How to Write a CV - The Recruitment Process

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C V ’ S , I N T E R V I E W S & U S I N G S O C I A L M E D I A I N T H E J O B H U N T

Social Work

30 seconds to make an impression!

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The Recruitment Process

The Recruitment Process –

– Employer

Employer

Job and Person Specification:

Qualifications; Skills; Experience; Expertise

Short listing of Applications:

Application Forms, CVs, Supplementary , pp y

Information

CLEAR MATCH UNCLEAR MATCH

Interview Letter of Refusal

The Application Process

The Application Process –

– Employee

Employee

1. Analyse the vacancy

2. Analyse your suitability

Option A: Demonstrate a clear match

between you and the role

Option B: Send in a “stock” CV and

application

Interview No interview

CV Content



Personal details



Personal Profile

 

Education

 

Employment

 

Skills

I

& A hi

I

& A hi



Interests & Achievements



Referee’s



This is NOT a template, nor is it an exhaustive list.

Important to take a flexible approach re: the structure of

your CV.

Personal Details



Name, address, Tel No, mobile, email address.



Provide home AND term address if necessary.



Email address needs to be professional

@ t d t i

-- [email protected]@student.ucc.ie -- NOT NOT [email protected]@hotmail.com



Change email address when you leave college



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Personal Details

Sharon O’Connor

742 Evergreen Terrace, Bishopstown, Cork.

742 Evergreen Terrace, Bishopstown, Cork. Tel:Tel:0871234567 0871234567

[email protected] [email protected] 742 Evergreen Terrace, Bishopstown, Cork Tel: 021455555 [email protected]

Sharon O’Connor

Personal Profile



 People can use different headings & approaches here: Personal People can use different headings & approaches here: Personal Profile, Career Objective/Perspective, Key Achievements etc. Profile, Career Objective/Perspective, Key Achievements etc.



 Summary information on your core strengths relative to the Summary information on your core strengths relative to the job you are applying to. Operates like a clear and concise job you are applying to. Operates like a clear and concise response to the question:

response to the question: Why I am an excellent candidate for Why I am an excellent candidate for this job?

this job? this job? this job?



 A Personal Profile needs to grab an employers attention A Personal Profile needs to grab an employers attention immediately, and it needs to be tailored to each specific immediately, and it needs to be tailored to each specific application you make.

application you make.



 Context is important. Do NOT merely list a number of key Context is important. Do NOT merely list a number of key words and do NOT use clichés. A profile is only useful if it is words and do NOT use clichés. A profile is only useful if it is focussed & specific.

focussed & specific.

Personal Profile

 Who you are?

- Youth & Comm Grad with strong interest in criminal justice system

 Functional Attributes

- Excellent project management skillsp j g

- Extensive experience of working with young offenders

 Desirable Personal Attributes

- Genuine desire to succeed/make a contribution

 2 or 3 targeted skills

Education



Provide information re: dates, course title,

university, school.



Outline details of subjects studied, specific

modules projects undertaken

modules projects undertaken particular

particular skills

skills

modules, projects undertaken,

modules, projects undertaken, particular

particular skills

skills

acquired if applicable.



Provide information re: results achieved in

specific years/modules/projects.

Subject/Module Information



There are a number of different options re: listing

modules:

1.

Course Modules

Course Modules –

– where you do not have a large

where you do not have a large

number of modules (particularly first year).

2.

Core Modules

Core Modules –

– allows you to list most relevant

allows you to list most relevant

modules studied from across the degree programme.

More targeted.

3.

2

ndnd

_{Year Modules/Final Year Modules}

_{Year Modules/Final Year Modules –}

_{– Self}

_Self

explanatory.

Project Information



 Provide information on relevant projects undertaken:Provide information on relevant projects undertaken:



 Begin with the Title and a brief DescriptionBegin with the Title and a brief Description



 What research did you carry out?What research did you carry out?



 What Methods did you use?What Methods did you use?



 What was the analysis that you conducted?What was the analysis that you conducted?



 What were your findings?What were your findings?



