Top tips for preparing your CV
If using slides or images from this presentation:
please acknowledge
Sarah Davies
and the
Department of Geology
at the University of Leicester.
Logistics - What types of CV are there?
1. Chronological / Academic CV
emphasises knowledge and academic achievement
2. Skills-based CV
focus: demonstrating evidence of relevant skills
(geological and transferable)
Always target your CV to the company and post
Creating the right impression:
Common Problems
• Poor spelling and typographic errors
• Providing no evidence for statements
• Including more on interests than on academic
achievements or employability skills
• Not including language skills/fluency levels
• Lists …….
Opening statements
Which University
Who you are
I am a second-year MGeol student at the University of
Leicester and interested in work placements involving
environmental protection and monitoring. In particular I
would like to deal with contaminated land evaluation,
contamination prevention and land remediation.
Knowledge about job What you are seeking
Education details
Reverse chronological order is standard
Education
2003-present University of Leicester,
BSc Geology with a one-year industrial placement.
Graduating July 2007. Expected degree class: 2.1.
Second-year results: 66%
2001-2003 Summer Lane College, Northampton
A-Levels: Geology (B), Mathematics (B), Chemistry (C) &
General Studies (C)
1996-2001 Tudor School, Corby
10 GCSEs: achieved 2A*, 5A, 2B, 1C grades including
Mathematics (A), English (A*) and Spanish (B)
Using the right language
10 Best:
Achievement, active, developed, evidence,
experience, impact, individual, involved,
planning, transferable skills
10 Worst:
Always, awful, bad, fault, hate, mistake, never,
nothing, panic, problems
Source: BBC Website
Frequently Asked Questions:
What font should I use?
• A clear and unfussy font. Don’t use character fonts.
• Never mix fonts.
• Do not be tempted to reduce the font size too much .
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a different font for email & hard copy?
• Emailing your CV? Use a sans serif font, such as
Arial or Helvetica.
• Printing your CV? On the printed page a serif font, such as
Times or Times New Roman, is easier to read.
Frequently Asked Questions
My CV is longer than two pages - is that alright?
• That depends….
• For most advertised posts requesting CV, a 2-page
CV is required.
• Use a covering letter to highlight your key selling
points
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a >2-page CV acceptable?
• For a PhD project applications, longer CVs will be
tolerated but make sure all information is pertinent.
• Academics are most interested in grades, academic
prizes, membership of learned societies - not your
interests unless directly related to the PhD project
What are Employability Skills?
Competencies
1. Motivation and Enthusiasm
2. Teamworking
3. Communication
4. Flexibility and adaptability
5. Initiative and proactivity
Sarah Caven, MGeol Geology, Western Canada
1. Motivation and Enthusiasm
Ways to demonstrate this.
• Care with covering letter and CV
• Evidence of research about the company, job or PhD
topic
• In-depth knowledge of post or project
• Experience which demonstrates motivation
Cautions: exaggeration
Do not be tempted to exaggerate on your CV
Common statement
I regularly attend geological talks organised by the student
society.
Potential question at interview
Tell us about some of the key findings from a recent
lecture you attended.
2. Teamworking
• Essential to demonstrate the ability to work with others
• Credentials will require reference to experience during
joint projects at University, part-time jobs, work
experience, sports or societies
2. Teamworking - a statement
“I am comfortable working in a team or independently.”
2. Teamworking - the evidence
Role
Activity
As a committee member of the department’s student
geological society, I was responsible for organizing the
social events, including the annual dinner, working
closely with the president and publicity secretary.
Team members
3. Communication
• Can you give confident presentations?
• Can you write clearly and concisely?
• Have you had experience of designing other types of
communication? e.g. web development, poster
production
• Do you have the ability to network and make contacts?
4. Flexibility and Adaptability
• Can you cope with a role that alters from day to day?
• Can you respond positively to change?
• Can you be proactive: predict new developments and
decide on a response?
Mining Research Sedimentary Exploration County Council
geologist Fellow geologist geologist Waste Management
4. Flexibility & Adaptability
“My job involves planning and
organising offshore geotechnical
investigation projects; supervising
and coordinating geotechnical work
on jackup pontoons and company drill
ship.
I am also involved in data acquisition,
project management, engineering
analysis and final reporting.”
Elisa Davis, MGeol 2005
Geotechnical Engineer and Team Leader
Horizon Geotechnical Company, UAE
5. Initiative and Proactivity
• Decide what needs doing and get on with it
• Act effectively without specific instructions from
management
• Need examples of having taken action
Applying for a Geoscience Job or Placement?
1. Do not forget geological skills.
2. Don’t list everything - select geological experiences or
modules of most interest to a given employer.
3. Make it easy for an employer to link you and your skills
to the job they are offering.
When to use a skills-based CV…….
Placement students will be expected to have:
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Good communication skills
• Basic level of computer competency; knowledge of
Microsoft office an advantage
• Environmental awareness
• Some specific knowledge relevant to post
Person specification
Nicola James, BSc Geology 2005
“I hadn’t realised how useful skills that I had
learnt at university were.
At interviews, you are asked to give
specific examples of when you have
used certain computer programs, when
you showed good organisational skills,
how you worked in group situations etc.
It is good to think about tasks completed at
university and how they can be related to
a work place, as you will certainly be
asked this at interview.”
Academic CV - Research/Field-based Projects:
Include a longer synopsis: maximum one page
• provides prospective supervisors and selection panels
with more information about your specific skills
• demonstrates that you can summarise your project
• proves that you understand the significance and wider
context of your results
All CVs - Additional Information
• Mention a full driving licence if you have one
• Relevant qualifications: up-to-date First Aid Certificates
• Don’t forget academic prizes and awards
• Language skills with fluency levels
• Short list of interests
Who should I use as my referees?
• An academic who knows your recent work and can
comment on your strengths in detail, e.g. tutor,
project supervisor, field-based project advisor.
• Use a recent employer to comment on extra-
curricular responsibility
• For PhD applications 2 or 3 academic references
may be required
ALWAYS …….
• ask your referees before you include their contact
details on your CV or application form.
• provide your referees with a full and up-to-date CV or a
copy of the completed application form and the job ad.
Covering letters: should always accompany a CV
What information should I include?
• What you are applying for and where you heard
about the post.
• Who you are, where you are studying and what
degree you are reading.
• Use as a ‘highlighter’ for your CV. Expand on some
areas that are highly relevant to your application.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company.
In Summary
1. Keep an extended CV and up-date regularly. Abstract
information to create tailored CVs or complete specific
sections on application forms.
2. Consider the evidence you can provide for your experience
of all skills (transferable & geological).
3. Choose your referees with care and keep them informed
of your applications and achievements.
4. Use the covering letter to highlight experience/skills and
demonstrate knowledge of company.
5. Ask a friend to read your CV and letter for spelling errors
and clarity of text.
