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Process photography, LCC. Photo by Lewis Bush

If you're applying for a job you'll need to write a cover letter to accompany your CV.

A cover letter highlights your relevant skills and experience and explains why you're a good fit for the job. As with your CV it should be tailored to each job you apply for.

Content

Use the same language and tone as the job advert and company website.

Focus on what you will bring to the role and the company.

Read the job application carefully and make sure you mention any skills and experience you have that they are looking for.

Provide examples by describing situations when you have used the skills they are looking for effectively.

Always highlight the positive outcomes of your efforts for example '...this led to an uplift in sales'.

Structure

Address your cover letter to a named contact if a person in mentioned in the job advert.

Use the first paragraph to explain the role you are applying for and why you want to work for the company.

Use the second and third paragraphs to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience listed in the job description. Illustrate this by providing examples.

Your final paragraph should summarise your suitability for the role and reiterate why you would like to work for the company.

Finish by directing them to any additional information, such as an online portfolio, and give them the option of contacting you for further information.

If you have addressed the letter to a specific person, end the letter with 'Yours sincerely'. If you have not addressed it to a named individual, sign off the letter with 'Yours faithfully'.

Layout

Include your name, email and contact number.

Consider using the same design features as your CV or portfolio to create a suite of documents that work well together.

Include details of the role you're applying for in the email subject line.

Keep your cover letter to approximately one page or 400 words long.

Speculative cover letters

A speculative cover letter is one that you send to a company that you'd like to work for, rather than in response to a job advert. The same guidelines apply but you'll need to explain why you're getting in touch in more detail, as the employer won't be expecting your letter.

Speculative applications work best when you have a specific reason for thinking the company will benefit from hiring you. For example, perhaps you heard through your network that they're recently awarded a big commission. This suggests they may soon be looking to take on new staff with the skills you possess. This would be the perfect opportunity to send a speculative cover letter, accompanied by a tailored CV.

Got a specific question about your cover letter? Book in for one of our upcoming workshops or attend one of our CV checks where we can also review your cover letter.

Resources

Useful links

Read our tips on how to write and structure a standard CV when applying for jobs.

A good portfolio demonstrates your creativity, skills and ability. Read our tips for creating an effective portfolio.

Read our tips on how to fill out application forms.

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Use Careers and Employability's online advice and guidance to help you write a strong cover letter for jobs in the creative industries.

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What's the best job for you?

Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you:

How many years of experience do you have?

What company benefits are most important to you?

Calculating your job matches...

We've come up with 30 examples and separated them by the method they use to grab the reader's attention. We don't recommend copying and pasting them because, well, your cover letter should be unique to your stories, background, and interests, but you can most definitely use them to get inspired for your next application. (If you're looking to see what an entire cover letter might look like, check out our article on the best cover letter examples for every type of job seeker.)

Start with passion

Employers want to hire people who care about what they're doing. If you start your cover letter off talking about your passions and how they relate to the job, you're telling the reader that you'll be an engaged and motivated employee who's likely to stick around. Plus, it's a good way to tell the company a bit about who you are as a person right off the bat. Just be honest and realistic.

If truly loving data is wrong, I don't want to be right. It seems like the rest of the folks at [Analytics Company] feel the same way-and that's just one of the reasons why I think I'd be the perfect next hire for your sales team.

I've been giving my friends and family free style advice since I was 10, and recently decided it's time I get paid for it. That's why I couldn't believe it when I found an open personal stylist position at [Company].

After about three years of trying out different roles at early-stage startups around San Francisco, watching more "find your passion" keynotes than I'd like to admit, and assuring my parents that, yes, I actually do have a real job, I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I'm happiest when I'm doing two things: writing great content and getting it out into the world.

The other day, I took a career assessment, which told me I should be a maritime merchant. I'm not quite sure what that is, but it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my absolute dream. Which is how I found this role at Royal Caribbean.

As a kid, I once gave up a day of a family vacation to transport an injured lizard I found by our hotel two hours each way to the nearest animal hospital (and talked my dad into driving me pre-GPS!). When I was a bit older, I found out I could care for animals every day for a living, and I've been working toward that goal ever since.

"I am constantly checking my LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds-and not because of FOMO. Because I'm someone who wholeheartedly believes in the power of sharing ideas in online communal spaces, and I'm positive that I can help spark meaningful conversations as your next social media assistant."

When I was growing up, I wanted to be one of those people who pretend to be statues on the street. Thankfully, my career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years, but I still love to draw a crowd and entertain the masses-passions that make me the perfect community manager.

Start with admiration

Companies often want to hire people who already know, love, eat, and sleep their brand. What better to kick off your cover letter than a little flattery? Of course, remember when you're telling a company why you love it to be specific and genuine. Because while everyone likes a compliment, no one likes obvious self-serving B.S.

I pretty much spent my childhood in the cheap seats at Cubs games, snacking on popcorn and cheering on the team with my grandfather. It's that memory that's shaped my career-from helping to establish the sports marketing major at my university to leading a college baseball team to an undefeated season as assistant coach-and what led me to apply for this position at the Chicago Cubs.

It was Rudy, my Golden Retriever, who first inspired me to apply to your operations assistant opening-not only have we used your app to find other dogs to play with in our neighborhood, he's really excited about the prospect of coming to work with me every day. As I learned more about how [Company] is using modern tech to help pets thrive in cities, I couldn't help but get excited to be part of it, too.

When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I grew up. I eventually realized that wasn't an option, but you can imagine my excitement when I came across your events manager position, which would have me working side by side with my favorite company mascot.

When I attended SXSW for the first time last month, I didn't want to leave. So I decided I shouldn't-and immediately went to check out job openings at the company.

If I could make the NYC apartment rental process better for just one person, I would feel like the horrors of my recent search would all be worth it. So a customer service role at [Apartment Search Company], where I could do it every day? I can't think of anything more fulfilling.

[Vacation Rental Company] is synonymous with luxury and escape, known for spaces that inspire. I've felt this firsthand every time I've stayed at one of your properties-whether I was throwing a bachelorette party or working from home in a new locale-and I would love the chance to contribute to this reputation as your destination manager.

I was an hour out from hosting my first big dinner party when I realized I had forgotten to pick up the white wine. In a panic, I started Googling delivery services, and that's when I first stumbled across [Delivery Service Company]. I've been hooked ever since, so I couldn't help but get excited by the idea of bringing this amazingness to nervous hosts like me as your next social media and community manager.

Though I'm happily employed as a marketing manager, seeing the job description for your company's PR director position stopped me in my tracks. I've been wearing your glasses for many years, and have always been impressed by the way the company treats its customers, employees, and the community at large.

A group of us IT folks were sitting around talking about our favorite Pacific Northwest companies this morning (coincidentally, over coffee). As you might figure, Starbucks was among the first names that came up. What makes you such a standout among Seattle-based corporations? Here's the list we compiled:

Start with accomplishments

For any given job, you're going to be competing with a lot of other people-presumably, a lot of other similarly qualified people. So a great way to stand out in your cover letter is to highlight something about yourself-a character trait, an accomplishment, a really impressive skill-that'll quickly show how you stand out.

My last boss once told me that my phone manner could probably defuse an international hostage situation. I've always had a knack for communicating with people-the easygoing and the difficult alike-and I'd love to bring that skill to your open office manager position.

Among my colleagues, I'm known as the one who can pick up the pieces, no matter what amount of you-know-what hits the fan. Which is why I think there's no one better to fill this customer service leader position.

Last December, I ousted our company's top salesperson from his spot-and he hasn't seen it since. Which means, I'm ready for my next big challenge, and the sales manager role at your company is exactly what I'm looking for.

After spending three years managing the internal communications for a 2,000-person company, I could plan a quarterly town hall or draft an interoffice memo in my sleep. What do I want to do next? Put that experience to work as a consultant for executives looking to level up their communications strategy.

While you won't find the title "community manager" listed on my resume, I've actually been bringing people together online and off for three years while running my own blog and series of meetups.

If you're looking for someone who can follow orders to the T and doesn't like to rock the boat, I'm probably not the right candidate. But if you need someone who can dig into data, see what's working (and what's not), and challenge the status quo, let's talk.

