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How to make a UK recruiter LOVE your CV!

Posted in: Uncategorized

Wherever you are in the world, the process of looking for your dream job – or even just something to pay the bills  - brings with it some universal challenges: nerves, self-doubt, excitement, putting difficult things off (perhaps until you’ve done the ironing/cleaned the loo/ written a thank-you letter to your auntie and all those other things that suddenly become more appealing?) and maybe more than the odd late night poring over the tenth version of your CV or cover letter.

So I’ve been asking my colleagues here in the Careers Service what top tips they would give to students unfamiliar with the UK recruitment system who want to apply to UK jobs or graduate schemes. Plenty of it is just the same as anywhere in the world, but there may be some slight nuances to consider if you want to impress a UK-based recruiter. Here’s what we advise:

• DON’T ….put your photo on the CV. There are strict Equal Opportunities laws in the UK which mean employers don’t want to be laid open to accusations of discrimination – if they can’t see what an applicant looks like then it keeps it more straightforward and “above board”. And for the same reason …
• DON’T …. include your date of birth or marital status
• DON’T …include a long list of random awards, certificates or class rankings. If there are any that are super-relevant that’s different, but you need to explain clearly how it demonstrates that you’re perfect for the job. Harsh I know as you’re obviously very proud of all those achievements - as are your family no doubt! -  but it’s not really the UK way simply to list them all
• DON’T …. use “Yours sincerely” at the end of a letter if you don’t know the recipient’s name – always “Yours faithfully” in that case

And now for the positive "should do's"...

• DO … avoid being be modest!! . I come across lots of students who say “I don’t feel comfortable boasting about myself”. But, if you don’t showcase all your amazing qualifications, skills and experience then who will?? And how will the employer know what an excellent recruit you would be? Sadly they are not psychic…so you’re just going to have to spell it out for them. Think of it another way; a CV is simply a statement of facts about your education, work experience and transferable skills which is presented in a way that it ticks off the criteria the employer is looking for. A fact does not = a boast 😊. And anyway, you’re not being kind to the employer - or the world - if you don’t use those amazing attributes you’ve worked so hard to acquire. You owe it to them to tell them how unique you are!
•  D O ….include your first degree even if you have a post-grad degree in a very different field. There are always connections and transferable skills and knowledge you can highlight. And in the same vein…
•   DO … include your work experience in a different sector or specialism. It’s important to showcase the breadth of your skills if they are relevant to the job you’re applying for. That’s why they’re called transferable skills!

  And finally one last really important "Don’t.."

• DON’T …. use online CV templates . It’s extremely likely these days that for popular grad schemes and jobs the employers will be using algorithms (Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS) to screen CVs before an actual human being claps eyes on them. Unfortunately as things stand we have to assume that these algorithms aren’t sophisticated enough to cope with: columns, graphics, images or embedded/invisible tables etc. Online templates will have many of these coded into them even if you as a mere human can’t see them! Stick to a plain (yes boring, but safe) Word document saved as a pdf. It’s just not worth the risk of falling at the first CV screen hurdle. Unless you’re applying to be a graphic artist obvs…

So there you have it. Follow the rules above and you’ll proudly be producing high quality, persuasive and impressive applications for UK employers. Don’t forget that there are plenty of useful resources on MyFuture, for example this “All you need to know about CVs” Video (bath.ac.uk) and our most popular resource, the applications-cv-and-cover-letter-guide.pdf (bath.ac.uk) .

If you’d like more personal help with your CV, cover letter or application form we offer Application Advice appointments all year round too. Book here: Info Page (bath.ac.uk) . A recent survey of our students using this service gave us a not too shabby 99.6% satisfaction rating!

This blog is written as part of the Get UK Career Ready week , have a look here for what events are on offer and to book a place.

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Applications and interviews

From filling out that job application, to attending your first (or second) interview, we offer friendly and supportive advice to help you achieve success.

In this section, we will cover the dos and don'ts of writing your CV, filling out job applications, and preparing for job interviews. 

