So, you have spent 4 or 5 years learning how to tie a knot or 2, how to put up a tent, and what a compass does - that's what Scouts do isn't it?
When you want to apply for a job or go to university, you could write
'I was a Scout'
and whoever reads your application will think 'Ah, here is someone who can tie a
knot', because that is what Scouts do isn't it?
Or is it?
On the other pages in this section I have listed some of
the skills you might have gained as a Joey, Cub, Scout, or Venturer - why don't
you put them on your application forms?, for example:
'Whilst I was a Scout I worked in a team that organised a 10 day walking
expedition. This included budgeting for the expedition, communicating with
different groups of people, promoting the activity, organising the logistics of
arranging people and equipment to get to Tasmania, and ensured the safety of the
group while they were walking, for example I learnt first aid skills'
Sounds better than 'I
was a Scout'
The idea of a CV is to sell yourself to a potential employer,
to get them want to invite you to an interview. Once you have been invited to
attend an interview you have the job
based on what's on your piece of paper - now you have to convince them in
person that their assumptions that you can do the job are correct and give you
it.
The purpose of this page is to explain how Scout training
can be relevant outside Scouting. It explains how you could include your
Scouting experiences on your CV when applying for a job.
Scouting is often perceived as only providing benefits to young people. This is
not true. Numerous adults are involved with Scouting in Australia and they,
along with young people, have the opportunity to experience new things, learn
new skills and develop personally.
The value of the training you receive
The
training that you will receive within Scouts Australia therefore has implications
beyond your Scouting role. Some of the modules are accredited externally by the
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This demonstrates to a potential
employer that the training Scouts Australia provides is relevant to your
non-Scouting activities. When applying for a new job it is important to remember
to include formal training that you have had within Scouts Australia, as well as
what you have learnt informally through experience.
What are employers looking for?
Employers are often looking for skills that as an adult in Scouting you will
already have. Do not be put off from including these skills in an application
simply because your potential employer does not know about Scouting. Many of the
skills you have can be described in non-Scouting terms, as can the roles you
have carried out in Scouts Australia. Referring to the AQF accredited modules
titles should help overcome this as a barrier as well.
There is a diverse range of skills and experiences that you may have that can
help supplement your CV and highlight you as an ideal candidate for a job. Some
of these are suggested below, but there may be more specialised skills, such as
your experience as an Instructor which may be appropriate to you.
Practical skills
a) Ability to plan systematically
b) Appreciation of the importance of
safety and procedures you use to ensure the safety of yourself and others
c) Knowledge of First Aid and any
formal training in this field.
Working as a team
a) Working in a variety of teams e.g.
Sections Group, District, State
b) Supporting others in their role,
knowing the value of teamwork
c) Valuing others for their skills
and abilities and supporting those with Special Needs.
Management skills
a) Leadership skills, knowing how to
lead teams, supervise the group and individuals to get the job done
b) Being able to monitor, evaluate,
and review performance
c) Being able to manage large
projects and often large groups of people.
Communication
a) Being effective in meetings,
taking minutes, putting your view across and representing others
b) Writing plans, programmes, reports
and newsletters.
Finance
a) Budgeting, keeping accounts
b) Securing funding from outside
bodies and fundraising.
Training
a) You will have received formal
training in Scouts Australia, and it is worth mentioning this. The AQF
accredited units will make the training you have received even more attractive
to employers.
b) Most adults in Scouting have
experience in training others, either formally or informally. For example, if
you have ever passed on a new skill to someone or been part of a buddy
system. These too are worth mentioning.
Some of the skills listed above you may already have, but some of them you may
have gained as part of your role in Scouting.
Either way it is important to remember Scouting when applying for any position.
You never know when those skills you have picked up and developed in Scouting
are going to make you stand out in a crowd.
Or you could write 'I was a Scout'.
Actually writing your
CV
CV - An Advert for YOU.
These are just notes to read, make sense of them if you can
Have a CV prepared at all times, you never know when someone
might say 'I might want to employ you, send me your CV', then you will panic
writing one and make mistakes. Write one at your leisure and you will make fewer
mistakes
Perhaps write 2 types of CV. 1 specific to your potential
career, the other a general one highlighting skills you have rather than
specific work experience. In your early career the type highlighting your skills
might be better than one listing your works experience, or if you are changing
job type. Similarly, preparing a covering letter for a CV write 2 types, 1
to answer job adverts, the other for speculative job searches.
