How to Write a Great CV/resume and Covering Letter
This will help any potential job applicant improve the quality of their Curriculum Vitae/CV/Resume along with their covering letter and tips on how to succeed in an interview.
For the purpose of this article, the word CV can be replaced by “Resume” for non-British jobs.
The document generally refers to the applicant as a “student” or “young person”. Replace this as appropriate!
The document also assumes you have studied/studying a degree. Obviously if you don’t have these qualifications, replace as appropriate!
The Purpose of a CV
• A marketing tool
• To get you an interview
• Respond to employer needs
* specific skills (for a particular job)
* generic or “key” skills
Key Skills
• Communication
• IT
• Application of Number
• Working with Others
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Problem Solving
Job/Industry Specific Skills
…this will make sure you keep it relevant and interesting
What should go n it
Relate your experiences to employer needs (key/specific skills)
Personal details
• Name (inc. gender if ambiguous)
• Addresses plus ALL phone numbers (inc. home extension & mobile number)
• Email address
• Date of Birth
• Nationality (if not British National)
Education and Qualifications
• Current – BSc … – include info about jobs and modules
• Secondary Education – A Levels, AS Levels + GCSEs
• Additional qualifications
• Prizes and awards.
Work Experience
• Take each job/project/experience individually
• Name of company, job title and dates worked
• Duties/responsibilities
• Achievements/outcomes
• Skills developed
• Include weekend, casual, holiday work, school work experience, voluntary work project work if little other experience
Additional Skills
• Training Courses
• Non-academic qualifications
• IT skills – which packages, URL of any websites
• Practical application of skills acquired through academic work e.g. language ability
Activities, Responsibilities and Achievements
• Brainstorm all your extra-curricular activities, hobbies, clubs etc
• What does each say about you?
• Identify the relevant and interesting ones
• The activity (short description)
• Highlight your involvement
Gap Year
• Your motivation
• What you did
• How you achieved it
• What you got out of the experience
References
• University Personal Tutor
• Sixth form Tutor
• Previous employer
• Avoid personal referees
• Full name and relationship to you
• Address and telephone number
Additional Information
• Additional Information – explains gaps, changes of direction, poor exam results etc.
• “Personal Statement” or “Career Objective” – only use if it really adds value
Structure & Presentation
Essential Rules
• Capture attention – ‘30 second rule’
• 2 pages MAXIMUM
• Most interesting and relevant points first – ‘Rule of Proportional Relevance’
• Reverse chronological order
• Be honest!
Language
• Professional
• Avoid overuse of personal pronoun “I”
• Avoid long paragraphs – use bullet points, short sentences
• Affirming Language
* be positive, never highlight weakness
* action verbs e.g. created, developed
• Explain acronyms, avoid jargon
Contents of Sections
• Key aims – to make information easily accessible
* Balance – not all in one section and a range of skills
* Logical order
* Interesting and concise
* Avoid repetition
* Order within sections – reverse chronological, most relevant first where possible
• Use minimal space for the “facts”
* Personal details
* Academic history
“University of XXX, School of Humanities: BSc (Hons) Geography 2001-2005.”
* References
• Work Experience
* Include project, voluntary work and work experience
* Use separate or sub-headings if possible to highlight particularly relevant experience
* Group together if lots of “bitty” jobs
• Activities/Responsibilities/Interests
* Break into separate sections or use subheadings
• Gap Year
* Separate section or integrate into work exp./activities – make sure it doesn’t get “lost”
• Educational Prizes
* Put as subheading in achievements or in education
Layout
• Order of Sections of the CV
* Personal Details
* Education
* Work Experience
* Additional Skills
* Interests/Activities
* Gap Year
these could swap around depending on your personal experience as to which is most relevant
* Additional Information
* References
• Ensure there is something more than just Education on page 1.