Both applications and interviews are your opportunity to convince an employer that you are the right fit for the job. In both, you need to highlight your skills, experience, knowledge and personality, which in interview will also enable you (and the employer) to assess whether the position is a good match.

If you have a query or would like feedback on your CV, covering letter or application, please Submit a Query below and one of our Careers team will aim to get back to you within five working days. 

If you’d like to discuss things in more detail or have a mock interview, our careers team can offer confidential 1:1 appointments.

Applying for a job

Your CV is your marketing tool to promote your skills, knowledge, experience and personality. As your key to unlocking opportunities and experiences, they require your time and energy to make them as strong as they can be. If you aren’t going to sell yourself, who is?

To give yourself the best opportunity of getting an interview, the resources contained in this section will help you develop a strong CV for a range of purposes.

Check out our new three part series of animated CV resources:

• Is my CV good?
• How to tailor your CV
• Articulating your skills

You can also check out our written guide to a great CV (PDF) .

Most job applications call for a covering letter or email to accompany your CV. It’s an important document, because it acts as your chance to introduce yourself to a prospective employer and show them how you meet the job requirements – or to explain your skill set, if you are applying speculatively. 

It is vital to tailor your covering letter to the requirements of the role, as employers will be able to tell if you’ve simply copied and pasted a generic version. 

See our resource library for the following guides to help you:

• Guide to Making Speculative Applications
• Guide to Covering Letters and Emails.

Some employers ask for applications through a form, rather than by CV and covering letter. However, it is still just as important to use the form to demonstrate your skills and abilities, and how these match the employer’s requirement.

See our resource library for our Guide to Completing Job Application Forms. 

Getting to interview stage is your opportunity to shine. This is your chance to meet (and impress) future colleagues and demonstrate your suitability for both the role and the organisation. You will also have the chance to learn more about the employer, and whether you feel they are a good fit for you.

In addition to face-to-face interviews, employers may also use phone or video interviews, psychometric tests or assessment centres.

Visit our resource library and check out our Guide to Preparing for Interviews. 

Helpful tips

• Be prepared – know your CV and the company in question inside and out
• Practice - answer interview questions out loud beforehand, perhaps using a friend as a sounding board
• Use techniques such as STAR to structure your answers
• Focus on the positive - it will help you overcome any feelings of apprehension
• Keep going - if you make a mistake, don't dwell on it, take a deep breath and move on
• Be curious - prepare a series of questions of your own to ask at the end of the interview.

Strength-based questions

Strengths-based questions are all about understanding what energises and motivates you, as well as what you do well. These do not have a right or wrong answer, but are particular to you and how you work.

Because of this, they tend to be more personal than a typical competency based one – for example, they may ask what activities come naturally to you, or what tasks on your ‘to do’ list do you enjoy the most?

Psychometric tests

Psychometric tests are another form of assessment used by employers to a gauge your suitability for the role. These can take the form of numerical, logical or verbal reasoning tests, as well as personality quizzes.

It is a good idea to prepare by taking some practice tests so that you know what to expect. 

Assessment centres

Assessment centres are often used as part of the recruitment process for graduate schemes, and usually comprise a full day of activities, including group work, interviews and practical exercises. We explain this more in our Guide to Assessment Centres   in our resource library .

A key thing to remember is that you are likely to be under observation for the entirety of the event – even when on breaks – so it’s important to show yourself in your best light and engage with other candidates in a professional manner.

Competency-based questions

Competency-based questions are the most common type of interview question, and ask you to provide an example of how you have demonstrated key skills or competencies needed for the job in the past.

These questions are ideally answered using the STAR format. This stands for ‘ S ituation, T ask, A ction, R esult’ and enables you to structure your answer by explaining how your actions contributed to completing a particular objective and delivering a positive outcome.

