Careers

A guide to CVs, cover letters

and application forms

lse.ac.uk/careers
1
2
Welcome
LSE Careers is here to help you implement your career plans by
offering professional support in creating strong applications.
Our careers consultants have written this guide with input from
employers and common questions asked by LSE students.
The first section focuses on identifying your skills and values and
what employers are looking for, before starting your job search.
The following sections give an overview of CVs, cover letters, and
application forms.
We recommend reading through each section before you start
applying as it will save you time and effort. All examples and advice
relate to jobs in the UK. If you need support applying for roles
outside the UK or writing a specialised application (like an academic
or creative CV) visit our website (lse.ac.uk/careers) or book a one-
Contents
to-one appointment with a careers consultant.
LSE Careers is open all year round and whether you have a clear idea
Welcome 3
of what you want to do after your studies or need help to understand
your career options and the ways to explore them, we are here to help. Before you start applying 4
We offer seminars on CVs, cover letters, and application forms CVs 10
throughout the year and you can also have your application reviewed
in a one-to-one appointment. Browse and book on LSE CareerHub: Cover letters 23
careers.lse.ac.uk
Application forms 27

Further resources 35

Lizzie Darlington
Director, LSE Careers

3
Before you start applying
Job applications offer you the opportunity to expand upon who I am very satisfied with the service and help provided by
you are and what you have done to demonstrate you fulfil the LSE Careers. I feel that it has already helped me during
three Cs: my first months here to develop my career perspective and
• the competencies to do the job – the skills, qualities goals much further.
or attributes LSE student
• the commitment to do the job – the energy, drive
or enthusiasm
Tips for skills auditing
• the cultural fit to work within the organisation – a shared
belief in the values pursued by the organisation. • Identify transferable skills, ie, skills that can be taken from
one job, activity or sector to another
Identify your skills • Think broadly about the skills you have developed through:
– academic study
You need to be clear about the competencies you have to offer
the organisation and job you are applying for. Completing an – previous employment
application successfully requires you to do more than simply – volunteering
list your achievements. In order to persuade an employer – travelling
you are the ideal candidate, you need to prove it with specific
– student societies
evidence and articulate this in a succinct way.
– other extra-curricular activities eg, hobbies and interests
You can find lots of useful self-assessment and matching tools
• Think about which examples are the most interesting, relevant
on our website (lse.ac.uk/career-planning). You can use these
and illustrative of your abilities to the employer.
to navigate the career planning process and find the most
appropriate information and resources for whatever stage
you are at.

Conduct a skills audit

Below is an example of how a simple skills audit might look but remember this table is not an exhaustive list of skills or examples.

The skills required by this organisation are... Examples demonstrating these skills could include...
Communication including: • writing essays, dissertations or articles for the Beaver
• verbal skills • speaking to clients and preparing reports at work
• non-verbal/body language • networking at careers events
• written skills • involvement in mentoring.
• presentation skills
• adapting style to the needs of the audience
• listening skills.

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The skills required by this organisation are... Examples demonstrating these skills could include...
Teamwork including: • volunteering projects
• building relationships • being a member of a sports team or student society
• supporting others •u
 ndertaking group projects as part of your degree
• negotiation skills or at work.
• setting aims and achieving shared objectives.
Leadership and decision-making including: • being on the committee of a student society
• managing conflict • making career management decisions in your personal life
• delegation • project management at work
• sensitivity to others’ needs • mentoring
• taking responsibility. • volunteering.

Problem-solving including: • resolving customer complaints

• identifying or anticipating problems/areas for improvement • modifying methodology used in a research project or
• being flexible when faced with challenges dissertation
• using logical or lateral thinking to find solutions. • designing a simple database to more effectively manage
client contacts for a charity, society or small business.
Organisation and planning including: • planning an overseas trip
• time and resource management • organising an event
• handling pressure • managing a project as part of your degree or at work
• prioritising activities • balancing your study and a part-time job.
• meeting deadlines.

IT including: • social media

• using software packages in a variety of contexts • Word, Outlook, PowerPoint etc.
• using the internet and email. • analysing data using SPSS, Excel or Stata
• Dreamweaver, FrontPage, WordPress, Drupal.

Creativity including: • raising money for charity in an unusual way

• innovative ideas • improving your productivity/motivation, eg, starting a study
• making improvements. support group with friends
• solving a problem.

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 The skills required by this organisation are... Examples demonstrating these skills could include...
Numeracy including: • identifying patterns in data for academic projects
• descriptive statistical skills • practical experience on an internship
• inferential statistical skills • handling stock or cash at work.
• budgeting.

Commercial awareness including: • keeping up to date with the FT, Economist, websites, social
• having an understanding of the marketplace and competitors media etc. to analyse current affairs and relate them to the
particular organisation or role
• being able to predict future trends
• involvement in entrepreneurship ventures, eg, LSE Generate
• identifying new opportunities
competitions and awards: lse.ac.uk/generate
• effectively promoting products/services
• assisting customers and closing sales in a part-time retail job.
• thinking strategically beyond the boundaries of the
immediate team.
Personal qualities including: • demonstrating a “can do” attitude and not being easily
• reliability deterred or demoralised
• proactivity • standing in for a colleague at a meeting.

• self-motivation
• adaptability/flexibility.

Conduct a values audit

This is an example of a simple values audit. Use it as a starting point to identify what really motivates you and whether the
organisation and job you are applying for is a good match.

Things that motivate me are... What does the job/organisation offer?

Learning new things and variation • in-house training courses?
• opportunities for secondments?

Sociable working environment • open-plan working environment?

• coaching and mentoring networks?

Working on written projects • report writing for senior management and media?
• opportunity to contribute to professional journals and in-house publications?
• responsibility for departmental website?

Time off to pursue outside interests/ • adequate annual leave?

spend time with family • flexible working hours?
• typical working week of 35 hours?

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What employers are looking for Investigate the organisation’s main competitors. Also consider
developments within the sector, for example changes in the
Most applicants find it relatively easy to complete their law or the merger of two competitors and the potential impact.
personal details and qualifications but lose inspiration when
they are asked to write about themselves in more depth. Attending employer presentations, careers fairs, and open days
Often this is because they don’t know enough about the will provide you with opportunities to network with current
organisation, the job or their own skills to begin constructing employees. Speak to alumni through our Meet an Alum events
an answer. and LinkedIn. Try to find out more about their day-to-day work,
training and promotion opportunities within the organisation,
Research and typical career development.
Researching what the organisation does, what they have to Talk to employees from different divisions of the same
offer and what competencies they are looking for involves organisation, as well as their competitors, to see how their job
more than simply reading the recruitment literature. roles and career paths may differ. This will help to ensure you
The LSE Careers website (lse.ac.uk/careers) contains are applying to the organisation or specific division that best
information on different employment sectors, ways of planning matches your skills, motivations, and future plans.
your career, and marketing your skills. You will also find a range
of reference material in the LSE Careers Resource Centre on Top tip
Floor 5 of the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre. Use our Resource Centre and library on Floor 5 of the
Saw Swee Hock Student Centre for research and ask us
Visiting the organisation’s website and reading their
if you need help with anything.
publications are good places to start to find out more about:
• the organisation’s structure and culture
• their current projects, campaigns, products or clients Understand the job
• their long-term strategies. Most organisations will provide you with a job description,
Find out whether the organisation has received any media which will give you a basic outline of the tasks you will be
coverage recently on either social media or the national or expected to undertake. Some organisations will also provide
trade press. a person specification to explicitly identify the skills you will
need to complete these tasks.
Use this information to check that you meet their essential
 ave a look at the company website and social media
H criteria for qualifications and experience. This will help
including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. ensure you are targeting jobs at the right level. For example
Find out about any events, including virtual events such if the organisation asks for a postgraduate qualification in
as live chats, you can attend to ask questions and find economics, do you have one? If not, is there a more appropriate
out more about the company. If you meet someone from entry-point into this organisation for you?
the company you are interested in and they give you their
business card, make sure you use that connection and
email them to ask questions and keep in contact.
KPMG

7
  really important for an employer to hear that a
It’s Language
candidate identifies with the organisation’s values, that You are being invited to write in your own words meaning your
they understand the responsibility the role demands, and ability to write concisely and coherently is being assessed, so
that they are committed and inspired to take that role on. be personal.
Teach First The way you write about your experiences is nearly as important
as the activities themselves. Write confidently about your
achievements using professional, proactive and positive language.
However, avoid using jargon that cannot be clearly understood and
Top tip if you use any abbreviations you should explain them.
Use the job description and person specification as Professional, proactive and positive language gives the reader
checklists to self-assess your application. Have you the impression that you make things happen and that you
provided clear examples to demonstrate you have all are in control. It highlights the fact that you have analysed
the relevant competencies mentioned in them? the competencies required and your own experiences, and
identified a match.

Examples that can be used to evidence various

Plan and draft competencies include:
A well-researched, planned and drafted application is better Leadership:
than a hundred rushed applications. There are no shortcuts • coordinated • implemented • established • managed • led
– only ways to manage the time you spend on them more • directed • supervised • delegated • coached • allocated
effectively. You might be tempted to copy all or part of your
Communication:
previous applications but we strongly recommend you don’t do
• trained • negotiated • influenced • consulted • presented
this because it suggests to employers you lack commitment
• persuaded • interacted • advised • addressed
and enthusiasm for the job.
Research:
Tips for planning and drafting: • analysed • investigated • determined • experimented
• surveyed • solved • synthesised
• Read this guide and any instructions from employers on the
application process thoroughly Organisation:
• Know the deadlines for all applications and keep track of them • streamlined • scheduled • encouraged • expanded • resolved
• budgeted • (re)organised • prepared • administered
• Set aside time for each application – if necessary, incorporate
this time into your diary or study timetable so you don’t miss Interpersonal:
• collaborated • facilitated • mediated • consulted • liaised
the deadline
• Make rough planning notes before you draft your CV, cover Taking initiative:
letter or application form answers • initiated • created • designed • established • launched
• set up • conceived • implemented
• Take your time when reviewing your documents so you find
it easier to spot any errors or omissions Achievements:
• promoted • launched • developed • redefined • simplified
• Use the checklists in this guide to ensure you have
• persevered • enhanced • accelerated • improved
demonstrated that you have the competencies, commitment, • completed • produced • secured • increased • doubled
and cultural fit.

8
Use words such as “achieved”, “created” and “organised” and Talking about disability
avoid words such as “basic”, “attempted”, “limited”, “numerous”,
“many”, “several”, “some” and “various”. Present information in Whether or not you disclose your disability is a very personal
the most positive light but remember there is a clear distinction choice. LSE Careers offers tailored services for disabled
between doing this and exaggerating. students including a dedicated careers consultant specialising
in disability and employment, and longer, flexible appointments
Tips for language: available to accommodate individual needs. You can visit us or
• Review the language used on an organisation’s recruitment
email [email protected] for advice on recruitment
literature and website to see what resonates with them but processes, disclosure, reasonable adjustments to recruitment
beware of simply mirroring the same language processes and the workplace environment, legal issues and
other disability careers issues.
• Show evidence of having dissected and analysed the
different requirements We have further information for disabled students on the LSE
Careers website (lse.ac.uk/disabilitycareers) and you can visit
• Write in a simple and direct way using short sentences
gov.uk/browse/disabilities/work for details about employment
• Check the language you have used is in the right context
rights. For advice on disability issues during your time at
by getting feedback from the LSE Language Centre University visit the Disability and Well-being Service, email
(lse.ac.uk/languages) or a professional currently working [email protected] or call 020 7955 7567.
in your chosen field
• Always use the spell check on your computer (but remember References
it does not always identify all mistakes) and make sure it is
set to UK English. Before you apply for any job, think about who your referees
might be. References are often requested by an employer on
an application form or when you secure a job offer, so you don’t
Did you know? need to mention them on your CV.
Top reasons employers give for unsuccessful applications
In most cases an employer will request the names and contact
include: poor spelling and grammar, not answering the
details of two referees, preferably an academic and a recent
question asked, not following instructions, lack of research
employer. This is to check that you have studied or worked
on the organisation and not practising for tests that are
where you say you have and that you are a good candidate
part of the application process. Read on for specific advice
for the role.
on CVs, cover letters, and application forms.
Most employers are more interested in what the reference
says rather than the referee so don’t worry if your most recent
employer is not relevant to the job you are applying for. If you
Think about how you demonstrate what skills you have
don’t have a previous employer you can use two academic
gained through your experience and whether you can
references, or one academic and one extra-curricular one.
draw these out more. For example it may be implicit that
captaining a sports team shows teamwork and leadership, Aim to choose people that know you, your capabilities, and
but make this explicit where possible. Your experience and can vouch for your work ethic. Always ask permission to use
positions of responsibility are evidence of your skillset, so someone as a referee, and discuss the types of jobs you will
don’t forget to reference the relevant skills. be applying for and the skills required with them.

Morgan Stanley

9
CVs
Relevance
What is the difference between a résumé and a CV?
Curriculum vitae (CV) means “story of your life”. However,
with only one or two pages for your CV you can’t afford to If you see an advert asking for a résumé it’s likely that they
treat this literally. Be selective about what you include. have in mind a one-page document. A résumé usually
Always ask yourself the question “Is this going to be relevant covers the same areas as a CV, but with less space to go
to the employer who is reading this?” If it isn’t, then discard it. into detail. See page 13 for an example.

Tailoring Gaps in your CV

Your CV needs to match the job you are applying for. For Employers can question extensive periods of unexplained time
example, if the job requires skills in teamwork and creativity, on a CV and as a general rule, it is always best to explain these
you need to ensure the employer can clearly see that you have gaps. Obviously, you don’t need to account for every week or
gained these skills somewhere in your life. Maybe you worked even every month, but if, for example, you took a year between
in a team on a course project or perhaps you had a creative school and university to go travelling, it is best to account for it
idea for an event which a society organised. The important and mention it on your CV.
thing is that the employer can see that your CV is tailored to
them and not a generic CV that is being sent to every employer. However if there are very personal or sensitive reasons which
prevented you being in work or study (including things like
Layout and design criminal convictions, long periods of illness, and caring for family
members) then you don’t have to declare these on your CV. You
You can influence where the employer looks on your CV by the
should, however, be prepared to talk about any gaps in your CV
amount of space you allocate to certain sections. For example,
at interview. There is a balance between explaining everything
in your education section for most circumstances you will
that has happened and deciding what information is strictly
want to draw employers to your LSE degree. You will also
relevant to an employer. You can also mention details on your
need to think carefully about your choice of headings to
cover letter or application form, if appropriate. If you are unsure
highlight key experience.
about your situation then talk to an LSE careers consultant.

