Making ApplicationsMaking Applications

Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers Advisory

Service

You can download a copy of this You can download a copy of this presentation at presentation at

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

Research by forum3 found:Research by forum3 found:

The average graduate will send out 70 CVs when looking for their first graduate job. The average number of responses is 7 including 4 rejections and the remainder inviting the graduate to interview or further contact.

The more CVs you send out the more interviews you get. Applicants who included a covering letter with their CV were 10%

more likely to get a reply. Applicants who addressed their application to the correct named

person were 15% more likely to get a letter of acknowledgement and 5% more likely to get an interview.

Applicants sending CVs and letters without spelling mistakes are 61% more likely to get a reply and 26% more likely to get an interview.

The most common mistakes not found in a spell check were: fro instead of for, grate: great, liased: liaised, stationary: stationery.

Other turn-offs: misspelling the name of the company or the addressee, not having a reply address on the CV and trying to be amusing.

Check yore speling!Check yore speling!

BSc. And MSc. Not Bsc or MSC! I am a prefectionist and rarely if if ever

forget details. Proven ability to track down and correct

erors. At secondary school I was a prefix But I was not aloud to be captain In my spare time I enjoy hiding my

horse I hope to hear from you shorty sexylikewoaaaah@hotmilk.com

Brian O'dea - the author of this received about 600 responses.

Having successfully completed a ten year sentence, Having successfully completed a ten year sentence, incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States. I am now seeking a legal and legitimate United States. I am now seeking a legal and legitimate means to support my self and my family.means to support my self and my family.

Business Experience - Owned and operated a successful  - Owned and operated a successful fishing business - multi-vessel, one airplane, one island fishing business - multi-vessel, one airplane, one island and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and operated a fleet of tractor-trailer trucks conducting business operated a fleet of tractor-trailer trucks conducting business in the western United States. During this time I also co-in the western United States. During this time I also co-owned and participated in the executive level management owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million annually. I took responsibility for my own actions, and annually. I took responsibility for my own actions, and received a ten year sentence in the United States while received a ten year sentence in the United States while others walked free for their cooperation.others walked free for their cooperation.

Attributes - I am an expert in all levels of security; I have extensive computer skills, am personable, outgoing, well-educated, reliable, clean and sober. I have spoken in schools to thousands of kids and parent groups over the past ten years on "the consequences of choice", and received public recognition for community service. I am well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish. References available from friends, family, the U.S. District Attorney, etc.

CV Profile: “Graduate, with a discerning CV Profile: “Graduate, with a discerning eye for detail. Natural perfectionist"eye for detail. Natural perfectionist"

BA in religious Studies

Glastonbury festival, canterbury festival

ACHEIVMENTS

Always Hardworking and honest

PRESENTATION OF YOUR CVPRESENTATION OF YOUR CV

Use short sentences & concise phrases The first visual impression your CV

makes is important Use plain white or pale A4 size paper www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm#Tips Use bold type and bullet points, but in

moderation Can cut and paste sentences from CV

examples www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

INTERESTSINTERESTS

Films, reading, travel Films: member of the University Film-Making

Society Travel: traveled through Europe by train this

summer in a group of four people, visiting historic sites and improving my French and Italian

Reading: helped younger pupils with reading difficulties at school

THE COVERING LETTERTHE COVERING LETTEROne side of A4 maximumOne side of A4 maximum

First Paragraph State the job you’re applying

for. Where you found out about it. When you're available to start

work (& end if it's a placement)

Second Paragraph Why your interested in that

type of work Why the company attracts you

(if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!)

Third Paragraph Summarise your strengths

and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.

Relate your skills to the job.

Last Paragraph Mention any dates that you

won't be available for interview

Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.

THE “STAR” APPROACHTHE “STAR” APPROACH

• SITUATION• TASK • ACTION• RESULT

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm http://prezi.com/0y-aknjsspdh/making-applications-using-the-star-

approach/

The good…….The good…….Please describe a time when you saw an opportunity to really make a difference for the future of a group, an activity or yourself. What did you do?

During the summer of 2003, I was recruited to be part of a two-month, six-man roadshow travelling around the M25 area promoting tennis and Ariel Liquitabs. Within the first week of the roadshow the event manager resigned and I applied to take over this role. Although I had no specific previous experience, I felt it was a great opportunity to stretch myself and make a difference to my future. I was accepted as the new event manager and took over the very next day, it was extremely difficult initially, but I drew on my experiences of Head of School and captains of numerous sports teams and settled into the role relatively quickly. My role necessitated dealing with a vast range of individuals from Sainsbury’s Managers to children as young as 5 years of age, which improved my interpersonal and communicational skills. In addition, my motivational skills were also tested, as I was constantly required to motivate my staff due to the roadshow becoming monotonous in the latter stages. The roadshow appeared to be a real success with the tennis clubs receiving a 10% increase in applicants and rival soap powder brands putting on extra promotions. The feedback I received on how I managed the roadshow was extremely positive and I have subsequently been put forward to manage numerous other events.

Rising to the challenge

Selling self

Influencing a variety of people

Tangible results

The bad…..The bad….. The biggest challenge whilst carrying out the assignment was

conducting a financial analysis on the company. I was assigned this task, as I had previous experience in this area as I have carried out two financial and accounting modules during my University degree. I conducted a full ratio analysis on the company, which included analysing Next's Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet. I presented the ratios and included details of the company's current financial position, along with an explanation of how the company could improve their position.

The Presentation involved presenting our group's report on Next Plc to the rest of the Marketing group. Our group conducted a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation, to ensure it was conducted in the most efficient and systematic way. Each member presented their individual section, the final section then included contributions by all group members. Our group had practised the presentation on numerous occasions prior to the final presentation, which ensured a smooth running. Each member of the Marketing class was given a feedback form to report their opinions of the presentation. Our group received all positive feedback and were all awarded a 2:1 for the presentation, this contributed towards the final outcome of or Marketing modules.