• Decide on a format and stick to it
• Clearly mark sections and subheadings
* different size text
* emboldening/different font
• Break up blocks of text with
* paragraphs
*bullets
* subheadings
Finishing Touches
• Impeccable spelling and grammar
• Check that it’s clear, concise, relevant
* Review against employer needs – how does it measure up?
• Check suitability for sending by email and make sure that the printed version is the same as the screen version.
• Do not include photographs or macros
• Make sure you always have an updated version of your CV.
COVERING LETTERS
Basic Rules
Employers increasingly ask for a covering letter alongside a CV. The covering letter can be a major determinant of success. It should generate interest and motivate the employer to want to know more about you. The letter is even more critical if your application is a speculative one and you are not applying as part of a normal recruitment cycle.
The effective covering letter will:
• explain why you are interested in the job, highlighting your strengths, your understanding of the work, how well suited you are to it;
• take the opportunity to explain a gap or even a weakness, but do so carefully using a positive approach. The power word list (below) may be helpful here;
• be consistent in the approach you make in your letter and in your CV. The covering letter is meant to play up the positive impression of the application and the application to reflect the positive claims made in the letter;
• indicate availability for interview;
• show enthusiasm, a focused and business-like approach;
• use clear and official, but not stilted, language; at the same time you should avoid expressing yourself in a way that is overly casual or familiar.
All the rules of writing a CV apply regarding spelling, typos and overall appearance – more so than ever in the case of the covering letter.
The Power Word List
These words and phrases may be useful in your job applications. Choose them carefully and only if they are relevant to a particular skill or situation you possess.
• More than … years extensive and diverse experience in Expertise and demonstrated skills in
• Extensive academic/practical background in
• Experienced in all facets/phases/aspects of
• Knowledge of/experienced as/in
• Extensive training/involvement in
• Proficient/competent at
• Initially employed to/joined organisation to specialise in
• Provided technical assistance to
• Worked closely with
• Constant interaction with
• Promoted to
• Succeeded in
• Proven track record in
• Experience involved/included
• Successful in/at
• Reported to
• In charge of
• Now involved in
• Familiar with
• Employed to
• Assigned to
• Edited
• Established
• Formulated
• Initiated
• Implemented
• Managed
• Instrumental in
Words to use in a covering letter
| Ambition | Appreciate | Approval |
| Aspire | Attain | Benefit |
| Capable | Courage | Courtesy |
| Definite | Dependable | Desirable |
| Determined | Effective | Efficient |
| Enhance | Enthusiasm | Excellence |
| Fitting | Genuine | Good |
| Grateful | Guarantee | Helpful |
| Humour | Imagination | Improvement |
| Ingenuity | Integrity | Initiative |
| Intelligence | Judgement | Lasting |
| Loyalty | Merit | Notable |
| Opportunity | Perseverance | Practical |
| Prestige | Proficient | Progress |
| Prominent | Punctual | Reasonable |
| Resilient | Recommend | Reputable |
| Salient | Responsible | Satisfactory |
| Service |
Stability |
Success | |
| Substantial |
Superior |
Thorough | |
|
Truth |
Useful |
||
Writing a letter for advertised vacancies – see appendix 2 for examples
When sending off an application form or a CV it is usual to enclose a letter. If the application form has been absolutely exhaustive, the letter may be fairly simple. A good letter is essential with a CV, as this should encourage the prospective employer to pay close attention to the other information you have provided. It should be so interesting that the reader moves on to your CV feeling very positive about you.
How Long?
One page of A4 paper, containing three or four paragraphs, is generally enough. The information will fit more easily onto one page if it is word processed, and very few employers now expect hand written letters. They are often more interested in your IT skills. Your priority is to produce a letter that is legible and focused, with no grammatical or spelling errors. It needs to be clear that you know what you are applying for and why you believe that your skills, abilities and experiences match those in the job description.
How should it start?
