Applying for jobs
Sections
Open publication - Free publishing - More creative
CVs
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a well written structured document outlining your educational qualifications and career to date. The purpose of a CV is to get you an interview so you should treat it as a marketing tool.The overall design should be simple, clear and short and limited to two pages. Don't ever pad out your CV with waffle - one page of useful information is undoubtedly worth far more to an employer than two pages full of irrelevant facts.
How should I structure my CV?
Personal Details: If you live away from home, you should include your current Dublin address as well as your permanent address to help employers to contact you. Include contact numbers as well - but make sure your mobile phone answer phone message sounds professional.
Education: listed in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent/current first). It is not necessary to list all your subjects completed at third level. A brief sample of subjects covered and an overall (or expected) result are sufficient.Employers also like to be informed about core subjects, projects and thesis work.
Work Experience: listed in reverse chronological order. Use "active" rather than "passive" verbs to describe your experience e.g. " managed" rather than "the management of". Also you should link your skills and experience to the requirements of the position.
Skills, Achievements, Personal Interests: Skills may include languages, I.T. skills, driving licence, etc as well as transferable skills such as communication and teamwork. Remember to give evidence of your skills. Achievements may include the attainment of personal goals, awards, certificates, medals, etc. Don't overload your CV with interests.
Referees: Make sure you ask the permission of your referees before adding their details to your CV. Only two referees are needed - ideally one academic (i.e., from you third level college and not your school principal) and one from employment. Give only two unless specifically asked for more. Include emails, phone numbers as well as addresses so that they can be contacted easily
Applying for a Job 1 ; The CV.
CV Tips
- There is no such thing as the perfect CV.
- Your CV is the first impression an employer gets of you - make it a good one!
- CVs should be typed and no longer than 2 sides of A4 (not double sided).
- A photograph on a CV is optional and depends upon company policy. In general it is not required.
- CVs should always be accompanied by a covering letter.
- Adapt your CV for each job for which you apply.
- Use positive, business like language and concise phrases.
- Use action verbs (e.g., manage, organise, develop) to quantify your experience. Do not repeat details common to several positions.
Put yourself in the employers' shoes: what are they looking for? Have you researched the company/read the job specification/person specification to check that you have the skills required?
Emphasise the skills you have developed - through part time jobs, voluntary work, community work, hobbies, clubs, sports, course...
Make sure you give concrete evidence to back up the skills you say you have
- Visit the DIT careers Service for examples of CV's or make an appointment with a careers adviser to discuss your own CV
- Ask someone to read your CV before you send it. Check for spelling and grammatical errors
- Always retain a copy of your CV and update as required.
- Photocopy your CV on the best quality (bonded A4) paper - a poorly presented CV does not create a good first impression.
CV samples
A wide variety of CV samples are available on the careers resource are of WebCT (registered DIT students only). Other recommended sites include:
Electronically Scanned CVs (ESCVs)
Electronically scanned CVs are increasing being used by companies short-listing candidates.Normally, a company will warn you in advance if they are using this system.
For more information on electronic applications visit www.gradireland.com.
Cover Letters
A covering letter should accompany any CV you send when you are applying for a position in an organisation. It is particularly important to send if your CV is unsolicited and speculative. A cover letter may not be required when applying to a recruitment agency.
What should be included in a covering letter?
- A covering letter should state the reason that you are writing to the prospective employer/organisation - whether it is a speculative letter or in response to an advertisement. It should be no longer than one page in length. Keep it simple and to the point. It is preferable to type covering letters on best quality (bonded A4) paper.
- Rather than "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam" always address your letter to the relevant person in the company - get a name. A simple phone call to the organisation will establish who is in charge of recruitment.
- Make sure you get names, addresses and titles exactly right. Sloppiness in addressing can turn an employer off you at first glance!
- Tailor your letter to suit the company and the job for which you are applying. Use it to highlight your personal qualities and relevant parts of your CV.
- Be positive in your letter. The covering letter creates a first impression and sets the tone of the application.
- Always check spelling and grammar.
- Keep copies of all letters you send out. It may be some months before the company replies by which time you will have forgotten what you wrote in your letter.
Cover letter samples
For good examples of cover letters - both speculative letters and letters answering advertisements, click on the careers resource area of WebCT and try the link below.
- careers4graduates - Ireland's first career planning website.
Application forms
- Make a copy of the form.
- Gather your information about the company and about yourself.
- Read the employer literature, check the information in the careers service and the website.
- Make sure you are aware of any topical issues facing the company.
- Find out as much as you can about the job function-especially important in competitive areas such as marketing and advertising.
- Draft your answers to ensure they fit the space provided-give evidence of same sought through examples taken from academic work, work experience.
- Make sure your form is clean and legible.
- Pay particular attention to instructions regarding the colour of ink and use of capitals.
- Be careful about spelling and punctuation. If necessary word-process your application first and use a spell check, but be aware of American spellings e.g. 'license' as opposed to 'licence'.
- Never leave a section blank unless it is clearly inappropriate for you (in which case enter 'n/a' i.e. not applicable)
- Remember to sign and date your final form.
- Keep a copy of your answers as they may be used as a basis for discussion/ interview-and they will come in useful for future forms..
Try the Prospects link for more useful info!
