Covering Letter

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your covering letter should aim to instantly influence a positive response.

Therefore, always use quality paper, keep it simple and professional and limit it to one page.

Make the content interesting and relevant to the job you are applying to by highlighting the transferability of specific key skills and experience.

Indicate personal qualities and how these can translate into real benefits for the employer you are targeting.

CV

The purpose of the CV is to establish relevance for the position applied for and secure an interview. It is one of the first points of contact with a potential employer and is your opportunity to create a favourable first impression.

Presentation is key, a well crafted CV using a sensible font (Arial/Times New Roman) printed on good quality paper instantly commands attention from the person viewing it. Generally speaking your CV should be no longer than 3 pages in length.

Be concise, accurate and professional. Your CV should convey your skills, experience, achievements, potential and relevance for the position applied for.

Ensure gaps in dates are covered. Remember that unemployment and illness are neither a problem nor an issue for employers, especially if it can be shown that such time was utilised in a productive manner (i.e. in terms of voluntary work undertaken at the time or an increase in personal activities).

Be positive and emphasise successes, strengths and transferable skills. Include the following:-

• Personal details (name only – see section on Discrimination )
• Education
• Qualifications
• Employment history in reverse chronological order
• Responsibilities and achievements listed against professional experience
• IT and computer skills
• Language proficiencies
• Reference details

Be sure that your CV is accurate and can be verified. It will form the basis of the interview/discussion so you need to be able to support any claims made.

If a CV is to be e-mailed, ensure that it is easily readable. The employer will not undertake major re-editing in order to read your CV. Creating it in a universally used programme (such as Microsoft Word) should overcome this.

Whilst a friend or member of the family can review your CV, try and find someone objective and independent to critique it as if they had never met you.

andrew farr associates will reproduce a CV for you. Contact us via career@andrewfarr.com or 08450 551177