How to Make Your CV…

… a WINNING CV
 What is a CV (resume)?
• What is the purpose of a CV?
• What is the desired result?

• To gain an
interview
Content: what should I put in my CV?
• The complete story of my amazing
and fascinating life so far? X wrong!

• Age, D.O.B., gender, marital status,

health, ethnicity, and other such X wrong!
details?

• A photo of me at The Big Day Out? X wrong!

 What Should I Really Put in my CV?
• Knowledge you have (and how you have applied it) – YES
• Skills you have (and how you have used them) – YES
• Experience (and how it demonstrates your skills

and knowledge) – YES

• Personal Qualities (explaining that you are an ideal
match for the job and for their team) – YES
What headings are used in CVs?
ESSENTIALS:
• Contact Details
• Summary Profile
• Education/Training
• Experience
• Referees
The following headings are optional – only
use if they highlight your strengths

• Personal Statement • Skill Summary

• Career Objective • Other Training
• Achievements • Memberships
• Community • Publications
Involvement • etc…
• Interests/Hobbies
Let’s look at a sample CV…
Vita Minsee 11 Cucumber Close, Northfields, Auckland
Ph: 023 456 7890 or (09) 444 4444
CURRICULUM VITAE vitaminc@yahoo.com

Career Objective
To gain a graduate position in the Food Technology industry where I can apply my skills,
knowledge and practical experience. I have particular interests in quality assurance
processes and in the development of new product lines.

Summary Profile

 Completing a Bachelor of Applied Science at AUT University

 High level communication and interpersonal skills - with students, the public ,
colleagues and management
 Proven leadership, supervisory and management experience
 Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
 Extensive customer service experience with strong customer service ethic
 An enthusiastic team worker, committed to working towards a shared goal
 Ability to carry out quality control and provide innovative solutions
 Competent with Microsoft Software: Excel, Word, Access
 Well organised person with excellent time management skills
 Committed to ongoing learning and professional development

Education
Auckland University Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Technology)
of Technology Currently completing Project Seven Research
Feb 2011 - present
Relevant papers include:
 Food packaging Technology
 Food Microbiology
 Quality Assurance
 Industrial Microbiology
 Environmental Microbiology
 Food Industry Legislation
 Food Technology
 Food & Environmental Analysis
 Biotechnology

1
Industry-related Experience
Auckland University Laboratory Tutor
of Technology Responsibilities:
Mar 2012 – present  Supervise and demonstrate microbiological
techniques and procedures to groups of up to 40
University students for the following papers:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Systematic Microbiology
- Microbiology
 Ensure safety procedures are followed to a high
standard

Other Work Experience

Corner Pharmacy Sales Assistant
Auckland Key tasks/skills/knowledge:
Nov 2010 – Feb 2011  Develop excellent product knowledge
 Achieve and exceed personal weekly sales targets
 Build rapport and develop good customer relations
 Provide quality service through the use of professional
selling skills

Charlie’s Sports Salesperson

Ponsonby Responsibilities/skills:
Dec 2009 – Jul 2010  Demonstrated products and made sales
 Supervised staff and trained new staff
 Opened and closed store
 Balanced cash and prepared banking

Purple Food Bar Food Bar Assistant

Hamilton Key tasks:
Jan –Nov 2009  Prepared and packaged cold and hot foods
 Monitored stock levels and reordered as needed
 Observed relevant health and safety regulations
 Carried out general kitchen and cleaning duties

2
Achievements
 Gained Top in Class award for Biotechnology paper (AUT, Semester 2, 2011)
 Appointed Class Representative for Year 1 students (AUT, 2011)
 Completed half-marathon for Crippled Children Fundraiser (2010)
 Member of First Eleven Soccer team (social grade, Valley High, 2009 – 2010)

Interests
 Cooking for friends
 Playing social soccer and waterpolo
 Reading for information and for pleasure
 Music – playing guitar and singing
 Keeping tabs on the latest trends in the fitness and nutrition industries

Referees
Academic Dr Bill Hapuka Dr Irenia Brassica
Programme Leader Senior Lecturer
AUT University AUT University
Auckland Auckland
Ph: (09) 921 9999 Ph: (09) 921 9999
bigfish@aut.ac.nz broccolihead@aut.ac.nz

Employment Huntly Palmer Alison Kalloree

Manager Manager
Purple Food Bar, Hamilton Corner Pharmacy, Auckland
Ph: (07) 111 1111 Ph: (09) 111 2222
huntlyp@purple.co.nz akallaree@gmail.com

3
Checklist for Presentation
and Formatting of your CV
 Clear, consistent formatting
 Use simple language, in short statements
 Use Headings, Bullet points, Tables for lists
(rather than tabs or spaces)
 Use a common font
 Concise and Easy to Read - ‘white space’ on the page
 Triple-check spelling and grammar
 Dated lists in reverse chronological order
More than just a list
of facts…
• Tailor your CV to target each job / employer / school
• Give more detail of more relevant experience (especially
clinical placements, Co-op experience, projects, etc.)
• Find out what skills, knowledge, experience and qualities are
needed and be sure to include these
• Your CV is a marketing tool – it needs to promote your
strengths in a positive manner
• Always write a personalised Cover Letter
Promote your STRENGTHS in your CV
• What are you best at?
• Where do your greatest strengths lie?
• What distinguishes you from other
applicants?