Academic CVs Truthfulness

These are different in several respects from other CVs. You should be willing to talk about anything on your CV at
For example, they do not have the same length restrictions interview, even details in your interests and extra-curricular
and are expected to contain more detail about your activities sections. You don’t know what kinds of things your
academic achievements, publications, and teaching interviewer might also be interested in or have knowledge
experience. For more information, look at the PhD section about so avoid exaggeration. Remember it is against the law
of the LSE Careers website. Our careers consultant for to lie on your CV.
PhD students runs seminars on writing academic CVs
and applying for jobs in and outside academia. Use LSE
CareerHub to book on to these seminars as well as one-to-
one PhD/Postdoctorate appointments at careers.lse.ac.uk

10
Layout and design
1 How long should a CV be? I t’s important to be clear and concise to make it as
Some organisations expect a one-page CV, but for most a two- easy as possible for the recruiter to be drawn to the key
page CV is acceptable unless otherwise specified. In almost information, so don’t include big chunks of writing.
all cases your CV should be no longer than two sides of A4. Also, use the space wisely and really consider the
A common exception to this is an academic CV. formatting and layout; for example use bold or capital
headings to break up the information.
2 What is the difference between a “chronological”
Cancer Research UK
and a “skills based” CV?
In most cases you will use a chronological CV, which has
standard sections such as education and work experience.
Your achievements in each section will be ordered in reverse 5 Should I send my CV as a Word document or a PDF?
chronology (ie, most recent first). However, there may be Send a PDF version if possible, unless otherwise specified.
occasions where you start off with a section on the skills A PDF will look the same on any computer, whereas sometimes
you have gained, with examples of where you gained them; a Word document might look different (overflowing to three
this is a “skills based” CV. It is most commonly used when pages for example) depending on the software version.
you have significant relevant experience or an existing career
and are looking to change direction and need to emphasise 6 Are there any good examples of CVs I can use?
transferable skills. There are many example CVs on the LSE Careers website.
However, it is never a good idea to just copy one exactly.
3 Should I use different colours on my CV? Your information is unique and to present it in the most
We recommend black ink on white paper as standard. favourable light you will need to make changes to any
Using more exciting colours will certainly make you example you find.
stand out, but perhaps not in a positive way unless you
are applying for a creative or design role. 7 I have previous work experience. Should I present my
CV differently?
4 What font should I use?
The same basic principles apply, for example giving your most
Sans serif fonts, like Arial, can make your CV look clean, neat relevant information highest priority on your CV. However, you
and most importantly readable. Use a font size between may want to consider different formats such as a skills based
10 and 12. Avoid unusual fonts; they have the effect of making CV. Even if you have more experience, your CV still needs to
the reader focus on the font rather than the content. be on a maximum of two pages, so you may have to be more
selective depending on the organisation’s needs.

11
First page of a typical two-page CV



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For more CV examples, visit

lse.ac.uk/careers

12
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13
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1 Should I include a career profile/objective? Though not required on CVs, employers may ask you to state
’Œ’­­Ž‘­ ­
your nationality on application forms to find out whether
A career profile or objective is“
a short statement, usually at the
 they will need to apply for a work permit for you, or if you are
top of your CV, saying something about you and your
 
  career  applying
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certain jobs, for example in government. If you are
aims. For new graduates or postgraduates, career profiles are
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asked as part of an equality and diversity questionnaire, this is
• Œ­ƒ‘‘
not necessary as this content is addressed in your cover letter.
only seen by the organisation’s Human Resources team.
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Profiles can be a useful addition to a CV if you have very
• ŠŒŒ Œ
specific experience and  you are clear about the particular career 3 What if I’m applying outside the UK?
area you are going for.
If you are changing
 career
 they
   
can  help  Read  the application advice carefully and use resources
‹‚Ž ƒ—…‚ƒ”’‹ƒ˜
you to state briefly your previous area of experience and what such as “GoinGlobal” and country profiles, available on the
• ™“Œƒ€Œƒ
you are aiming for now. Profiles can also be useful if you are LSE Careers website, to research the recruitment norms of
• —™­‘ ­
asked to send a CV without
 a cover letter. different countries.

2 Do I need to mention my nationality and work
 ­€ 4 What doesn’t need to be included?
permit status? 
‚€ƒ„ You should
 not be asked for a photo in the UK. It is illegal for
  
You don’t have to mention your nationality on a CV for a UK
š‘­–˜‘ƒ Œ employers to ask you to declare your age or gender (though
role. If any other information
• on your CV suggests you need a
‹““Œ›Œ‘­ƒŒŒ
it may be deducible from other information like your name
’‘­­“­­
visa/work permit and this is not the case, then highlight you and the date of your qualifications) and also illegal, except
• —ŽŒ“
have permission to work here.Ž­ ŒŒ š€
in certain rare situations, for employers to discriminate on
If you do need a visa or work permit, there is a resource on the grounds of gender.
‚…†…  
LSE Careers website (lse.ac.uk/careers) where you can search
‡ ƒ
for UK organisations licensed to issue Tier 2 visas. You can also
• ‚­Œ ­ŒŒ
wait to raise the subject at interview stage as this will allow you
œ­€ƒŽ

to “sell” yourself in person. If you are unsure about anything,
…      
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please contact the International Student Visa Advice Team
‚‡ƒ Œ
(ISVAT) for information and • advice: lse.ac.uk/isvat
 “­ž­‘‘Œ­Ž
• šŒ­­ŽŒ“
 14
‡…„        
Education 

| 
| 





Gives expected 
     


06/2018
result  ­€‚ ƒ„…
• €†‡ˆ‰
 Š Selects a
• ‹ŒŽ‘† relevant
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 explain
 
       
”•
Œƒ Œ
• Œ­ƒ‘‘
• –­ƒ‘‘
• ŠŒŒ Œ
Explains non-UK 
   
qualification    
‹‚Ž ƒ—…‚ƒ”’‹ƒ˜


• ™“Œƒ€Œƒ

• —™­‘ ­


 ­€

‚€ƒ„    
š‘­–˜‘ƒ Œ
1 What part of my education should I give 3 Do I have to list all my qualifications and modules?
• ‹““Œ›Œ‘­ƒŒŒ
’‘­­“­­
most prominence? Unless the employer specifically asks you to, you don’t have
• —ŽŒ“
Ž­ ŒŒ š€
You should give most prominence to the part of your to list everything but remember to include all those that are
relevant to the application you are making. Try to be selective.
education that is most relevant to‚…†…  
the job you are applying
‡ ƒ
for. Usually, this is your most recent •
education but you can Listing your A levels is fine but try to summarise your GCSE
‚­Œ ­ŒŒ
grades. For example write “10 GCSEs including Maths and
emphasise an earlier qualification if it isœ­€ƒŽ
more relevant, as

well as specific modules or projects.
…   English,
  at grades A* to B”. Don’t overlook the importance of
 

‚‡ƒ Œ group projects, research, and dissertations.
•  “­ž­‘‘Œ­Ž
2 Do I need to give the full addresses of the places
In addition, show you are well-rounded by highlighting your
• šŒ­­ŽŒ“
I have studied? 
‡…„    extra-curricular
  pursuits as many employers rate experience,
  
