Leo Fellmann wrote, On 15/05/07 21:37:
> Flash Gordon wrote:
>> Leo Fellmann wrote, On 15/05/07 14:02:
>>> Summer holidays are drawing near and (with a sort of latin
>>> timeliness) most of my French collegues, all students, are realising
>>> they might need a summer job* (strangely enough, even the ones who
>>> are (not badly) paid
<snip>
>> It's a bit difficult at your age since, in general, people your age do
>> not have much experience. However, any work experience, even if not
>> related (including paper-rounds etc) should be included since they
>> show you can hold down a job.
>
> In this case we have a month writing a re****t on wooden house
> construction at some (presumably) prestigious engineering school with a
> very long name. I was thinking that should be ***ed up a bit.
Yes, that is a potentially good one. What was being written about is
less im****tant (but obviously needs to be mentioned in sufficient, but
not too much, detail) than holding the job for a month, communications
skills shown by getting and holding the job, the responsibility that was
placed on the person etc.
> Also a month's training in a pottery 6 years ago. I'm not sure this
> needs as much emphasis.
That would be (in my opinion) a one liner just adding a bit of bulk and
showing some breadth.
> < Obviously details of education. Any possibly
>> relevant or interesting extra-curricular activities, especially if it
>> includes places on committees, captain****ps etc (could include reading
>> Prouste depending on the type of job). Keep it down to 2 pages, some
>> of the people having to read it are busy people and will not read a
>> long CV. Well, 3 pages as a maximum.
>
> It's one page at the moment :)
Good. That means you have space to fill out on im****tant things.
> Problem is the extra-curricular activities, as they're mainly along the
> lines of "enjoy looking at Picassos". I'll see if we can get some better
> stuff in.
It can be used to show breadth of knowledge, a degree of culture and
even (even if it is not true) maturity. Something like, "I have been
studying 20th century art in my spare time with a particular interest in
Picasso. I am most interested in his (whatever) period and regularly go
to art galleries to see his and other works."
> Is the "Languages" section something that can be played on? She's
> apparently not that bad at Spanish in addition to English.
Yes, languages are a good thing and all should be listed with an
indication of the degree of fluency.
> Do you have any advice for motivational letters? In Switzerland you tend
> to write about how much you're interested in the job and in France you
> tell people how wonderfully suited you are for the job. I'm fairly sure
> the latter wouldn't go down well anywhere but France, but I'm also
> unsure anyone anywhere reads them in the first place.
Generally in the UK the covering letter states what job you are going
for and why you are the right person for it.
> The job's at a company that does consumer panels, incidentally.
OK, so some emphasis on people skills would be a good thing.
>>> * Lucky sods. I applied far earlier and then found out to my great
>>> horror that the exam dates have been switched around again and I
>>> don't actually have time for a summer job. Had to turn down quite an
>>> interesting one, too :(
>>
>> That is a real pain. Complain pointing out that not getting the work
>> experience is bad for your prospects. Also see if you can get at least
>> some work time.
>
> I can't; I've tried already. I'd have only about a month and summer jobs
> around here for compuzter science students are 10 weeks minimum.
> Actually some of the professors are unhappy as well - exams at the _end_
> of the summer holidays are pretty stupid - but they couldn't get it
> changed either.
At least the professors agree it is bad.
> I guess I'll just start driving lessons instead and get some serious
> studying done.
You could also do some serious work on some open source projects. This
would give you something real to point prospective employers at later.
--
Flash Gordon
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