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OxfordGuideToCareers2017
OxfordGuideToCareers2017
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APPLICATION ESSENTIALS<br />
D<br />
COMMENTS ON SIAN MAGELLAN’S CV OPPOSITE<br />
OVERALL:<br />
Looks easy to read.<br />
Text and dates aligned, no full-stops and plenty of ‘white<br />
space’ around text.<br />
Consistent use of headings, capitals and bold text provide<br />
clear signposting.<br />
No jargon or acronyms which may muddle understanding.<br />
Numbers, percentages and values add clarity and give a<br />
sense of scale.<br />
OTHER FORMS OF CV<br />
Some roles may allow for, or invite, a different form of CV.<br />
CREATIVE CVS:<br />
If you are applying for a ‘creative’ role, in advertising or design<br />
for example, they may look favourably upon an infographic<br />
or otherwise visually unusual CV. This allows you to project<br />
something of your style and personality and can demonstrate<br />
your ability and skill communicating information clearly in a<br />
creative and striking way.<br />
ACADEMIC CVS:<br />
There is no upper limit on the number of pages expected in a<br />
CV for an academic post. If applying for a postdoc, fellowship,<br />
lectureship or research assistant post, make sure your CV has:<br />
] Sections for professional memberships, publications, and<br />
conference presentations/posters.<br />
] <br />
experience, teaching experience and any university/college<br />
administration or committee work.<br />
] Details of successful bids for awards, grants and<br />
collaborations.<br />
] Referee details – usually three - ideally academics who both<br />
<br />
Martha Jeacle<br />
Legal Recruiting & Associate Development<br />
Manager, Davis Polk and Wardell LLP<br />
"You do not want to leave the impression that you<br />
have not spent enough time working on the CV. Try to<br />
anticipate what the person reading the CV will want<br />
to know and rather than just listing your experiences,<br />
explain how these are relevant to the role you are<br />
applying for. Finally, ask someone to look over your<br />
CV - a friend, career advisor or family member - to<br />
suggest what can be improved, and a fresh pair of<br />
eyes can often spot typos and errors rather than<br />
relying on spellcheck or auto correct."<br />
MORE INFORMATION AND EXAMPLES:<br />
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/cvs<br />
BULLET POINTS<br />
Separate bullet points cover a single idea, skill or activity<br />
Note: Sian has used CAR (p.53) as a structure for her<br />
Experience section.<br />
] CONTEXT: Dates, organization name and positions/role<br />
give sufficient context.<br />
] ACTION: Bullets start with active verbs/skills, aligning<br />
these to left margin for ease of scanning.<br />
] RESULTS: Outcomes included to show how and where<br />
Sian added value.<br />
It can take a number of revisions before you are happy with<br />
your CV, and getting a second opinion can be very helpful.<br />
It might all make perfect sense to you, but you could be<br />
surprised by the things that others may question or not<br />
understand. Ask a friend to check it or meet a Careers Adviser<br />
for feedback (p.4).<br />
<br />
checks:<br />
FIRST, ensure that you are putting forward your best case –<br />
that everything included is relevant.<br />
SECOND, always check carefully for errors and typos – many<br />
<br />
typo in the CV, cover letter or application form!<br />
FINALLY:<br />
] Hold your CV at arms-length – does it look easy to read?<br />
] Fold it vertically and scan the left side in 10 seconds:<br />
<br />
<br />
Will the reader get the gist of your application?<br />
Are your strongest skills immediately visible?<br />
] Check for jargon and acronyms, and over-long bullets - edit<br />
vigorously.<br />
] Is it the right length?<br />
<br />
Some employers (eg, investment banks) expect just one<br />
page.<br />
Aim for a maximum of two pages, except for an<br />
academic CV.<br />
Save your CV as a PDF to ensure it keeps it beautiful<br />
formatting when you send it.<br />
FINALLY, FINALLY, take sa good break and then proofread -<br />
yes, again! - double checking for errors and typos.<br />
APPLICATIONS OUTSIDE THE UK:<br />
Expectations and conventions for what is acceptable in a CV<br />
varies between countries: eg, a photograph is never included<br />
in a resume for the USA, but is expected on a German CV.<br />
If applying outside the UK, research country-specific current<br />
practice, starting with:<br />
] Our advice on Working in Different Countries (pp.27-29)<br />
] Going Global country reports, free to use via<br />
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/goinglobal.<br />
www.careers.ox.ac.uk 45