If you have a name, either from an advertisement, a contact or research you have done, it is much better to use that than “Dear Sir/Madam”. You may wish to start your letter with a title or reference number to draw attention to the specific vacancy, training scheme or type of work you wish to be considered for.
Why them?
The first paragraph should explain why you are interested in this vacancy. Some employers recruit to several opportunities at once and you need to be clear about the specific position being applied for. You should also say something about the organisation to show that you know what they do. Your letter should not read like a mail shot – the employer should feel that you have chosen them, and this vacancy, for a good reason. If you cannot find out much about them, just say what attracts you to that sector or job area.
Why You?
Read the advertisement carefully and match your relevant knowledge and skills to the areas emphasised in the job description. Don’t lift whole sentences from your CV but highlight key points that have particular relevance. This is a chance to pull together some threads and encourage them to read further and find out more about you
How should it end?
Be positive – you are applying for the job because you think you can do it, so do not be afraid to promote yourself. You might say “I look forward to hearing from you in the near future”. On hard copies don’t forget to sign the letter and print your name and preferred title after your signature.
Writing a letter for speculative applications – see appendix 2 for examples
Many vacancies are filled by candidates who approach organisations on a speculative basis. This usually involves sending off a CV with a covering letter. A good introduction is essential to encourage the employer or training provider to consider you for an opportunity that may exist now, or in the future. It should be so interesting that the reader moves on to your CV feeling very positive about you.
How Long?
One page of A4 paper is generally enough. Always word process it – very few employers expect hand written letters and are often looking for evidence of IT skills. Your priority is to produce a letter that is legible and focused with no grammatical or spelling errors. You need to outline clearly your reasons for approaching that organisation.
How should it start?
You need to be very clear about the purpose of the letter. It is important to do some preliminary investigation to find out more about the organisation and its employees. Use the internet, printed materials, professional associations, trade journals, contacts etc. If your research produces a name it is much better to use that rather than “Dear Sir/Madam”. If not, then address the letter to a Head of a specific Department or Service e.g. Human Resources or Personnel Department. You may also wish to give your letter a general title to draw attention to the type of employment and training, or work experience that interests you.
Why them?
You should explain why you have chosen to approach them. You may have read an article in the newspaper, analysed their annual report or worked on a relevant topic for your project. Your letter shouldn’t read like a mail shot – the employer should feel they, in particular, are being targeted for a good reason. If you can’t find out much about them, then mention what attracts you to that sector or job area.
Why You?
As it is a speculative approach make sure you know what relevant knowledge and skills are likely to be required. Use your research to match your profile to the type of activities the organisation is involved in. Do not lift whole sentences from your CV, but highlight areas that may be of particular interest and relevance. You may need to produce variations of this letter for different situations, tailoring each one to the specific employer or sector.
How should it end?
Be positive – you would not be approaching them unless you thought you had something to offer, so there is no need to grovel. You might say “I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.” If you say that you will contact them make sure you do so. Don’t forget to sign the letter and print your name and preferred title after your signature.
Standard Letter Plan for Speculative Applications
Your Address
(University)
Date (written in full)
e.g. 2nd October 2007
Full address
(includes name & title & Department
of person you are writing to)
Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (always target a named recruiter rather than just a Dear Sir/Madam)
(Heading) BSc (Hons) in XXX
Introductory paragraph
• State what course you are doing
• What you want from them i.e. a paid job
• Earliest date you will be available to start a job
• Length of job (minimum of 22 weeks excluding holidays)
• That job is a mandatory and integral part of your sandwich course
• What type of job you are looking for (finance, personnel, IT, market research or a generalist role etc. – be specific, but not too fussy)
Main Body of Letter
• Why you are interested in their organisation/the business function you are applying to
• What you can offer them: what relevant skills/knowledge/experience you have – draw on your work experience, holiday jobs, voluntary work, “A” level project work/course work, courses attended, extra-curricular activities and your first year University course. This is your opportunity to show you have researched and understand the industry/function you are applying to and the skills required. Remember to quantify skills by relating them to the environment in which they were developed.