I recently relocated my family to Texas. As we neared our new home, I noticed with intrigue the many wind turbines dotting the landscape. Suddenly, it hit me: "This is the career for me." After unloading the moving van, I promptly researched companies in this sector that may benefit most from a skilled field engineer with expert electromechanical skills. And I discovered that [Company] is where I want to be.

You might be wondering what a 15-year veteran of the accounting world is doing applying to an operations role at a food startup. While I agree the shift is a little strange, I know you're looking for someone who's equal parts foodie and financial expert, and I think that means I'm your person.

Over the last 10 years, I've built my career on one simple principle: Work smarter. I'm the person who looks for inefficient procedures, finds ways to streamline them, and consistently strives to boost the productivity of everyone around me. It's what's earned me three promotions in the supply chain department at my current company, and it's what I know I can do as the new operations analyst for [Company].

Start with humor and creativity

OK, before you read any of these, we have to stamp them with a big, blaring disclaimer: Do your homework before trying anything like this-learning everything you can about the company and the hiring manager to gauge whether or not they appreciate some comedic relief or a bit of snark. If they do, it's a great way to make them smile (then call you). If they don't? Try a different approach.

Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a status update on how your job search is going, and then sound incredulous that you haven't made more progress since the last phone call? That's my life right now. But I'm hoping that soon my life will revolve around being your full-time social media manager. The good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing mom. Let me tell you more.

Thank you so much for offering me the marketing manager position at [Company]! I wholeheartedly accept. OK, I know we're not quite there yet. But if we were, here are just a few ideas for what I would do once in the role.

I considered submitting my latest credit card statement as proof of just how much I love online shopping, but I thought a safer approach might be writing this cover letter and describing all the reasons I'm the one who can take [E-Commerce Company]'s business to the next level.

I never thought that accidentally dropping my iPhone out of a second story window would change my life (it's a funny story-ask me about it). But thanks to my misfortune, I discovered [Phone Repair Company]-and found my dream job as an expansion associate.

If we were playing "Two Truths and a Lie," I'd say: I've exceeded my sales quotas by at least 20% every quarter this year, I once won an international pie-eating contest, and I have an amazing job at [Company]. The last, of course, is the lie. For now.

, Erica Breuer, and Regina Borsellino also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE

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Don't waste space with "I'm writing to apply..." Here's how to start a cover letter by making a bright and colorful splash-with 30 examples.

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Frequent JD criteria spreadsheet + user guide

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Frequent JD criteria spreadsheet + user guide

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How to Write a Cover Letter to a Hiring Manager

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How to Write a Cover Letter to a Hiring Manager

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What's the best job for you?

Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you:

How many years of experience do you have?

What company benefits are most important to you?

Calculating your job matches...

Do I need one? Will anyone read it? How, exactly, can I make sure an actual hiring manager reads it?

Never mind the whole-and rather crucial- "what should my cover letter say?" piece of this equation. There's so much to consider, it's no wonder why people often under-use or forego the cover letter altogether when looking for a job.

I've long been in the "heck, yes" camp on cover letters. Let me explain why and share some essential tips on what to incorporate in your next cover letter if you want to grab the attention of a hiring manager and get them to call you for an interview.

Why should you write a cover letter?

I'd like to tell you not to worry about crafting a cover letter for the next role you pursue, but here's the thing (and you've probably noticed it): Competition's fierce in more than a few career fields right now. Given this, you'll be wise to do everything you can to stack the odds of landing an interview in your favor.

This includes a cover letter. If a recruiter or hiring manager is on the fence about you as a viable candidate, a thoughtfully written cover letter might just nudge you into the "yes" pile.

So, for this reason alone, I'd make the time for it.

Now here's the good news-most people squander the opportunity. They either opt out of writing a cover letter entirely or, nearly as bad, they submit bland, cliché-filled, or redundant-to-the-resume clunkers.

Given this, hiring managers and recruiters don't expect to lay eyes on a cover letter that's memorable, compelling, and on point. When they do? They take notice.

Essential tips for your next cover letter

So how do you pull off a winning cover letter, one that conveys your passion and talent and makes the recruiter or hiring manager's day? Follow these steps:

1. Choose the right salutation

We are well past the days when "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam" were considered gold standard business salutations. Unless you're hoping to look like a nonagenarian on paper, plan to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager or recruiter involved with the search.

It may seem difficult to sleuth this out, but it's often easier than you may think. Just mosey over to LinkedIn and do a People search using the company's name as your search term. Scroll through the people working at that company until you find someone who appears to be the hiring manager. (Hint: the job description may tell you who the position reports to.) If you can't find a logical manager, try locating an internal recruiter or, in smaller companies, the head of HR.

If you aren't able to pinpoint this information, go with something more general but still personal and appropriate for current times, like "Dear Muse Marketing Team," or "To the HR Business Partner Hiring Team."
Read more: The 3 Rules of Addressing Your Cover Letter in 2023
2. Convey your interest and value

Decision makers never want to feel like you're wallpapering the universe with the same cookie-cutter cover letter. They want to know you're approaching their organization for specific reasons. Maybe you love their mission, their products, or their reputation as a great place to work.

Lead with this then, using the job description (and whatever other information you've gathered) as your guide, then outline what, specifically, you can walk through their doors and deliver. Make it clear as quickly as possible that you've got the goods.
Here's an example: "As a long-time cyclist, I know a thing or two about chafing. I also know that plenty of chamois creams just don't do the trick. Yours does, and I've been a loyal fan and user for years. You've reduced friction for me and now I'd like to do the same for you as your next Customer Service Manager. I'm [Name], a personable and solution-focused customer service professional who consistently ranks among the top 5% of performers at my current employer. Here's what I can deliver in this role:"
And then expound on a few of the skills you bring to the table, with particular emphasis on the priority requirements for that role (they're typically listed first on the job description or mentioned more than once).

3. Finish strong

You certainly don't want to fizzle out at the finish line. In fact, if I had a dollar for every time I've read this exact sentence on a cover letter, I'd have a lot of dollars:
"Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon."
Instead, work to sum up why you're a great candidate and welcome an opportunity to meet to discuss their needs and your qualifications further.
Here's an example: "I believe my collaborative work style, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strong belief in the value of your products will enable me to make considerable impact, quickly. I would love to learn more about your specific goals and needs and share details on how I may contribute. I hope to meet soon!"

And a last, critical tip when it comes to delivering a great cover letter to a hiring manager: Be you. Honest, genuine writing always goes much, much further than trying to emulate the tone and structure encouraged in outdated career guides and textbooks.

Rules can be bent. In fact, if you're working to make a lasting impression and land that interview? Oftentimes, they should be.

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Yes, You Should Be Addressing Cover Letters to Hiring Managers

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One of the biggest questions we get about cover letters? "Is it OK to address a cover letter to the hiring manager?" Yes, you should, and we have advice on how to do just that and more.

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English Language Development for students

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English Language Development for students

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If you are a current UAL student and speak English as an additional language, we can help you with the language skills you need to be successful on your course.

Welcome to English Language Development

Explore our range of classes, tutorials, resources and other English language development support. Discover our Language Community to take part in language exchanges and creative multilingual projects throughout the year.

If you are a current UAL student but need to improve your IELTS score to progress onto your next level of study at UAL, you can take the Progress Test, which is the UAL English language test for current students.

Read more about this research project which was developed to examine interaction with international students to raise awareness of the educational potential of the use of language.

@ual_language_development

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English Language Development for students

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Free classes, workshops and 1-to-1 sessions, supporting UAL students to build up their English language skills.

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It's important to get your cover letter right. It's your one opportunity to sell your skills and experience to potential employers. Find out how to write and format a cover letter and take ideas and inspiration from our cover letter templates

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document sent alongside your CV when applying for jobs. It acts as a personal introduction and helps to sell your application.

Cover letters are necessary as they give you the chance to explain to an employer why you're the best candidate for the job. You do this by highlighting relevant skills and experience; therefore, you should always write your cover letter with the position you're applying for in mind.

