Preparing a CV and addressing selection criteria
Advertised positions often require a CV, a response to selection criteria and a covering letter. You may also wish to send your CV directly to prospective employers.
Preparing a CV
A resume or CV (curriculum vitae) is a marketing tool used to illustrate your accomplishments to prospective employers.
Why send out a CV?
- To tell an employer of your existence.
- To interest the prospective employer in your skills and experience.
- To persuade her/him that you could contribute to their organisation.
Your CV must:
- be clear and concise. Aim for 2/3 pages in length and ensure it is easy to scan.
- provide your full current contact details
- be up to date. If you change jobs, attend seminars, do extra activities that contribute to your skills and experience, you must update regularly. Keep in contact with referees so that their details are correct on your CV.
- give employers an easy-to-grasp picture of your skills and experience.
- account for the years since you have left school, or if your career has been long and varied, contain the skills and work experience relevant to the particular position/employer.
- be tailored or relevant to the requirements of the position you are applying for. It is important to highlight your strengths in addition to the proficiencies that the employer requires.
What to include
Every CV is unique and not all people will include the same information. Generally, resumes are made up of a number of different sections such as:
- personal details
- education
- awards
- skills
- work experience/professional experience
- personal interests/achievements
- professional associations
- referees.
Selection criteria
Selection criteria refer to the duties considered necessary for an applicant to successfully undertake an advertised position.
In addressing selection criteria you must provide evidence or examples of essential and/or desirable personal and professional attributes. Ensure you:
- check any guidelines provided
- address each criteria separately
- refer to recent situations where you obtained or used your knowledge and skills, or situations where you gained the experience required. The examples you use can be drawn from part-time work, group assignments, research or project work, volunteering or sporting achievements.
- check if there is a word limit for each criteria. If not specified, use half a page or 250 words per question as a guideline.
- have someone proofread your claims.
Sample CVs and job applications
These samples are provided as a guide only.
Sample cover letter for a student seeking work experience