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 Social Policy Issues

 Applied Social Research

 Practice Assignment

Core Modules

 Social Policy & Social Exclusion

 Gender & Social Issues

 Research Dissertation

Education

2008 – Present: Masters of Social Science (Social Policy), University College Cork. Result: Expect to Graduate with 2nd class Honours Grade 1 (2.1)

2nd_{Year Project}

 “An evaluation of social service provision for the travelling community in Ireland”

 Carried out an extensive literature review of existing social policy and social service provision pertaining to the travelling community in Ireland.

 Conducted face to face interviews with the key stakeholders including members of the travelling community, Pavee Point, Social Services and the HSE

 The project was presented in the form of a 3,000 word report which outlined the purpose, research methods, analysis and result of the study.

 Result: Received First Class Honours for the project.

Employment



 Work Experience, Professional Experience, Relevant Experience, Work Experience, Professional Experience, Relevant Experience, Community Development, Youth Work, Voluntary,

Community Development, Youth Work, Voluntary, Placement Placement Experience.

Experience.



 Different headings can be used to highlight particular experiences Different headings can be used to highlight particular experiences that you have.

that you have.



 Provide good, clear and concise information re: the duties that you Provide good, clear and concise information re: the duties that you had/have, and the work that you carried/carry out. Use professional had/have, and the work that you carried/carry out. Use professional and descriptive language to outline this information.

and descriptive language to outline this information.



 The information is best presented in bullet point form. The information is best presented in bullet point form.



 Resources: Resources: www.prospects.ac.ukwww.prospects.ac.uk www.gradireland.comwww.gradireland.com

Employment



Also provide details on what you achieved in any given job. Also provide details on what you achieved in any given job. Information should be results based where possible; not just Information should be results based where possible; not just task based. For example:

task based. For example: –

– Increased community centre volunteer numbers by 20% over Increased community centre volunteer numbers by 20% over a 6 month period

a 6 month period 

Look at sample job descriptions with regard to Jobs you have Look at sample job descriptions with regard to Jobs you have

held. Useful in writing your own information in a professional held. Useful in writing your own information in a professional manner. Do NOT copy and paste! Look at the language that is manner. Do NOT copy and paste! Look at the language that is used and the points that are made. Can you apply any of this used and the points that are made. Can you apply any of this information to your own experience? Make it your own. information to your own experience? Make it your own.

Key Action Words

  Analysed Analysed   PreparedPrepared   OrganisedOrganised   AssistedAssisted   FacilitatedFacilitated   Liaised Liaised   PlannedPlanned   OrderedOrdered   InitiatedInitiated   ImprovedImproved   ReviewedReviewed   ResponsibleResponsible   Liaised Liaised   ResearchedResearched   MonitoredMonitored   MaintainedMaintained   SupervisedSupervised   ResponsibleResponsible   InvolvedInvolved   ParticipatedParticipated   EstablishedEstablished   Assigned toAssigned to Employment Employment Summer 2006:

Summer 2006: Barnardo’sBarnardo’s Ireland, 18 St Patrick’s Hill, CorkIreland, 18 St Patrick’s Hill, Cork Student Support Worker:

Student Support Worker: 

 Worked under the supervision of Senior Support Workers.Worked under the supervision of Senior Support Workers. 

 Provided practical support as appropriate to service users in crisis.Provided practical support as appropriate to service users in crisis. 

 Liaised with relevant organizations & statutory bodies on behalf of service users.Liaised with relevant organizations & statutory bodies on behalf of service users. 

 Maintained accurate records and compiling written reports. Maintained accurate records and compiling written reports. 

 Accompanied Senior Support Workers to meetings, conferences etc.Accompanied Senior Support Workers to meetings, conferences etc.

Summer 2005: Cork Youth Information Centre, Marlboro Street, Cork. Summer 2005: Cork Youth Information Centre, Marlboro Street, Cork. Youth Information Officer:

Youth Information Officer: 

 Advised service users in relation to available resources.Advised service users in relation to available resources. 

 Worked within a multidisciplinary team and participating in associated meetings.Worked within a multidisciplinary team and participating in associated meetings. 

 Contacted clients and setting up appointments.Contacted clients and setting up appointments. 

