CV and Cover Letters
CV and cover letters
Agenda
CV
• Why is a good CV important?
• Format: what headings to include
• What can be excluded?
• What length?
• Tips / Pitfalls to avoid
Cover letter
• The value of a good cover letter
• Tailoring the cover letter to suit the job
• What length?
• Tips
Submitting your CV and cover letter – thinking digital
CV
Why is a good CV important?
• Your CV is your professional profile
• Snapshot of who you are professionally – experience, qualifications
• Sells you and your skills
• First impression a potential employer gets of you
• CV should be well-presented, easily readable, concise
• Clear structure and format
• Demonstrates how you match the job you’ve applied for
CV
Format: What headings to include
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Personal details
Professional Profile
Key Skills
Career History
Education
6. Training
7. Interests
See Sample CV
CV
What can be excluded? What length?
What can be excluded?:
• Date of birth, nationality, civil status - not required for equality reasons
• Academic details:
•
•
Overall result can be listed if you wish e.g. 2:1
Avoid listing subjects & individual results. Transcript can be provided separately if required
• Photo:
• personal preference re. whether to include or not
• If including, ensure it’s a professional headshot
• Reference contact details: ‘references available on request’, but no need to include contact details
What length?:
•
•
2 – 3 pages max
Further detail can be included in cover letter or discussed at interview
CV
Tips & Pitfalls to avoid
• Presentation is everything
• Clear structure and format – use the 7 headings
• Bullet points, short sentences
• Avoid long descriptive paragraphs – less is more
• Spell-check, font and font size uniformity check
• Language:
• should be professional, but avoid overly-formal language
• write as you would speak to an employer
• Tailor CV to match role requirements – include keywords
• Put your CV together and ask someone else to read and review it
Cover letter
The value of a good cover letter
• A good cover letter helps “personalise” you and your CV
• CV tends to be more formal
• Cover letter can be more informal / personal
• Another opportunity to sell yourself
• Opportunity to tell employer who you are and why you fit the role
• Tailor letter to suit role and appeal to the employer
Cover letter
Tailoring the cover letter – what to include
• State role for which you are applying for
• Summarise professional profile
• Quick brief on your current role and previous relevant roles
• Say why you’re interested in the role and company
• Highlight key skills and experience that make you a match for the role
• Refer to job description to pick out skills and experience needed
• Include something personal to differentiate you from other applicants
e.g. an interest which relates to role
Cover letter
Tips
• Length: 1 page maximum
• Clear structure and presentation:
- Use paragraphs
- Spell-check, check font and font size is uniform
• Language:
• professional but friendly
• No need for ‘Dear Sir / Madam’
• Write your own 
• Your cover letter should be your voice and written in your style
• Ask someone else to review it
Submitting your CV & Cover Letter
Think Digital
• Most employers prefer digital CVs – soft copies - rather than hard copy
• Avoid sending hard copies / bound copies unless requested by the company
• Employers may ask for CVs to be submitted by email
• Or may have an online portal / careers page on their website
• Check application process and follow guidelines
• Draft your CV and cover letter in Word or similar
• If emailing, submit to employers as a Pdf or similar – looks cleaner
• If submitting additional documents with your CV e.g. portfolio, consider web-based file
transfer instead of email e.g. WeTransfer, HighTail
CV & Cover Letters
Summary
1. Take the time to prepare a great CV and cover letter – you’re worth it 
2. CV: use the 7 headings. 2 – 3 pages
3. Cover letter: tailor to the job, cover key areas. 1 page
4. Presentation: Spell-check, format, proof-read
5. When submitting CV: think digital