• Don’t repeat everything on your CV; use this paragraph to “highlight” particularly relevant information, to “tempt” them to want to find out more.
• What you hope to get out of the job
• Be positive and constructive and show reasonable confidence of your ability to do the job
Finishing Off
• That you are available for interview – make sure you give a telephone number or ask them to contact you via the Jobs Office. Give dates when you can be contacted at your home address.
• Thank them for their consideration and say you look forward to hearing from them.
Yours sincerely (or “Yours faithfully” if you used a Dear Sir or Madam opening)
Signature
Name (typed or clearly printed)
Encs. CV, Industrial Jobs Brochure (and anything else you have enclosed)
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE
Preparation
Research the Employer
1. Look on the internet for a Company Website and try a Library who have a cuttings service from newspapers. Read appropriate financial/business sections of daily/weekly papers and periodicals, all of which will be in Library.
2. You should be aware of:
• Size of organisation
• Locations (home and abroad)
• History of organisation, including any recent acquisitions, mergers or divestitures.
• Products or services they offer and to whom
• Their chief competitors
• Any current events affecting the organisation
• What job opportunity they are offering? Read job description carefully
Read up on Interviewing
There are plenty of publications about this. The following are very useful: Going For Interviews, Assessment Centres, Telephone Interviews, Application Forms, Making Online Applications and Your Job CV.
A Library will also have useful information. Be aware of the different types of interview you are likely to encounter. Chronological interviews tend to use your CV or application as a method of trawling through your experiences to date. Structured or Competency based interviews use questions designed to investigate the competencies sought by the employer and will be more probing.
Also visit www.prospects.ac.uk and www.doctorjob.com
Prepare for Anticipated Questions
Many recruiters ask the same types of questions and a list of examples is given in the next section. Practice answering questions with a friend acting as “interviewer”.
If there are any questions you know you may find difficult to answer, consider how you will cope with them. Try putting yourself in the interviewer’s shoes – think about the kind of picture your answers are building up and compare it to the job spec – are you creating a good match? Make sure you are clear in your mind about all the major points you need to make to sell yourself for the job.
Planning Your Questions
At the end of an interview an employer usually asks if you have any questions. Make good use of this time. Again, some examples are listed in the next section. Any questions you ask should relate specifically to the company or to the job itself. This is also an ideal opportunity to mention any relevant skills or experience which you haven’t been given the chance to talk about.
Get in the right frame of mind
Psyche yourself up – you want this job more than anyone else, so don’t undersell yourself. Make sure you can mention all your strengths and accomplishments – read through your application form beforehand to remind yourself of your “selling points” and how they relate to the job. It is perfectly normal to be a little nervous and the adrenalin can actually help you perform. However, if you suffer badly with nerves, practice some relaxation techniques to help deal with it – if you know you’ve done all the preparation you can, it should help alleviate nerves.
Allow yourself time
This means an early night the day before so you appear fresh and bright, not yawning and exhausted from a party. Ensure your interview clothes are clean and pressed and accessories are matching and presentable. Allowing yourself time to get ready so you feel you look good will give you confidence. For men, designer stubble is not a good idea, nor are ear studs, long hair, garish ties and bright shirts!
During the Interview
First Impressions
The first few minutes are very important, so you want to make a good impression. Be on time, smile, shake hands firmly if a hand is offered to you. Wait to be shown where to sit if it is not immediately obvious. Establish good eye contact during the interview. Use your best communication skills. Be enthusiastic and interested, do not be “laid-back” – this comes over as bored or just not interested. Be confident but not “cocky” and watch your body language. Employers are looking for a student who shows keenness and interest and who they think will work hard for them.