 Report writing; maintained and updated client records.Report writing; maintained and updated client records. 

 General research and kept up to date with changes in legislation.General research and kept up to date with changes in legislation.

Skills



 Skills section is useful in certain circumstances Skills section is useful in certain circumstances –– particularly where particularly where you are applying for positions where you have no experience, or in you are applying for positions where you have no experience, or in areas that are different from your degree background.

areas that are different from your degree background.



 Transferable Skills:Transferable Skills: Skills learned in one field of work that can be Skills learned in one field of work that can be easily adapted to a different field e.g. Communication, Teamwork, easily adapted to a different field e.g. Communication, Teamwork, Decision Making etc.

Decision Making etc.



 Job Related Skills:Job Related Skills: Skills of qualifications that are directly relevant Skills of qualifications that are directly relevant to a specific job e.g. proficiency in

to a specific job e.g. proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite etc.Microsoft Office Suite etc.



 Providing some context is also important. Anyone can say they have Providing some context is also important. Anyone can say they have good Teamwork skills so you need to provide some context that is good Teamwork skills so you need to provide some context that is evidence based

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Skills



 Teamwork: Teamwork: Good Good Teamwork & Communication Teamwork & Communication skills acquired through continuous skills acquired through continuous work within academic, sports, and work related teams over the past 3 years. Developed work within academic, sports, and work related teams over the past 3 years. Developed strong interpersonal skills and enjoy working with other people.

strong interpersonal skills and enjoy working with other people.



 Data collection and interpretation: Data collection and interpretation: Numerous projects conducted involving Numerous projects conducted involving qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (statistics) data collection and interpretation. qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (statistics) data collection and interpretation. Have developed an excellent ability to collate and present large amounts of information in Have developed an excellent ability to collate and present large amounts of information in

l d i l d i a clear and concise manner. a clear and concise manner.



 Presentation: Presentation: Experience in formal Experience in formal presentationspresentations, conducted before fellow class , conducted before fellow class members, academics and project sponsors. Sponsors included members of the Economic members, academics and project sponsors. Sponsors included members of the Economic and Social Research Institute and heads of an international Project management group. and Social Research Institute and heads of an international Project management group.



 Computers: Computers: Have completedHave completed European European Computer Drivers Licence (ECDL). Excellent Computer Drivers Licence (ECDL). Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and Email. working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and Email. Also have a good knowledge of SPSS and have strong typing skills i.e. 50 wpm. Also have a good knowledge of SPSS and have strong typing skills i.e. 50 wpm.

Interests & Achievements



This section of the CV is frequently overlooked by

applicants. It is NOT overlooked by employers!



Given that you are a student, you are unlikely to have a

vast amount of work experience. Employers can therefore

d

l k

l

d

l k

l

i l

tend to look more closely at your extra

tend to look more closely at your extra--curricular

curricular

activities.



Highlight your interests & achievements be they sporting,

academic, work related etc.

Interests & Achievements



You will need to provide good information on

current

current interests and involvements.

interests and involvements.



Involvement in clubs & societies is increasingly

important

important.



Use subheadings if necessary. This can be useful

from the point of view of presentation and clarity

in this area.

Interests & Achievements Interests & Achievements

  SoccerSoccer   GAAGAA   MusicMusic   CinemaCinema 

 Travel:Travel: Have travelled extensively throughout Europe & South East Asia.Have travelled extensively throughout Europe & South East Asia. 

 Lived and worked in America during the summer of 2008.Lived and worked in America during the summer of 2008. 

 University:University: Active member of UCC Philosophical Society attending debates & workshops.Active member of UCC Philosophical Society attending debates & workshops. 

 Served as committee member with philosophical Society for 2009 academic year.Served as committee member with philosophical Society for 2009 academic year. 

 Sport:Sport: Member of Lee Valley Rowing Club & participate in numerous competitions.Member of Lee Valley Rowing Club & participate in numerous competitions. 

 Member of UCC Rowing Club & compete at Senior Intervarsity level.Member of UCC Rowing Club & compete at Senior Intervarsity level. 

