Write a CV and Cover Letter that get you noticed
CVs and cover letters can feel all-consuming during the autumn term, especially for those targeting the big players. Using your time wisely to tailor and review before submitting is time well spent鈥攂ut not always easy. Below are practical tips, plus insights from recent graduates Yuqi Pan-Mo (MSc Strategic Marketing聽2024鈥2025)聽and Tim Bamberger聽(MSc Management 2024鈥2025)聽on navigating the application process.
Think of your CV and cover letter as a business proposal. You鈥檙e the product鈥攕ell your value with confidence and precision. Demonstrating impact and relevance is key: your CV proves your capability, and your cover letter conveys your fit.
CV Tips
Tailor it:聽Highlight achievements aligned with your target role. Use keywords from the job description. Ask yourself: could this exact CV be used for another role? If yes, it鈥檚 not tailored enough.
Quantify results:聽鈥淚ncreased sales by 20%鈥 beats 鈥淩esponsible for sales.鈥 Demonstrating your ability to deliver results is far more impactful than listing duties.
Show leadership and the skills it requires: Include team projects, societies, or entrepreneurial ventures. Explain how these experiences stretched your collaboration, communication, and decision-making abilities.
Keep it clean:聽One-page, professional layout, no typos. As Yuqi shared with Robert Preda, 鈥淢ake sure that everything鈥攕uch as the company鈥檚 name, the position鈥檚 name, and the date鈥攊s properly listed. You don鈥檛 want to be screened out because of very silly mistakes.鈥
Cover Letter Tips
Your cover letter can address what the CV cannot: your motivation for the role, your familiarity with the organisation and its values, and鈥攎ost importantly鈥攜our personality.
Start strong:聽Open with a compelling hook. Why this company? Why you? Mention a connection, conversation, or event that led to this application.
Tell a story:聽Share a brief example that demonstrates your skills and drive. Make it memorable.
Connect the dots:聽Show how your MSc experience prepares you for the role.
End with intent:聽Express enthusiasm and suggest next steps.
Graduate Insights
鈥淵uqi shared advice learned from a career services consultant: The cover letter should be energetic, dynamic, and concise. The language doesn鈥檛 need to be complex 鈥 you鈥檙e not applying for a degree in English literature. You just want to reveal the truth about yourself. Be concise. Also, chat with consultants and native speakers. Except for some specific sectors, like consultancies, I believe they appreciate a creative style.
She also added: Use the material you have as much as possible. This includes the job description and the company profile.
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鈥淭im added: I included a lot of keywords from the job description in my cover letter. I followed your team鈥檚 advice 鈥 look at the company鈥檚 values and include them. Shape the letter so it passes the initial check.鈥
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