Not to be confused with personal statements for your CV, cover letters should complement your CV but not duplicate it. The consensus among recruiters when it comes to the length of these documents is the shorter the better. Typically, three to five short paragraphs, cover letters should not exceed one A4 page.

If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, to avoid it being detected by spam filters.

Applications should always include a cover letter unless the job advert instructs you differently.

How do I write a good cover letter?

Before writing your cover letter it's important that you do your research. While reading the job description thoroughly is essential, it's not enough on its own. To help you craft a successful cover letter you'll need to find out more about:

who will be reading your cover letter

the organisation and its culture

the industry it operates in and any relevant news

company competitors and market position.

the organisations goals over the next five years.

When writing your cover letter keep it brief, while making sure it emphasises your suitability for the job. Cover letters can be broken down into the following sections:

First paragraph - The opening statement should set out why you're writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you're applying for, where you saw it advertised and when you are available to start.

Second paragraph - Highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description. Summarise any additional strengths and explain how these could benefit the company.

Third paragraph - Cover why you're suitable for the job, what attracted you to this type of work, why you're interested in working for the company and what you can offer the organisation. This is a good opportunity to show off your knowledge of the company.

Last paragraph - Use the closing paragraph to round up your letter. Reiterate your interest in the role and indicate your desire for an interview. Now is the time to mention any unavailable dates.

Once finished read through the document and cut out any unnecessary words and sentences. Don't fill up space by repeating what's already covered in your CV. As a rule, only mention your current salary or salary expectations if the employer has specifically asked you to. If you're asked to include this information, put it between the third and last paragraphs.

Unless the job advert states differently (for example, it may ask you to provide your CV and cover letter as a Word document) save with a .PDF file extension to make sure it can be opened and read on any machine. Windows PCs and Macs don't always work in harmony - Windows use a .docx file extension and Macs .pages but if the recruiter uses the opposite system, they may not be able to open your file. Using a .PDF file extension should solve this.

If you need help with your CV take a look at how to write a CV.

How should I address a cover letter?

Always try and address your cover letter directly to the person who will be reading it. Bear in mind that you're more likely to receive a reply if you send it to the right person.

If you're struggling to find a named contact, you can use a general greeting such as:

Dear Sir/Madam

Dear Hiring manager

Dear Human resources director.

However, general greetings should only be used once you have exhausted methods of finding a named contact.

How do I sign off?

How you sign off your cover letter depends on how you addressed it. If you include a named contact, sign off 'Yours sincerely'. If you use a general greeting, finish with 'Yours faithfully'.

Example cover letters

Sample cover letter - Used to highlight your skills and experience and to express your suitability and passion for the job, cover letters are used to encourage recruiters to look at your CV. Attention to detail is crucial and spelling, grammar and formatting needs to be spot on. Take a look at our sample cover letter for inspiration.

Speculative cover letter - These can sometimes be an effective method of creating an opportunity. To ensure that speculative cover letters are successful you'll need to do your research on the company you're applying to. Using our cover letter template, discover what to include in speculative applications.

Cover letter by a Masters graduate - You probably embarked on a Masters to expand your subject knowledge, gain industry contacts and improve your job prospects but to really make it work you need to know how to sell your postgraduate qualification to employers.

Cover letter for a jobseeker with no experience - It can be tough applying for a job with no experience, but our example cover letter shows you how to promote yourself to an employer if you haven't got any directly related work experience.

Explaining a gap in your CV - Knowing how to navigate around gaps in your CV can be tricky but it's a mistake to try and gloss over them. Your cover letter is the perfect place to explain these gaps in your employment history to potential employers. Take a look at our sample cover letter to find out how to go about it.

Cover letter for changing career - Find out how to explain a change of direction in our example cover letter for career changers. You'll need to briefly cover why you want to change career and relate your past experience and wealth of skills to the industry/job you're applying to.

Cover letter by an international graduate - If you'd like to expand your horizons by working abroad, take a look at our cover letter of an international student applying for a job in the UK. You'll need to do your research if you apply for a job in another country, as application rules may differ.

Disclosing a disability - Just like your gender, marital status and dependants your disability doesn't affect your ability to do a job and you're not legally required to disclose it on your CV or in your cover letter. However, if you would like to disclose a disability to outline any adjustments you may need, this sample cover letter will show you how.

Internship cover letter - To set yourself above the competition you need to successfully sell your relevant skills and experience while conveying your passion for the role. As well as explaining to employers what the opportunity could do for you, you'll need to communicate what you could do for the company. Discover how to craft the perfect application for a formal internship with our internship cover letter template.

Apprenticeship cover letter - Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular route into work, as well as a great alternative to university. Find out how to apply for these roles with our apprenticeship cover letter example.

For inspiration and guidance on crafting a CV see example CVs.

When should I follow up my application?

It's always a good idea to follow up on a job application if you don't hear back. If two weeks have passed and you've had no response, send an email to the hiring manager to check that your application has been received. Use this opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role and why you think you'd be an asset to the company.

Keep this email brief. It shouldn't act as a second cover letter or attempt to replace or repeat the original.

What are some top tips for writing a cover letter?

With employers often receiving lots of applications for each vacancy, you need to ensure that your cover letter makes a lasting impression for the right reasons. These tips will increase your chances of success:

Tailor to the organisation - You should rewrite your cover letter every time you apply for a position in order to target the company. Sending out a generic letter for all applications rarely yields positive results and recruiters can spot your lack of time and effort from a mile away.

Format - Presentation is important so you'll need to format your cover letter properly. Make sure the document is as uncluttered as possible, use the same font and size as you use in your CV and if you're sending it through the post or handing it in use good quality plain white paper to print it on.

Use keywords that appear in the job advert - This lets the employer know that you've read and understood the job description. It also demonstrates that you've taken the time to tailor your application to the job.

Identify your USPs - They're your unique selling points. Be positive about what you have to offer and clearly outline how your skills and experience meet those requested in the job description. Demonstrate why you're the perfect candidate.

Include examples - Back up the claims in your cover letter with real evidence or examples that show how and when you've used your skills and experience.

Save a copy - If you're invited to interview you might need to refer back to it.

If you're a student or recent graduate, you can make an appointment with your university's careers and employability service to access further help when writing your cover letter. You'll be able to talk with specially-trained advisers, get advice on what to include and have a professional eye look over your application before sending.

To make sure you don't trip up read about the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter.

Find out more

Written by Jemma Smith, Editor

Prospects · May 2023

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Written by Jemma Smith, EditorProspects · May 2023

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Get expert advice on how to write a cover letter to support your job application and see ten example cover letters.

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Hemingway Editor makes your writing bold and clear.

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How to decide who to approach

Research the people or companies whose work you admire, whether that be in games, film, TV, VFX or animation. Find out as much about the work of that person or organisation as you can. If you are approaching a company, find out the name of the person who is likely to be responsible for recruiting to the roles that you want. If you want to be a 2D artist in games, find out who the head of art is. If you want to work in hair and make-up in film, find the names of hair and make-up designers.

Don't approach everyone you can possibly thing of. When you are networking at events, it's worth talking to as many people as you can but when it comes to writing to people and asking to meet them, it's important to be focused about who you contact.

Be laser focused on who you are approaching and recognise that they probably lead incredibly busy working lives. Be concise. Be polite. Be professional. Persistence is to be applauded - being a pest not so much!
Gareth Ellis-Unwin, ScreenSkills Head of Film and producer of The King's Speech

"Appropriateness of contact is key," says Gareth Ellis-Unwin, ScreenSkills Head of Film and producer of The King's Speech. "It's very important to be laser-focused on who you are approaching, their appropriateness for the opportunity you are aiming to achieve and recognition that they probably lead incredibly busy working lives. Be concise. Be polite. Be professional."

Once you have identified the people who you think might be able to help you find work, email them them with a CV and cover letter.

"At my production company, we would regularly get approached by people looking for employment or work experience opportunities," says Gareth. "What always impressed us most was the ability to see beyond the CV and get a sense of the person behind. Why are they so keen on working in film or TV? Why our company specifically?

"What can they share that evidences their passion: a portfolio, a showreel, or links to their work? Who is the applicant outside of their working life and what are their other interests and passions? Qualifications and grades are obviously important but it would always be the individual that mattered more to us."

