feel, that can create stress. Here’s a great list of “feeling words” to help
with labeling your emotions. Increase your emotional vocabulary with
one new word each day.
3. Practice saying “No”
to yourself
The ability to say “No” to yourself — to put off short-term
gratification for the long-term gain is an important life-skill. And like
a muscle, it is strengthened with exercise. The more you practice saying “No”
to small daily challenges, the better you can withstand major temptations.
There are plenty of daily temptations — social media,
junk food, gossiping, Youtube. Make a goal of saying “No” to five different
temptations each day.
4. Break visceral
reactions
A person without self-awareness runs on auto-pilot, and
responds with knee-jerk reactions. Self-awareness allows you to assess
situations objectively and rationally, without acting on biases and
stereotypes.
Take a deep breath before you act — especially when
a situation evokes anger or frustration. This gives you time to re-assess
whether your response will be the best one.
5. Be accountable to
your flaws
Nobody is perfect. Being aware of your flaws, but failing
to accept accountability, is leaving the job half-done. We’re often critical of
others, while ignorant of our own flaws. Self-awareness helps turn
the mirror on ourselves and prevents hypocritical behavior.
Iteration and self-improvement only happens once you
recognize a flaw. Create a habit of acknowledging your mistakes, rather
than making excuses.
6. Monitor your
self-talk
There is non-stop commentary in our heads, and it’s
not always helpful. A little bit of negative self-talk can spiral
into stress and depression.
Pay attention to the way you respond to your successes
and failures — do you pass off your achievements as luck? And crucify yourself
after failures? Positive and negative feedback-loops will form in your mind
based off how you respond to successes and failures. Being tough on
yourself needs to be balanced with self-compassion. Celebrate your wins,
forgive your losses.
7. Improve your body
language awareness
Watching yourself on video can be a cringeworthy
experience, but awareness of your body language, posture, and mannerisms
improves your confidence.
Slouching, or taking a “low-power-pose” increases cortisol and
feeds low self-esteem, while standing tall or taking a “high-power-pose”
stimulates testosterone and improves your performance. Using hand gestures
helps with articulating your thoughts and affects how people
respond to you.
Record a speech or presentation and evaluate your posture
and hand gestures. Watch videos of skilled speakers and adopt their
mannerisms to improve your own.
8. Play “Devil’s
Advocate”
Taking an opposing view forces you to question your assumptions.
Your ‘default’ beliefs and worldview are not always reasonable; it’s
healthy to “argue against yourself” and see how your views hold up.
And you’ll give your brain a good workout. Processing
challenging information stimulates new neural connections.
9. Know your personality
type
Knowing your personality type allows you to
maximize your strengths and manage your weaknesses. Understanding your
“strengths” and “talents” can be the difference between a good choice, and a great choice.
(Strengths are skills and knowledge that can be acquired, while talents are
innate).
Start with understanding where you fall on the introvert/extrovert
spectrum; know your Myers-Briggs type; and then conduct a
personal SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
threats).
10. Ask for constructive
feedback, regularly
We all have blind spots in our thinking patterns and
behaviors. Asking for regular constructive feedback cuts through any
self-deceit or one-dimensional views you might hold. But only ask people
you’d consider mentors — those who understand you; whom you respect; and will
tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
11. Practice
self-evaluation and reflection
Keep a journal and track your progress. How
would you rate your current level of self-awareness out of ten? Think about how
often you say regretful things; repeat bad habits; make absent-minded
decisions; and have erratic thoughts.
Set regular goals, break big goals down into smaller
milestones. Ask yourself at the end of each day, “What did I do well today?”
And, “How can I improve on this tomorrow?”
12. Meditation
Meditation is a foundational practice for improving
self-awareness. To focus solely on your breathing is to focus on a
key internal process. You’ll become aware of how your mind wanders, and get
better at snapping out of distractions.
For beginners, start with ten minute sessions. Find a
quiet place to sit, breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Count your breaths silently, pulling your mind back when it wanders. See how
many breaths you can string together.
It’s important to note that institution first ask educational questions relating to the job applied for before there ask general questions. For instance, if you had applied for job relating to Network Administrator or System Administrator, there may ask:-
1.What is the difference between a hub and a switch?
2.What is a network?
3.What is TCP/IP and what does it stand for?
4.What is a default gateway?
5.What does DHCP stand for?
6.What is an IP Address?
7.Blah Blah Blah..
We have hundreds of jobs' possible interview Questions and Answers.
Click on the category link to view the PDF document of the interview questions. To be able to download you MUST be a facebook page Fun, so like the page then you will be able to download.
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a
document that outlines your entire academic history. It is used most often to
apply for employment opportunities.
What
categories should I include in my CV?
At the very least, a CV should
include contact information, education, research experience, teaching
experience (if applicable), publications, presentations, and references. Other
potential categories are listed below and may include awards, professional
affiliations, community or university service, and others.
What
is the appropriate length for a CV?
Length is less important in a CV
than completeness. Your CV should include your
Complete academic history and is not
typically limited by length, as is a resume.
Should
I include job descriptions for every position listed on my CV?
Not necessarily. Most academic
search committees may focus solely on your institution and your advisor. Given
this focus, listing your title, institution, advisor, location, and dates you
attended or were employed there are required. Additionally, most faculty
reviewers expect to see dates listed on the left hand side of the page.
Does
order matter on a CV?
Yes. It is critical for you to
consider the position you are applying for and/or the audience you are writing
for when compiling a CV. For example, if you are applying for a faculty
position at a small college, you will want to list your teaching experience on
the first page of your CV and your research experience and publications later
in your document. The reverse would be true if you were applying to a research intensive
university or institute.
I’m
in the process of drafting my CV, but am not sure about format and style.
It is a good idea to ask your
advisor or a mentor in your field for a copy of his/her CV, as each discipline
has its own standards for content, style, and format. We have provided
different format you can download and use the format to write your CV.
