A CV and cover letter are arguably the most important part of applying to jobs through traditional means. It is at this stage that most candidates get filtered out so It follows that this is a crucial to paint the best image of yourself and your acheivements as possible.
Reminder: Confidence ≠ Arrogance
You can acknowledge your strengths and achievements without crossing into pride. True confidence is rooted in gratitude, not ego. It’s still understandable that when writing a CV and listing your accomplishments you could feel shallow or a degree of self-amazement. All this requires is a shift in mindset. Remind yourself that your achievements have only been accomplished by the will of God and everything goes back to him.
CV: Your Career Snapshot
Your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a powerful document that summarises your qualifications, experiences, skills, and achievements - all on 1-2 pages. It’s often the first impression an employer will have of you and is arguably the most important component of a traditional job application.
Key Points
Tailor your CV to different jobs
Making your CV match as close as possible to the job description is crucial. Prioritise the most relevant experiences for the role. For example, if a university project you did is actually more aligned with the job role than an internship you did, consider listing it above your internship to highlight its relevance.
How to make your CV stand out
- Use strong action verbs: Led, Created, Analysed, Delivered
- Quantify achievements: “Increased engagement by 40%”, “Managed a team of 6”
- Use clean, professional formatting (avoid colour-heavy, over-designed templates)
- Generative AI tools can help rephrase and optimise your bullet points - be sure to use these as inspiration and as a starting points
What to do if you have no work experience?
You probably have more experience than you think! Here’s where to look:
Extracurricular Activities
- Clubs, societies, and student leadership roles show initiative, teamwork, and communication
- Choose societies that reflect your interests or target sector (e.g. Finance → Investment societies, Consulting → Case Study Clubs)
Volunteering & Personal Projects
- Community projects, charity work, or even managing a personal blog or coding portfolio
- Show what you’ve done and what impact it had
Online Courses & Certifications
- Platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning can add depth
- Highlight areas relevant to the job you're aiming for (e.g. Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Python)
Practical Steps
Step 1: Get familiar with high quality examples
Imperial College CV & Cover Letters Guide (shows a CV without much work experience)
CV Information | Oxford University
Do your own industry specific research in addition e.g. Search “Successful [X firm] [Y role] CV example”
Step 2: Choose a strong, clean template
For most industries a Word template is typical. More technical fields such as Computer Science and Software Engineering LaTeX is used.
Example CV Template (Word format)
CV Templates (LaTeX format)
Step 3: Write in the XYZ format
Accomplished [X], as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]
Example: “Won second place out of 50 teams in hackathon at Imperial working with two colleagues to develop an app that synchronizes mobile calendars.”
The reason for this is simple. Vague phrases like “improved efficiency” are subjective and hard to measure. Concrete and tangible figures give anyone who reads your CV a point of reference.
Step 4: Use Bullet Points and Tailor Wording to the Job Description
They increase readability and make your achievements easier to scan - especially for ATS systems (AI programs used at large companies for an initial screening to scan for keywords).
What keywords to look for in the job description and include:
- Hard Skills & Tools -e.g. Excel, Python, SQL, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite, Power BI
- Soft Skills -e.g. Communication, Leadership, Analytical Thinking, Time Management
- Industry Jargon- e.g. “Client-facing”, “Agile”, “Stakeholder engagement”, “UX”, “Financial modelling”
- Qualifications- e.g. “STEM background”, “Data-driven decision making”, “Lean Six Sigma”, “Audit readiness”
Include them naturally where possible in your bullet points or skills sections.
Free ATS checker - use to check the readability of your CV by computers and provides a score, sometimes you can also upload the job description to tailor feedback.
Step 5: Get Multiple Perspectives
It’s completely normal to not get your CV right on the first go. In fact, it’s expected. What sets strong applicants apart is their willingness to seek feedback and iterate. Here are people you should take advice from starting with the most impactful:
- Industry Professionals
- Students 1–2 Years Ahead
- University Careers Services
- Friends, Mentors & Society Members
You should ideally have revised your CV at least a few times and ran it by multiple people before you start applying to openings.
Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your story - make it count.
A great cover letter isn’t just a repeat of your CV. It’s your chance to show who you are, why you care, and why you’re a perfect fit for the role. Think of it as your personal pitch.
Research with fake job applications shows that applications with tailored cover letters yield just over 50% more interviews compared to those without. (**source**)
Key Points
A cover letter should be:
- A short, compelling note to the employer, no longer than one page of A4
- A way to connect your experience to the job
- A chance to show your personality and motivation
- Written clearly and succinctly to highlight the most relevant skills
Cover Letter Structure
Here's a breakdown you can follow (but add your own flavor):
1. Greeting
Keep it direct. Use the hiring manager’s name if you can.
Example: “Dear Ms. Patel, Dear Sir/Madam”
2. Opening Paragraph
Hook them in! Clearly mention what role you’re applying for and why you’re excited about it.
“I’m thrilled to apply for the Marketing Intern position at X Company because…”
Pro Tip: Mention Employees You’ve Connected With
If you’ve spoken with someone at the company - whether at a career fair, networking event, or through a coffee chat -include at the start of your cover letter. It showsinitiative,real interest, and that you’ve done more than just read the job posting. “After speaking with [Employee’s Name] at [Event/Platform], I gained valuable insight into [Company Name]’s culture and the [Role Title]. Our conversation confirmed my excitement about this opportunity and how I could contribute to your team.” This works because:
- It makes your letter personal and specific
- Shows you’ve taken the time to engage
- Can build credibility if the person you spoke with is respected in the company
3. Middle Paragraph(s)
This is where you shine.
- Highlight one or two key experiences
- Connect your skills to what the company needs
- Show you’ve done your research on the company and their values
4. Closing Paragraph
Reaffirm your interest. End with a confident, polite call to action.
“I’d love to bring my creativity and energy to your team - thank you for the consideration”
5. Signature
Stick with:
“Sincerely,” or “Best regards,”
See how it is all put together in this Cover Letter Template
