CVs and Cover Letters
A CV allows you to represent yourself in the best possible light and should relate your skills and experience to those required for each job you apply for. Don't be tempted to send the same CV to several employers as this is rarely successful.
Your CV needs to show the employer that you have all the right skills and qualities to succeed in the position they are offering. Don’t just list everything you have done but think about what makes you an ideal candidate for them and focus on this as you construct your CV.
- Download a copy of ‘Your CV roadmap’ which gives lots of useful tips and answers some commonly asked questions.
- Look at the examples of different CVs in the ‘Find Out More…’ section below and think about how each has been tailored to suit the particular industry.
- Look at the ‘Applications and Interviews’ file and the books we have in our Careers Information Room if you need some more inspiration. Just ask our receptionist.
- Read through the job description for the vacancy and highlight the skills and experience they require. Think about ways in which you’ve shown the skills they need.
- You can use the Living CV feature on Leeds for Life to think about the skills you have developed based on the opportunities you have saved.
- Construct your CV so that they can see the most relevant information easily. Make the experience that particularly emphasises how you meet their requirements the highest priority so the employer doesn’t miss something that makes you a strong candidate.
- If you would like someone to review your CV and cover letter, bring them with the job description of the advertised vacancy to the Careers Centre. Ask to see one of our Frontline Advice team and we’ll be happy to give you feedback before you submit it to the employer.
The Careers Centre often runs workshops/talks to help you with your applications so check our online database if you would like to take part.
FIND OUT MORE...
Useful links:
Prospects: CVs and covering letters- Guide to writing CVs (including examples).
Prospects: Job application advice- How to market yourself to employers.
Vitae: Creating effective CVs - Guidance for researchers (including examples of academic, chronological and skills-based CVs).
Download here:
Careers Centre: Your CV roadmap – Your CV is your marketing tool. This guide will help you convince the recruiter that you are a strong candidate for their position.
CV Bank – Look at the examples below to see how other students have tailored their CVs:
| Communications | Management Consultancy (1 page) |
| Design | Marketing |
| Environment | Publishing |
| Finance | Recruitment Consultancy |
| Law | Science PhD |
| Local Government (1) | Supply Chain |
| Local Government (2) |
Example Cover Letter
Insiders Guide eBook - Recruiters' top tips on applications and interviews, collected from organisations who attended the Yorkshire Graduate Recruitment Fair in June 2011.