No, giving the city is enough; for example, “Sciences-Po,
 Œ˜‹“ intelligence, and aptitude above qualifications when
• šŒŒ’“
Paris”. You can add the country if you feel the city is not considering candidates and applications.
ƒ­
very well known. • š­“ŒƒŒŒ
‘
• ŸŒŒŒ“


15
4 Some of my qualifications are non-UK. 6 Should I mention awards and scholarships?
How do I translate them into UK ones? Use these to impress the reader with your good academic
Educational systems vary widely and a grade or degree track record. If you have many, going back to your time at
classification can mean quite different things from country school, it may be best to select a few of the most prestigious
to country. The best way to approach this is to explain your or most recent. For each one you give, say what the award
qualification so that the reader understands its significance. or scholarship was for, what you were awarded eg, a prize or
You can use phrases such as, “equivalent to top five per cent bursary, what proportion of people received an award in your
of year”, or “highest possible grade”. GPAs and percentages year and any other details that quantify the achievement.
will normally be accepted. For more information look at the
NARIC website (naric.org.uk). If you are unsure about anything,
contact the organisation you are applying to directly. I n order to direct your potential employer to the most
prominent and relevant elements of your course it
5 How should I present predicted grades? can sometimes help to include a little background
In most situations this is more important for undergraduates information on your degree. If you’re stuck for ideas,
than postgraduates as many employers specify a certain why not browse through your university course outline
class of degree as an entry requirement. First of all consult and pick out the most relevant parts?
your tutor to find out what they think your final result will be. LSE Careers Consultant
If this is not possible then make a realistic estimate based
on your previous years’ grades. You can use a phrase such
as “predicted result 2:1”.
Employers will rarely ask for a “merit” or “distinction” for
postgraduate qualifications, so unless the job is placing
particular weight on your degree, it is optional.

16
 • Œ­ƒ‘‘
• –­ƒ‘‘
• ŠŒŒ Œ

Work experience     
‹‚Ž ƒ—…‚ƒ”’‹ƒ˜
   

• ™“Œƒ€Œƒ

• —™­‘ ­


 ­€
Talks about 
‚€ƒ„    
09/2018
skills,
š‘­–˜‘ƒ Œ
achievements, • ‹““Œ›Œ‘­ƒŒŒ
and results ’‘­­“­­
• —ŽŒ“
Ž­ ŒŒ š€

‚…†…  
‡ ƒ
• ‚­Œ ­ŒŒ
œ­€ƒŽ

…      

‚‡ƒ Œ
Uses positive,
•  “­ž­‘‘Œ­Ž Explains
proactive • šŒ­­ŽŒ“ organisation
language 
‡…„         and role
 Œ˜‹“ when
• šŒŒ’“ necessary
ƒ­
Quantifies
• š­“ŒƒŒŒ
success with ‘
figures • ŸŒŒŒ“


1 What counts as “work experience”?

Importance of voluntary experience
Work experience is everything from full-time positions and
Volunteering is an opportunity to make an impact on
internships, voluntary/unpaid work, part-time jobs, and
society, develop new and existing skills, meet new people,
entrepreneurial activities. All of these can be directly relevant
improve your confidence, give your CV a boost and
to a role. Employers are interested in the transferable skills you
more. The LSE Volunteer Centre advertises a range of
have developed and so it is your job to decide how relevant
opportunities on LSE CareerHub and you can book one-to-
each experience is to your application and to highlight this.
one discussions for advice on finding a suitable role:
lse.ac.uk/volunteercentre

17
2 Do I need to give the full addresses of the Experience should be recent, relevant to work history
places I worked? and in reverse chronological order. Never underestimate
your experience – skills can be transferable so if you can
Mentioning the city is enough, for example “Marks and
demonstrate they match the role, any experience can be
Spencer, London” or ”London School of Economics and
Political Science”. Add the country if you feel the city is
of interest.
not very well known. VSO International

3 If my job title is in a foreign language, will I need

to translate it?
If the title is very different and obscure then you will need to Top tips: presenting your experience
translate it into the language of the country of application. • Your CV should direct the employer to the skills and
For the UK market, check with an LSE careers consultant that experience they have asked for. If you can demonstrate
you have an accurate translation which means something the skills you have acquired and apply them to the role
you are applying for, then any experience can be of
significant. A clear description of the work you did will also
interest. Don’t underestimate yourself.
clarify your application.
• Your CV may form the framework of your interview.
Be comfortable with what you have written and be
4 I have different experience from different sectors,
prepared to elaborate and talk enthusiastically about
gained at different points in my life. How do I present anything on your CV.
that on my CV?
• Be clear about your individual contributions to the
One option is to list the experience in reverse chronological achievements you list and be ready to explain them
order. However it might be more effective if you grouped or at interview.
“themed” your experiences. So, instead of a general heading • Avoid obscure abbreviations, jargon or slang.
called “Work Experience”, you could have two or more • Try to quantify successes with facts and figures – “scored
headings such as, “Legal Experience”, “Banking Experience”; or in top 5 per cent”, “increased sales by £x”, “managed a
alternatively “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience”. team of five staff”.
• Remember not to misrepresent any information –
employers can revoke an interview or offer if you do.
Make your headings work for you. You can use them to
subdivide your work experience so that you can collect
together the most relevant experience in one section.
Then put that section in a prominent place on your CV.
For example if you are applying for a consultancy job
and you have a mixture of consultancy and other work
experience, create a section called “Consultancy work”
for your first page and another called “Work experience”
that can appear later in your CV.
LSE Careers Consultant

18
Achievements, interests and additional skills

Gives

 






appropriate level (*(-








 
   
Same layout as
of detail •   
   
   
•  
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work experience


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success with  ‘ ƒ„„
• ƒ„  ‘ƒ„…
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examples and
Headings are • “‹”
† 
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flexible in these • €
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Goes into detail ‹ ‚
 †   
   ›”  


–  
about interests







1 What goes in my interests section? While relevant experience is always viewed positively,
don’t be put off applying if you don’t have this. Think
This is an important section where recruiters look for evidence
about the skills you’ve developed through other work
of what you have achieved outside of your studies and work
experience. It enables you to identify things that really interest
experience and extra-curricular responsibilities and be
or motivate you. It may also indicate what your values are, explicit about these skills in your CV.
aspects of your personality and the transferable skills you have FTI Consulting
developed. It is better to include one or two things which you
are really involved with and can describe fully, rather than to give

19
a long list such as “reading, squash, cricket, dancing, music” 4 What level of IT skills do I need to demonstrate?
with no detail. You might also want to include team or group
Towards the end of your CV, you can detail your familiarity
activities that show you can interact well with other people.
with relevant packages, programming languages, operating
Treat this section in the same way as the rest of your CV using
systems, web design software and anything else listed on
dates, divisions such as “school” and “university” or grouping
the job description and person specification.
similar things like sports, as well as numbers to show your
achievements and enhance impact. 5 Should I include social media?
Yes – platforms such as blogs, LinkedIn, and Twitter can portray
2 What if I haven’t taken part in extra-curricular activities?
you in a professional light. Including them on your CV shows you
You don’t have to include a section on extra-curricular activities
have a grasp of new media, technological and communications
or achievements, but employers are often interested in what
skills, a passion for certain subjects or writing, and possibly a
you do outside of work and academic studies. Think widely
network of people who are interested in what you have to say.
about what you have done before you came to University
Personal social media accounts for private communication
and whilst you have been at LSE or previous institutions.
with friends are probably best hidden from employers. Keep
Activities like volunteering, mentoring, being a course
them off your CV and alter the privacy settings so that only
representative, organising an event to raise money or the
your friends can view them. It is also worth searching for
profile of a particular cause are all relevant experience. It is
your name online to see what kinds of things employers
never too late to get involved in something on or off campus.
can find out about you whilst they screen applications.