CV.
Appearance.
- Printed on Good white paper. It should be in a 'normal' type, not fancy.
- Printed in Dark ink on plain paper
since it will be photocopied by the employer.
- Prepare it in electronic form (as
MS Word) and paper version. The electronic form should be universally accepted
(e.g. MS Word)
- Sheets should be paper clipped
together (not stapled - see later)
Content.
- The first appearance counts most, make it look tidy otherwise it might be
rejected before the words are read.
- No need to put CV at top as a
title. It is obvious what it is. Use its space to improve CV layout. The title
should be your name - YOU are the most important thing on the CV
- 2 Pages long.
- Page 1:
Sell your self, page 2 only gets read when page 1 sells you to the employer
- Page 2: Add
details about you as a person.
- Reduce unnecessary extra lines.
White space on the paper can make the CV more readable.
- Do not include bad spelling
Top section could be about you.
- The CV Title should be your name - you are the most important thing about the
document
- Age isn't necessary. It can work
against you in some circumstances. If they want to know your age they can ring
and ask you - then they will have started a conversation with you and your CV
will have been noticed. Next step interview.
- Contact details - do you want them
to call your home or mobile phone? Add your e-mail address (a
proper one, eg Bob-Jones@hotmail.com, not
MrIAmAGodWithTheGuitar@Hotmail.com).
Next section, what you are.
Write a short profile of yourself, a summary for the secretary to read to decide
if you are worth giving to the HR person. An example is: "An assistant
Electrical Engineer, working in a team to assist the engineers to produce the
final designs for the construction of industrial plants and buildings. Skilled
in using a variety of computer software, including drawing packages, to produce
the final documentation required."
Include words an employer might look for - Team work, Computers, Driving,
attention to detail. Often when they scan a CV they are looking for certain
words and reject those without the words.
3rd Section
Qualifications and membership of institutions (for example Australian Institute
of Engineers (AIE), not local mental
hospital)
- Note relevant qualifications, for
example hold first aid at work certificate, clean driving license, etc.
- Note any training received (for
example using cash registers) that is relevant
Education.
This can come after work based qualifications or before work experience
depending on the job your applying for.
- Reverse chronological order (recent
first)
- Include college details: Name,
dates attended and result then paragraph detailing specifics (eg. Adelaide
University, 2000 - 2004, Gained BSc).
- You don't need to include School
names on a CV, just a line, SACE: Biology (C)....,
- If you are not going to detail all
your exams, mention your Maths and English results, these are most important
generally especially after a college or university education.
5th Section
Hobbies and interests. This sells you as a person, not as a robot who can just
work. Employers want someone who has a life too.
- Qualify what you do. 'I enjoy
reading' is good. 'I enjoy reading books' is a bit better. 'I enjoy reading
about Norse and Roman mythology' is even better - it gives them an idea what you
like to read. I enjoy reading could mean just the menu at Macdonalds and you
enjoy that 'cos you will be eating it soon.
- Beware of mentioning hobbies that
make you sound like a freak.
- Mention achievements. 'I am a Scout
leader and am responsible for running the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for 8
Young People. I have successfully guided 15 young people through the award so
they gained their gold award'
6th Section
Any other information like computer literacy
References
You can add these or just write a line 'Available on Request' - If you don't add
their details there is some more space to alter the formatting of the CV
Other Notes:
- At the top of page 2 include your name. The 2 pages will get separated and if
page 2 is missing you might miss out on the job
- Don't staple the 2 sheets together
since the secretary will tear them apart to photocopy them and your original
will look a mess. Use a paper clip instead.
- Write 1 large CV with all your
details on. When you are applying for a job copy and paste the pieces you want
to make a 2 page CV to send to the employer.
Keep a copy of this to remind what you wrote
before interview
- Write 2 types of CV - one with
emphasis on employment history and the other with skills history
Skills CV /
Functional CV:
Name etc.
Profile - Not
specific
Key Skills
Achievements
Employment
History
Hobbies
References
Keep the CV readable, include spaces between sections. Use
short easily understood words except specific technical terms