Cover letter and CV
This section provides guidance on how to successfully apply for your next role. Get your cover letter and CV noticed with these tips on how to compose a winning application.
Ten things to remember when writing a cover letter
A good covering email will make your CV stand out from the countless others that pass across an employer's desk. Here are 10 ways to ensure yours makes an impact:
Why cover letters are important
A cover letter is the first impression that lodges in the mind of an employer, making it one of the most critical components for getting noticed. Research suggests that employers favour CVs that are accompanied by a cover letter.
Covering letter examples
Cover letter template.
How to address selection criteria
The selection criteria outlines the experience, skills, personal attributes, qualifications, knowledge and expertise needed to do a job effectively. It is vital you match your qualities to the selection criteria when writing a cover letter.
Ten things to remember when writing your CV
A meticulously crafted CV can, on occasion, secure you a job and will always improve your chances of reaching interview stage. Make sure yours ends up in the 'yes' tray:
CV template
Standard CV template.
How not to write your CV
As you can imagine from nearly two decades worth of CVs crossing my desk, I’ve seen an awful lot of nonsense written in the name of ‘selling myself’. Sadly, despite what you might expect, the number of genuinely hilarious ones I have received can be counted on one hand, and in most cases these are of questionable provenance.
Selecting and preparing referees
Referees are crucial to securing a job because what they tell an employer can potentially make or break your chance at a position within the company. Therefore, it's very important you select your referees carefully.
What employers and recruiters look for in a CV
Your CV needs to hook its reader within seconds of them picking it up if you’re to stand any chance of progressing to the job interview stage. Recruiters and hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications for a role, and sometimes only have the time to scan CVs before deciding whether to progress to a meeting.
