cvs and applications for postgrads - university of manchester
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CVS AND APPLICATIONS FOR POSTGRADSElizabeth WilkinsonCareers Consultant for Postgraduates
What I’ll cover
The University of Manchester Careers Service
What should go into a CV?
How should you present it?
A quick formula for covering letters
Structuring application form answers
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Preparation
3The University of Manchester Careers Service
WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF YOUR
CV?
WHO IS GOING TO READ YOUR CV?
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR?
Finding great content for your CV
You
Draft a long “foundation CV”
Include everything– all your achievements– where you’ve demonstrated skills and
strengths– how you’ve lived your values
The specific job/PhD
Deconstruct the ad, job & person spec, website
Look for skills, knowledge, experience, strengths, values needed
Match them up – and edit
4The University of Manchester Careers Service
Why CV conventions matter
Recruiters don’t have time to search for information - they need to find it quickly
CV conventions are culturally specificWhat’s “normal” in your country could be “weird” - or even legally dubious - in another country
Some recruiters are very conventionalApplicant Tracking Schemes are the most conventional of all
“First sift” humans can be fairly junior –and risk averse
How much are you prepared to risk?
Some important CV conventions
How long should a CV be?
Do you include -
–A photo?
–Your age?
–Your nationality?
–Details of referees?
–A “Career Objective” or “Personal profile”?
–Details of your publications and/or presentations?
Chronological CV
Personal details
Education (reverse date order)
Work History
–Split into “Relevant” and “Other”?
Positions of Responsibility / Voluntary experience / Awards (all optional)
Specialist skills eg. IT, languages
–or further up/on the first page?
Interests
References (2 referees) – or not at all!
These sections may be in reverse order if (when!) you have significant relevant work experience
Academic CVs
Name and contact details
Education
Research interests
Conference papers
Publications
Teaching experience
Administrative experienceWork history
Professional memberships
Prizes and awards
Other relevant qualifications
Personal interests
Referees (3 or more)
Much more detail at www.manchester.ac.uk/academiccareer
Personal details
Personal profile – specific, evidenced, targeted
Key skills/achievements – bullet pointed, targeted to role
Education (reverse date order)
Work History – Split into “Relevant” and “Other”?
Positions of Responsibility / Voluntary experience / Awards (all optional)
Specialist skills eg. IT, languages
– or further up/on the first page – or included in Key Skills?
Interests
References (2 referees) – or not at all!
Chronological/Hybrid CV
As a recruiter - would I want to read this?
“Arms length” or “first click” test
Edit ruthlessly – no size 8 fonts and tiny margins
Line up text in columns
Short sentences
Break up text with bullet points
NOT TOO MANY CAPITALS AND Changes of font
Can I find stuff quickly?
Logical structureTell the story, clear headingsDon’t just “bolt-on” your Masters or PhD to your old CV
Give important info plenty of spaceGet the good stuff on the 1st page
Education•
Finance Work Experience•
Other Work Experience•
Interests & activities•
The “could I give this CV to my boss?” test
Does it have perfect grammar and spelling?
“3 strikes and you’re out” policies – if you’re lucky
Can they write and format in professional English?
“[email protected]” – are you serious?
So they’ve got an MA/MSc/PhD – so what?
Does it look like AOG* / a robot?
(*any old graduate)
The University of Manchester Careers Service
CVs in 2020What’s changed? Remarkably little…
Personal detailsAddress not necessarily needed – town/country only?Email and phone more importantLinkedIn profile url?
ContentHyperlink to useful examples eg of your work, your publications
LogisticsUse your name as part of the filename (not just their name)Simple sans serif font – easy to read on screenSave as pdf to retain formatting?
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
More likely to be used by large organisations
Wording
Keep it ultra conventional – use standard formats, section headings, conventional job titles, dates
Keywords – see job / person spec & ad
Formats
Beware “eye-catching” templates with graphics etc
– TOP TIP: Save your CV as plain text (.txt file) – see what’s lost
Saving your CV: .RTF or .DOC are the safest formats
Humans still matter
CVs picked out by ATS will be read by humans
Covering letters
One page, A4 *Write to a named individual if possible:
1. Get to the point at the start – who are you, what do you want?
2. What do you have to offer?3. Why do you want this type of work?4. Why are you interested in this employer?5. Positive ending – what should happen next?
* unless it’s for an academic job
Application forms
3 main types of content
Factual– Dates, jobs, education etc– Top tip: don’t write ‘see CV’
Specific questions – eg Describe a time when …– Use specific examples where requested– Give an example of where you’ve had to lead a group of
people …
– Context Actions Result
Application forms
Open ended sections – 3 types:
– Personal statement
– Common for postgraduate study
– Find out what they are looking for
– Break it down into headings/paras - structure your argument
– Be guided by the space allowed
– Public sector
– Show examples for all the criteria in the person spec
– Similar content to a covering letter
More help on CVs?
18The University of Manchester Careers Service
Careers Service website– Advice and webinars– Example CVs– “Active language” list
Application & CV support– 20 minute, 1-1 tutorial style appointments– Led by our student partner interns via Zoom/Skype– 5 are postgrads (Masters and PhDs)– Booked through CareersLink
Postgrad talks– CVs & Applications for PGs - Worked examples & Q&A
2nd November, 12:00-1:00pm