CVs, Covering
Letters and Interview
Skills
PREPARED BY: JUNEMA A. SAMILING, MAED
SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF KENT
What is a CV?
Curriculum Vitae: the course of one’s life.
An outline of education/work.
A marketing tool to sell yourself.
When should you use a CV?
Toapply for an advertised vacancy that asks for a
CV.
To apply speculatively.
They are also a useful source of information for
when you are completing job application forms.
What makes a good CV?
Activity
In groups of five :
Look at the 2 CVs and identify which one you think
is better.
What makes this CV better than the other? Write
some notes on the paper.
What is wrong with the other CV? Write some notes
on the paper.
What should be included in a CV?
Your contact details.
A personal profile (optional).
Employment history/work experience.
Education/training.
Skills/achievements.
Interests.
References.
How should a CV be laid out?
Various formats – see the following websites for
examples:
Next Step website. (http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk)
Jobcentre Plus website. (
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseeke
rs/index.htm
)
What makes a good CV?
Do Don’t
Use fonts that are difficult to
Use a clear font. read.
Use bold and larger font Have an unprofessional
to highlight your name email address.
and headings. Justlist skills without
Havea sensible email providing
address. evidence/examples.
Have more than 2 pages
Highlight
your skills and
where some details are
achievements. irrelevant.
What makes a good CV?
Do Don’t
Targetyour CV towards the Leave lots of white space.
job you are applying for.
Include your primary
Use bullet points to make school.
the CV easier to read.
Waffle.
Checkspelling and
Send a CV without a
grammar.
covering letter.
Giverelevant dates e.g. in
employment history.
Covering Letters
Activity
In pairs discuss:
Why should you send a covering letter with a CV?
What should you include in your covering letter?
What should I include in a covering letter?
Why you are writing.
Why you want the job.
Why you are interested in the company.
Sell your main skills/achievements relevant to the
role.
What you would like to happen next.
How should I set out a covering letter?
Look at the handouts on examples from the Next
Step website. (http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk)
Overview of Letter Parts
Letterhead
Dateline
Letter Address
Salutation
Body
Complimentary Closing
Writer’s Name and Title
Reference Initials
What makes a good covering letter?
Do Don’t
Find out the name of the Just repeat what you have
person you need to write to. put in your CV.
Research the employer and Write more than a page.
show that you know Use the same letter for
something about them.
different jobs/companies.
Highlight your key Send a letter containing
skills/experience related to
spelling mistakes.
the job.
Any questions?
Interview Skills
Yes…well…you
made a few
mistakes…
Look at each slide very carefully!
In your teams you will have only a few
seconds to choose the correct answer about
interview common sense. Write your answer
on the paper.
Good Luck!
Q1 You are getting ready for your interview. What do
you choose to wear?
(Write the correct letter down)
A B
Q2 Or…if you are male…
A B C
Q3 You have chosen your footwear. What
about the rest of your clothes?
A B
Q4 Or…if you are a woman…
A B C
Q5 You know that small details can make a
difference. How would you advise a friend to do
her nails?
A B
Q6 What else should you do before the
interview?
Check directions. A
Leave home in plenty of time B
Read a little bit about the employer C
Practice interview questions D
Go out with your friends the night before
and get home late E
Q7 These employers are discussing the sort of person they
would want to employ. Write down three things which all
employers would want from an employee.
Yes. I would We should be
like to see looking for
someone someone who is…
who…
It is really
important
that…
to g et
go in g
I’m not ite ly
m d efin I hope I’ll get
going to get I ’
g r e at. B
the job – I’m it. I’m the job. I’ve
terrible. A prepared
really well. C
Q8 Who has the I don’t like it
best attitude? here. D
Q9 You have arrived! Which of the following
expressions would be the best as you greet your
potential employer?
A B
C D
Q10 Which greeting is the best?
Hi A
Good morning/afternoon B
All right mate? C
Q11Which of these answers would be
best?
Not really. I Thank you for
got lost A coming. Did you
find us easily?
Yes- no
problem.
B
Don’t
know
really. C
Because Q12 Can you tell me
it pays why you are
well. A interested in this
job?
Because I have
always been
interested in this
type of work
and I feel that I
could offer a
lot. B
Q13 Bonus point!
Think of three things which are
wrong with this prospective
interviewee!
Q14 In your team, write down a
good answer to this question.
What did you
enjoy at
school/previous
job?
Q15 Which is the best answer?
Tell me something you are proud of.
When I worked really hard and achieved grades
I was proud of. A
When I told my teacher/boss what I thought of
him/her B
Dunno C
Q16 What does this question
mean? How
comp
A. Can you read liter uter
well? ate
are
you?
B. What
computer
applications can
you use?
C. Do you use
the computer a
lot?
Q17 Write down a good answer.
How do you
feel about
learning new
skills for a
job?
Q18 Finally…
Take two minutes to discuss with your
team and then write down a question you
could ask an employer at an interview ?
What makes a good interview
Preparation!
Arrive in good time.
Turn off your phone!
Smile and shake the interviewer’s hand.
Be prepared to give answers to common interview
questions.
Ask a couple of questions at the end.
Sell yourself.
Thank the interviewer/s for his/her/their time.
Ask for feedback.
Questions ?
“ Preparation is the key to a
successful job application.
BY: MA’AM J.
”
Thank you for listening & for your cooperation!
