CV Writing - NSP July 2014 FV

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Creating a Good Cover Letter & CV 1Objective The objective of this course is to:

Provide you with best practices to create your cover letter and CV

Give you useful tips to create a compelling CV and cover letter to assist you in your job search. 22Job Market Statistics3Source: McKinsey Global Institute 37millionThe number of wage paying stable jobs in Africa over the past decade. 3Job Hunting Statistics4Source: McKinsey Global Institute91 millionThe number of people added to the African labour force in the last 10 years! 4Job Hunting Statistics5Source: Forbes7 things you probably didnt know about your job search50%Many companies use talent-management software to screen CVs, weeding out up to 50% of applications before anyone ever looks at a CV or cover letter.

5Job Hunting Statistics6Source: Forbes7 things you probably didnt know about your job search7 secondsThe average amount of time a hiring manager spends looking at a CV is 7 seconds!!

6end the sentence with a periodJOB SEARCH TIPS7Pause . What do you think of the statistics. What has been your personal experience of this. 7No ATC Ghana chevron on this slide?Job Search TipsYou will need to invest time.Research and create a target list of the companies that you want to work for.It is useful to understand the link between your personal values and the companys mission and vision. Reinforce and reconnect with your network via LinkedIn. Sign up to online job sites for job alerts, register with recruitment agencies and scout the Dailies Graphic and Ghanaian Times. Where possible, follow up on all applications sent.8Remember . . . 80% of jobs that arent posted will be discovered by your job network .Source: Forbes.com8Job Search TipsBe prepared! Research the companies to which you are applying. Know products, histories and values. Create a notebook of all positions to which you apply (keep a copy of the advert and job description handy)!Clean up your social media presence employers really do check!!

Be realistic! Know your qualifications and limitations. Read open job adverts carefully before applying. Make sure you have the knowledge, skills and abilities required of each position before applying.Make sure your CV is always up to date.9Solicit feedback on this section. Any comments queries, lessons learnt before moving to the next topic9Cover Letters10What is your understanding of a cover letter10No ATC Ghana chevron on this slide?Cover Letter Best PracticesYour cover letter is the companys first impression of you and is just as important as your CV.

An effective cover letter shows your understanding of the employersneeds and what knowledge, skills and experience you have in fulfilling those needs.

The cover letter should:Be personalized, brief and concise.Be specific to the position and/or company.Express your interest in the position and company.Advertise your experience and skills related to a job opening and align them to the key attributes highlighted in the advert/job descriptionPromise results and request an interview. Indicate your follow-up plan.

11Handouts:Sample Cover Letters

Additional Guidelines for a Cover LetterAlways have a typewritten cover letter.Handwritten letters should only be used for thank you notes.Address your cover letter to a specific person.If you dont have a specific name, try calling the companys Human Resources department. If all else fails, you can start with Dear Recruiting ManagerUse the same quality paper for your CV and cover letter.

12Remember . . . Your cover letter must capture attention, generate interest and inspire action!12Cover Letters Dos & DontsDoPersonalize and customize the cover letter and address it to a specific person.Use one or two notable achievements showing how you have applied a knowledge, skill in your past experience and how you will apply it to this roleKeep your letter brief and straight to the point.Proofread carefully and ask friends to help you review.

DontDo not use casual phrases or jargons used to message friends.Do not rely on auto-correct or spell check tools.Do not repeat your CV word for word. Do not handwrite the letter. Cover letters should always be typed. Don't be negative about past employers or experiences. Put anything in your cover letter that is not captured in your CV.

13Use the same quality of paper that you have printed your CV on. Summary of What weve covered so far.

Address your cover letter to a specific person. if you dont know you can start with Dear Human Resources or you may be able to find a specific name by calling the Human Resources department before submitting

13Activity14

Review the attached sample cover letters and providesuggestions on what could be done differently 14

Jennifer DenuP. O. Box DS 315 Accra DansomanJune 2, 2013Ms. Jane AppauHR ManagerGentec Co. LtdP. O. Box 344Tema

Dear Ms. Appau,

I was referred to you by my friend, Mr. Nii Tetteh, who told me about your company. I am graduate from Methodist University College who completed 2012 and I have completed my National Service at ATC Ghana Ltd . I would like to be considered for a Sales Support position in your company.

I am active in the marketing club when I was at school and have just joined the Ghana Marketing Association and am skilled in the knowledge of product branding, selling sills and customer service. My work history includes internships at CITAM Consulting and STS Services respectively as well as a National Service Personnel in the Sales Department at ATC Ghana Ltd.

If you are interested in hiring someone who is dependable and hard-working, I would like to be considered.