3 How important are languages and how best can I
demonstrate them?
This will depend on the position that you are applying for. CV writing tips from a recruiter
If languages are one of the requirements of the job it may be • Be concise and ensure your information has an impact.
worth writing them in a short, specific personal profile at the • Keep it simple and clear – you can always elaborate at
top of your CV or in a prominent position on the first page. the interview.
You need to describe your level of fluency using terms like • Analyse the job description – read it and identify which
“native”, “fluent”, “intermediate”, “basic” or “conversational”. relevant skills, experience, and competencies you have
or consider other experiences that could be appropriate.
• If you have any gaps in your experience, for example through
Candidates that show a combination of experiences, a career break or travelling, explain it on your application.
behaviours and technical skills typically stand out as the • Academic and professional qualifications should flow
most well-rounded and talented individuals. Use your in a logical order.
application to share unique experiences and interests, • Check your CV including spelling and get a friend or
and your involvement in academic and extra-curricular family member to read through before submitting if
it helps.
activities. Demonstrating skills like entrepreneurial
spirit, problem solving, and ability to motivate teams
or peers will also help you stand out.
L’Oréal

20
CV checklist
Content Achievements/positions of responsibility
Have you displayed specific evidence for your skills?
Personal 
Have you demonstrated the significance of your
Have you included your contact details? achievements?
Does your email address sound professional? Can you quantify them?
Have you included an up-to-date LinkedIn profile?  ave you highlighted the most relevant roles or skills for
H
the job you are applying for?
Education

Can you include any of these positions (eg, volunteering) to
 ave you given most space to your most recent or
H
highlight suitability for a particular job?
relevant education?
Have you mentioned relevant modules, projects, Skills
dissertations, and awards? 
Have you included your IT skills and evidenced these?
Have you highlighted key or relevant transferable skills? How competent are you?

Is your education section easy to follow and consistent  o you speak any languages? Is the proficiency level of
D
in approach? each expressed?

Is there anything else you need to explain (eg,”A” grade is Is there any other information to include eg, driving licence,
equivalent to the top 1.5 per cent)? professional training courses?

Work experience Other interests

Have you included job title, dates, organisation name,  there is space on your CV, do you go beyond listing lots
If
type of business and location? of one-word examples?

Have you used proactive words to highlight your skills,  ave you given a variety of interests highlighting
H
impact, and the significance of your achievements? different skillsets?

Have you ordered this section and identified skills that  an your interests be used to demonstrate responsibility,
C
are tailored towards your chosen future role? commitment, and achievement?

Is this a comprehensive overview of all the jobs you References

have had?
 as the employer asked for references to be included?
H
Unless requested to it isn’t necessary to include them on
your CV. See page 9 for more information.

21
Layout and design CVs should be a snapshot of what you have achieved in
an orderly fashion that’s easy to digest. Put yourself in
Rationale and targeting the position of your future employer who may be looking
Does your CV follow protocol for your chosen sector (is a through hundreds of CVs – they want to know who you are,
one-page or two-page CV the standard?) where you’ve worked, what you’ve achieved academically
and personally and what you are hoping to do next. So
Are there specific CV guidelines for the country you are
choose your words wisely and check for mistakes.
applying to?
Seven Hills
Have you tailored your skills and experience to the role?
Is the structure logical and the space allocation of sections
appropriate to their importance?
Top tip
Written style
Print your CV to see what it looks like in reality. Is there
Is the language positive and enthusiastic in tone? a lot of white space or too much text? Are the margins
Have you checked for vocabulary, grammar, spelling, too large or small? Your CV could be read in as little as
and punctuation errors? 8 seconds. Make sure it is immediately appealing – ask
Are capital letters used correctly? yourself what impression it leaves you with.

Is your CV jargon free and are acronyms explained?

Have you proof-read for errors?

Presentation
Are the headings clear and easy to read and are they
descriptive/tailored?
Does your CV have well-spaced sections?
Is all the information in your CV formatted the same way
and easy to scan read?
Does your CV use the same font as your cover letter?

22
Cover letters
A cover letter is a one-page document, read in conjunction around 400 words or three to four paragraphs is about right,
with your CV, that highlights relevant skills, experiences, and certainly not more than one page of A4 paper.
and achievements. Employers recognise and reject generic Aim for short, sharp sentences that make for concise, gripping
cover letters so each one you write should be tailored to a paragraphs. Write in a clear and logical manner and remember
specific role and organisation using the job description and the way you write and present yourself says a lot about you.
person specification. Have a look at the example cover letter in this section or on our
website to see how this is done.
1 Which is more important, the CV or the cover letter?
They are equally important as both are used to form an
impression of you. The cover letter is often the first thing the Top tips
employer sees and it sets their expectations for what follows. • Keep the language personal but formal. Think about how
A good cover letter highlights your key strengths and you would speak to an employer at interview.
motivations for wanting to work for an organisation and • Tailor each cover letter by researching the organisation and
a CV goes into more detail about your achievements. referring to the job description and person specification.
• Be positive. Use action words but don’t lose sight of your
2 What needs to be in a cover letter? own style or achievements.
Employers expect you to show your interest and motivation, • Avoid repeating key words or phrases.
demonstrate your knowledge of the organisation and why you • Always end on a positive note. You can end by reaffirming
want to work there, and show you are the best person for the your motivation, enthusiasm, and suitability.
position through your qualifications and experience. As long as • Check your letter several times and get someone else to
there is a clear structure, the order of how you address these check it too.
points is flexible.
When focusing on the employer and why you’re applying for
I t’s really important your cover letter says something
the job, include some interesting and relevant facts about the
specific and unique about why you want to work for that
organisation. Your qualifications and experience can include
organisation. Go beyond the obvious on their website, do
relevant academic, extra-curricular, and work achievements as
your research and show you are genuinely motivated and
well as other interesting aspects of your life. Show them you
enthusiastic about what the organisation does. This is
are capable of thinking clearly and that you are a motivated,
what employers are looking for and will help you stand
proactive learner.
out from other applicants.
3 How long should the cover letter be and what is the LSE Careers Consultant
correct layout?
In general, cover letters are one side of typed A4 and are set out
like a formal business letter. Your name and address should be
at the top, right-hand corner of the letter. Follow the employer’s
instructions and advice but if they don’t specify then something

23
4 How should I address and sign off my letter? It can be tempting to think of applications as a numbers
game, and that the best approach is to apply to as
Reply to the name used in the advert or application pack.
many employers as possible. That can cause your cover
The correct greeting in a business letter is always formal.
It normally begins with “Dear” and usually includes the person’s
letter to look very standardised and errors to creep in.
title, ie, Professor, Dr, Mr, Ms etc. and last name (make sure you Check whether the organisation you’re applying to has
use the correct spelling). If addressing a female recruiter, does a statement of values, and read the role description
the job advert specify whether they are Mrs, Miss, or Ms? If it carefully. Then use the cover letter to guide the employer
doesn’t say then it is best to use Ms. When you know the name to the sections of your CV or application form that show
of the person, sign off with “Yours sincerely”. your own values are aligned. This will make your
application appear more tailored and shows the employer
If a name is not given, contact the organisation and ask for a
that you would be a good fit.
named individual who deals with recruitment. If you are not
able to find a named individual, you can use “Dear Sir/Madam” Morgan Stanley
and sign off with “Yours faithfully”.