How to write your CV and cover letter

Your CV is a summary of your work experience and qualifications. It's a chance to market yourself to potential employers and let them see at a glance how you might be able to help them. It's up to you what you want to include in your CV and to decide what balance of personality and professionalism is right for you. However, most CVs will include:

Your name

Your contact details

A short personal introduction (no more than 30 words describing yourself, your attitude, personal qualities, interests and key selling points)

Your key skills (you can list these as bullet points and should include and software you are proficient in, as well as any languages)

Your work history

Your education, qualification and training

You may also want to include whether you have a valid driving licence or other similar licences

Make sure you keep your CV concise, no more than two A4 pages, and try to use a clear professional layout and spacing. Check your spelling and grammar - and then check it again. Avoid using long sentences. Employers will be looking for skills, experience and any new ideas or insights that you can bring.

How to write a cover letter

Your cover letter accompanies your CV. If you are emailing a potential employer, write your cover letter in the body of your email. If you are applying for a job online, have it as a separate PDF. This is your opportunity to talk directly to the employer about why you want to work for them, so spend some time getting it right.

Make sure you tailor your letter to each company or individual that you contact. Use the person's name. Don't write, "To whom it may concern." You should adapt your CV and cover letter to fit the needs of each person you send them to. Show that you have researched their company, either by referencing their recent work or by making it clear you know the sort of projects they are involved in.

Try to keep your cover letter brief, and in three sections:

Your reason for writing (e.g. "I am writing to apply for your vacancy in...")

Your selling points (skills or experience that show you have what the employer is looking for)

A prompt for further action (e.g. "I'd welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my suitability for the role...")

How to be persistent

If you don't hear back from an employer, you can follow up with a short email, but continuing to send them multiple emails will probably do more harm than good. Try to strike the right balance between showing your enthusiasm and interest in the role without pestering the employer.

"Persistence is to be applauded...being a pest not so much!" says Gareth. "Contacting a company once a month is about right."

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How to approach film, TV or games employers - ScreenSkills

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Research the people or companies whose work you admire, whether that be in games, film, TV, VFX or animation. Find out as much about the work of that person or organisation as you can. If you are approaching a company, find out the name of the person who is likely to be responsible for recruiting to the roles that you want.

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If you're looking for work you need an up-to-date CV (curriculum vitae). Here are our tips for writing a standard CV.

Structure

Standard CVs are made up of the following sections:

Contact information

Include your full name, telephone number, email and website (if you have one).

Profile

1-2 sentences explaining who you are as a person and the type of role you are looking for.

Key skills

List IT skills, languages and anything else that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Make sure you include relevant soft skills too; this might include good timekeeping, communication skills or a positive work ethic.

Experience

List your relevant jobs (including work experience/internships), starting with the most recent first. Include company name, job title and the dates you worked there. It's good to include 'Key achievements' for each job.

Education

List each qualification, starting with the most recent first. Include the qualification title, the date it was awarded and the school/college/university you attended.

Achievements

If you have had your work recognised, published or commissioned, or you have be part of a residency, freelance project or exhibition that's relevant to the job, make sure you include it on your CV.

Interests

Mention a couple of activities or interests that you enjoy here - ideally relevant to the job.

References

At the very end of your CV you should write 'References available on request'. Two references are standard. If you do not have 2 work references, you could ask a College tutor to be a reference for you.

Tips

Adapt your CV for every job you make sure it matches the requirements outlined in the advert.

Employers often have to scan a large number of CVs, so make sure you put key information at the top.

Keep your CV short and relevant (ideally no longer than 2 pages).

Avoid using long paragraphs; bullet points will help to highlight key information and make it easier to scan.

If you're applying for creative roles your CV should showcase your creative skills. Consider using branding that matches your website, or create a CV that isn't in the traditional format.

Structure for artists' CVs

Artists' CVs are normally created for a specific purpose such as an exhibition, competition or residency. They should only include information that is relevant to your artistic achievements. Don't include unrelated work experience, employability or education in your Artist CV.

Most artists include a statement about their work and philosophy. This can be several paragraphs long and may include the following:

The ways your work has developed

Where it is going

The materials or skills that you use

The meaning of your work

Your ambitions

Your intended market

Your influences

Personal reflections

Key themes of your work

Your personal and professional beliefs or ethics.

Got a specific question about your CV? Book in for one of our upcoming workshops or attend one of our CV Checks for personalised feedback.

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If you're looking for work you need an up-to-date CV (Curriculum Vitae). Read our tips for writing a CV.

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The online home for your studies with information, activities and communication relating to your course If your Log in doesn't work please try resetting your password. If you still can't log in then please contact the IT Service Desk (24 hours) on (+44) 0207 514 9898 or email them at servicedesk@arts.ac.uk.

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A professional portfolio is a curated collection of work that demonstrates your creativity, skills and ability.

You may want to produce an online portfolio and/or a printed portfolio; either way it's worth spending time on presenting it well.

Getting the most from your professional portfolio

Top 5 professional portfolio tips

1. Be selective - it's better to have a few high quality pieces than lots of work that is just okay.

2. Take professional photos that show your work at its best.

3. Avoid busy backgrounds that could detract from your work.

4. Look at the portfolios of companies you admire for inspiration.

5. Keep your portfolio up-to-date with your latest work.

Creating an online portfolio

Most creative employers will expect to see examples of your work online. An online portfolio might take the form of a website or showreel that you can link to in job applications and emails.

Structure

An online portfolio should contain examples of your work plus these 3 pages:

Home - this is the first page visitors will see when they land on your site so use strong images and engaging text.

About - provide information on your background, experience and creative practice. Don't be afraid to promote yourself.

Contact - this should include your email address, any professional social media channels and potentially your mobile number.

Content

Don't feel like you need to include everything in your portfolio. As your career develops, the content of your online portfolio will grow.

Put your best work at the beginning. Use a small amount of quality content but make sure you show the breadth of your skills.

Include titles and descriptions of work but keep them brief and meaningful.

Promotion

Once you've built your online portfolio:

Link to it from your CV, cover letters, LinkedIn page and professional social media accounts.

Add it to your email signature and email it out to your contacts.

Add it to your business cards and printed promotional materials.

Link to your professional social media accounts from your portfolio site.

Create a free profile on UAL's portfolio platform to connect with peers from across the university.

Consider creating a profile on The Dots or Behance to help you connect with individuals/companies you admire.

Creating a printed portfolio

Printed portfolios are a great way of taking your work along to interviews and meetings.

Think carefully about the format of your portfolio and be creative. For example, if you are looking for graphic design work you might consider presenting your work as a magazine or book.

Content

Adapt the content to appeal to the employer or client you are meeting.

Put your best work at the beginning and think carefully about what you put last, as this might be what people remember most clearly.

Try to include samples of your process such as sketches to show how your ideas have developed.

Where relevant, include samples of the materials you intend to use for the final product.

Useful links

Read our tips on how to write and structure a standard CV when applying for jobs.

If you're applying for a job you'll need to write a cover letter to accompany your CV. Read our advice on how to write a cover letter.

We run over 150 events each year to support UAL students with their creative careers and businesses.

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Use Careers and Employability's online advice and guidance to help you build a portfolio for applying for jobs in the creative industries.

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2) Masterclasses, easy-to-follow tips, and inspiration from top writing experts

Whether you're writing a new cover letter, a fantasy epic, or a college admissions essay, we've got the expert advice you need to make it unforgettable. Our roster of writing experts includes college professors from top-ranked universities, #1 NY Times bestselling authors, industry leading professionals, and more.

Whatever you're writing, we're here to help make it shine.

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Easily improve your work with AI writing assistant software as well as valuable training and insights from writing experts.

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Ginger's free online grammar checker is trusted by millions worldwide to review English text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Instantly enhance your writing with the integrated paraphrase feature.

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How do you fill in a job application form?

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How do you fill in a job application form?

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How do you fill in a job application form?

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Applying for a job? Read targetjobs' top tips for how to fill in a job application form for a graduate role and how to make your job application stand out.