Responses to their questions
Be sure you can support anything that you say. Offer complete answers to questions, not just monosyllables. If you find a question hard then ask for a moment to consider it, or ask to have it rephrased if you’ve not understood it. An interview is a selling situation, so be positive at all times. Try and make effective use of your interview time by emphasising your strong points. You may wish to take with you examples of relevant work or projects or a portfolio to show them.
After the Interview
Think about how it went; consider your own performance. Think about questions you were unhappy about and also things that went well. Most employers will offer feedback if you ask the jobs staff. Learn from your mistakes and work on aspects of your skills that you want to improve on next time. Use the whole experience as a learning one and don’t be discouraged if you have several interviews before securing a job. If you feel you need extra help then do talk to the jobs staff as extra interview practice can be arranged.
Some Example Interview Questions
Chronological Interviews
This is how all interviews used to be, a steady ramble through your life from schooldays via the present day to the misty future. Based very largely on your application form or CV, these interviews concentrate on getting you to explain, and expand upon, what you have written.
1. Why did you choose your course?
2. Why did you choose to take a degree here rather than at home? (overseas students)
3. What did you learn from your year out?
4. What have you learnt from group work? What role did you play?
5. What do you consider your greatest strengths/weaknesses? Make sure you place weaknesses in the context of what you are doing to improve.
6. What is your greatest achievement to date? What are you most proud of?
7. What do you know about this job/sector of industry? They may ask detailed questions here about competitors, the sector, trends/way forward etc.
8. What has been the most difficult situation you have ever found yourself in and how did you cope with it?
9. What work do you find boring and/or difficult to cope with (and how do you cope with it?)
10. What goals do you have? Where do you see yourself in 5 year’s time?
11. What part do you play in University life and your community? (clubs, teams, voluntary work etc.)
12. How do you cope with pressure? How do you manage your time?
Structured/Competency based Interviews
The logic behind the move towards structured interviews is simple: past performance is the best guide to future success. In other words, the organisation thinks up the selection criteria and then, in an interview, examines whether or not you have the evidence, from your life so far, that you possess them to some degree or other. The main purpose of the interview is to explore your life against six or eight criteria, so it follows that the questions are more detailed and the questioning more persistent. It may be helpful to imagine the whole process as a series of levels, each one slightly deeper than the last. A detailed example is given below:
Example
If the interviewer is examining your life against the criterion
“Organisational Skills” then the following could occur:
Level One The question Would you describe yourself as an organiser?
Level Two The evidence (in which you are asked for specific, real-life examples)
• How exactly have you demonstrated organisational skills?
Level Three The personal contribution (in which your own role is examined, and your own feelings, thoughts and opinions sought).
• What was your individual contribution to this activity?
• What did you learn from the experience?
• How would you do it differently next time?
• What would have happened if you weren’t there?
Level Four The general (in which criterion is looked at more generally to test your powers of analysis).
• What makes a good organiser?
• Have you ever witnessed something that was badly organised?
• Why is it important for our company to recruit people with this skill?
Level Five The challenge (in which your ideas or thoughts are challenged)
• Surely what you have just described shows that you have not been as successful as you might have been?
• I don’t agree. Don’t you mean….?
Level Six And back to the start….
• Thank you, that’s very interesting. How else could you convince me that you are a good organiser?
Key Points to Remember:
• Be prepared to talk about several examples that illustrate each criterion. One is not enough. Draw these examples from different parts of your life.
• Look at the significant events in your life and think about your personal contribution to each. Interviewers always want to know about what you did, what you thought and what you learnt.
• Be prepared to discuss criteria more generally. They may even relate criteria to current affairs, especially what’s happening in the business world: “Can X’s poor trading record be attributed to a lack of organisational skills?”
• Don’t be shocked to have your ideas challenged. Despite what you may feel, they are not getting at you. They are just testing how well you can justify the things you say. Keep calm, look them in the eye and stick up for yourself. Don’t get angry or, even worse, don’t start thinking that the interview is going badly. It isn’t, but it will if you lose control.