Free practice psychometric tests

• Numerical reasoning test 1
• Numerical reasoning test 2
• Verbal reasoning test 1
• Verbal reasoning test 2
• Inductive reasoning test 1
• Inductive reasoning test 2
• E-tray exercise
• Logical reasoning test 1
• Logical reasoning test 2
• Situational judgement test
• Diagrammatic reasoning test 1
• Diagrammatic reasoning test 2
• Critical thinking test

Practice psychometric tests provided by  Assessment Day

Networking with employers is a great way to talk to someone with first-hand experience in a specific industry or profession and it allows you to explore the career opportunities available.

We offer plenty of opportunities for you to meet industry professionals face-to-face, including regular Employer in the Foyer events and employer presentations on-campus.  Book your place .

Networking is about using your existing relationships with people you know to build new relationships with people you don't, in an effort to create opportunities for one another. These can include jobs or internships, free entry to an industry event, an informational interview, or anything else that gets you a step closer to where you want to be.

Networking in person can take place at specific events, at workshops on-campus, or even in the workplace or on a placement! For tips on how to get the most out of your interactions with potential new contacts, check out our Guide to Networking in our resource library .

The growth of social media means that networking is no longer confined to just in-person meetings – contacts can be made online before you even meet in person.

If you plan on using your social media accounts for networking, it’s important to keep them professional – see our resource library for our Guide to Using Social Media for Job Hunting for help on this.

LinkedIn has become one of the most commonly used networking tools, so it’s important not only to have a profile, but also to make it the best it can be.

Some top tips include:

• Use a professional headshot against a neutral background as your profile photo
• Maximise the impact of your headline: it’s the digital version of a first impression
• Keep your profile up-to-date with any new skills or experience you may gain
• Send connection requests to any new contacts you make in the real world, and accompany these with a tailored note
• Ask people you have worked with for skills endorsements or recommendations

Is your profile up to scratch? Take a look at our LinkedIn Profile Checklist in our resource library to see how it shapes up.

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Innovative Cover Letter Strategies for 2024

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By:  Aurora Nightly

Published: Mar 22, 2024

The importance of leveraging innovative cover letter strategies can’t be overstated. With the job market evolving rapidly, technology continuing to reshape recruitment processes, and competition growing fiercer by the day, students and professionals must adapt their approaches to cover letter writing to remain relevant and impactful.

Below, you’ll find various inventive techniques for approaching cover letters that will effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and unique value propositions to prospective employers.

Understanding ATS

First, it’s important to understand what Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are and how they’re used. The main goal of ATS is to streamline recruitment by scanning resumes and cover letters for relevant keywords and qualifications. So, to optimize your application’s chances getting noticed, you need to tailor your cover letter to align with ATS requirements. That involves incorporating industry-specific terms and highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

It’s also important to proper format your cover letters and make their content as clear as possible, which will improve readability for ATS (and for hiring managers). So, opt for a clean, easy-to-read layout that makes your content stand out. Use a standard font style and size, such as Arial or Times New Roman, to ensure readability across different devices and platforms. Next, maintain consistent formatting throughout your cover letter, including margins, spacing, and alignment. You can also use bullet points to highlight key achievements or qualifications for quick reference.

Personalizing and Customizing

Personalizing and customizing your cover letters significantly enhance your job application. Just like  you would  tailor your resume  to fit a specific job description, your cover letter should also be customized for each application. One way to do this is to address hiring managers by name and reference specific details about the company or the job position. This demonstrates your genuine interest and attention to detail. Also, consider mentioning recent company achievements, projects, or values that resonate with you. In addition, provide concrete examples, showcasing how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements. Finally, make sure to express your enthusiasm for this specific role.

Storytelling

Embracing a storytelling approach in your cover letter can elevate your job application to new heights. By weaving a narrative that showcases your professional journey and accomplishments, you engage hiring managers on a deeper level. Sharing anecdotes that highlight your skills, challenges, and significant achievements ill attract their attention and create a memorable impression.

Storytelling also allows you to compellingly convey your passion and enthusiasm for the role. And crafting a narrative-driven cover letter makes you more relatable and demonstrates your communication skills. Finally, sharing stories about your experiences can provide talking points for a  successful future interview , helping you articulate your qualifications more effectively.