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9 tips for completing job application forms

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9 tips for completing job application forms

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Completing a Job Application - career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

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The prospect of completing a job application can be quite daunting at the best of times, and more so if you haven't done one for a while or if you have...

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Employers have countless job applications to sift through, so dashing off some answers and hoping for the best won't cut it. You'll need to carefully prepare and demonstrate sought-after skills

While for some jobs you will be asked to send a CV and cover letter, many graduate roles require you to fill in an application form instead.

You'll need to complete most job application forms online via the company's website, but paper forms are still accepted in some cases.

How do I prepare for making an application?

When you find a job you'd like to apply for, don't start filling in the application form straight away. Take some time to prepare, as this will make the task much easier.

Gather together all the information you'll need, including details of your academic achievements, employment history and contact information for your referees.

You'll make a great first impression if you do your research - find out the aims of the company you're applying for, the sector they operate in and who their main competitors are. Browsing their social media channels is a good place to start.

Study the job description so you can refer back to the specific skills and qualities the employer is looking for as you complete the form.

Finally, read the instructions carefully to ensure that you complete the correct sections of the form and know when the deadline is.

Sign up to get personalised job alerts and shortlist your favourites.

What information should I include on an application form?

The application form should make the employer want to meet you to find out more and give you an opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Typical sections of an application form include:

Personal information - give basic details, such as name and email address.

Educational background - provide information on your academic achievements, including the institutions you've attended, courses taken and qualifications gained.

Work experience - list your employment history and describe your main duties and responsibilities in each role, emphasising those most closely related to the job you're applying for.

Competency-based questions - give specific examples of times when you've demonstrated the skills required for the role. Avoid being vague, and don't waste space writing about skills you have that aren't relevant - see example questions and answers for help.

Personal statement - write a well-structured, well-argued case that you are the right person for the job, again referring to the person specification set out in the advert.

Don't be afraid to sell yourself. Demonstrate your passion for the company or job and any past achievements you can relate to the role. When writing your answers, always consider what skills employers want and how you can show that you have them.

Most application forms will also require you to provide details of at least two people who can provide references. You may sometimes be asked to attach a CV and cover letter as well.

Never lie on your job application form. Not only is this dishonest, but there can be more serious consequences - for example, altering your classification from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is considered degree fraud and could result in a prison sentence.

How do I fine-tune my application?

Refining your writing style will improve the quality of your application. Employers are looking for confident applicants who can convince them of their capabilities - demonstrate your suitability by giving short, to the point and positive answers.

You should also:

use power verbs such as transformed, delivered, achieved and inspired

choose descriptive words like effective, consistent, determined and adaptable

focus on answering the questions and avoid waffling or being too vague

select appropriate examples of your achievements from past experience

demonstrate enthusiasm for the role

ensure your spelling and grammar is correct.

Ask somebody else, such as a careers adviser, parent or friend, to read through your application form. A second pair of eyes will help pick out errors that you may not have spotted.

Do I need to disclose personal information in a job application?

Many graduate employers are committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace and the Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. Nine characteristics are protected by the Act:

age

disability

gender reassignment

marriage and civil partnerships

pregnancy and maternity

race

religion

sex (gender)

sexual orientation.

When making an application, it's important to remember that you're not obliged to give details of any of the above characteristics and that it's unlawful for recruiters to discriminate against applicants on these grounds. You might be asked to provide these details on a confidential equal opportunities form, usually the last page of an application, or on a separate form. This is used solely for monitoring the employer's commitment to equality and diversity. It shouldn't be seen by people involved in recruitment or used in the selection process. If you'd prefer not to answer some or all of these questions, there is usually a 'prefer not to say' option you can select.

While there's no legal obligation for you to disclose personal information to your employer, it's entirely up to you if you choose to do so. If you don't feel comfortable disclosing on an application form there will be other opportunities to do so, such as during an interview, after a job offer has been made or once you're in the workplace.

For example, if you want to disclose a disability at the application stage, our example cover letter shows you how. If you'd like to disclose that you're trans during an interview, you could ask what policies are in place around the treatment of trans employees or ask if there are any groups of initiatives you could get involved in.

You can make a complaint if you feel you have been discriminated against during the recruitment process. In the first instance, it might be useful to visit Acas, an independent public body that provide free, impartial advice on workplace issues.

How do I submit my application form?

You'll complete the majority of job application forms online. On most employers' websites registering your details means you can save your work as you go, meaning you don't have to finish the form in one sitting.

Typing your answers into a Word document, before copying and pasting them into the application form, is easier than typing directly into the web browser. You'll need to double-check your formatting as you copy and paste - for instance, if you've gone over the word count, the online form may simply cut off the ends of your answers - but going about your application this way means you won't risk losing your progress if your logged-in session times out.

Print the completed application form out and read it through before you submit, as it's much easier to spot spelling and grammatical errors on a printed page than on screen.

Finally, ensure you have attached any requested documents, such as your CV, and then submit your application. You should receive email confirmation that it has been received.

What happens if my application is successful?

Employers receive hundreds of applications per job and if they've chosen to progress yours on to the next step you should feel proud of yourself.

Depending on the role and employer you may be asked to complete a series of online exercises such as psychometric tests. Before inviting you to an in-person interview some recruiters may set up a telephone or video interview. Others may invite you to attend an assessment centre.

To find more advice on how to handle this stage of you application, see interview tips.

How do I respond to job rejection?

Whether the rejection comes at the application form stage or after an interview, everyone experiences it at some point. While it's disheartening and can have an impact on your confidence, especially if it happens a few times, the important thing to remember is that many others are in the same position.

You should email the company within a week of the rejection, politely thanking them for their time and asking that they retain your details for any future opportunities. Ask for feedback - the majority of employers will be happy to provide this. Enquire about what you did well and where your application fell down, as this can help you approach the next one more confidently.

If you're struggling to get to the interview stage, you need to develop an action plan of achievable mini-goals, such as:

Find out more

Written by Rachel Swain, Editorial manager

Prospects · June 2023

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Get top tips on what to include in your application, how to fine tune it and what to do afterwards.

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Getting the most from your portfolio with Pip Jamieson, The Dots

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Getting the most from your portfolio with Pip Jamieson, The Dots

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Getting the most from your portfolio with Pip Jamieson, The Dots

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UAL Careers and Employability | 3,690 followers on LinkedIn. Empowering UAL students and graduates to make a living doing what they love. | Careers and Employability empowers UAL students and graduates to make a living doing what they love. We believe that everyone should be able to achieve their creative ambitions, regardless of their background or circumstance.

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LinkedIn for Students: The Ultimate Guide to Leveraging LinkedIn to Kickstart Your Career

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LinkedIn for Students: The Ultimate Guide to Leveraging LinkedIn to Kickstart Your Career

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It's graduation season again in the Philippines, and knowing that a lot of fresh graduates would be out there looking for jobs as they join the workforce, let me share these tips with you and show you how you can leverage LinkedIn to kickstart your career.

As I mentioned in this post, when I graduated from UP several years ago, my idea of getting a job was either to send my CV to as many companies as possible and pray that one of them would contact me OR to be a walk-in applicant and hope that I'd be lucky enough to get picked by recruiters.

Back then, waiting for hours at the audience entrance of that huge TV network seemed to be the "norm" so I didn't question what I was doing. Besides, I had no idea how else I could get myself a job if not through showing up and doing it their way.

Fast forward to October 2016. I received these messages below on the same day:

At that time, I was no longer interested in office-based jobs, as I had already been working from home as a managing editor for a business brokerage firm based in the US. And that company also found me through LinkedIn:

With LinkedIn, you can make recruiters and employers come to you

Since I discovered LinkedIn in 2014, this platform has brought endless opportunities to me.

Students and graduates these days are so lucky. With technology and social media, especially LinkedIn, you can get recruiters or employers contact you directly.

No more long queue. No summer heat to endure. No travel expenses. No resume needed to get found.
You can literally get found while you're asleep.
Although you can definitely use LinkedIn to search jobs that you want or companies you'd like to work for, most of the time, you don't need to look for them -- instead, recruiters or employers are the ones who will come find you.