Examples of Questions you may wish to ask the Interviewer
The most important thing is not to simply reel off a list of pre-prepared questions if half of them have been answered during the course of the interview. It is important to show you have been listening so be prepared to modify your list. Types of subjects you may wish to question on could include:
1. Will I have my own project or area of responsibility? You mentioned X about the role, could you clarify?
2. I understand you have had previous students in this department, is my job likely to be similar in content?
3. What kind on induction/training do you offer?
4. Does the recent change in (something that you’ve seen in the news) affect your business/this job? Or other questions that demonstrate you have been reading the business press/have done research.
5. Will I be assigned a mentor/buddy?
6. Are there any other questions you have for me?
7. Can I tell you about an experience I feel is relevant?
You can also ask general questions about salary, hours of work, holiday arrangements, accommodation, location and transport etc. (but make sure these are not the only questions you ask!)
SELF ASSESSMENT
Skills Assessment
Given the competitive recruitment environment and vagaries of the economy, no student can afford to be too fussy over the specific job he or she does. However, it does help if you apply for the types of jobs that best suit your particular skills and personality. They will not all meet your aspirations, but all offer learning opportunities and a taste of “real work”.
The next section includes lists of the types of skills that will be needed for particular types of jobs. These will help you match yourself against particular jobs on offer. When considering these lists you should ask yourself:
• What skills/areas am I strongest/weakest in?
• How can I strengthen my skills in weak areas? (If you are not very computer literate then now is the time to use the lab extensively and work on packages/databases and use the web)
• What skills are required for the job area(s) I am most interested in?
• Do my skills match those needed for these area(s)?
A thorough skills assessment will provide you with a better idea of where you fit in with different types of jobs, although ultimately it is for the interviewer to decide!
Work Preferences
Again, you may not have too much choice as we have to take jobs that are available – your “ideal” environment may have to wait a bit. However, you might want to consider:
• Work in a large organisation or a small company
• Work in a fast-paced setting under pressure
• Work unsupervised
• Work as part of a team with more supervision
• Be moved around and have the opportunity to travel out of the office
• Formal or informal working environment
• Be with lots of other young people
• A lively social life with work colleagues; good company social facilities
• Location – away or at home.
Again, you may create your own lists. These are just a few ideas that may help. Most employers are looking for interested people, who have done their research on the company, who are eager to learn and who have good interpersonal skills, and who want to make the best possible use of their six months.
SKILLS ANALYSIS
Most jobs require the majority of the below skills:
• Communication
• IT
• Application of Number
• Working with Others
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Problem Solving
Plus things like commitment, motivation, enthusiasm, maturity, flexibility and initiative. Below are some of the more specific qualities employers may look for, for particular areas.
Chartered Accountancy Jobs
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good telephone manner
• Ability to gain co-operation of clients
• Good numerical skills & enjoyment of figure work. Good grades in numerate A levels.
• Good analytical skills, clear thinker
• Comfortable with computers and enjoys learning new packages
• Does not mind doing tasks that may be tedious and repetitive and can sustain motivation at this time
• Good time management skills. Can work to and keep deadlines. Sets goals and achieves them
• Attention to detail. Methodical worker. Completes task with no loose ends left
• Can work under pressure
• Has “business sense”
• Outgoing and mature person who presents professional image to clients
• Works well in team, not a loner
• Prepared to travel as part of a team to audits, (driving licence useful but not essential).
• Will need to work more than 9-5 hours whilst on audits and during busy periods.
• Is really interested in this sector and would consider it as a career option.
Investment or Merchant Banking Jobs
• Real interest in the “City” and the world of finance. Background research undertaken
• Strong interpersonal skills/extrovert personality/may need to be quite tough/good at dealing with demanding or difficult people, including the boss!
