GMIT CAREERS SERVICE

BRIDIE KILLORAN
bridie.killoran@gmit.ie
 Effective Applications

 Finding out about jobs

 Preparing CVs
 Application Forms
 Cover Letters
 Online Applications
 Postgraduate/ Transferring FS
 Useful sources of information
 Finding out about Jobs

 GMIT Careers Service

– GMIT Careers Website: ELECTRONIC newsletterJobs
section
– Noticeboard
– Gradireland website and directory
– Employer Directories
– Careers Fair and Presentations
 Newspapers and periodicals
 Business reports
 w.w.w.
 Own contacts
 GMIT Careers service
Effective CVs and applications
Before Applying
 Research Yourself
– Review experience and career interests
– Use online self assessment packages
– www.prospects.ac.uk
– www.gradireland.com
 Research the Company
– Company literature, website
– Employer directories
– Attend presentation
 Research Careers
– Analyse job descriptions
– Prospects Planner/website
 An effective CV….

… can get you an interview but never

a job
 An ineffective CV…

… hasthe potential to ensure you

never get a job
 20 Seconds

The average time a recruiter will spend

reviewing a CV before making a decision to
short list for interview
 Therefore….

Employers need to see a clear match

between the skills required for the role and
the skills that you have if you are to be short
listed for interview.
What is the purpose of your CV?
 An outline of your educational and
professional history

 Your employment sales brochure

 Demonstrate a match between your skills

and the skills required for the job you are
applying for
 The Killer CV
The Golden Rule……No more
than 2 pages
Present information in Brief
statements
Layout is crucial
Document must be perfect
 Standard CV
 Personal Details
– Name, Address, Tel No, Email address
 Education
– Start with most recent
– Dates, Name of college, Course Title,Thesis title, Core
subjects
– Provide details of research projects
 Work Experience
– Start with most recent or relevant
– Highlight responsibilities
– Include unpaid work
 Interests
– Provide evidence
– Focus on achievements
 Standard CVs (cont)

 Other Skills/Skills Profile

– Computing – be specific, name packages
– Languages – what level
– Driving Licence
 Referees
– Normally 2 referees required
– One academic, one work
– Seek permission in advance
– Provide them with details of yourself and job
– Many references by telephone
 Page One of CV
 Personal Information
 Schools /College attended
 Qualifications
 Subjects----Results
 Research work/Project work
 Other Qualifications
 Page two of CV
 Work experience/Employment Record
 Computer Skills
 Skills set e.g. Communication skills
Organisational skills etc
 Interests and Activities
 Achievements
 Other Information e.g. Drivers Licence
 Referees
 Sample Personal Information
CURRICULUM VITAE of Annmarie Birkett.
annmariebirkett@eircom.net
Mobile No.: (087) 6391797
D.O.B: 01.03.79

12 Pinewood Grove,
Renmore,
Galway,
Ireland.
 Sample Qualification layout
1997-2001 Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Business Studies (Marketing) Degree
Result: Honours 2.2

Subjects: Economics, International Marketing, Business

Policy, Marketing Policy, Market Research, Enterprise
Development and French.

Dissertation: Title – The Emergence and Evolution of E-

Commerce and E-Business. Focus was placed on
providing a more comprehensive understanding of E-
Commerce and the progression towards E-Business.
 Sample Employment Record
Sept ‘01-Jan ‘02 Churchill Insurance Group
Customer Sales Advisor (Part-Time)
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
 Telesales – selling insurance
 Documentation administration – compiling,
gathering and disseminating information
 Customer support – dealing with customer
queries
 Meeting management deadlines and targets
 Customer complaint front-line administration
 Sample Skills Set
SKILLS
 Communication Good communication skills gained from giving
presentations throughout my degree year. Also, as a result of lecturing
I am able to communicate a message to a large number of people.

 Organisational When undertaking a new project, each team

member has to determine their own priorities/targets as well as
contributing to the project objectives. My organisational and action
planning skills have been enhanced as a result of my experience in the
academic and business environment. This has paid dividends with
time management.

 Project Development I can take a project through the planning

stage to full implementation, including monitoring and cost control.
THEY WANT…. I HAVE….

Team Player Completed a team

Project as part of
my course

Been a member of a
Sports club committee
which required
good listening skills,
working with others
under pressure
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS

Listening TEAMWORK

One-to-one Appreciate other TIME

People’s MANAGEMENT
Writing Strengths and
Weaknesses List things to PROBLEM
Presenting to a Be done SOLVING
group Share information
and opportunities Prioritise FLEXIBILITY
Face up
to problems
Have team Schedule your Adapt to
objectives Activities New situations
Assess the
And options
Commitments Make
Negotiate Contingency
a solution Plans
 Skills furniture designer
 Good Communication skills
 Strong visual awareness
 Commercial focus
 Understanding of materials
 Teamworking ability
 Persistence
 Knowledge of industrial processes
 Understanding of CAD ETC.
 Manufacturing skills
 strong technical ability
 Practical and logical approach to problem
solving
 Team working skills
 Enjoy challenges-determination to overcome
problems
 Calm –patient manner
 Like systems-job through all stages
 Reasons for Rejection of CV
 Too much/too little information
 Irrelevant Information
 Poor presentation
 Spelling mistakes
 Not targeted to position
 No personality or enthusiasm
 Tips for Emailing CVs
 Check with company first in case of viruses
 Use common software, Microsoft Word.
 To retain format of CV, send as attached file
 Also include CV in body of email
 If cutting and pasting, check font size
 Check impact by sending copy to yourself
 To be doubly sure, also forward hard copy
 Online Applications
– Increasingly popular with large employers
– Fast and efficient – scan for key words
– Preselection - can incorporate personality tests
– Self-assessment - match to different jobs
 Helpful hints
– Download form and practice
– Prepare answers, cut and paste
– Use buzz words, e.g. name specific packages
– Spell check, proofread
– Print preview, save regularly
– print completed copy and send
– Very time-consuming – allow plenty of time
– Practice with ‘Select Simulator’
 Cover Letters
 Generally typed
 Length is important - 1 page
 Send to the right person
 Letter supports CV
 Highlight skills and experience
 Structure it well
– Introduce yourself, specify vacancy
– Why are you interested in the company/job?
– Why should they consider you? (relevant skills)
– What next? – availability for interview
 Tel/Mobile
number

