EIT Hawke's Bay

What is a CV?

• CV is the abbreviation for curriculum vitae
• CV is basically a summary of "the story so far"
• It is a marketing document to make a big impact on prospective employers.- Clemie and Nicholson (1990);
• It is both a history of you at work and an indicator of what you may be capable of doing in the future - Sligo (1988);

Main Purpose of a CV

• Sell Yourself
• Get an Interview
• Highlight your main skills & strengths
• To target the position you are applying for
• To help with interview preparation
• Highlight your main skills and strengths
• To increase your belief in yourself
• Act as a memory jogger
• Have a written document of your strengths, skills and accomplishments

Types of CVs

There a basically three types:

• Chronological - Work is documented with chronological date order. Last job first.
• Functional - Focuses on skills and abilities. It describes your work experience in terms of your skills.
• Combination of Functional and Chronological - It uses the structure of a chronological CV but incorporates a Relevant Skills.

Identifying the Image You Wish To Project

• Before starting your CV it is important you decide on the image you wish to project to prospective employers.
• First impressions count and are important.
• Different qualities and images suit different jobs.

What Should You Include In Your Curriculum Vitae

• Name (the name you are known by)
• Address (make sure it is current)
• Telephone, e-mail
• Personal statement (optional) 1-2 sentences that summarises your talents, values & work interests & career aspirations
• Career Objective (relates to position type)
• Qualifications
• Relevant Skills; (most important section) your skills need to be linked to training or work experience and targeted at the position currently sort.
• Work history / Experience. The following headings are important:
• Period of employment? Position held? Organisation followed by a bulletpoint summary:
  a) Areas of Responsibilities or; b) Skills gained
• Personal Attributes and Qualities
• Professional Membership
• Achievements
• Community Interests / Hobbies
• Referees

Keep Concise

• Keep your CV simple and to-the-point, make sure the information is accessible
• 2-3 pages in length
• Use good quality A4 paper

CV Layout

Personal Details

• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• Career Objective
• Qualifications
• Professional Skills
• Personal Attributes
• Employment History
• Professional Membership
• Achievements
• Community Interests
• Referees

Covering Letter

Guidelines - Address letter to someone in authority, either the Manager or Human Resource or Personnel or person specified in the advertisement.  Phone and get the name of the person you are writing to and make sure you personalise the letter.

• State why you are applying for the position
• Show that you have done some research about the company

Covering Letters

• Employers look for key words that demonstrate knowledge and enthusiasm
• Your covering letter should be typed unless stated to the contrary
• Be concise and to the point

Letter

• First Paragraph - This should state which job you are applying for, where and when you saw it advertised
• Second Paragraph - Outline briefly your experience, skills qualifications and strengths and say how these make you suited to the position.
• Third Paragraph - Say why you want the job. Your reasons must have appeal to the reader, e.g. the challenge, the people, the products / services etc.
• Fourth Paragraph - Closing part. State your availability for an interview and your willingness to provide further information.

Notes:

Top 10 Skills / Attributes
Employers look for the following qualities and abilities:

• Strong Verbal and Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Self motivated self management
• Team Player
• Sound academic achievement
• Analytical & Conceptual Skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Flexible and Adaptable
• Problem solving skills
• Energy and Enthusiasm
• Professional Ethics

Describing Your Skills

Your skills need to be linked where possible to some previous employment.

E.g. Extensive experience grading apples while working. Experienced supervising a group of workers in a pack house.


Here are some words that may help describe your skills:

• Good at
• Excellent at
• Competent at ? able to do task with skill
• Able to
• Skilled at
• Experience at
• Several year experience
• Enjoy?
• Trained?Machine Operator
• Accurate/Fast
• Have ability to?
• Good knowledge of
• Good understanding of?

Personal Attributes / Qualities

• Honest
• Sense of Humour
• Punctual
• Able to work unsupervised (independent)
• Hard working
• Caring
• Empathetic

Preparing for an interview

Interview Skills / Interview Preparation

• Preparation is the key to being successful.
• Research the company / organisation using: Website, Yellow Pages or Friends to find out about the organisation, its values, products, size, market share or services and key personnel.
• Prepare questions and answers
• Do mock interview with a spouse or friend

Preparation

• Refresh yourself with your CV
• Learn as much as you can about the position

What Employers are looking For

• Merit - Experience, education and knowledge
• Cultural Fit - will this person be part of the organisation / team
• Employers - want to ensure you have the required technical skills plus good interpersonal skills with customers, client and colleagues.
  

1 First impressions are often significant, so make a good impression.
2 Body language - stand confidently and smile, it will make a huge difference to how you feel and how you are perceived.
3 Clothes - dress according to the type of position you are seeking.


Skills & Abilities Based Interview Questions

Practice responses to the following issues
- Stress
- Communication
- Conflict
- Team Work
- Initiatives / Improvements
- Problem Solving
- Motivation
- Personal Strengths

Questions to Ask Prospective Employers

• What induction training is provided
• Reporting / Appraisal systems are used
• Bicultural / EEO
• Opportunity / Future
• Ask questions about the organisation that indicates interest beyond the superficial.
• Is this position a new position?
• Why did the last person resign?

Interview Questions

You need to prepare for a range of questions that may arise in an interview. Arrange to go over these questions and others that are pertinent to the position with someone who you respect, and who will provide you with constructive feedback on your responses.

• Tell us about yourself.
• Why did you choose this career?
• What goals do you have in your career?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
• What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
• Are you a team player?
• What motivates you?
• Why did you leave your last position or want to leave your present position?
• What are your hobbies and interests?
• Tell me about some of your recent goals and what did you do to achieve them?
• What are your short term goals?
• What do you want to be doing in five years from now?
• Do you handle conflict?
• Give an example of how you resolved a conflict situation
• Do you handle pressure well?
• Give an example of how you have dealt successfully with pressure
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• If a friend was asked to describe you, what would he or she say?
• How does your education/experience relate to this position?
• What was your favourite subject?
• Do you have plans for further education?
• What qualities do you believe a successful employer in this role needs?
• What do you know about our company?
• How familiar are you with the industry locally?
• Are you willing to travel?
• What kind of salary are your looking for?

If you need more help or want to have a talk about choosing a course of study or your career path
CONTACT:
Eddie Carson
Career Counsellor
EIT Hawke´s Bay
Tel: 06 9748000 ext. 5838
Fax: 06 9748910
Email: careers@eit.ac.nz