Resume or CV

The main purpose of the CV is to get you an interview, by telling the employer:

• who you are
• where you can be contacted
• what skills and achievements you have to offer
• at what level of responsibility you have been using these skills
• and what benefits these skills and responsibilities have brought your employers.

CV Preparation (link)
Example CV (link)
CV Template

Letter or Cover Page

Unlike the CV which tends to be somewhat of a standard document, your letter of application must be individually prepared and tailored for each position for which you are applying. It is your chance to demonstrate to the employer why you should be seriously considered for a job.

Letter Preparation(link)
Example Application Letter

 

Resume Preparation

Use the following structure as a guideline for preparing your own professional CV.

Part One:

Cover Page (Optional)
It is totally up to you as to whether you will create a cover page. Its main use is to add to the aesthetic appeal and presentation of your CV, but it also informs the reader straight away what the document is.

Personal Information
This section will include the following:

• Your full name
• Your address (remembering to add a postal address if this is different to your residential address.
• Telephone numbers for during working hours and after hours. Always make it as easy as possible for a potential employer to contact you
• Your date of birth (optional)
• Interests (Interests are important because they reveal aspects of your personality, skills and abilities that may be of value to the job) e.g: drawing, painting, reading autobiographies, volleyball and tennis.
• Driving Licence (depending on the job it may be worth noting that you are a driver if you have a licence and/or a car)
• Health (some employers will be pleased to know you are in good health and are a "non-smoker")

Part Two:

Education and Training
This can be divided up into:

1. Formal schooling, referring to the highest level of achievement, the dates, and subjects completed. Do not forget to include any current study you are doing, even if it is not yet complete. NB Always begin with your most recent study first and work backwards from there.
2. Other Training which can include any other courses taken outside of school.

 

Part Three:

Work Experience (can include paid work as well as any voluntary or unpaid work experience)

Part Four:

Referees
These are people who know you well, and would act in support of your application for work. In general, they may include past (possibly even present) employers, a teacher from school or a lecturer in University, or a respected member of your community. Work related referees (as opposed to personal referees) are most preferred.

Additional Tips . . .

Other information you could add to your CV includes:

• Any other languages that you speak.
• Travel experience (overseas in particular).
• Community Involvement (eg Rotary Clubs, Clean Up Australia Campaign).
• Achievements and Awards (academic, sports or any other).
• Extra-Curricular Activities (eg school debating team).

Remember to make your CV very clear and easy to read - use bold headings.

If you are finding it difficult to construct your CV or perhaps you do not have access to computer and print facilities - ASK FOR HELP!!

Your school should be able to help in some way, as could your parents. Alternatively there are professional CV preparation services available at a small cost. Enquire with us at Jarrah HR Consulting if you are interested.

Letter Preparation

You should always send your letter to a particular individual in the organisation. If you do not have these details, you should make a call to the organisation and find out the name of the person you should be forwarding your letter of application to (with correct spelling) and the title of their position. This information will also assist you in making any follow up phone calls if you have not received a response within two to three weeks. Keep a personal copy of each application letter you send.

Always remember to link your skills to the recruiter's requirements, especially those listed in the job advertisement or outlined in the job description. Some advertisements will invite you to send away for a job description which is available upon request. A job description is a very useful document, giving you clues as to what you should and should not put into your application. Think about how your skills relate to the job, to the company and to the industry.

Leave plenty of white space on the page using simple words, concise sentences and short well-spaced paragraphs. It is best to keep the letter to one page only, remembering that if the letter is too long, the employer is likely to skim over it, which of course is the last thing you want.

LETTER OF APPLICATION CHECKLIST. . .

• Is your letter free of spelling, grammatical and typographical errors? Get someone else to check it for you.
• Have you spelt the name of the recipient, their job title and name of the organisation correctly? (You can make sure of this by calling the receptionist or switchboard operator.)
• Does the letter begin with a clear statement of what you are seeking from the employer? (e.g. why you are writing the letter)
• Have you shown that you have done some research on the company and the job advertised? (show your keen interest in the organisation)
• Are your claims true and correct?
• Does the letter make you sound confident, but without being too boastful?
• Does your letter flow, and is it easy to read and understand?
• Have you used lots of positive language?
• Have you avoided any mention of salary expectations, health problems, transport difficulties, family hassles etc?
• Have you asked for action (e.g. an interview) in the last paragraph, including a contact telephone number?
• Have you kept your letter to one A4 page, has it been word processed and is it laser printed?
• Have you dated your letter?
• Have you made sure your name is clearly printed below your signature?
• Have you signed your letter?
• Have you enclosed your CV?

Practise writing some of your own letters of application: They are not easy, but the more you keep practising, the easier they become.