CVs, cover letters and applications
The CV and Cover letter, or the application form are typically used in the first stage of the recruitment process when applying for a job, graduate scheme, placement or internship. If you need help or advice with application forms, CVs or Covering Letters, this page outlines the various ways we can help including workshops on writing effective CVs, Cover letters and application forms and further resources you can read through depending on what document you need to create.
If you need help with an application for postgraduate study, visit our applying for Postgraduate Study page.
When applying for a job, it is essential to research the employer and sector. Researching industries and employers can help you decide whether they are appropriate options for you and awareness of your values, and the employers and the sector are essential to making a strong application.
CVs
We strongly recommend you don’t use a template and start with a blank document to ensure your CV highlight the strength and skills focused on you. The Optimise your CV: Step-by-Step Guide is an easy to follow resource, with advice on using action verbs to make your CV stand out and how to add A Level equivalents to your CV if you are an international student.
The Craft of Writing your CV – is a 20 minute webinar which will look at the three main areas to help get your CV up to scratch, presented by Rachel Coombes, Employability and Careers Consultant.
There are examples CVs attached to this Handshake resource that cover:
- 1 page CV
- 2 page CV
- Casual/part-time work CV
- Mature student CV
- Law CV
- CGES CV
Prospects has a number of example CVs for different scenarios along with guidance about Video and Creative CVs:
Read Prospects' CV guide to find out more about how to format a CV and what to include, and advice about how to fill the gap left by the COVID-19 pandemic if this applies to you.
Target Jobs has example CVs and CV advice.
This resource has advice on creating a great Legal CV and cover letter.
There is also an example Law CV on this page.
This resource has advice on creating CVs and cover letters for roles in the finance sector.
Cover Letters
Writing an Effective Cover Letter looks at the purpose of cover letters and why they are important, summarises how to structure your cover letter, includes cover letter examples, highlights some of the pitfalls, challenges and common errors in cover letters, and provides advice about writing cover letters for jobs aboard.
How to write a great cover letter - is a webinar by Sarah Blunt, Employability and Careers Consultant, on her top tips of how to create a great cover letter.
Do you need help with writing a cover letter? Take a look at our example cover letter.
The Prospects Cover Letter guide has information about how to write a cover letter, what it should include, plus review cover letter examples.
The Doctoral College has information about academic and non academic applications. Choose Preparing applications from the menu bar for options.
Speculative Applications
You might hear about an organisation through research, the media or a contact which you decide to follow up. This pro-active approach, with you taking the initiative, can impress an employer and often reap benefits particularly when searching for a work placement.
With speculative applications you should follow the same rules as a general covering letter. Always try and establish the name of a contact within the organisation that might deal with recruitment and write directly to them, as this will have more impact than writing to “Dear Sir or Madam”.
The opening paragraph of your letter should state why you are writing, for example to enquire about a placement, vacation work and you need to indicate the dates you are available.
For the other paragraphs, follow the cover letter examples and remember demonstrating your knowledge and enthusiasm for the organisation is important. Well written tailored speculative applications are more effective than sending generic ones to many organisations.
This guide explains how to write a speculative application for an internship which any student can follow. The guide is written for students who are using A2I to find a paid internship and clearly highlights everything, from determining what you want to do right through to contacting the employer.
The Placement team have fantastic Kickstart your Placement 2025 resources in particular Accessing the hidden jobs market, gives guidance on writing speculative emails.
Find out how to write a successful job application, review example questions and answers, and learn more about speculative job applications.
Application Forms
Key Features of an application form - If you have never completed an application form before, tune in for this quick guide to online application forms.
Writing Effective Application Forms summarises how to structure your application forms, as well as some of the pitfalls, challenges and common errors.
If you prefer a faster overview listen to Application form advice in 60 seconds - by Rachel Gaunt, Employability and Placements Adviser, for her quick tips for writing application forms or visit a slide recap on writing application forms including information on competency based questions and the STAR approach.
The STAR approach – Situation, Task, Action, and Result can be used to answer situational questions on an application form or in a job interview, e.g. “Describe a time when you….” or “Give an example of….”
Good and bad application form answers provides examples of how to respond effectively to application form questions
When applying for jobs, whether these are part time positions, or a graduate scheme, you will likely be asked for references. To find out how you can ask someone to be a referee (plus who it would be best to ask) take a look at our short guide to references.
Our podcast covers a range of careers topics such as:
Scoring your documents
Your CV and Covering Letter, or the application form you write will be scored. Hear from Sarah Blunt, Employability and Careers Consultant, about how employers shortlist applications.
Graduates First has a CV tool you can use to gain vital insights into your CV. It extracts and analyses your skills, associated organisations & universities, previous job roles, your name, social links and other personal details included.