Date

Individual’s Name
Job Title
Company Name
Address

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr (get title and spelling correct)

Opening Paragraph: State your reason for writing, the position or type of work for which you are applying and mention how you
heard of the position or organisation. Refer the reader to the enclosed resume and ask for consideration of your qualifications.

Middle Paragraph: This is your opportunity to sell yourself but be brief. The resume has the details. Summarise your qualifications
and emphasise any achievements or skills that make you particularly suitable for this job/company.

Fourth Paragraph: Explain why you want to work for this employer and/or this type of work. Mention something about the
organisation - its services/products, expansion. diversity etc.

Closing Paragraph: Indicate your availability for an interview with times when you may be contacted. You might even want to say
here that you will contact them within a certain time. Thank the reader for the time and consideration given to your application.

Yours sincerely
(signature over line)
Name Typed
 Helpful Hints - Application Forms

 Photocopy form - experiment with copy

 Read complete form before writing
 Follow instructions: black ink, capitals
 Answer all questions
 Use space sensibly
 Draft answers to open questions
 Use simple words, short sentences
 Check appearance - first impressions count
 Check spellings and grammar
 Copy completed form
 Open-ended Questions

 Questions about yourself

– Describe yourself
– Strengths and weakness
– Describe key events in your life
 Questions about job/career
– What skills, experiences do you bring?
– Why are you suited to a career in …
– What other careers are you considering?
 Questions about the future
– Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?
 Postgraduate Study
A post-grad can be useful in the following ways:
 Gives a specialism to an otherwise broad degree e.g. BA,
B.BS, B.Comm, .B.Sc
 Obtain a greater amount of expertise in a specific area
e.g. Strategic Mgmt, Biotechnology
 Convert a degree into another area e.g. H.Dip in Ed.
converts any of the above degrees into a teaching
qualification.
 In general a post-grad qualification makes the graduate
more marketable. There are three types of post-grads:
Mode A Masters by Research and Thesis
Mode B Taught Masters
Mode C Graduate Diploma or Higher Diploma
 Postgraduate Study
 Mode A: Research & Thesis
 Generally this takes a minimum of two years and can extend up to five. The
student needs to choose a topic, select the most suitable institute to pursue it
in, obtain a place, and meet with appointed tutors who are there to assist and
monitor the candidate. It takes a great deal of discipline to complete the
masters within the two years.
 Mode B: Taught Masters
 This usually takes one year full-time or its part-time equivalent (usually two
years). It consists of course work and a dissertation.
 Graduate Diploma:
 The normal duration of a Graduate or Higher Diploma is one year full-time or its
part-time equivalent (usually two years).
 Closing Dates:
 If you are considering a post-grad then contact the relevant college
immediately or look up the courses available on the college website. Be very
careful re. closing dates. Some are as early as March while others are not until
June.
 Postgraduate Options
Conversions:- Grad Dips/Higher Dips
Journalism/communications
Teaching
Computing/IT
Legal Studies
Psychology
Business
HR / PR
etc
Students who wish to transfer to the UK www.ucas.com The 2005
application UCAS between 1 September 2005 and 15 January 2006
Applications are processed as soon as they arrive so it is
advantageous to get in early. Late applicants will be considered at the
discretion of the college if they still have vacancies after offering
places to those who applied on time. However, they may not make
decisions on late applications until 23rd July 2004.
 Further studies ireland

Apply to colleges and universities using their

specific individual application forms. You can
apply to as many as you wish, forms are
available from the Careers Office from February
onwards, and from individual
universities/colleges admissions offices. Closing
dates are usually April 1st for ITs and June/July
for Universities. For further information check out
the HEA website:www.hea.ie and check the
booklet "Student Transfer Mechanisms".
 Useful Websites

 www.craftscouncil-of-ireland.ie
 www.artscouncil.org.uk
 www.artscouncil-ni.org
 www.csd.org.uk
 www.design-council.org.uk
 www.businesslink.gov.uk
 www.creativexport.co.uk/home/
 www.designdirectory.org/
 Useful Resources
 www.gmit.ie/information/careers_advisory
 www.gradireland.com
 www.careers4graduates.org
 www.prospects.ac.uk
 www.doctorjob.com
 www.jobweb.com
 www.monster.com/virtualinterview
 www.selectsimulator.com - online applications
 www.shlgroup.com - aptitude tests
 www.careersworld.com
 www.careerdirections.ie
 www.geocities.com/lifexplore