Five ways to get your CV noticed

Image via The Italian Voice on Flickr

Looking to apply for jobs now that your degree is almost finished? Great! Trouble is, you're going up against  a lot of other graduates - from this year and last year.

So, how do you stand out? These days, a simple paper CV doesn't cut the mustard. With so many resources available to you, from Facebook to YouTube and online design packages, there's no reason why you can't be creative and make your CV something that potential employers want to see.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:


Match your CV to your industry
First things first, what industry are you hoping to go into? If you're looking to go into a creative industry, like advertising, social media, design or film, incorporating some of the skills you have into your CV would be wise.

For example:

• If you want a job in print media, consider making your CV look like a newspaper front cover - highlighting your best points in the headlines. 
• Want a job in visual media? Consider turning your CV into a video. Have a look below for some ideas of how you can do that.
• Considering a job with a management basis? Consider turning your CV into a report, demonstrating how you can help the company with your skills.
• Want a career in maths, or geography? Turn your CV into a series of graphs, or a map of achievements. 

Essentially, you need to think about what skills you want to showcase, then work out how to use them to create your CV.


Use your Design skills
If you're into graphic design, or know someone else who is, considering giving your CV a real design makeover to stand out. Check out some of the suggestions on Mashable, which range from an interactive Facebook page to the infographic below.

Make your CV Social Media savvy
One of the smartest things to do with your CV, is to make it so engaging that it's shared across social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Stumbleupon and YouTube. Graeme Anthony created an interactive video CV - and it went viral. His video spread like wildfire through social media, and he landed a job within a few days.

QR Codes, Business Cards and Websites
If you're willing to invest a little time in creating a CV online (try LinkedIn, or Innovate CV), you could try a little guerrilla marketing. Try going to a business car provider like Moo.com, and getting a QR Code printed on them which links to your website. Then leave your business cards in places that potential employers might visit. For example, you might want to leave some of them on the table of a business park coffee shop, on the seat of a rush hour train or ask a friend who works in a company you want to work for to pop them into the pigeon hole of their employer.

Spelling and grammar checks
So, you've developed your CV idea and created your work of art...now what? Check your grammar and spelling. Then ask someone else to check your grammar and spelling. Then ask someone ELSE to check it for you.

Don't underestimate the importance of good grammar and spelling. It could give you the edge over those who don't know the difference between their, there and they're.

Nominate yourself: Get paid to be a student!

Want to know more about the Elections? Check out Alex's post below...

Let's be serious for a second. We're all at university for one very simple reason... to better ourselves in order to gain that job we've always wanted. We do everything that we can to make sure we hand our essays in on time, (even if that involves an all-nighter the day before the deadline). We work ourselves to tears when approaching the exam period. Then that magical moment comes when you get your email through saying your grade (whether that be a 1^st, 2:1 etc). We’re happy because we know that at the end of the day, we can put our hand on heart and say we did everything in our power to get us to that point. 

Then what? 

Round the country tens of THOUSANDS of students are all doing exactly the same thing. So why would you get that sick job you've always dreamed of over them? What evidence have you got of the skills they want? Why don’t you give yourself something amazing on your CV that will catch their eye, while also earning some dosh?

If you haven’t worked it out yet, I'm talking about taking a year out (whether that be before, or after your studies) to become a Student Officer. I can only really speak for myself on this one when I say ‘THIS IS THE BEST JOB I WILL EVER HAVE!’ There is no other organisation in the world that is going to give anywhere near this much responsibility at such a young and inexperienced age. To walk into your own office, chair a meeting, go to lunch with the Vice-Chancellor and really make a difference to student life - isn’t that something that all graduates want to say they've done?

So what will you get from this year that makes you so employable? For a start, it’s a year's work experience line-managing the Chief Executive of an organisation that turns over £4million a year. It’s a chance to get a taste of the real world while the current job market sorts itself out. With an annual salary of £17,000 a year, you are on one of the best graduate schemes you will ever achieve. Anyone can apply, anyone can win. You are in the position to change anything within the University that has bothered you, anything that you thought would make life easier for students.

Want to know more? 

OK! There are the five positions available.

· PRESIDENT – He is a point of contact for the university and external stakeholders. In this role you will have the ability to attend the highest decision making committees within the uni, chair the Trustee boards and liaise with the media (BBC Berkshire, The Times Higher, potentially anyone).

· VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS – This is where you make sure that everyone is as happy as they can be, line-managing a team of 365 course reps via the 10 faculty reps. Problem solving, communicating, generally being amazing (Yeah, I'm biased!)

· VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Ever played a sport for your uni or took part in a society? Then this role might be of interest. Here you get to secure resources that benefit those who get involved. You organise the Fresher’s Fayre, converse with Sports Park, and be a point of contact.

· VICE PRESIDENT OF WELFARE AND REPRESENTATION – It's awful when you wake up with a hangover, feel unsafe on the walk home or feel under represented because you’re a minority group. These are just some of the things a Welfare and Representation officer will cover.

· VICE PRESIDENT OF DEMOCRACY AND CAMPAIGNS – we want to make sure that we are being fair to everyone, reaching the groups that are not being reached. The VPDC is here to target the students’ needs. They are here to keep us thinking about what you guys think. This is done by arranging Student Voice, Service and Ents and SOS.

Create Some Change

The job market can be a scary place, with an average of 83 people going for every one graduate job. Have your chance to make sure you are the one who gets the job. Be a Student Officer, create some change.

Student volunteering week 20th – 26th February 2012

This week, our Societies and Volunteering Co-ordinator tells us a little more about how you can get the most out of your university experience, give back and fill your CV with some fantastic experience. 

In the last major study, 63 per cent of students surveyed reported formally volunteering since they had started university. As the Societies and Volunteering Co-ordinator for RUSU, I want to ensure that all students at Reading have every opportunity to get involved in volunteering during their time here.

In this Olympic and Jubilee year, opportunities to get involved in projects in the local community seem to be greater than ever and the action packed week of activities planned for student volunteering week (20^th – 26^th Feb), showcases just this. I hope that the week will give you a greater insight into volunteering; through talking directly to local voluntary groups and charities at a volunteering fayre in 3sixty, attending talks and getting involved in the one off no commitment volunteering opportunities organised during the week.

I am particularly excited about launching the NEW volunteering society. I have high hopes that this new group will enable students to really influence the community projects RUSU is involved with. The Vol Soc committee will (I hope!) develop their own events and activities for groups in the community, and recruit a great team of student volunteers to make their plans a reality!

A highlight of student volunteering week will be the launch of Voices of Reading – a community choir which is having it’s first rehearsal in student volunteering week. The choir, which is being conducted by a Reading alumnus, needs a committee to help its weekly running. If you were inspired by Gareth Malone and The Military Wives at Christmas and want to be involved, then head along to the first session and sing your heart out. The conductor will be bringing along her 6 month old son to rehearsals so this choir really is open to everyone! RUSU are working with schools in Whitley to develop this community choir open to all ages, all abilities and singing all types of music.

And yes...there’s more! To top it all you can go to another Freshers’ Fayre...but this time for volunteering. Still all the leaflets (and hopefully a good selection of free pens!) but no membership fees! Over 25 organisations are attending the fayre in 3sixty on Wednesday 22^nd Feb from 12noon – 3pm and will be promoting a whole range of volunteering opportunities both locally, and further afield.  

Do take a look at the full programme and drop me an email if you have any questions or pop in to the Hub for a chat. Go on...escape the student bubble and immerse yourself in local culture. 

Reducing your student travel costs: Infographic

We spotted this infographic when we were looking for ways to reduce your travel costs. There's some great tips in there, regarding booking ahead, cheap tickets and what to take.

We're not entirely sure what the fake blood is about though...

via Visual.ly

How do you keep travelling costs down?

Alex Slater: The Faculty of life

So, it is more than obvious that I tried to come up with a clever name here (I watched Sherlock at the weekend and thought that I was more than qualified for this task, with a clever yet witty name. More fool me) but somehow failed miserably. None the less, we move on and are better for the experience.

It’s that very magical time of year that we all look forward to the bestest and brightest of our students getting the chance to put themselves forward to be a ‘Faculty Rep’. They're in one of the most influential roles that a student can be in within the University, with the power and responsibility to change just about anything that they see fit. Powerful, right? 

So, I bet I know what you’re thinking (or at least you will be thinking in a second or so) HOW DO THEY DO THIS?!?! (Ok, you weren't...but you are now, MAGIC). They are in a position to sit on the most senior boards within the university, giving them the perfect chance to“create change”. These boards feed directly into UBTL (the University Board for Teaching and Learning) where all the big decisions are made with concerns to teaching and learning, AKA your courses.

Why should you become a Faculty Rep?

All in all, why would you want to be one? What could you possibly get out of it? I’m sure when you leave university you'll want a job. Well, why wouldn’t you? None of us want to worry about security and money, which is often a problem for many unemployed graduates these days. However, what if this is something that didn’t have to apply to you? Employers these days are looking for graduates who stand out more than others, with skills that are gained from outside of your degree programme. As a faculty rep you will be leading a group of course reps (approximately 50+), using their feedback within some of the highest decision making processes (Senate) and working very closely with myself and the VP Academic Affairs (HOW LUCKY ARE YOU, that should be reason enough to run on its own).

