graduates - how to prepare your CV...

So, you’ve been busy surfing the net, have had a chat with your uni careers advisor and now feel that you’ve found a few jobs you want to apply for. But what happens now? Well, the easy part’s over and it’s now time to start doing some serious research into how you can sell yourself and make your chosen employer want you to work for them.

When you start to apply you’ll find that some employers prefer the more traditional CV and covering letter application, while more commonly these days, employers will opt for online applications.

If you need to prepare a CV, you need to make sure it’s tailored to each position you apply for and really goes in for the kill.  Remember this is the first thing an employer will look at, and if they don’t like it, you might find yourself with a very prompt rejection letter on your doorstep!

The same goes for online applications, it’s absolutely essential that you spend time on these and make sure that you provide a great first impression to your potential employer.

A few key tips for both CV’s and online application forms include….

• Use a good spellchecker! – This is essential.  If in doubt, get somebody else to proof read your application.

• Be truthful - Sometimes it’s easier to massage the truth a bit and make ourselves seem like we’ve had a bit extra work experience than we really have, or perhaps have been a straight A student, when the truth is, we just weren’t.  But, remember that if you make it through to interview stage the only source of information the employer has about you are the things you’ve told them, therefore many of the questions posed will be based on aspects of your CV or application form – so make sure you know what you’ve put inside, outside and back-to-front!  It’s easier to answer interview questions on experiences that actually happened, rather than those teeny white lies you may have raved about in your initial application to the company!  To steal a quote…’honesty is the best policy’

• Target your application -  Don’t choose a ‘one size fits all’ approach because quite simply, it doesn’t work!  CV’s and application forms need to be targeted for specific employers and tailored for specific jobs. If you do this, you can show that you have the particular skills an employer is looking for by demonstrating these through your work and academic experience.  Usually, this might mean giving examples of teamwork, communication skills, organisation and planning qualities, etc.

• Get your priorities right! - There will be some parts of your CV that are more relevant than others and this is where you have a golden opportunity to sell yourself.  The most prestigious spot will be on the front page, quite near the top – so if you feel you’ve got a killer skill or something you want to shout about, make sure you stick it in this space.  Maybe you’ve done a relevant work placement, or had some experience of dealing within the company before – perhaps you’ve done a project or dissertation on them.