 Computers:Computers: Completed European Computer Driving License (ECDL)Completed European Computer Driving License (ECDL) 

 Volunteer Work: Volunteer Work: Regular volunteer for both Cork Simon and AWARERegular volunteer for both Cork Simon and AWARE 

 Full clean driver’s licence.Full clean driver’s licence.

Referee’s



 In general 2 references are required. Usually at this point, students In general 2 references are required. Usually at this point, students will use 1 work reference and 1 academic reference.

will use 1 work reference and 1 academic reference.



 You will need to ask permission first before including their details on You will need to ask permission first before including their details on your CV.

your CV.



 Keep the referee’s informed about positions you are applying for Keep the referee’s informed about positions you are applying for Keep the referee s informed about positions you are applying for. Keep the referee s informed about positions you are applying for.



 It is also a good idea to give a copy of your CV to the referee’s.It is also a good idea to give a copy of your CV to the referee’s.



 When applying abroad, include the country code in the phone When applying abroad, include the country code in the phone numbers i.e. +353 numbers i.e. +353

Referee’s

Referee’s: Referee’s: 

 Patricia MahonPatricia Mahon -- Course Coordinator, Department of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork. Tel: 021 Course Coordinator, Department of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork. Tel: 021 4123456, Email:

4123456, Email: [email protected]@ucc.ie



 Jennifer PurcellJennifer Purcell –– Principle Social Worker, Barnardo’s Ireland, 18 St Patrick’s Hill, Cork. Tel: 021 4123456, Principle Social Worker, Barnardo’s Ireland, 18 St Patrick’s Hill, Cork. Tel: 021 4123456, Email:

Email: [email protected]@barnardos.ie

Referee’s: Referee’s: 

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Targeting your CV



 A successful CV is targeted to the specific job criteria set out by the employer. A successful CV is targeted to the specific job criteria set out by the employer. These criteria will be found in the job description and the person These criteria will be found in the job description and the person specification.

specification.



 Job specifications are frequently divided into Job specifications are frequently divided into EssentialEssential and and DesirableDesirable requirements. The desirable requirements can be used to narrow down the requirements. The desirable requirements can be used to narrow down the candidates when there are a large number of high quality applicants. candidates when there are a large number of high quality applicants.



 In short you need to find out what the job involves and then think about how In short you need to find out what the job involves and then think about how you meet the requirements.

you meet the requirements.



 A targeted CV will highlight the evidence an employer is looking for. A A targeted CV will highlight the evidence an employer is looking for. A generic CV will hide it.

generic CV will hide it.

Targeting your CV



 Employer Needs:Employer Needs: -- excellent academic record excellent academic record -- IT skills IT skills

-- communication skills communication skills

-- written, verbal and presentation skills written, verbal and presentation skills -- initiative initiative

-- problem solving skills problem solving skills pp gg -- good command of English good command of English -- commercial awareness commercial awareness -- enthusiasm and motivation enthusiasm and motivation -- leadership potential leadership potential



 You will then need to provide concrete evidence of the above in your You will then need to provide concrete evidence of the above in your CV

CV

Proof Read!



Worked in a busty office



1999: Career Break to renovate my horse



Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year



Skills: Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail, Team

Player, Self Motivated, Attention to Detail.



Revolved customer problems and inquiries.

Exercise



Two CV’s



Job Description

p



Which of the CV’s is best and why?



5 mins

C A R E E R S S E R V I C E

Interviews Made Easy

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Types of Interviews



Telephone interviews



Video Conferencing



1

st

and 2

nd

round interviews

i



One-to-one interviews



Panel interviews



Assessment Centres



Competency Based



Case Study/Scenario



Combination

Interview Types

Traditional Interviews

Structured, formal interview

Sample Questions

Tell me about yourself

What are your strengths & weaknesses? How would you approach ? How would you approach ……?

Behavioural/ Competency Interviews

Past behaviour predicts future behaviour

Sample Questions

Do you think it is important to challenge children? How do you manage that?

Can you give me an example of when you had multiple tasks to do in a short period of time? How did you stay organised?

