Employability champion Uzdah Jawaid shares her top tips on how to craft the perfect CV for post-graduate job hunting in the development sector.

This blog is part of a series by our Employability Champions, helping to prepare graduates for life after study. Read our piece by Raju Sarkar discussing the challenges and opportunities associated with finding a development sector job in India here, or read Vinka Maharani’s tips on navigating your career journey as an international student returning home here. 

 

I’m Uzdah, an MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management student. As an Employability Champion, I am passionate about helping my peers, specializing in crafting standout CVs.

Creating the perfect CV, whether for academic or professional requirements, can be a daunting task. You might be concerned about effectively showcasing your skills and experiences to stand out to potential employers or academic programs. Fortunately, The University of Manchester offers a variety of free resources that you should explore to help you build a compelling CV. Here’s how you can get started and make the most of these invaluable tools.

 

Stage 1: start with what you have

 

Before diving into job applications, assessing your current skills and experiences is crucial. Begin by reflecting on what you already possess and identify areas for improvement. The University’s E-learning Guide is an excellent starting point. It provides essential techniques for writing a CV, including tailoring it to specific job descriptions, using active language and structuring your CV effectively.

Additionally, the Getting Started CV Videos offer engaging content for visual and auditory learners that covers the same foundational knowledge. Download the CV Templates to get a structured format for your CV and explore the Online CV Resources for sample CVs and an active language guide.

 

Stage 2: tailor your CV to stand out

Must have tool: CareerSet

 

Once you have a draft of your CV, the next crucial step is tailoring it to match specific job descriptions. This is where CareerSet comes into play. This powerful online tool offers detailed feedback on your CV. Whether starting from scratch or refining an existing document, CareerSet helps you align your CV with job descriptions.

I’ve personally used CareerSet, and it significantly helped me create a standout CV. The tool provided detailed feedback on filler words, wordy sentences and overall structure, allowing me to condense my CV into one impactful page. This is crucial because panels in a competitive job market don’t have enough time to go through lengthy CVs. My CV scored a 91, including all critical details, which helped me pass the first round and get called for an interview. I even received positive remarks on how well-presented my CV was. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

 

• Score my CV: Upload your CV to receive actionable feedback on its structure, language and overall impact.
• Target my CV: Tailor your CV for specific roles by uploading your CV and the job description. CareerSet will provide targeted feedback to help align your CV with job requirements.
• Review my cover letter: Optimize and personalize your cover letter with instant feedback.
• Previous uploads: Keep track of your progress by viewing scores and accessing previous reviews.

To achieve the best results, aim for a score of 70 or above on CareerSet, which unlocks access to one-on-one CV review appointments. Remember, your student email must match the one used in CareerConnect. For alumni/graduates, use the email address linked to CareerConnect and the access code UOMGRAD2021 to register successfully.

 

Make use of the support available

 

In addition to CareerSet, The University of Manchester offers various appointments to further support your application process. These can be booked 24 hours in advance and provide specialized guidance on different aspects of your application materials.

 

CV Review Appointments: (Only available after completing the Get CV Ready Pathway). These appointments are designed to help you review and refine a tailored CV for job or course applications. You will receive support from fully trained Student Careers Interns, who will guide you through using relevant resources and including job/course details you include in your booking notes. The objective is to identify relevant skills and experience, articulate your skills and relate them to the role or course, structure your CV logically, and craft a standout CV.

 

Application Review Appointments: These appointments offer help with cover letters, personal statements, and application forms. You will receive advice from fully trained Student Careers Interns, using the Get Application and Cover Letter Ready Pathway as preparation. The goal is to identify relevant skills and experience, articulate your skills and relate them to the role or course, structure your application logically, and build confidence in your application writing skills.

 

LinkedIn Review Appointments: These appointments focus on optimizing your LinkedIn profile. You will get advice from Student Careers Interns, with preparation using LinkedIn Resources on the university’s website. The aim is to showcase relevant skills and experience for your career interests and articulate your own skills and experience on your profile.

 

By following these stages and utilizing CareerSet, you can significantly enhance your CV, making it more likely to catch the attention of potential employers. Start your journey today and take full advantage of these valuable resources to get your CV ready for the competitive job market!

 

Note:  This article gives the views of the author/academic featured and does not represent the views of the Global Development Institute as a whole.

 

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