Highlighting Achievements

Effectively showcasing your achievements and accomplishments in your cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing the job. Highlighting quantifiable accomplishments demonstrates your tangible contributions and value to potential employers. So, strive to include specific examples and metrics to illustrate the impact of your work, such as increasing sales revenue by a certain percentage or completing projects ahead of schedule. Emphasizing your successful track record will capture hiring managers’ attention and differentiate yourself from other candidates. Moreover, showcasing your achievements reinforces your credibility and suitability for the role.

Adding Multimedia Elements

Exploring the integration of multimedia elements into your cover letter can provide a unique edge in today’s competitive job market. For example, consider incorporating links to your online portfolio or online videos that showcase your skills or achievements. However, you must ensure compatibility and professionalism when multimedia is included in your application. So, opt for formats that are widely accessible and easily viewed across different devices and platforms.

Demonstrating Industry Knowledge

Demonstrating industry knowledge in your cover letter is a great way to show potential employers that you’re informed and engaged. So, stay up to date on the latest trends, developments, and challenges in your field by regularly reading industry publications and following relevant blogs or forums. If it makes sense to, you might include specific examples of industry insights or trends in your cover letter, showcasing your understanding of the industry or role. You might also want to highlight any relevant certifications, courses, or workshops you’ve completed to demonstrate your commitment to staying informed. Finally, you could discuss how your knowledge can benefit the company, whether it’s by offering innovative solutions or adapting quickly to industry changes.

Originally published by The Vault .

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How To Write a Cover Letter With Examples

Cover letters can help differentiate you from other job applicants and be the determining factor of landing your dream job. By taking the time to craft a custom cover letter, a single sheet of paper can help communicate all the human elements that a resume may fall short of capturing about yourself. 

But what do employers and recruiters have to say about how to write a cover letter? What are the best tips they have to offer for graduate students who are writing a cover letter?

We asked 11 employers for their best cover letter tips. Here is what they had to share.

Let it Set the Stage

In many ways, cover letters should provide background information and context to your resume, while simultaneously addressing how that resume addresses the specific requirements of the job opportunity. The cover letter is your opportunity to "set the stage" and to convince the hiring manager why your specific set of skills, experiences and interests will provide value to their team and its objectives.

Andrew Horrigan '11 BSBA (Management Information Systems), Product Manager at Cisco

Research the Hiring Manager

If possible, find out who the hiring manager is and look them up on LinkedIn. Do your research on the company you're applying for. What's their mission statement and how do they portray their company culture? Hopefully what you're looking for in a job is reflected by those things. Make sure the hiring manager knows that and understands who you are and what drives you. A resume is often about as robotic as things can be. Make sure your cover letter is the opposite—personalize it and let yourself shine through.

Joshua Schlag ’05 BS (Computer Science) ’11 MBA, Digital Marketing Manager at Pyramid Analytics

Utilize Career Development Resources

The University of Arizona and Eller College of Management go to great lengths to make sure students are prepared for their impending career journey. Because cover letters are so important to getting your foot in the door, there are several career development resources online and on campus to take advantage of. The university’s cover letter builder serves as a nice template to get started. And of course, it never hurts to make an appointment with an Eller Career Coach through eSMS to have a professional review your letter before submission. 

Brett Farmiloe, ’06 BSBA (Accounting), Founder, Featured

Discover Past Samples of the Position

Do your research on the company and personalize your cover letter to the role for which you are applying. Don't be afraid to Google, "How to write a good cover letter for X position." Seriously, it helps! There is so much information out there from various perspectives—applicants, hiring managers, etc. Most importantly be yourself and let your personality come through. And don't forget to spell check!

Mariam Nikola '17 MS MIS, Consultant at Point B

Highlight Your Soft Skills

When writing a professional cover letter, there are a couple things you can do to set yourself apart from the pack. First, make sure you tailor your letter to the specific position you are applying for. This should not be a general, "one size fits all" letter—be sure to discuss specific details surrounding the role or the company itself. Secondly, this is an opportunity for you to show a little bit of your personality. Obviously, you want to remain professional, but this is a great time to highlight some of your soft skills that might not be fully conveyed through your resume.  

