Mycareercoach.com

CV tips for:
juniors and graduates

Your starting point should be the job spec or ad. Read and pay attention to the language, terminology, choice of words and expressions the prospective employer has used.

Now develop a list of your attributes which are relevant to the job. Consider what skills, experiences, accomplishments and achievements you have had, as well as personal qualities which are appropriate to the role.

Consider what qualifications you have, as well as any hobbies or interests which might be relevant.

These will form the basis of the salient points you need to include in your CV to get that job. Work out how you can include those points to best effect.

Part time, intern, industrial placement and work experience:

Stating the line of business or type of organisation you were working for will make your experience more meaningful. Ideally you should focus on achievements, but if you are short of these, make sure you give a good outline of the nature of your work, responsibilities and contribution.

Achievements:

Rather than just saying what the responsibilities were, try to show ways in which you have been successful in your role. For example: 'in a part-time weekend job I fixed 19 stereos into cars in one day. This was a record, and represented $2,800 for the sales office!'

Personal qualities:

If the job is likely to involve working with people, point out, for example, that you’re a good team worker and communicator.

Academic achievements:

If you don’t have much work experience, major on your education and training. Highlight modules from courses which relate to the opening.

Dissertation:

If your dissertation from your studies is relevant to your application, make sure you get this across.

Familiarity with IT and ICT:

If you are competent with PC applications, PDAs, Web 2.0, on-line communities and networking etc, say so and be specific. Mention any familiarity with MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and integration with new media devices PDAs etc…

Hobbies and interests:

Mentioning these gives an employer an idea of your strengths and personality. And in some cases they may be directly relevant to the job or suggest a associated asset. For example, being a member of a society implies you enjoy meeting and interacting with people.

Mention awards you have won or certificates gained:

For example: 'certified first aider; won prize for best presentation; represented college in first tennis team; school prefect; member of field trip which trekked abc mountain; won two medals at swimming club tournament.'

Testimony:

If you have been given a reference or testimony you could include this on your CV. For example: “xyz was consistently reliable, helpful with customers and members of the team and productive in his/her job as an assistant on the shop floor,” would read well.

The focus of your application/CV should be on what you can do for the employer – not what they can do for you.

However it would be good to say why a specific role is of particular interest to you, given employers prefer people who want to do the job.

It is OK to say that your aim is to ultimately develop your skills towards a management role, but if the job is for an accounts clerk, you need to say that this is what you are looking for at present. Don't dismiss the advertised role and say you are interested in joining the company because you would like to become a manager.

Sharpen up your CV with positive and action words:

• Positive words: accurate, accountable, conscientious, flexible, level-headed, personable and socially engaging, reliable, self-confident, self-motivated, results-driven, trustworthy…
• Action words: achieved, completed, contributed, developed, initiated, planned, implemented, improved, won…

But make sure you do not change the meaning just to use a word which sounds good.