Creative CV and Job Interview Preparation

general courses

This course is designed to help students develop a creative and effective curriculum vitae (CV) and prepare for successful job interviews. The course will cover the following topics: understanding the purpose and structure of a CV, identifying key skills and achievements, tailoring the CV to the job description, creating a personal brand, writing effective cover letters, and preparing for job interviews. Through a series of interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions, students will gain practical skills and strategies to help them stand out in today's competitive job market.

1. Introduction to Personal SWOT and Personal Success Strategy

• Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses

• Identifying personal values and mission

• Creating a personal success strategy

• Exercise: 16 Personalities Test and Personal SWOT Analysis

2. Crafting Your Personal Value Proposition (1.5 hours)

• Understanding the power of personal branding

• Developing your unique value proposition

• Creating your brand story

• Exercise: Developing your Personal Brand and Value Proposition

3. Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and How to Prepare Documents

• Understanding the importance of ATS compliance

• Writing effective cover letters and CVs

• Creating and formatting documents that are ATS-friendly

• Exercise: Optimizing your CV and Cover Letter for ATS

4. Creative Job Seeking

• Developing a job search strategy

• Identifying and networking with key contacts

• Exploring creative job seeking options

• Exercise: Exploring Creative Job Seeking Strategies

5. CV Content and Formatting (1.5 hours)

• Formatting and layout of a CV

• Choosing the right keywords and phrases

• Tips for making your CV visually appealing

• Exercise: Crafting an Attention-Grabbing CV

6. Tailoring Your CV to the Job Description

• Understanding the job description

• Highlighting your relevant skills and experience

• Using power words and action verbs

• Exercise: Customizing your CV to the Job Description

7. Preparing for Job Interviews

• Different types of job interviews

• Handling common interview questions

• Preparing questions to ask the interviewer

• Exercise: Practicing Job Interview Techniques

8. Creative Interview Techniques and Final Project

• Techniques for presenting yourself professionally

• Non-verbal communication skills

• Handling difficult interview questions

• Exercise: Handling Difficult Interview Questions

• Putting it all together: creating a complete job application package

• Review of course material and key takeaways

• Final thoughts and next steps for students

• Exercise: Presenting your Job Application Package

Literature Books

• "What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers" by Richard N. Bolles. This is a classic book in the career development field, with useful insights and practical exercises for identifying personal values, strengths, and weaknesses.

• "The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster" by Steve Dalton. It offers concrete advice for seeking jobs effectively.

• "Knock 'em Dead Resumes: How to Write a Killer Resume That Gets You Job Interviews" by Martin Yate. This book provides practical tips for writing effective resumes and cover letters.

Online Articles/Tutorials

• The Muse (https://www.themuse.com/) provides many articles on career advice, including CV writing, cover letter writing, and job interview tips.

• Zety's Blog (https://zety.com/blog) offers numerous in-depth guides and articles on creating resumes and preparing for interviews.

• ATS and resume optimization: Jobscan (https://www.jobscan.co/) provides a platform for optimizing resumes to pass through ATS. Their blog also contains useful articles on ATS and job search tips.

Online Tools

• 16Personalities (https://www.16personalities.com/) for personality tests.

• Canva (https://www.canva.com/) offers free templates for creative CVs and cover letters.

YouTube Channels

• Professor Heather Austin provides practical videos on job hunting, resume writing, and interviewing skills.

• Andrew LaCivita's channel offers in-depth career advice and tutorials on job interviews, resume writing, and more.

Podcasts

• "Find Your Dream Job" by Mac Prichard offers practical advice on job hunting and career development.

• "The Interview Skills Mastery Podcast" provides insights into effective interviewing techniques and strategies.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand their personal strengths and weaknesses

• Identify their personal values and mission

• Create a personal brand and value proposition

• Write effective cover letters and CVs that comply with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

• Prepare for different types of job interviews and handle common interview questions

• Develop creative job seeking strategies that include a video resume

• Develop confidence in presenting themselves professionally

Assessment: Assessment in this course will be based on a combination of in-class participation (20%), completion of exercises and assignments (30%), and a final project which will involve the creation of a complete job application package, including a tailored CV and cover letter (50%). Students will also receive feedback on their performance during mock interviews. The use of ChatGPT in the exercises will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the ideas generated