Brian Ellis ’17 BSBA (Management), Staffing Manager at Randstad Office and Administrative Professionals

Fill in the “Why” Gaps

As a talent advisor, I review a lot of applicants and agree that a cover letter can be a great way to stand apart, if it is done correctly. A great cover letter for me covers the ‘why’ that I cannot understand from just a resume alone. It should clearly state why you are interested in the role, what your goals are for utilizing your graduate degree (if recently graduated) and explain any career pivots reflected on your resume. If you answer those questions in a direct, concise manner it will add value to your application.

Monica Larson , ’11 BSBA (Marketing) ‘20 MBA, Talent Advisor

Tell Your Story

A cover letter is your opportunity to tell your story—tying your experience and personal interests into why you want a position and why you are the best candidate for it. Paint the picture of your journey and what about the position excites you personally and professionally. Similar to your resume, keep it short and sweet. No need to repeat what’s already on your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to comb through a novel, so you need to engage them with as few words as possible while also grabbing their attention.

Kelly Castoro, ’06 BA (Spanish, Portuguese), Project Manager at Squarespace

Tailor Each Cover Letter to the Position You Are Applying

Be sure to research the role and customize your cover letter for each position, relating your experience to the particular role you are applying for. Personalization is key—research who you are sending the cover letter to and address the letter to them directly. End your letter with a call to action, stating you will follow up by phone or email if you haven’t heard from anyone. Follow ups are very important! 

Jessica Rosenzweig, ’15 BSBA (Business Management), Account Manager at PeopleWare Staffing

Communicate Bankability and Personality 

Your cover letter answers two crucial questions; are you bankable and are you someone the company will enjoy working with? Communicate bankability with your knowledge of the company, industry and why your skills, capabilities and interests are a great fit. Share your passion for their mission, culture, brand—whatever excites you about becoming a member of their team.  

When conveyed through a concise, well-formulated, well-worded cover letter, you demonstrate the ability to write an effective business case—communicating that you are a ready professional and worthy teammate who will hit the ground running.

Theresa L Garcia, ’83 BSBA (Human Resources), Senior Change Management and Organization Capability Consultant at Boeing

Keep it Concise but Compelling

A cover letter is your chance to speak directly to the hiring team and tell them why you are not only the best match for the position for which you are applying but also give them additional insight into yourself as an individual that is less visible from your experience.

A great cover letter should be attention grabbing and touch upon the qualities that make you stand out from others in the applicant pool, highlight both your recent and most distinguished accomplishments and drive home why you are the right person for the job. Professionalism is always important, but don’t be hesitant to put your voice into the letter to let your personality shine through. Research the company, understand where they currently are, where they are going and show why you are the right person to get them from point A to point B. Recruiters spend a lot of time reviewing applicants and making yourself stand apart from the crowd is key. Keep it concise but compelling!

Matt Reineberg, ’14 BSBA (Marketing), Senior Talent Acquisition Sourcer at Cox Enterprises

Highlight the “Why”

Why are you applying to this company? Why do you want this position? Your cover letter should aim to answer the why behind applying for the job. Conveying an interest and excitement for working specifically for this job at this company, rather than a desire to get any job anywhere that will give you money, can go a long way. Show the company that they should hire you and your passion over someone that might have the skills needed for the job, but doesn’t care about the work as much as you do. 

Ryan Nouis, Trupath 

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How to write a cover letter

Find out how to write a cover letter to accompany your CV.

Book a place at a CV and applications workshop where you will be guided through what to include.

go to careerhub

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document that you send to an employer alongside your CV. It is your chance to show an employer how you meet the criteria for the role you are applying for. Your cover letter should be tailored to the role and organisation you are applying to. 

It should be presented as a formal letter and be no longer than one page. 