Some Perspective on Competency

Interviews

Recruiter’s

Perspective

Candidate’s

Perspective

Past is an indicator of the future Past is an opportunity to

provide evidence of your i l potential Person specification – identify

essential and desirable competencies

Skills audit – identity opportunities where competencies were developed Prepare questions to test

competencies

Prepare verbal summaries of your evidence - stories

Stages of Interviews



Settling in



Business – formal questioning

h

k

i



Over to You – your chance to ask questions



Closure

Interview Preparation

 Know yourself: Review your strengths, skills and experience that

make you the ideal candidate for the job.

 Know your CV/Application form

 Know the Company

 Know the industry

 Know the Job: What are the key responsibilities and challenges?

 Match your ‘evidence’ to fit the criteria for the job vacancy

Prepare: Know Yourself

Ask yourself:



Why do I want this job?



Why should this organisation select me?



What are my ambitions?



What are my ambitions?



What are my strengths and weaknesses?



What have I gained from my degree?



What skills have I gained from my

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Prepare - Know the Organisation

Read company brochures, website, annual report,

press release etc.

Talk to current and past employees.

Then ask yourself:



What do I know about this organisation?



What attracts me to this organisation?

Prepare - Know the Industry/Sector



What is going on in this industry/sector at the

moment? (Read relevant journals, newspapers).



Any recent changes or developments?

y

g

p



How might these impact on the organisation?

(Perfect material for forming your questions!)

Prepare - Know the Job

Do you know…

 What the job involves?

 What qualifications, skills and experience you will need to

perform the job well?

 What the job is really like? Have you spoken to people

already doing this kind of work?

 Also, what evidence do you have to demonstrate that you

have the skills sought by the employer?

Could You Be More Prepared?



Of course!



Don’t forget the obvious but essential…

Format and duration of interview? Date time location?

Date, time, location?

Distance and mode of transport? Who are you meeting? What will you need to bring? What are you wearing?

Types of Questions



Open e.g. How you feel about …?



Closed e.g. Do you enjoy ….?



Probing e.g. What did you learn from…?



Problem e.g. What was difficult about…?



Challenging e.g. ‘I see you’re not very analytical’



Scenario e.g. What would you do if...?

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Opening Question

Career Commercial

Open Question



Tell us about yourself?



Talk us through your CV/Application

In other Words

-

Bring us up to date with your career

highlighting the successes that you consider

to be most relevant to this position?

60-90 seconds, highly selective, 3D overview

Career Commercial



Qualifications



Key strengths



Previous relevant employment



Highlights of your work experience



A recent (relevant) achievement and



A summary of what you will contribute to the position



Align your answer to the core competencies

o

Exercise – Career Commercials in groups of 3

Employers’ Wish List (Competencies)



Teamwork



Problem Solving



Communication/interpersonal skills



Delivering a quality service



Task/Project Management



Task/Project Management



Time Management



Business focus



Drive and initiative



Manage change/Flexibility



Motivation

The funnelling technique

Sign post competency

Level 1: ask the question

Level 2: ask for evidence

Level 3; personalise

Level 4: generalise

Level 5: challenge

Level 6: ask for more

Funnelling: example

Teamwork

Have you worked in teams before?

Which team has worked most effectively?

What did you personally contribute to this team?

What characterises an effective team?

Is that always the case?

To Get Through This Funnel, You Need…



EXAMPLES …

 You need to mine your past for compelling, appropriate examples.

U th

Di

i

f

lif



Use the 3 Dimensions of your life:

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The STAR Format

The Star Format is useful for putting a logical structure on examples or “stories” you have to tell:

Situation: Describe the situation or problem.

Task: Describe the tasks that the situation required.q Action: Describe the actions you took to complete the

task successfully and any obstacles overcame.

Result: Highlight outcomes achieved.

Example: Teamwork

Situation:

I wanted to raise

I wanted to raise €€2,000 for charity and to fund a trip to2,000 for charity and to fund a trip to Scottish Highlands organised for the fundraisers. Scottish Highlands organised for the fundraisers.

Task: Task:

To enlist the support of my colleagues and To enlist the support of my colleagues and friends in supporting my efforts to raise money. friends in supporting my efforts to raise money.