• Mature manner/well presented
• Good numerical skills and analytical skills/attention to detail/quick thinker
• Comfortable with computers and happy to learn new packages
• Time management skills/set and keep to priorities
• Work in a pressured environment
• Able to work longer hours than 9-5 – often required to work late
• Able to fit in to a team
• Good telephone manner
• Good report writing skills
• Able to be “up and running” very quickly
Financial and Management Accounting Jobs
• Numerical ability and enjoy figure work. (Numerate A levels may be essential)
• Attention to detail; able to take overview and tackle all jobs, even tedious ones, with enthusiasm
• Enjoy work that goes in cycles (i.e. work may be repeated at monthly intervals, so there may well be non-stimulating or repetitive work that has to be done)
• Good IT skills. Happy to learn new packages especially spreadsheets
• Able to time manage and meet deadlines
• Happy to fit into a team as a junior member
• Reasonable interpersonal skills, communicating with other departments and also good listening skills.
• May be given job to complete and expected to do it with minimal supervision after initial explanation
Marketing Jobs
• Outgoing and enthusiastic personality, excellent interpersonal skills. Extrovert type
• Good presentation and speaking skills
• Ability to work with others as part of a team
• Able to be assertive/persuasive and put views across
• Able to handle conflict situations
• Able to handle and juggle demands from several people at the same time. Good planning ability. Flexibility
• Ability to think creatively
• To work without a great deal of supervision at times
• Excellent writing skills – present information concisely and effectively
• Excellent communication skills. Able to talk to clients/other departments and make presentations when asked to do so.
• Able to pick up and assimilate new ideas – quick learner
• Able to withstand pressure and work in a pressured environment without panicking. Meet deadlines, dedication to task, “an achiever”
• May also need analytical/numerate skills for sales analysis, pricing policy, etc.
• Able to take overview and understand how departments need to interact to achieve goals
• Understanding of economic/business environment /competition. Interest in consumer behaviour, legal factors (including understanding of sometimes conflicting factors within that industry, threats and opportunities etc).
• The student must have a strong business sense and realise that the name of the game is to make profits for the company and sell the product. It is not a glamorous job!
Research Jobs
• Good analytical/numerate skills for sales analysis
• Excellent research skills
• May need to be a “self starter” and work to achieving targets without a great deal of supervision at times
• Good data handling and processing skills, including using computers and learning new packages
• Able to take overview of organisation, to interact with other departments to gather essential information
• Able to be persuasive/assertive in order to gather information, or put views across
• May involve working as part of a team
• Good interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail, finishes tasks, even tedious ones
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Able to produce good, clear concise reports
• Able to give oral presentations if necessary (probably in-house only)
• Flexibility – able to juggle different demands on time
• Able to take responsibility and make decisions
Personnel and Training Jobs
• Warm, outgoing and friendly personality. Approachable
• Enjoys meeting and dealing with different types of people. A “people person”
• Patience and able to empathise with a broad spectrum of people
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good listening skills
• Good oral skills. Excellent telephone manner
• Organisational skills and attention to detail
• Time management skills – able to prioritise demands on time
• Able to be assertive and hold to a point of view in a conflict situation (e.g. disciplinary matters). Able to handle difficult people
• Good report writing skills
• Good administrative skills, including computing and word processing – some work may be very routine.
Project-based Jobs
(Many Procurement Jobs fall into this category)
• Good planning and time management skills
• Logical thinker – able to analyse project brief
• Original and creative person – something of a lateral thinker. Has good problem solving skills and is able to take initiative
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• Good research skills/ability to sift data; able to approach people and ask for information. Able to be assertive and gain co-operation – sell benefits to busy line management
• Excellent report writing skills
• Data handling skills, happy with computing and statistical analysis, strong numerically
• Good oral and presentation skills
• Able to take overview of situation
Procurement and Supply as above and also;
• Good interpersonal skills, able to deal with suppliers effectively and assertively
• Good team player
• Good numerical skills – best price etc.
• Ability to handle conflict
• Able to secure best terms – good at persuading
• Good business sense and numerical skills.