Other benefits

Other than getting to represent your fellow students (a benefit in itself) you'll also get a couple of other benefits. These can vary depending on the VP AA but I will tell you a few that I've put in place. I try to keep the meetings as fun and informal as possible where we can share information and ideas, but yet have a laugh. At the beginning training sessions we ordered pizza (on RUSU of course) with dessert of Phish Food ice-cream. In addition to this I have put them on the Union guest list so that they don’t have to pay entry to Wednesday and Saturday nights out (which is a SICK new benefit I've put in place).

The long and short of it is, if you want to stand out from your fellow students in securing that job you always wanted, and feel you have what it takes to represent your fellow students in committees that can have tangible affects across the whole University,  then go nominate yourself! 

Much love.

Alex

VP Academic Affairs

Mojo's: The place where X Factor and Football live happily together!

Image via Wikipedia

Whether you're eXcited about the popstar hopefuls on X Factor or desperate to catch the latest football game on the big screen, Mojo's has something for everyone.

X Factor

Those that want to catch the show on Saturday can watch it from the comfort of Mojo's, complete with a drink and snack. It kicks off at 8pm, and if you get there before 9pm, you don't have to pay to get into 3sixty!

Football

We've got one big screen for this, and four smaller screens!

Games include

Friday 25 November - 19:45 Scotland v England - Sky Sports Victory Shield

Saturday 26 November - 17:00 Arsenal v Fulham Barclays Premier League

Which will you be watching?

Ben Haines: The AGM, NUS Referendum and behind the scenes at RUSU

Hi.

Firstly, I realise that I’ve left it an extended period of time since I did my last little bit of writing. You might be thinking that I’ve done this to create the illusion of suspense and heightened excitement. That’s a bit true but also, us RUSU lot have just been really busy.  Lots of meetings and talking to students, campaigning and representing, combined with other more functional stuff like occasionally sleeping and having a square meal.

However, I’ve not started writing to you all to talk about the busy life of being a sabbatical officer (which is just swell by the way I would encourage you all to run to do it one day!). What I wanted to do is have a little bit of confabulation and a chit chat about some stuff that I reckon is pretty important, the NUS Referendum and the AGM.  I actually chuckled to myself when I wrote this. What must students think of this extra keen RUSU bloke banging on about referendums and AGMs and all other things that promise grandeur, but have a tendency to be in practice a little bit plain? This is the part where I should make it sound genuinely exciting, edge of your seat, anything could happen stuff. You’ll be pleased to know, that really is what I’m going to do on your computer screens.

Firstly, this NUS Referendum stuff…what’s that all about?  Well in short we as a Student Union are currently affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS).  They’re a really pleasant bunch of ladies and gents who bring SU’s like ours around the country together.  They train people like me right up nice, so that we’re ready for sabbatical life. They issue the NUS Extra cards we use to get discounts in Topshop along with those rascal Mcflurrys you can get for free! They also provide us with an affiliation to their group of people who sell us cheap food and drink, which some of you take advantage of every Wednesday and Saturday night.  What we have to decide as a group of students is whether to remain affiliated with them or not. We pay £40,000 to be a part of the NUS and lots of people will tell you the financial incentives that a Students’ Union receives back, far outweigh the original fee we pay.  You can vote whether to remain affiliated to the NUS at www.rusu.co.uk.  PLEASE PLEASE do log on and vote, it is ever so important.

Right, now onto the AGM.  This event provides a very unique opportunity to have your voice heard. It focuses on lots of things and we’ll be talking about all sorts, but I’d like to draw your attention to three things:

1. Scrutinising the accounts. You can genuinely find out where your Student Union’s money is going and kick us up the bum if we’re spending it in places we shouldn’t be.
2. Hold your trustees to account. Come and tell us what we’re doing well and what we’re doing badly.  We need to hear this stuff so we can get it right!!
3. Free lunchtime buffet. Who doesn’t like free food? There will be samosas and chicken satays, these things alone could drag me to the ends of the earth.

So do take thirty seconds out of your day to vote this week in the referendum and take an hour out of your schedule this coming Tuesday at 1 o’clock to come to 3sixty for the AGM for some fun, frolics and free lunch. Beautiful.

See you all soon.

*slightly tired and weathered yet smiley embrace with full eye contact for sincerety.*

Ben
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