5 Can I use bullet points or subheadings in a cover letter? 9 Can I discuss my cover letter with someone at
You can use bullet points or subheadings to help structure LSE Careers?
your cover letter. However remember that you are still writing We run one-to-one appointments throughout the year where
a formal business letter so write clearly and succinctly. you can discuss the style and content of your applications
and how to tailor them to particular positions. However, these
6 My circumstances are unusual, how should I present
do not cover spelling and grammar; you should see the LSE
these in a cover letter?
Language Centre for help with this. You can use LSE CareerHub
Think about the needs of the organisation and try to present to book CV and cover letter discussions at careers.lse.ac.uk
the information to meet those needs, emphasising the
transferable skills you have acquired. Focus on all areas 10 What do I put as the subject header when sending
in which you feel the employer will be interested. my cover letter via email?
Follow any instructions in the job advert (like including a
7 All the organisations I am looking at seem to be the
reference number). If there are none, use “Application for (job
same. How can I demonstrate that I know the differences?
title)” as the subject line. If you are sending a speculative
It is often assumed that the way to impress is to show you application you can be less specific but try to keep your subject
have carried out a lot of research. This is true up to a point. header concise and professional.
The strongest cover letters show you have done some research
but also make a link between you and the organisation using 11 Can I send a speculative CV and cover letter?
the job description and person specification. You may also Sometimes roles are not formally advertised so you can enquire
want to show initiative and speak to people working for the about upcoming opportunities or express an interest in working
organisation to learn more. for an organisation. Try to find out who deals with recruitment
through calling or networking, as personally addressed
8 Are there any example cover letters at LSE Careers?
applications are the most effective and professional. Include
We have example cover letters on our website (lse.ac.uk/ a CV and cover letter (media and journalism applicants should
careers). Remember these are only guides; your cover letter also include one or two examples of portfolio or published work).
needs to be tailored and specific to the role and employer. Once sent, wait between one and two weeks to follow up.

24
Example cover letter



Applicant’s
  name and


 address
  
Recruiter’s

 
name and 

organisation’s  ­

address € 

‚ƒ „……
‚
 † 
† ‡‚†ˆ ‰‚… 
… Š‹‡ States clearly

Œ… Ž‚ƒ„     ‘†…
where the
ƒ„†’‚
ƒ““““  position was
†ƒ” ‡Œ““““Ž…„†ƒ
 •……ƒ –—  advertised
Talks about  …„‡ŒŽ…˜ƒ
„……Ž‚ ™ 
ƒ …  †   
education and ‡„†ƒ” „„… † 
work experience ƒ „Žš†ƒ„…‚

‡ŒƒšŽ   † † „
to emphasise Ž„Žƒ  ‡

relevant ›……‚
‚†…
skills and  … ƒ …†
……†‡
†…ƒ„ ……ˆ ………
achievements ƒ„‡ …
…ƒœ”Ž…

ƒ„ƒ  …ˆ‚
…‚†
‡‚ ƒƒƒ‡•‡††ƒ„†
 †‚
 …Ž
Writes precisely
‚‰† ‡ Ž†   † about why
„ƒƒŽ‚ƒ ƒƒ„ ƒ„ 

… ‡
they want to

‚†’  „…ƒ  ƒ
work for TB4.
Customary sign  ‡ š……‡ Avoids vague
off for writing to 

Ž generalisations
a named person. 

Use “Yours 

faithfully” if you 

don’t have a
named person
to write to

For more cover letter examples, visit

lse.ac.uk/careers

25
Cover letter checklist
Content Layout and structure

Have you tailored your cover letter to the position and Have you followed business letter protocol?
organisation using the job description and person
specification? 
Have you addressed your cover letter to a specific person
(where possible) and signed off appropriately?
Is your motivation for the specific area, job, and
organisation clear? ­ – Dear Ms Smith...Yours sincerely

­ – Dear Sir/Madam...Yours faithfully

Have you researched the organisation and made a
link between yourself and them and how you can meet  oes your cover letter follow a clear and logical structure;
D
their needs? is it easy to scan read?

Do you use relevant examples to highlight qualifications,  ave you written concise sentences and paragraphs with
H
experience, strengths, competencies, and achievements? no more than 400 words/one page of A4 overall?

Is the language positive and enthusiastic? Is your text left aligned or justified and cleanly formatted?

If you are changing career direction, have you demonstrated 

Have you used a professional font which is legible (11pt is
transferable skills and recognised and addressed any ideal) and the same style as your CV?
skills gaps?

Have you checked for vocabulary, grammar, spelling,

and punctuation errors?

Format to impress: make your CV and cover letter

as easy on the eye as possible, keep them succinct,
ensure you structure your achievements in a logical
and clear way, and proof-read for spelling and
grammar errors.
The Boston Consulting Group

26
Application forms
Application forms allow employers to ask all candidates I have really benefitted from your services – I used LSE
the same questions, making them as fair and objective as Careers at every step of the application process and it was
possible. They offer you the scope, with open-ended questions reassuring, supportive and very instructional.
and personal statements, to give evidence and examples and
LSE student
make the best first impression you can whereas CVs and
cover letters can restrict you to selected highlights.

Make time to apply Answering application form questions

No matter how outstanding your qualifications and
Draw on all areas of your life
experiences, failing to set aside adequate time to research,
draft, and proof-read your application form may leave Over the course of an application form use examples of
an organisation with doubts about your motivation and achievements from across your academic study, work, and
commitment to join them. extra-curricular activities to show you are a well-rounded,
balanced individual.
Just as there are no hard and fast rules about how much time
you should set aside to write an essay, the amount of time Be precise and give one example
needed to complete each application form will vary. But the
In most cases questions are phrased along the lines of “Tell us
basic principle remains: don’t leave your application until the
about a time when...” or “Give an example of...” Here you need
last minute.
to give detailed evidence of a particular competency by giving
Read the instructions one precise example of how you have demonstrated that skill
(rather than a variety of different examples). Also, be aware of
Application forms are a simple way to test your ability to
any word limits.
accurately follow instructions and write concisely within a
word limit. Before you start writing check to see whether the Quantify
organisation you are applying to has any instructions on how to
complete the application form and make sure you follow them. Throughout your answer, try to quantify what you did and
the outcome where you can. This will help the employer to
understand your contribution and assess your impact.
Explicitly refer to the role profile whenever you can,
making direct comparisons between your past experiences Break down what is being asked
and exactly what the role is requiring. In doing this you Show you understand what is being asked. For example, for
are making the recruiter’s job a lot easier. Try to avoid a question about teamwork, does your answer show that
jargon and overuse of adjectives. We often see grand you have a good understanding of what it means to work
sentences full of adjectives and enthusiasm without successfully in a team? Have you shown you co-operated,
actually saying a great deal about the candidate! listened to others’ concerns, compromised where necessary,
In short, keep it relevant. encouraged, supported, and negotiated?
British Council

27
Competency-based questions
Competency questions focus on your skills or personal qualities. S tructure is important: you will be one of many that are
Typical competencies include “teamwork”, “motivation”, applying, ensure you articulate your message concisely
“leadership”, “commercial awareness” and “creativity”. and with purpose throughout the application process.
When you see a question that starts with “Tell us about a LSE Careers Consultant
time when...” or “Give an example of....” you are being asked
to demonstrate a particular competency.