What to include

Your cover letter should include four main paragraphs, which details: 

• an introduction – who you are and why you are writing, with some background about whether you are a student or a graduate
• why you have applied for this job and are interested in the organisation – demonstrate that you have done some research on their website and know what they do, giving an example of an aspect of their work that particularly impresses you
• how you meet their requirements – use the job advert to structure your bullet points and show how you fulfil them. Start your bullet point with a positive word and then the skill before giving an example to demonstrate it
• what you want to happen next – reaffirm your enthusiasm for the role and organisation, and say when you are available for interview.

You should address your letter to a named person or use Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Recruiter, if you don ’ t have a name.  

Close your letter with Yours sincerely if you are writing to a named person or Yours faithfully if you are writing to Dear Sir/Madam.

Download an example  cover letter  to help guide you. 

If you are applying for an academic or non-academic role following a PhD,  see our example of a cover letter . 

Sending a speculative cover letter 

If the industry you want to get into is highly competitive, roles may not be formally advertised. In this case, you may decide to send a cover letter and CV to the them in advance, this is called a speculative cover letter.

Like a standard cover letter, your letter should be persuasive and outline why you are interested in the organisation and what you can offer them. 

Example 

Download a   speculative covering letter .

Telling an employer about a disability

You may choose to tell the employer about your disability on your cover letter, or you may decide to tell them later in the application process e.g. at interview. See an  example cover letter  from Prospects. 

Find out more about your disability rights .

More support

We have partnered with  EmployAbility  to provide students with disabilities and long-term health conditions with individualised advice and support. The EmployAbility team will also advocate for you with an employer to ensure you receive the adjustments you need.

Further help and advice

If you need futher help and advice while writing your cover letter,  Ask a Question  in CareerHub.  

See more from How to apply for a job

Why is writing essays so hard?

Patterns and boring topics imposed by schools and universities are not very conducive to creativity and human development. Such essays are very difficult to write, because many are not interested in this and do not see the meaning of the text. There are a number of criteria that make it impossible to write essays:

• Boring and incomprehensible topics. Many topics could be more interesting, but teachers formulate them in a way that makes you want to yawn.
• Templates. 90% do not know how to make an essay interesting, how to turn this detailed answer to a question into a living story.
• Fear of not living up to expectations. It seems to many that the essay is stupid and that they simply did not understand the question. There is a fear of getting a bad mark and disappointing the professor, parents and classmates. There is a fear of looking stupid and embarrassing in front of the team.
• Lack of experience. People don't know what and how to write about. In order to make a good essay, you need to have a perfect understanding of the topic and have the skills of a writer.

That is why the company EssaysWriting provides its services. We remove the responsibility for the result from the clients and do everything to ensure that the scientific work is recognized.

Customer Reviews

Andersen, Jung & Co. is a San Francisco based, full-service real estate firm providing customized concierge-level services to its clients. We work to help our residential clients find their new home and our commercial clients to find and optimize each new investment property through our real estate and property management services.

Gombos Zoran

Finished Papers

Johan Wideroos

From a high school essay to university term paper or even a PHD thesis

The shortest time frame in which our writers can complete your order is 6 hours. Length and the complexity of your "write my essay" order are determining factors. If you have a lengthy task, place your order in advance + you get a discount!

Charita Davis

Dr.Jeffrey (PhD)

Finished Papers

Earl M. Kinkade

Emery Evans

Why is the best essay writing service?

On the Internet, you can find a lot of services that offer customers to write huge articles in the shortest possible time at a low price. It's up to you to agree or not, but we recommend that you do not rush to make a choice. Many of these sites will take your money and disappear without getting the job done. Some low-skilled writers will still send you an essay file, but the text will not meet the required parameters.

is the best essay writing service because we provide guarantees at all stages of cooperation. Our polite managers will answer all your questions and help you determine the details. We will sign a contract with you so that you can be sure of our good faith.

The team employs only professionals with higher education. They will write you a high-quality essay that will pass all anti-plagiarism checks, since we do not steal other people's thoughts and ideas, but create new ones.

You can always contact us and make corrections, and we will be happy to help you.

Laura V. Svendsen