Your CV and cover letter are often your first chance to make an impression on potential employers. This module will help you create documents that effectively showcase your skills and experiences.
• Understanding what recruiters and ATS look for in CVs
• Tailoring your CV for specific roles and industries
• Crafting compelling achievement statements
• Writing effective cover letters that complement your CV
• Common CV and cover letter mistakes to avoid
1. Understanding What Recruiters and ATS Look For in CVs
a) Recruiter preferences:
• Clear, concise formatting
• Relevance to the job description
• Quantifiable achievements
• Career progression
• Attention to detail (no errors)
b) Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS):
• Keyword matching algorithms
• Preferred file formats
• Parsing of standard CV sections
• Potential issues with graphics or unusual formatting
c) Balancing human and ATS readability:
• Using standard section headings
• Incorporating keywords naturally
• Avoiding overly complex designs
• Using a clean, professional font
d) Common CV screening practices:
• The "6-second scan"
• Keyword searches
• Chronological vs functional CV preferences
2. Tailoring Your CV for Specific Roles and Industries
a) Analysing job descriptions:
• Identifying key requirements and qualifications
• Noting frequently used terms and phrases
• Understanding company culture and values
b) Customising your CV content:
• Aligning your experience with job requirements
• Emphasising relevant skills and achievements
• Adapting your professional summary or objective
• Reordering sections to highlight most relevant information
c) Industry-specific CV considerations:
• Technical fields (e.g., IT, engineering)
• Creative industries
• Business and finance
• Healthcare and scientific roles
d) Creating a master CV:
• Developing a comprehensive document with all experiences
• Using the master CV as a base for tailored versions
• Regularly updating with new skills and achievements
3. Crafting Compelling Achievement Statements
a) The importance of achievement-focused content:
• Demonstrating impact rather than just responsibilities
• Differentiating yourself from other candidates
• Providing concrete evidence of your capabilities
b) The STAR method for achievement statements:
• Situation: Providing context
• Task: Describing your specific responsibility
• Action: Explaining what you did
• Result: Quantifying the outcome or impact
c) Using strong action verbs:
• Starting statements with impactful verbs
• Avoiding passive language
• Using varied vocabulary to describe similar actions
d) Quantifying achievements:
• Using numbers, percentages, and monetary values
• Providing context for achievements (e.g., industry benchmarks)
• Estimating impact when exact figures aren't available
e) Examples of effective achievement statements:
• Before and after comparisons
• Industry-specific examples
4. Writing Effective Cover Letters That Complement Your CV
a) Purpose of a cover letter:
• Introducing yourself and your interest in the role
• Highlighting key qualifications not fully explored in your CV
• Demonstrating fit with company culture
• Showing enthusiasm and personality
b) Structure of a strong cover letter:
• Opening paragraph: Hook and purpose
• Body paragraphs: Key qualifications and achievements
• Closing paragraph: Call to action and thank you
c) Tailoring cover letters:
• Addressing specific job requirements
• Referencing company values or recent news
• Explaining your interest in the company and role
d) Tone and style considerations:
• Matching company culture (formal vs. casual)
• Balancing confidence with humility
• Using a professional yet personable voice
e) Formatting and length:
• Standard business letter format
• Appropriate length (typically one page)
• Consistent formatting with your CV
5. Common CV and Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
a) CV mistakes:
• Typos and grammatical errors
• Including irrelevant information
• Using an unprofessional email address
• Lack of specificity in achievements
• Inconsistent formatting or font usage
b) Cover letter mistakes:
• Generic, non-tailored content
• Repeating CV content without elaboration
• Focusing on what the company can do for you
• Excessive length
• Failing to proofread
c) General application mistakes:
• Submitting documents in incorrect file formats
• Missing application instructions or deadlines
• Oversharing personal information
• Using clichés or buzzwords without context
• Neglecting to follow up appropriately
Revise your CV based on the principles learned in this module. Then, write a tailored cover letter for a job posting in your target industry.
1. CV Tailoring:
◦ Find a job posting that interests you in your target industry
◦ Analyse the job description, highlighting key requirements and frequently used terms
◦ Tailor your CV to this specific role, ensuring you address the main requirements
2. Achievement Statement Makeover:
◦ Identify 3-5 bullet points in your current CV that describe responsibilities rather than achievements
◦ Rewrite these points using the STAR method, focusing on quantifiable results
◦ Have a peer review your new achievement statements and provide feedback
3. ATS Optimisation Check:
◦ Use an online ATS simulator or CV scanner to check your CV's ATS compatibility
◦ Make necessary adjustments based on the results, ensuring key information is parsed correctly
4. Cover Letter Draft:
◦ Write a cover letter for the job posting you used in the CV tailoring exercise
◦ Ensure your letter complements rather than repeats your CV content
◦ Highlight 1-2 key achievements that directly relate to the job requirements
5. Peer Review:
◦ Exchange CVs and cover letters with a classmate or trusted colleague
◦ Provide constructive feedback to each other, focusing on clarity, impact, and relevance
◦ Revise your documents based on the feedback received
6. Master CV Development:
◦ Start or update your master CV, including all your experiences, skills, and achievements
◦ Organise this document in a way that makes it easy to extract information for tailored applications
By completing this activity, you'll have significantly improved your CV and cover letter, tailoring them to a specific opportunity while ensuring they're optimised for both human readers and ATS. Remember, your application documents should evolve with your career, so revisit and update them regularly.