How do employers use them? Top tip

These types of questions are based on the theory that how you Use the model skills audit at the beginning of this guide to
have behaved in the past will predict how you behave in the identify the particular competencies an employer is looking
future. Subsequently employers see this type of question as for and how and when you have demonstrated these
a robust and fair way of assessing applicants on their current requirements.
abilities and potential to fulfil the role they are recruiting for.
They will often assess your application against: Use a clear structure
• Competency frameworks, which list the key competencies Area to What to include How much
they expect their staff to have cover emphasis
• Behavioural indicators, which specify in detail the different on this
levels of performance they expect at each competency. area?
Your first experience of competency-based assessments is Situation Brief background 10 per cent
likely to be on an application form but you can also expect to Give a brief introduction to the event
come across this type of question in interviews. Later, when so the reader knows the context.
you are employed by an organisation, competencies may be Task What did you have to do? 10 per cent
used in your appraisals as a tool to manage performance and
Describe in detail what was required.
personal development.
Action What did you do? 70 per cent
Give plenty of detail about what you
Competency questions are designed to give you the best did, how you did it and what skills
opportunity to sell yourself. Use examples from work, you used.
volunteering or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate Result What was the outcome? 10 per cent
how your skills and experiences are relevant to an What happened in the end?
organisation. Make sure your examples relate to the Be specific and quantify
assessment criteria and that you refer to actions you where applicable.
specifically did, using ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ to show your
potential as an individual.” As you can see, the emphasis is on what you actually did and
how this relates to your ability in a particular competency.
Sainsbury’s

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Examples of competency questions and answers

Uses one precise

example to
demonstrate
working well in
Since last summer I have worked part-time alongside my academic studies as a catering
assistant for The London Events Company. I work in a team of four, headed up by an
a team
events manager. Recently the team was tasked with completing our annual customer
feedback survey.
I attended a team meeting prior to one shift where we divided tasks according to our
Graduate
experience and skills. Given Traineebackground in methodology I offered to design
my academic
Provides lots of detail the survey. I set about this by first reading around best practice in survey design and
on what they seeking advice from some academic contacts in my department. I drafted an initial survey
actually did and shared this with the team via a presentation in our weekly meeting. I sought feedback
from the team and ensured all of the team’s comments and amendments were pooled
into the final survey. My role was then to proof read the final draft, correcting any errors
and checking back with other team members to ensure accuracy. The other members of
the team were responsible for collecting the survey responses. I then offered to analyse
and extrapolate trends around customer satisfaction once the data had been collected.
The annual customer feedback survey was completed two days ahead of schedule and
The outcome was considered successful by the management team. Customer satisfaction was found
is precise and to have risen by 10% on the previous year.

quantified

29
Motivational questions
Motivational questions enable employers to find out more
about whether you have the energy, drive, and enthusiasm Top tip
to do the job, and whether you will fit into their organisation. Use the values audit in the Before you start applying
In order to do this, they may ask questions to gauge your section at the beginning of this guide to identify what
understanding of the job, organisation or sector, and your motivates you and how this matches the job, organisation,
career interests and objectives. and sector.

Typical questions include:

• Why do you want to work for us? Answering motivational questions
• What differentiates us from our competitors? Show you have done in-depth research
• How and why have you decided to apply for this The Before you start applying section at the beginning of
career discipline? this guide provides advice on the best resources to use when
• Where do you see yourself in x years’ time? researching the job, organisation, and sector. The research
• What are the major challenges facing the retail/ you do will really help you define your choice of job/employer
telecommunications/ automotive industry/city firms and help you to respond well to application form and
in the next five years? interview questions.
“Motivation” may even be identified in the job description or Translate your research into successful answers
personal specification as a required competency. To assess that
you have these qualities employers may ask you to give details Avoid answering questions in a predictable and formulaic way.
of your main extra-curricular activities and interests to date. For example, don’t say “I want to work for your organisation
What have you contributed and gained from the experiences? because of the enlightening and informative talk last month
at LSE that demonstrated your friendly and open culture.”
Tailoring your application is key. We often see great It sounds better to say: “I want to work for Organisation X
candidates who have completely failed to research because of your two recent acquisitions in mainland China,
our organisation. Try not to get too caught up where I can utilise my knowledge of both the culture and
understanding absolutely everything the organisation language, as explained by John Watts at the LSE presentation
does though. Focus instead on key strategic documents last month.”
like the organisation’s corporate plan, strategy or
Provide individual, original answers
annual report. The objectives, values and targets of
the organisation are more important than memorising When demonstrating your levels of energy, drive, and
loads of data. enthusiasm think about what motivates you and how you
cope with difficulties and obstacles. If you are asked to give
British Council
an example, use one that is relevant to the question asked.
This can be from any area of your life for example a travel
experience, an extra-curricular pursuit, or a work project.

30
Example of motivational question and answer

Identifies why
consulting and
why this particular
organisation –
shows evidence I am very keen to pursue a career in management consulting. The wide range of
of research by projects, strong client interaction and great mix of quantitative and qualitative analysis
identifying precise are only a few of the reasons why this area appeals to me. X Consultancy has

information about
especially captured my attention with its strength in the private equity business and its Gives specific
innovative approach to business growth through being the only company to accept
the organisation’s examples of key
equity in the company as a payment method. X Consultancy enjoys an excellent
business practices reputation in the market and recent press coverage confirms a very sound financial competencies
base. I believe this implies everyday tasks that are diverse, challenging, and according required for the role
to the press coverage, high prosperous. and shows ability
During my internship with Consultancy XYZ, I worked on a project that involved and enthusiasm for
developing a regression model for a pharmaceutical company launching a new this type of work
Uses an example product. I particularly enjoyed successfully applying my quantitative skills in a reallife
business scenario. At the other end of the spectrum, I also take pleasure and
from their succeed in collaborating with others and communicating new ideas. Alongside my
volunteering full-time studies I recently volunteered to work on a consultancy project with a local
experience to homelessness charity. The charity was considering taking over another organisation
demonstrate working in the same field and I was required to carry out the due-diligence necessary
to make a series of recommendations around whether the charity should take this
transferable skills forward. There was a large amount of financial data to analyse and I was required to
such as the ability to communicate professionally and efficiently to source the correct information from the
analyse information director of the partner organisation. This culminated in a report for the charity trustees.
and communicate Overall, I believe the combination of my specialist technical skills, excellent
findings communication skills and analytical approach would make me a valuable asset to
the company.

31
Personal statements
The personal statement does not have to be daunting providing Structure
you adhere to some simple principles with respect to: content, As with any formal writing exercise, structure is crucial.
structure, and language. There is also some overlap with cover Here are some things to consider:
letters, particularly around purpose.
• Read the opening question carefully and ensure you have

What is the purpose of personal statements? identified everything it is asking you, for example:

• Personal statements help organisations to find out more

Please use the following space to
about you and distinguish you from other candidates
give us any information supporting
• They are an opportunity to present your motivation, work your application, tell us why you have
experience, extra-curricular activities, skills, and qualifications decided to apply for this position and
to demonstrate your suitability for the role 1 provide evidence of any educational,
• They provide scope for you to emphasise the connections
employment and extra-curricular 2a
activities which demonstrate that
between the organisation, requirements of the job, and the
you have relevant skills for the role 2b
benefits you offer.