Action: Action:

I organised a table

I organised a table--top quiz, minitop quiz, mini--marathonmarathon team and six “bag

team and six “bag--packing” days at supermarkets.packing” days at supermarkets.

Results: Results:

Two colleagues set themselves same Two colleagues set themselves same target. Together,

target. Together, €€6,000 was raised in total. 6,000 was raised in total.

Competency Based Questions

 Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What

problems arose? How did you deal with them?

 Communication Skills: Describe a situation when you had to

persuade others to support your view.

 Give an example of any reports you’ve written which illustrate your

writing skillsg

 Interpersonal Skills: What kinds of people do you find it

difficult to work with? How do you handle these situations.

 Organisation Skills: Describe a situation where you generated a

plan leading to a specific goal.

 Problem-solving: Tell us about an error you made and what you

learned.

Exercise



Pick a competency



Use the STAR format to structure your response

y

p



Groups of 3



10 mins



Remember...its what you did, not what was done

What is Social Networking

 Basically making friends and

connections virtually versus in person

 Through networks you get things

done but in real life connections are hidden

are hidden

 Online you can generally see

everybody’s connections (depends on network)

 Adding friends or business

connections online expands your

network helping you

find a job

 Keep it professional  www.Youtube.com  www.Match.com  www.Plaxo.com  www.Livejournal.com  www.Meetup.com

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Employers and Social Networking



More and More employers using social networking

to link in with potential employees



Example:

p



“Students who follow KPMG on Twitter are

exposed to news and information about KPMG that

will help them understand our workplace culture”

Job Seekers possible Social Networking sites

 www.LinkedIn.com–professional - Used by many recruiters to find job candidates

 www.facebook.com– for ads, you can add your personality, pictures, personalise it .. …..

 www.twitter.com– tweet for jobs, find postings.

 Add value to your network so you can look like the professional

you are

 Its not what others can do for you , but what you can do for

others – always.

LinkedIn

 LinkedIn is becoming the most well known unlike Facebook, it

is focused on career development

 Used mainly by people with a few years work experience it still

has use for university students

If t t fi d t b t ti l j b j i

 If you want to find out more about a particular job you can join a professional group and post questions

 Alumni groups can be a route to finding ex-students who have

studied your course or who are working in a career that you are interested in.

 Keep your Linkedln profile concise but fully completed especially

if you have niche skills such as unusual programming language.



http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/

Facebook



Content is very important:

-

Good photo

-

Status updates: Jennifer is looking for a job as a Youth

Worker. Any advice?

Blog

-

Blog

-

Groups, causes, and fan pages



Clean up your profile



Manage your privacy settings

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Other points of note……..

• Twitter is more worthwhile in certain sectors such as marketing,

communications and charities.

• When you sign up to a social networking site, whether Twitter,

Facebookor any other, you will create a profile of yourself. This is what prospective employers will see first, so treat it like a CV: include all your relevant experience and keep it up to date include all your relevant experience and keep it up to date.

• Joining careers related groups on Facebook is an easy way of

keeping in the loop for up to date news, events, and opportunities.

• UCC careers Service has pages listing employer and career

specific events.

Protect your Reputation



Keep it Private



Do you want employers, lecturers, colleagues to see

it….



Check social networking privacy settings

Why………

Because………..

“

Nationale Suisse employee sacked after surfing

Facebook while off sick”

Reuters, April 2009

“We won’t hold drunken picture against you, it helps

build up a picture”

Director of Digital Strategies,

Racepoint Group UK

Social Networking

Take Advantage



Build a positive presence online

(12)

Where are the Jobs ?

Websites:  www.activelink.ie  www.irishjobs.ie  www.jobfinder.ie  www.jobs.ie  Newspapers:

 Irish Examiner – Friday

 Independent – Thursday j  www.jobsearch.ie  www.jobrapido.ie  www.loadsajob.ie  www.monster.ie  www.nixers.com  www.publicjobs.ie  www.recruitireland.com

There is no simple formula for managing your

career in challenging times. Hard work counts!

Keep in touch...

Visit our website at www.ucc.ie/careers