As what Suzy Welch said:

If you maximize your LinkedIn profile, you may not be looking for your next job. It could come find you.

Of course, before you get to this point in which recruiters approach you and invite you to apply, you need to do some real work on your LinkedIn profile and your personal brand.

Let me tell you this:
The best time to start your professional journey is while you're in school. >>> Make LinkedIn work for you! Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn Tips.<<<
This is going to be quite a long article, so here's an outline of the topics I'll discuss:

I. What is LinkedIn?

II. Need some inspiration to get started?

Use a professional photo

Use keywords that you want to be found for

Tell your story using text, video or images

Add a compelling headline and profile summary

Use your LinkedIn profile as your portfolio

Add your skills and ask for endorsements

Set the right location and industry

Add social proof

III. How to use LinkedIn to kickstart your career: Build, build, build

Create original content

Engage

Be consistent

Be authentic

A. Build Your LinkedIn Profile

Publish a useful content

Share your story

Share career and business opportunities

Collaborate

Introduce your connections

Engage with your connections' content

Give away free stuff

Build a community

Join or host a #LinkedInLocal meetup

Refer a potential customer

Be a mentor

Be authentic

Be YOU

B. Build Your Credibility

C. Build Relationships

IV. LinkedIn Features That Can Get You More Opportunities

A. Career Interests

B. Career Advice Hub

C. The LinkedIn Alumni Page
Let's get started!
D. LinkedIn Learning

V. Final Takeaways

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world's largest network of professionals. Its mission is to "connect the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful and to transform the way companies hire, market and sell."

As I always say, LinkedIn is a one-stop place to learn, build your personal brand, network, help other people, seek help from other professionals and ultimately grow as a professional. It is not simply a place to look for jobs. It's much more than just your online CV.

As of January 2020, LinkedIn already has over 675 million members in 200 countries and territories worldwide. In the Philippines, LinkedIn has more than seven million members.

This LinkedIn post helped Akosua Boadi-Agyemang land an internship at Microsoft (Just in case you're not aware, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016). Akosua wrote an article about how "being bold" landed her a Microsoft internship.

Need some inspiration to get started?

I curated some of my favorite articles and posts to help you visualize the power of LinkedIn in helping students, graduates and job-seekers land their dream jobs or internships. Check these out:

2. Senior student Alyssa Mangaoang has built her LinkedIn presence through content creation. This led to multiple opportunities, including speaking at VideoCon 2018, the world's largest video community. Follow #alyssahq to see her posts.
>>> Make LinkedIn work for you! Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn Tips.<<<
3. Although the CEO of The Muse, Kathryn Minshew, wasn't looking to hire a marketing head in 2012, she hired Bell as Director of Marketing a few months after receiving a cold LinkedIn message from Elliott Bell.

So are you ready to start your professional journey? It all starts here on LinkedIn.

How to Use LinkedIn to Kickstart Your Career: Build, build, build

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is a forward-looking activity. Your CV could highlight what you've done in the past. Your LinkedIn profile, on the other hand, should emphasize what you want to be in the future and how you'll get there -- that's why I call it a forward-looking activity.

You create and optimize your LinkedIn profile because you want to achieve your professional goals. It may sound simple, but it's quite more complicated than that.

Before you jump in, remember this:

You must have clarity on who you want to be and where you want to go. This is non-negotiable.

If you jump in without clarity, you can end up lost. And when things don't work, you'll think that LinkedIn doesn't work.

To make it work for you, focus on these 3 Bs: Build your profile. Build your credibility. Build relationships.

#1 Build your LinkedIn Profile

Always start by creating a LinkedIn profile that puts you in the best position to be interesting to your target company. Then, make sure your profile articulates what you're really great at and who you want to be in the future.

Use a Professional Photo

Think about how you want to look during your first job interview. That's how you should look in your LinkedIn profile photo. If you wouldn't wear a toga (or your 'sablay,' for UP grads) in your job interview, then don't use your graduation photos on your profile.

Use a professional headshot. Never opt for not using a profile photo at all. According to LinkedIn, with a profile photo, you're likely to get up to 21x more profile views and receive 9x more connection requests.

Use Keywords That You Want to be Found For

Choose 3-5 keywords that you want to be found for and make sure you use those words throughout your profile especially on your headline, profile summary and job titles.

Tell Your Story Using Text, Video or Images

Most people think that LinkedIn, as a professional network, is boring and too formal. This is not true. Yes, most discussions are anchored on professional themes, but personal stories that are driven or that have served as lessons for someone's career or business, have a place on LinkedIn, too!

One of the best ways to differentiate yourself from the pack is to tell your story. You could share your values. Your passions. Your aspiration. Your journey. Use the content type you're most comfortable with -- be it text, videos or images.

Add a Compelling Headline and Profile Summary

Add your keywords to your headline. It helps you get discovered on LinkedIn. Make it clear on the headline whatever it is that you do. You can use up to 120 characters in your headline. Maximize that by using your keywords and removing any non-content word that doesn't help you get discovered.

If you want to get noticed by your dream company, you've got to stand out and since the majority do not take the time to craft their Profile Summary, just writing a great summary or just leaving it empty could already tell something about you.

As a fresh graduate looking to get hired in your dream company, the Profile Summary is an opportunity for you to "talk" to the decision-makers in your target companies. So how can you do this?

Do your research. Research your target company and their industry. Find out if they're currently hiring for a position that you'd like. If they are, read the information on the job posting.

Research what kind of employees they prefer to hire -- do they hire more on skills or attitude or both? Do further research to discover their culture and values.

Only after doing your research will you be able to craft a perfect Profile Summary that will position yourself as the best candidate for a position you want to apply for.

Include what makes you unique. Your values, aspiration, passions, stories. Authenticity starts in your Profile Summary. That's what will make you stand out.

Don't forget to add your keywords throughout your Profile Summary to increase your chances of getting found. You can use up to 2,000 characters in your Profile Summary.

Use Your LinkedIn Profile as Your Portfolio

One of the advantages of LinkedIn versus a typical CV is that you can attach rich media including images, videos, presentations,etc. to your profile. So if you don't have your own website, you can use LinkedIn to showcase your portfolio.

Building your profile while you're in school is ideal because it allows you to become intentional in your school activities.

For example, every time you have a school project, instead of just keeping your project files in your computer, you can upload them to your LinkedIn profile and show your target company what you've been doing to prepare yourself for the real world.

This could even motivate you to be more active in school so you have more projects to add to your profile to help you stand out.

Add Your Skills and Ask for Endorsements

Recruiters select applicants using the Skills filter on LinkedIn to find the best candidates. To make Skills & Endorsements work for you, make sure to add the skills that you want to be found or hired for and ask your connections to endorse you for those skills.

The more endorsements you have on a particular skill, the higher you'll rank in the search results, so don't be afraid to ask for endorsements from your teachers, internship supervisors, and those you've worked with in your school projects.

Pin the top 3 skills that you want to be found for. Here's a beautiful infographic that clearly explains how your Skills & Endorsements are used by recruiters in their selection of candidates.

Set the right location and industry
>>> Make LinkedIn work for you! Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn Tips.<<<
Take note that recruiters search by location and industry. So if you choose the wrong location or industry, it could cost you an opportunity. If possible, be as specific as possible with your location.

For example, if you select Philippines as your location, you won't get found by recruiters who filter location by NCR - National Capital Region. Choosing NCR, on the other hand, will also make you appear in the wider search parameter, Philippines.
Here are some tips in building your credibility:
Add Social Proof

Ask for recommendations. If your teachers are on LinkedIn, ask them to recommend you. If you can get your teachers or internship supervisors to give you a video testimonial, that would be awesome! Be creative. Treat LinkedIn as a tool that can help you magnify what you have done in and outside of your school.

#2 Build your credibility

Once your profile is complete, your next challenge is to build your credibility. For many students, this seems to be a real challenge.

You might be thinking -- with all the professionals on LinkedIn, how can you stand out and build your credibility?

Always begin with what you already have, then work your way up by investing more on your own learning and skills.