Apathy- did not put self forward for

task.

No ownership, leadership.

No individual

result.

The ridiculous...The ridiculous... Mealtimes are a difficult and challenging time as this is one affair

when my friends and I are truly tested in our decision making skills.

There has been more than one occasion where a unified agreement on what to do about dinner has proven to be a problem. I therefore take it upon myself to be the spokesperson for the group. One example would be where two of my friends wanted chicken nuggets and hence wished to go to McDonald’s while three others preferred the Chicken Royale from Burger King as opposed the the McChicken Sandwich one can get at McDonalds. Using my initiative, intuition and lateral thinking I suggested that we all go to KFC instead. My reasoning was that this was that KFC do chicken popcorn and are a far better choice than chicken nuggets. While their Fillet Tower Burgers are a step up from the standard Burger King Chicken Royale as they have a hash brown in them as well. Thus using some originality of thought, a certain degree of diplomacy and a persuasive tongue I convinced them all to join me at KFC.

Does not bring the

group with them.

No explanation

of how.

No recognition of others’ opinions.

And the hopeless …And the hopeless … "I have a criminal record but I'm not in jail at the

moment" "I have good writen comunication skills" "I want experience in a big sex practice" "I enclose a tea-bag so you can enjoy a cuppa

while perusing my form" "If called to interview I would like to discuss the

salary, pensions and sickness benefits" “Would you say their are any skill shortages in the

UK for actuary's ie their enough out their, is their a shortfall of any kind of actuary?” In an email from an HBOS HR manager to me!

What attracted you to working for Sky?What attracted you to working for Sky?The Good Personal interest: ‘’fuelling my incredible passion for sport with its coverage of the Premier League. Consistently being a backdrop to my interests has meant that I have nurtured a great affinity with the company’’Research on Sky and specifics: ‘’ from the induction of Sky HD in 2006, to more recently the offering of Now TV, the pioneering method of exclusive content delivery in the form of one off, on demand payments.’’‘’the company’s appreciation that employees are key to delivering strategic goals which is demonstrated by the commitment to providing a large amount of e-learning hours and training days’’Mentions personal interest in Sky, specific (take the word Sky out and it is still very Sky specific) and demonstrates thinking outside the box. Rotations and knowledge that there will be a qualification are also good to mention.

The Bad: “I have seen the rise in interest in sky in the past few years and as a customer myself, i am strongly passionate in being part of that continuous rise.”“I was attracted to work for Sky because it is the leading home entertainment provider in the England . As the company grows, so will the products and service that Sky has to offer.”

The Ugly: “N/A”“I have had the pleasure of living in a household with Sky for most of my life - though we briefly switched to a competitor when I was seven or eight, leaving me in tears.”“Sky believe in better and that is exactly what I consider myself to be, better”

As well as the content of your answers written communication is also assessed. You will be rated from 1-5 in each answer and then tiered as a definite, a maybe or a no.

ACTION VERBSACTION VERBS

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/actionverbs.htm

VIDEOSVIDEOS

APPLICATIONSINTERVIEWSON-LINE APPLICATIONSSELECTION CENTRESAll last about 25 minutes and are

excellent!www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntVid.htm

CAREERS WEB SITECAREERS WEB SITE

Help with applications and interviews www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

Example CVs and Covering Letters www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm

Other talkswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm

DUTY CAREERS ADVISERDUTY CAREERS ADVISER

A Duty Careers Adviser is available in the Careers Centre to help with queries between 10.30 am to 12.30 p.m. and 2 to 4 pm every day.

No appointment needed - just drop in.

Careers Employability Award Careers Employability Award

Assessed by a range of tests and short assignments Takes about 12 hours to complete Entirely done on-line on Moodle On completion you will get a University of Kent

Careers Employability Award to add to your CV Greatly improves your chances of getting a graduate

job!

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

Bruce WoodcockUniversity of Kent Careers Advisory

Service

You can download a copy of this You can download a copy of this presentation at presentation at

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

When should a CV be used?When should a CV be used?When an employer asks for

applications to be received in this format

When an employer simply states "apply to ..." without specifying the format

When making speculative applications (i.e. when writing to an employer who has not actually advertised a vacancy but who you hope may have one)

Think about the jobThink about the job CVs are normally targeted on a particular job What tasks would the daily routine involve? What skills would the job call for? What type of personality would suit the job? Answers for 300 jobs on: www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations

Competency Questions Competency Questions The hardest part of the form for

most applicants - asking for examples of specific skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving e.g.

Describe how your personal planning and organisation resulted in the successful achievement of a personal or group task.

Give an example of where others have disagreed with your views. How did you deal with this?

Competency QuestionsCompetency Questions

Answers could come from vacation or part-time work; university clubs and societies; voluntary work; study at school or university – especially

projects; holidays and travel or personal and family

experiences. Planning and organising a week’s independent travel in Scotland is as valid an example as a trek through the Himalayas.

The STAR ApproachThe STAR Approach

One way of answering these questions is via the STAR approach - Situation, Task, Action and Result.

It's a bit like a mini essay. Situation and Task are usually

combined and form the introduction The Action you took, should form the

main body of your answer The Result should be your conclusion

The STAR ApproachThe STAR Approach S Whilst employed at Weaver Bros. last summer T I was given the task of rationalising the stock

control system A I would look at factors such as when the stock

was last ordered, what it was used for and how often it was used. I worked out a method of streamlining the paperwork involved in this process and redesigned the relevant forms, which I then submitted to my manager.

R My ideas were accepted and implemented and a 15% reduction in stock levels was achieved“

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm