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Building your Careerwith the IMechE
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What is a CV?

• A CV is a sales document - you are the product
  
• A CV must convince an employer that they are
  making an investment, which is likely to lead to
  enhanced business
• The investment can be either the appointment
  itself or simply the time given to interview you

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Effective CVs

• Keep it brief - you dont want to give too much
  away otherwise youll have nothing to talk about
  at interview
• Maximum of 2 to 3 sides
• Use a White quality paper, A4 size
• Use word format or rich text format
• Use Times Roman or Ariel font 10pt or 12pt
• Dont use tables

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Your CV

• The CVs job is to get you an interview
• It must contain
• Personnel details
• A Profile
• Basic Details - Qualifications, experience, etc)
• Employment details or Key Skills
• Achievements to date
• Outside interests

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Personnel details

• Name
• Date of Birth, Status
• Residence, Contact information
• Education, Professional Qualification (AMIMechE)
• Driving licence

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Profiles

• A headliner Attention grabber
• Outlines key skills and experience
• Made up of 3 to 4 paragraphs
• Use words from the advert/job description to
  mirror your skills

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Employment details

• Current employer name and location
• Dates of employment
• Job title/s
• What the company do, manufacture,sell
• What your role and responsibilities are
• What your key achievements have been
• Problem, Time scales, Costs, Benefits

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Key skills

• Key attributes related to your achievements might
  include
• Self Motivation
• Communication Skills
• Initiative
• Team building/ Work
• Leadership
• Technical Skills

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IMechE Membership

• Companies are looking for professional
  engineering management for the future
• IMechE membership (at whatever level)
  demonstrates you are actively doing something
  about your own development
• If you cant be bothered to think about
  developing yourself, will you be any value in
  developing the company?

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CV

• Summary
• Think what are the company are looking for
• Its a sales brochure for you
• Comprehensive, detailed and clear
• Bullet points instead of long text
• Stress your achievements
• BE TRUTHFUL

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Covering Letters

• A very powerful tool due to the following
• You get the only opportunity of introducing
  yourself formally short of the interview itself
• Provides the link between the companys need and
  your direct experience/ qualities
• Introduces the employer to the person behind the
  CV

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Covering Letters

• State where you saw the advert the position
• Summarise what they are looking for
• Briefly outline your key matching skill
• State should further information be required
  that they should not hesitate to contact you and
  that you look forward to hearing from them in the
  near future
• FOLLOW IT UP WITH A PHONE CALL!

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Covering Letters

• Summary
• Always take the opportunity if allowed
• Tailor it to the job you are applying for
• Draw their attention to the key reasons you are
  right for the job

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Conclusion

• You are being judged every time you either speak
  to or write to a prospective employer or agency
  working on their behalf
• Learn to be concise, clear and friendly in your
  communication style
• Preparation is key
• Finally remember -

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• PERSISTENCE BREAKS RESISTANCE