How to write your CV and application letter ? Carine Chisu – Business Coach carinechisu@hotmail.com 0473/339 338 What do we do today ? • Part 1 : How to write your CV ? • Part 2 : How to write an application letter ? ▫ Advertisement ▫ Spontaneous Which parts in a CV ? • • • • • 1. Personal information 2. Education 3. Professional experience 4. Competencies 5. Various information • What about hobbies ? • What about lectures, publications, seminars ? First part : Personal information • Name + surname Æ make a difference if it is not obvious (bold or italics) • Official address + address where you actually live • Phone number + email address • Age • Place of birth • Nationality ? • Gender ? Part 2 : Your educational background • In chronological or antichronological order : depends on how you feel about it / the reader • Insert all the dates : gaps are no good signs for recruiters • Insert the name of the school/university and the place (no full address) ▫ It is your CV ▫ Not the one of your professors • No insertion of elementary school • Mention your thesis and title PhD (+ grades if any) • For publications , seminars : full list in attachment in separate document Part 3 : Your professional background • Do I have professional experience ? YES ! ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Internships Teaching experience Assistant Student jobs / summer jobs x If several years : positive impression • Insert all dates • Mention the name of the employer + place • 3 bullets to explain the position : choose the vocabulary (e.g. responsability, people management, budget, …) Part 4 : Various competencies • Language skills : ▫ Do not forget your mother tongue ! ▫ Do not exagerate but do not minimize either ▫ Even basic skills can be interesting if not for now, maybe for the future • Computer literacy : ▫ Make the list of all the programs you can use • Driver’s licence Part 5 : Various information • Other experiences : ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Trip around the world Youth camps : leadership Group sports : competition (!) Social engagement Extra trainings Beware of … • Pay attention to details : ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Easy to read : not overloaded Grammar & spelling Look & feel Not too many hobbies : employers want people who are ‘totally’ dedicated to their work ! • How long ? ▫ 1-2 pages max ▫ Full list in attachment on demand General remarks • No copy paste of the CV ▫ CV = facts & figures / application letter = occasion to present the person behind it • NO STANDARD LETTER ▫ Personalize it : try to get the name of the person you address your letter to • 1 page max with address and signature • Use the vocabulary of the potential employer if advertisement ▫ Profile ▫ Description of the position Advertisement • Start with mentioning where you saw the ad • Mention the position and the place of the position (best in Concerns : …) + repeat • Then state why you are writing ▫ Avoid : I am very much interested !!!! • Starting phrase : ▫ " Please find enclosed my CV, which I am forwarding to you as an application for the position of......." • Present & « sell » yourself ▫ Trick : description profile + job description ▫ Why are you different than all the others who will apply ? x Languages x Experience x Education x Use adjectives like "demonstrated ability", "well developed", "strong" • Closing paragraph : ▫ Do not be shy to ask for an appointment ▫ Mention where & when you can be reached x If holidays : mention it ! ▫ « Should you require more information, … » ▫ Close with : Sincerely yours ▫ Full name + signature • Do not forget to attach your CV ! Spontaneous application • More difficult ▫ Use more upfront information x The internet x People you know x Articles in press • You need more solid argumentation on why you want them to hire you • Difficult : balance between telling them for which position & leaving it up to them to think March 24th : How to prepare for the interview : - content - « package » Until March 15th carinechisu@hotmail.com