Create Original Content

Remember those papers you've written for your English class or History subject? Or perhaps you had a group work that really stood out with you as a leader? Or you most probably created a documentary or music video or any video highlighting what you've learned in one of your classes.

You could also write an article or create a video about your internship experience. What lessons did you learn from working with other professionals in the company? Is there anyone you wish to express gratitude to? Write about it on LinkedIn.

Or you may share some tips for future seniors through a how-to article.

If you've joined a debate and you're passionate about the topic, go write an article expressing your stand on the issue. Such position paper can help your future employer see how you think and how you view such topics.

Engage

Your presence on LinkedIn isn't a one-way thing. You can't just throw away stuff on your connections' news feed. Make sure you also show what you know by joining conversations.

When you see a post that resonates with you, go ahead and share your thoughts. Liking a post is great for visibility, but your goal is to attract your target company and land your dream job, so simply 'liking' won't get you there.

What should you do then? Add your thoughts by commenting on other people's content or share their posts by adding your thoughts. Treat every comment as a "mini-post" that will allow you to add value to conversations.

Wondering how far a LinkedIn comment could take you? Check out Alyssa Mangaoang's post about how a LinkedIn comment led her to finding an internship opportunity.

Be Consistent

You can't build your credibility by writing an article or two. To increase your credibility, you have to consistently create and curate content for your network. And always think about your target company -- will the content you share and publish make you a much better candidate when they need someone with your expertise?

Be Authentic

As you build your credibility and your LinkedIn presence, it will lead to building your personal brand -- even if you don't even think about personal branding.
>>> Make LinkedIn work for you! Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn Tips.<<<
In a student conference where I gave a talk a couple of years ago, I learned that most Filipinos perceive 'personal branding' as a way to brag, which does not appeal to the Filipino culture.

But let me tell you this: Personal branding isn't about bragging.

It's actually the opposite.

Your personal brand will last and you will thrive ONLY if you are authentic. Be you.

Publish a useful content. If your content can make people better at what they do, then go ahead and hit 'Publish'!

Share your story. Sometimes, all that people need is a little inspiration to keep them going.

Share career and business opportunities with your network.

Collaborate on a project.

Introduce your connections to people you know.

Engage with your connections' content. Your likes, shares and comments can help them build an audience.

Give away free stuff: free talks, free consultation, free webinars, free ebook, free advice, etc.

Build a community. A supportive community makes all the difference!

Join or host #LinkedInLocal meetups and get to know people behind their profiles.

Refer a potential customer to your network.

Be a mentor. There's always someone who can learn from you.

Be authentic. Your personal brand is your authentic self.

Be YOU. You can add value by simply being you!

That's the key to successfully branding yourself. Just be yourself.

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

Jobs

Collaboration

Attracting like-minded people

Speaking engagements

Free PR (getting interviewed or featured in media sites)

Finding a mentor

Finding a mentee who might need your help

... and more!

#3 Build relationships

Building your profile is a great way to get found. And building your credibility can help make your professional journey more fulfilling.

However, the real magic on LinkedIn happens only when you start building relationships. Use LinkedIn to learn from your fellow professionals, whether they are from the same industry or a different vertical.

Building relationships is simple, but not easy for many LinkedIn members. Why? Because most people are focused on what they can get, instead of what they can give.

The truth is, you can forge strong relationships by making genuine efforts to ADD VALUE to your network. Don't connect for the sake of connecting. Provide value in any way you can.

But what does it mean by 'adding value'? Here a few ways you can do this:

LinkedIn Features that can Get You More Opportunities

As you build your profile, build your credibility and build relationships through LinkedIn, you're actually building your personal brand as a professional. This will bring endless opportunities to you in the form of:

LinkedIn features that can help open up more opportunities for you:

Career Interests

From there, you can turn on that button on the upper right-hand corner to "let recruiters now you're open" to opportunities. You can then further refine your preferences to signal to recruiters whether you're actively looking for a job, you're just "casually looking," etc.

My Advice: Make sure that you select the right preferences including location, industry, whether you're open to work remotely, etc., to help recruiters find you at the right time and in wherever stage you are in your job search.

In your dashboard, you'll also see this so you can easily update your preferences:
>>> Make LinkedIn work for you! Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn Tips.<<<
Career Advice Hub

Sign up on Career Advice to receive professional advice from those who signed up to give advice. LinkedIn will then match you -- as someone seeking advice -- with those who are willing to give advice on your selected themes.

Since I choose to give advice, here's how Career Advice Hub looks like from my side:

If you use this feature to seek help and you receive a reply from another LinkedIn member who's willing to give advice, just make sure that you reply, as well. In my experience, I tried to reach out to one of those seeking advice, but I never heard from them.

My Advice: Take this opportunity to learn from your fellow professionals. It's always great to feel that you're not alone in your journey and that someone somewhere is willing to help remove the roadblocks for you. Besides, you never know what other opportunities can transpire from your conversations.

Where they live

Where they work

What they do

What they studied

What they are skilled at

How you are connected

The LinkedIn Alumni Page

This site is mostly hidden from LinkedIn members. To go to the alumni page, you can either:

(1) Search your school on the search box.

(2) Click on the university on Education section of your profile.

Either way, you'd be directed to your Alumni Page. Just make sure to choose ALUMNI on the options on the left tab.

Once you're there, you'll see useful insights about your fellow alumni. Imagine having the ability to contact or connect with any of your fellow alumni. It's totally possible through LinkedIn!

Using the Alumni Insights, you can find LinkedIn members from your school by filtering these criteria:

My Advice: Use the Alumni Tool as your research tool to find the perfect person to reach out to, whether you're looking into getting hired at a particular company, or you're looking into building relationship with a mentor. Try it!

Here's what LinkedIn recommends:

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is available only to Premium subscribers, but having access to hundreds of courses is absolutely worth the LinkedIn Premium Career subscription.

You can choose courses from these three broad categories: Business, Creative or Technology

You can either take individual courses or enroll in the whole Learning Path, which is a series of relevant individual courses that can help you upgrade your skills towards specializing in a broad topic.

For example, if you'd like to specialize in becoming a digital marketer, taking the ' Become a Digital Marketer' will be of great help. As you can see below, taking this Learning Path will require you to commit 19 hours to complete a series of 7 individual courses including Online Marketing Foundations, SEO Foundations, Google Analytics Essential, etc.
ARE YOU READY TO RAISE YOUR GAME ON LINKEDIN?
My Advice: If you get a job opportunity that requires you to do a job that you haven't had much experience on, check if there are LinkedIn Learning courses available to help you, then take those courses to prepare yourself for the job.

I did this in 2016. In order to land a freelance job that paid six figures a month, I took a 10-course Lynda.com Learning Path -- 'Become a Content Marketer' -- to help me get through the interview. At that time, although I understood what content marketing was, I had no idea how to execute a complete content strategy. So taking this Learning Path has been very helpful. Thanks to LinkedIn Learning, I got that job!

At the time, it was still Lynda.com, which although LinkedIn has acquired in 2015, has not been integrated yet with the LinkedIn platform. ' Become a Content Marketer' is also now available here on LinkedIn Learning.

Final Takeaways

LinkedIn has evolved a lot since it was founded in 2003. As you can see, LinkedIn is more than just a job portal. It's a portal to all kinds of opportunities that can take your career to the next level.

So take advantage of this platform to empower yourself to go from where you are to where you want to be.

Good luck and I wish you all the best in your search for the perfect career path!

If you find this article useful, please SHARE with your network. Thanks!

📅 BOOK a free LinkedIn & personal branding call with me.

📝 Subscribe to my Weekly LinkedIn tips.

Virginia Bautista is an independent LinkedIn trainer, speaker and consultant based in the Philippines. Virginia works with local and international clients in leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, company branding, lead generation and content marketing through online and onsite LinkedIn workshops and LinkedIn account management. Virginia has been featured twice in Forbes and twice in Entrepreneur Media, among others.

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LinkedIn for Students: The Ultimate Guide to Leveraging LinkedIn to Kickstart Your Career [Updated]

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It's graduation season again in the Philippines, and knowing that a lot of fresh graduates would be out there looking for jobs as they join the workforce, let me share these tips with you and show you how you can leverage LinkedIn to kickstart your career.