Completing a personal statement

Follow the same principles mentioned in the Before you start Here it is important to address all the areas in the question:
applying section at the beginning of this guide and throughout 1 Motivations – use the Motivational questions section
this booklet: research, research, research. (page 30) to tackle this style of question.
Using the job description and the person specification as 2 Competencies – this question is asking you to
your guide, try to visualise the employer’s ideal candidate for
the role and then ensure your answers demonstrate that you a provide the best examples from all your experiences, and
are that candidate. 
b ensure that they are targeted to demonstrate how you
meet the needs of this particular role.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to introduce

yourself and demonstrate your understanding of, and Top tip
enthusiasm for, the role and organisation. Focus on a Proof-read your application as a spelling error or a typing
few skills evidencing how you have developed them and mistake can make the difference between being in the “yes”
how they would benefit the role – the key is quality over or “no” pile.
quantity. Choose examples which showcase a range of
experiences and interests to distinguish you from others.
You should also explain how the role will benefit your
future career; balancing what you will bring with what
you will learn.
Wellcome Trust

32
 The middle section
Top tip
• Use STAR structure outlined in the Competency-based questions
One of the safest ways to ensure you have adequately
section (page 28) to structure your personal statement
covered all the competencies from the job description and/
or person specification is to use the competency headings, • Link your skills, experience, qualifications, and achievements

or other headings from the job description, to structure to the organisation and the competencies in the job
the statement. description and person specification
• Make confident statements backed up by relevant evidence
to demonstrate you are the ideal candidate – but leave
As well as being assessed against a competency framework, something to talk about at interview
you will also be assessed on your ability to analyse the different • Be confident in what or how you contributed by using the
competencies, to make connections between them, and to personal pronoun “I” but make sure you don’t overuse it
communicate your message concisely in writing. • Quantify your successes where possible and appropriate.
If there are many competencies and you have a word limit, look
for opportunities to group them. For example competencies The conclusion
that can potentially be merged include “teamwork and • Bring together the different strands of your
motivation” with “leadership“ or “organising and planning” supporting paragraphs
with “project management”. • Make the final link between the job and your individual profile
of skills, knowledge, and experience to confirm you are an
Content
excellent match for their requirements
It is important to consider the priorities for each section and to
• Promote your enthusiasm for the job and the organisation
arrange the content for maximum impact. Most importantly,
to leave a good impression.
as with your essays, make sure you answer the question.

The introduction Top tip

• Make the employer read on with a strong opening sentence, If you met an employee at an LSE event mention this to
followed by a clear outline of any structure you will follow show that you are committed to learning more about the
• Make sure your tone and style is appropriate to the sector. organisation. Don’t rely solely on the organisation’s website
and recruitment literature.

Word counts or character counts should guide you on the

level of detail you should give. Show your ability to write
clearly and concisely but do make use of the full word
count if possible. You should also structure your answer
to ensure you are answering the question.
Linklaters LLP

33
Application checklist
Content Language
Have you adequately researched the job, organisation, and  ave you demonstrated energy, drive, and enthusiasm
H
sector beforehand to inform and tailor your answers? in your answers?
Have you used a range of examples drawn from all aspects of Have you checked for any unnecessary duplication and typos?
your life: extra-curricular, work experience, and your studies?
Is the language positive and enthusiastic?
Have you mentioned any awards or relevant overseas
experience that may help your application stand out?  ave you avoided mirroring the language found in the
H
organisation’s recruitment literature?
 your examples demonstrate your skills and professional
Do
goals? Do they show evidence of analysing what you did
and how you did it rather than simply being a list? Overall

Are your answers accurate, confident, and concise?  your application interesting to read and have you
Is
Do they adhere to any word limits? distinguished yourself from other candidates?

Have you answered all sections and addressed all the Do you demonstrate you have the three Cs – competencies,
elements of the job description/person specification? commitment, and cultural fit? See page 4 for more information.

Structure Have you proof-read and reviewed your application?

Do your answers follow the STAR structure? See page 28  ave you received feedback from friends, family, colleagues
H
for more information. or an LSE careers consultant?

In particular for personal/supporting statements:

Does the opening paragraph capture the reader’s attention? Top tips
• Don’t copy examples from any of the resources you have
Have you made it easy for an employer to read and make a used to do your research, including this booklet, because
quick judgement that you meet the requirements of the role?
employers can spot generic answers very easily.
eg, using competency headings to structure your statement.
• Keep a copy of your application form so you can refer
Have you concluded enthusiastically and avoided clichés? to it at a later date and use it to prepare if you are invited
to interview.

34
Further resources
This guide only covers the basics of searching for jobs and
completing applications so if you need further support please One-to-one appointment
use the resources listed here.
Use some of the online resources and try to attend a
seminar before booking an appointment so you are well
LSE Careers website prepared and can get the most from your one-to-one.
You can find examples of CVs, cover letters, and Short appointments are available throughout the year and
application forms from LSE students and alumni on our can be booked on LSE CareerHub. Morning appointments
website lse.ac.uk/careers can be booked from 9.30am the day before you’d like the
LSE Careers also subscribes to several specialist and exclusive appointment. If you’d like an afternoon appointment, this
careers resources which are free for you to use including: can be booked from 9.30am on the same day.
• Vault: Career Insider, an exclusive online careers library You will get feedback on the structure, content, and
where you can download careers ebooks. targeting of your CV, cover letter or application form from
• GoinGlobal, which offers employment guides to more a dedicated team of careers consultants. If you want help
than 40 countries including regional cover letter examples with proof-reading, contact the LSE Language Centre.
as well as international job advertisements.
LSE Language Centre
Seminars Struggling with writing a good application in English?
Our careers consultants run regular seminars during term- At the Language Centre you can sign up for courses to help
time which are full of advice on how to construct CVs, improve your business English, find out about language
cover letters, and application forms and how you can best exchanges with English speaking students, and get your
market yourself to prospective employers. documents checked for spelling and grammatical errors.
Please note there is a cost attached to some services.
There are also specialist seminars focusing on specific
Find out more at lse.ac.uk/languages
sectors, such as writing CVs for academia or finance, as
well as basic and advanced seminars which cover different
stages of careers – from recent graduates to experienced LSE LIFE
hires. You can use LSE CareerHub to search for and book
Based on the ground floor of the Library, LSE LIFE is the
seminars at careers.lse.ac.uk
School’s centre for academic, personal, and professional
development. We also offer careers drop-in appointments
in LSE LIFE during term-time. Find out more at
lse.ac.uk/lselife

35
 Careers

LSE Careers
Floor 5
Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
1 Sheffield Street
London
WC2A 2AP
Email: [email protected] Opening hours
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7955 7135 Monday – Wednesday: 9.30am – 5pm
CareerHub: careers.lse.ac.uk Thursday: 9.30am – 8pm
Blog: blogs.lse.ac.uk/careers Friday: 9.30am – 5pm

lse.ac.uk/careers
The School seeks to ensure that people are treated equitably, regardless of
age, disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, religion,
Find us @LSECareers sexual orientation or personal circumstances.
This brochure can be made available in alternative formats on request –
please contact LSE Careers.
Design: LSE Design Unit (lse.ac.uk/designunit)

36