I will be available for an interview at your convenience and can be contacted at 050245672. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Denu

Enclosure: CVCover Letter Sample 1 15slide heading?Cover Letter Sample 2 Dear Hiring Manager:

Your posting on LinkedIn for a Sales and Marketing Coordinator recently caught my eye, and I think you will find I am an exceptional candidate for this position.

I am an accomplished administrative professional and a junior in the Marketing & Management program at River run University. Over the past ten years, I have provided high-level support in a variety of industries and across multiple functional areas. I am now seeking a position that will make the most of my administrative experience while offering additional opportunities for personal and professional development.

In exchange, I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.

My accomplishments and qualifications are further detailed in the attached resume. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value that I can bring to your organization.

Your sincerely

16Source: askamanager.orgBefore VersionHeres the before version. It reads like 95% of the cover letters out there. Like those other 95%, it basically says, I know I need a cover letter, so here are some paragraphs of blah. You can imagine multiple candidates for this position submitting this letter; theres nothing especially personalized about 16Cover Letter Sample 2 ReviewDear Hiring Manager,

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for the position of Sales Coordinator for the Westeros Castle Project. As an administrative professional with over ten years experience, I know my diverse skills and qualifications will make me an asset to the Westerosproject team. As you will see from the attached CV, Ive built my career in a variety of roles and industries, mostly in small companies where I was not just the Administrator but also Personal Assistant, Bookkeeper and first point of contact in the Marketing team. Im not only used to wearing many hats, I sincerely enjoy it; I thrive in an environment where no two work days are exactly the same.

In addition to being flexible and responsive, Im also a fanatic for details particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as preparing the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the photocopier never runs out of paper.

17State the title of the position for which you are applying.Mention how you learned of the position and/or the name of the person that referred you.One or two paragraphs. Refer to your CV.Briefly explain why you are interested in the specific company.Emphasize personal qualifications which directly relate to that organization or position.Introductory Paragraph The Body Paragraph(s) After VersionIt tells us who the candidate is and why shes great at what she does. And shes genuinely enthusiastic. This isnt a generic letter; its a letter about her.17Closing Paragraph Sample 2Last but certainly not least, I want you to know that Im a passionate Westerosfan and a longtime supporter of the new castle. Ive been following the new castle movement since the earliest days of the original Save the Tombs campaign, and I am so excited to see this vision becoming a reality. Ive already checked out the new castle website, and the renderings of the new throne and great hall are stunning, to say the least I particularly love the vintage murals and art featured throughout the building. Nice touch!

In closing, I am thrilled at the possibility of being involved in the new castle almost literally from the ground up, and would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value that I can bring to the Targaryen organization and the Westeros Castle Project.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

18Thank the employer for his or her time and for considering you for the position.Suggest an interview/appointment for yourself with the employer.

The Closing Summary. Key learning points comments, inputs, suggestions from the team before moving to the next section18CV Writing1919ATC Ghana chevron?CV Statistics20Source: The Recruiters Lounge1One spelling or grammar mistake and your CV will be thrown in the trash.

20CV Statistics21Source: The Recruiters Lounge76%76% of CVs are ignored if your email address is unprofessional.

21CV Statistics22Source: Statistics Brain53%In a 2011 study in the U.S., researchers found that 53% of CVs and job applications contained falsifications.

What types of things will you consider falsifications and what do you think doing this can lead to. CEO at Yahoo claimed to have a second degree in Computer Science but this was not part of the schools curriculum at that time. 22What Can a CV Help You Do?Apply for temporary or full time jobs.Provide supplemental material for college and scholarship applications.Find mentors.Show interest in employment at a particular company.Market your skill sets to companies.Reflects your career, education & experiences to date.23Use a CV for more then just a part of a job search and interview processUse as a leave behind if manager is not available. Shows you are prepared and professional

Components of a Good CV24

Objective

Summary of Accomplishments & Skills Professional Experiences Education Contact Information 24Best PracticesTreat your CV as a marketing document.Tailor your CV for the position you are applying for.Demonstrate your value and highlight specific points from the job description where you can add value to the organization.Ensure the CV is ERROR free.Do not falsify any information.

25Handout: The Dos and Donts of Email job seeking.

Now you try. Research job openings using the Internet, newspapers etc. and find a position to which you would like to apply.Create a cover letter expressing interest in the role.Update your CV and tailor it for that opportunity.Identify a MentorCreate a LinkedIn profile and connect with five new people who may be able to assist in your job search.

Deadline for the above: 5th August 2014

Individual Meetings with HR Team to be scheduled

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Any Questions?27