• On a piece of paper, write down your

FIVE Greatest Strengths
 Do Your Research
• Find out as much as you can about the
employer

• Visit their website and get familiar with who

they are, what they do, and how they do it

• Use your networks to contact people who

work there for ‘inside information’
Interpreting Job Advertisements
**Administrator** Data Entry** Customer Service

Our client is a leader in solutions offered to accounting firms and small businesses both in the UK, New
Zealand and Australia to streamline accounting processes.

They need an experienced office person to join their back-office team doing the all important tasks of
processing documentation in accordance with agreed turn-around times, resolve any queries from
clients (accounting firms and financial institutions), scanning and filing of documentation and all the
while providing excellent customer service.

To be successful in the role, you must be able to deal with high volumes of processing and loading of
documents on to the database. You must be able to work to deadlines and be goal orientated.

**You must have:**

- Excellent communication skills
- Strong data entry speeds of 8,000 ksph with 90% accuracy rates
- Experience in a corporate back-office role
- Excellent work ethics
- A desire to contribute towards a growing and successful company

This is a great opportunity to put your skills to good use.

Apply Now! Ref: AK21511
Interpreting Job/Position Descriptions
Critical Competencies
Competency Description
1. Teamwork Works in collaboration with fellow team members to achieve objectives and
tasks for the good of the whole. Has a positive working attitude, is flexible
and adaptable. At the same time is able to take direction from those staff
responsible for doing so.
2. Communication Listens effectively and checks understanding, interprets instructions
accurately. Expresses information well and comprehensively.

3. Organising Organises and completes work in a timely manner, remaining flexible and
taking into account the many and changing demands. Informs the Team Co-
ordinator, Charge Nurse or Team Leader if unable to complete tasks
required.
4. Self -Management Sets high standards and works to achieve goals. Manages stress and
understands personal limitations. Responds positively to change.

5. Quality Pays attention to detail, reliable and checks work to ensure the
maintenance of departmental quality standards. Committed to excellence in
service delivery.
6. Adaptability/Flexibility Maintains effectiveness in varying environments and with different tasks,
responsibilities and people. Has the ability to modify behaviour and/or tasks
to reach different goals. Can adjust priorities when required. Is able to work
shift-work including weekends and nights as required.

7. Maturity/Sensitivity Able to work well with people with serious health problems. Able to cope in
stressful situations and environments.
8. Cultural Awareness Actively demonstrates awareness of cultural differences. Able to respect
and communicate appropriately with clients from differing cultures. Has
knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi.
 What’s in a Cover Letter?
• A Cover Letter is a personal communication with the
employer or recruiters
• Use full sentences and paragraphs
• Layout in business letter format, no more than one
page in length
• Tell them in writing why they should consider you
above other applicants
• Convince them that they should take your CV
seriously
7 Seamore Rise
Glenfield Your postal address
North Shore City

14 September 2010
Today’s date

The Principal
Name and postal address of the person, school or
Greenstone College
Poenamu Valley
BOT you are applying to
PO Box 9876
Auckland
Find the name of the Principal or addressee if at all
Dear Ms Bronfenbrenner possible, otherwise use “Dear Sir/Madam”
I wish to apply for the position of Physical Education Teacher as currently advertised in the Education
Gazette online. This is exactly the sort of role I have been working towards during my studies and I would be
thrilled to be able to further develop my relationship with Greenstone College. As you will recall, I was on
State which position you
teaching placement at the college during August this year.
are applying for
With my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) nearly complete, I am greatly looking forward to
launching my teaching career. I feel sure that I can offer exactly the skills, experience and knowledge that
you are looking for to fill this position. Through my studies and AUT and my placements this year I have Describe your current situation, your
been able to build strong skills in working with students of all types and in working collaboratively with my
colleagues. In addition I have developed an in-depth knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum and NCEA, experience, qualifications, and your
and have a particular flair for turning academic requirements into activities and work that students find both
stimulating and challenging. suitability for the position in general.
With my supporting subject areas, Health and ICT, I believe that I will prove to be a considerable asset to the
college and its students. My philosophy of Education centres around the notion of education the whole
person, and I am well versed with the principles of Hauora and the Treaty of Waitangi and how to implement More detail: about placements,
these. One goal I have for the future is to progress into pastoral care roles within the school. The Pastoral
Care Team was an aspect with which I was particularly impressed during my recent placement at Greenstone knowledge, skills, career plans and
College.
other relevant factors.
I am a passionate and dedicated sportsperson, with considerable experience in a range of sports, and in
swimming instruction and surf lifesaving. I would consider it a great privilege to be able to pass on some of
my enthusiasm for sports and wellbeing to the students of Greenstone College, and to assist them along the
Why you would love to work for
path to achieving their educational, health and fitness, and life goals.
them and how you would add value
Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to your response. I am available for interview at
any time during the working week and can be contacted by mobile phone or email message at your to their team
convenience.
Closing statement
Yours faithfully
Sign here