The Career Guidance Service supports students in making valuable choices and decisions regarding their lives. It involves the development of the whole person, personally, socially and academically.
Familiarize yourself with the Career Guidance Service or make an appointment for specific Careers counselling and we will try and support you in making an effective decision regarding your educational path.
Services available to stuents
The Careers & Appointments Service includes:
- Career Counselling - Individual /Group
- Job Search Techniques
- Interview Skills
- CV Preparation & Cover Letters
- Further Study - Transfer opportunities
CV Preparation and Cover Letters
A Curriculum Vitae is an essential document to have when applying for a job. Each CV will be different as it is adapted to suit the needs of each individual. There are, however, a number of basic guidelines to follow.
- Length of CV 2 pages - 3 maximum
- Brief simple statements
- Paper - good quality A4 size
- Prepare the CV yourself - there must be no mistakes
- Presentation is very important , the CV is your sales document
- Allocate space stricty in proportion to the importance of the information
- Target your CV to job and employer
- Referees normally 2, if possible, one academic and one from previous employer
- Make it look presentable and eye-catching. Use white space to organise your CV in a visually attractive and easy to read format
- Be concise, include only relevant information. Focus on your skills and abilities and how you can help meet his/her needs
- Make you CV action orientated. Use verbs to show the range of your skills
- Even though CV's should be comprehensive and stand alone, never sent a CV without a covering letter
- Do not use the same CV for vastly different jobs. Try to target your CV and letter to a particular occupation of employer
- Alway keep a copy of your CV so that you can reread it before going to an interview
Sample Cover Letters
Your covering letter that you include with your CV should always take account of the following::
- It introduces your application and draws attention to the main factors which make you suitable for the job.
- It should make the employer want to read your CV. Therefore write with enthusiasm and confidence.
- The covering letter must strike a balance between accurate perceptions of your suitability to the job and the employer's needs.
- If you are replying to an advertisement, which specifies certain qualities or qualifications, make sure you draw attention to how you fit them. Even if you do not answer every specification
- Be as positive as possible.
- The covering letter should be written on good quality white paper, A4 and un-ruled. Make sure you keep a copy!
- If you know the name of the person to apply to, include it with the name and address of the organisation at the top of the letter.
- Length: There is no general rule, except the golden one: The letter must be long enough to stimulate and maintain interest.
- Begin the letter: "Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms" and end with "Yours sincerely" and if you do not know the person's name, begin with "Dear Sir/Madam" and end with "Yours faithfully".
- It always helps to print your surname below your signature
A covering letter should contain the following points
- Opening paragraph - Introduce yourself and what you are looking for.
- Second paragraph - your sales pitch!
Qualifications - Technical skills - Research work - Computer skills - Previous work experience - Personal qualities - maximum 3 - back up with examples
- Third paragraph
Why that job - Why that company
- Final paragraph - Ask for the opportunity of an interview