CV and Cover Letter Writing
Learning Intention: Reflect on your qualities and skills to be able to write your CV.
Success Criteria
I can write a CV and/or cover letter to justify why I should get a job/scholarship.
Learning Tasks
The first step to writing a CV or cover letter, is thinking about what qualities and skills you have. Complete this worksheet to think about those two things.
Write your CV - this website has some great templates or create one on LinkedIn.
Take action! Start applying for jobs and scholarships. (Also, did you know you can find jobs as a student or recent graduate on Student Job Search?)
Need to see some examples of CVs and cover letters?
Here are some of Ms Garlick's throughout the years.
2012 CV, my first one, which is AWFUL. Not well formatted, should have aimed to keep it two pages so it was 1 page double sided.
2014 CV, which is when I just graduated teachers' college and applying for my first teaching position
Cover Letter for Avondale College (Offered the job, but turned it down)
Cover Letter for Selwyn College (Offered the job and accepted it. Below are applications I made for middle management positions.)
2019 Application for China Experience for Science and Technology Teachers (Didn't get the scholarship)
Cover letter for Edgewater College (Offered job and accepted)
Cover letter for Northern Health School (Not offered job)
Cover letter for Te Kura (Not offered job)
Some things to note...
I wanted to show you my CV through the ages so you can see how it changes with your experience level. Remember, you don't need to list everything and you can different versions to highlight different skills and qualities depending on what you're applying for.
I also wanted to show you both success and unsuccessful applications, especially things that occurred in a similar time frame like back in 2021 when I ready to move on from Selwyn College. The quality of the cover letters are more or less the same and they all got the same CV. Sometimes, you're just not the right fit for the job. Remember, it's not always a reflection on you. Maybe you don't have the skill sets yet or there was a better candidate.
Lastly, don't be afraid to reach for something you think you're underqualified for.