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20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2023

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20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2023

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Professionals - particularly salespeople - invest a lot of time and resource in building brands. We're trained at it - and we're good at it. But how often do we apply those skills to building our own personal brands? For many of us, it's nothing like as often as we should. I know that there's more that I could be doing to build my own profile on LinkedIn - and I know that I'm not alone.

We don't get around to it because we're busy, and because it can sometimes feel selfish or egotistical to invest time in marketing ourselves. However, when we neglect personal branding, we don't just sell ourselves short - we also miss a big opportunity, from a sales perspective. The impact of employees who share content is huge. And the most effective employee sharers are those who've built their personal brand on LinkedIn.

The LinkedIn profile page is the foundation for your personal branding. And we regularly add features to increase its capabilities as a personal marketing platform and give you new ways to signal your skills and motivations. If you haven't checked your profile page recently, you might well find new ways to build your personal brand.

Here are 20 profile features you should check and update for 2022. Some of them are very quick wins, some of them may take a little bit of time - but all of them are very worthwhile. They will help to give you the LinkedIn profile and personal brand that you deserve.

1. Choose the right profile picture for LinkedIn.

Your profile picture is your calling card on LinkedIn - it's how people are introduced to you and (visual beings that we are) it governs their impressions from the start. There are some great posts explaining how to pick the right profile picture on LinkedIn - but here are some quick tips to start with: make sure the picture is recent and looks like you, make up your face takes up around 60% of it (long-distance shots don't stand out), wear what you would like to wear to work, and smile with your eyes!

2. Add a background photo.

Your background photo is the second visual element at the top of your profile page. It grabs people's attention, sets the context and shows a little more about what matters to you. More than anything, the right background photo helps your page stand out, engage attention and stay memorable.

3. Make your headline more than just a job title.

There's no rule that says the description at the top of your profile page has to be just a job title. Use the headline field to say a bit more about how you see your role, why you do what you do, and what makes you tick. If you've got sales reps at your company who are on the ball with social selling, then take a quick look at their profile page headlines for inspiration. They will almost certainly have more than their job titles in there.

4. Turn your summary into your story.

The first thing to say about your LinkedIn summary is - make sure you have one! It's amazing how many people still leave this field blank when creating their LinkedIn profile. Your summary is your chance to tell your own story - so don't just use it to list your skills or the job titles you've had. Try to bring to life why those skills matter - and the difference they can make to the people you work with. Don't be afraid to invest some time, try a few drafts, and run your summary past people you know. This is your most personal piece of content marketing - and it's worth the effort.

5. Declare war on buzzwords.

Buzzwords are adjectives that are used so often in LinkedIn headlines and summaries that they become almost completely meaningless. Our regular rankings of the most over-used buzzwords include terms like 'specialised', 'leadership', 'focused', 'strategic', 'experienced', 'passionate', 'expert', 'creative', 'innovative' and 'certified'. Now I'm not saying you can't describe yourself as these things - or that they don't matter. However, just using these words won't convince people that you have these qualities. You need to demonstrate them as well - both in the way you describe yourself, and in the way you use LinkedIn profile features to show what you're about.

6. Grow your network.

One of the easiest and yet most relevant ways to grow your LinkedIn network is to synch your profile with your email address book. This enables LinkedIn to suggest people you could connect with. It's amazing how effective this can be at surfacing relevant people for you to reach out to - and no connection requests are sent without your permission, so you can vet all of the potential connections. Beyond this, get into the habit of following up meetings and conversations with LinkedIn connection requests - it's a great way of keeping your network vibrant and up to date.

7. List your relevant skills.

It's one of the quickest of quick wins on LinkedIn - scroll through the list of skills and identify those that are relevant to you. Doing so helps to substantiate the description in your Headline and Summary, and provides a platform for others to endorse you. However, the key here is staying relevant. A long list of skills that aren't really core to who you are and what you do, can start to feel unwieldy. Take time for a spring clean of your skills list every now and then.

8. Spotlight the services you offer.

Services is a new LinkedIn feature that helps consultants, freelancers and those working for smaller businesses to showcase the range of services that they offer. Filling out the Services section of your profile can boost your visibility in search results.

9. Spread the endorsement love.

Endorsements from other members substantiate your skills and increase your credibility. How do you get endorsed on LinkedIn? For starters, go through your network and identify connections who you feel genuinely deserve an endorsement from you - that's often the trigger for people to return the favour. Don't be afraid to reach out with a polite message asking for endorsement for a few key skills as well. Remember though - relevance matters. Reach out to people whose endorsement you'd really value.

10. Manage your endorsements more proactively.

Once endorsements start to come in, you might find that they skew the emphasis of your LinkedIn profile in ways that don't reflect who you are. It could be that your core area of expertise is content marketing for example, but the people who've worked with you on events are more enthusiastic endorsers. Be proactive in managing your endorsements list using the edit features in the Skills section of your profile - you can choose which to show, and which to hide.

11. Take a skills assessment.

A skills assessment is an online test that enables you to demonstrate the level of your skills, and display a Verified Skills badge on your profile. Data shows that candidates with verified skills are around 30% more likely to be hired for the roles they apply for - and displaying proof your abilities strengthens your personal brand more generally as well. Displaying the results of your skills assessments is entirely voluntary, and you can retake the tests as often as you like before showing that you've passed.

12. Request recommendations.

Endorsements give people viewing your profile a quick, visual sense of what you're valued for. Recommendations take things a step further. They are personal testimonials written to illustrate the experience of working with you. There's a handy drop-down menu in the Recommendations section of your profile that makes it easy to reach out to specific contacts and request recommendations. Take the time to think about who you would most value a recommendation from - and personalise your request. It's worth the extra effort.

13. Showcase your passion for learning.

When you complete a course on LinkedIn Learning, you'll have the opportunity to add a course certificate to your LinkedIn profile. You do this from within the Learning History section of your LinkedIn Learning account - where you can also send updates about your learning to your network if choose.

14. Share media and marketing collateral.

The marketing collateral that you produce for your business can add an extra dimension to your own profile as well. Sharing case studies, white papers and other brand content helps to show what the business you work for is all about - and helps people understand what makes you tick. It demonstrates passion and commitment as well.

15. Get credit for your thought leadership with Publications.

The Publications section is one of the most under-used elements in LinkedIn profiles - and that means that you can really stand out from the crowd when you use this feature to draw attention to existing thought-leadership content. Have you helped to write an eBook or a White Paper? Or written a post on your company's blog? The Publications section links your profile to these assets.

16. Share relevant content from your LinkedIn feed.

It's one thing to have a network of connections on LinkedIn - it's far better to have an active role in that network, appearing in your connections' LinkedIn feeds in a way that adds value for them. Sharing relevant content with your network is one of the most accessible ways of doing this. You can make a start by keeping a close eye on your LinkedIn feed, and sharing content that you find genuinely interesting - and that aligns with your point of view.

17. Add comments.

Sharing is great - but it's just the starting point. When you add comments to your shares, you give yourself greater prominence within the feed and start to express why you think a particular piece of content matters. Well-expressed comments also enable you to share a broader range of content. It might be that you don't agree with a point of view but still find it interesting, for example. A comment that can express that viewpoint starts to establish your opinion and thought-leadership. It's also more likely to draw additional comments, which then raise your profile across LinkedIn. Bear this mind when you're writing your comment - and make sure you're saying something you're happy for people to associate with you.

18. Follow relevant influencers in your industry.

Following relevant influencers on LinkedIn helps to put a range of interesting content in your feed, which you can then share with others when you think it adds value. It also helps to give context to your LinkedIn profile, demonstrating your passion for what you do.

19. Turn on Creator mode.

Creator mode is a profile setting that can help you grow your reach and influence on LinkedIn. You can turn on creator mode to get access to additional tools and features that help you create content and grow your audience base on LinkedIn.

Learn how to manage creator mode and edit your topics here.

20. Publish long-form content - and use it to start conversations.

The more you share and comment on content, the more you establish your expertise and thought-leadership credentials on LinkedIn. Publishing long-form posts is the natural next step to take. A great starting point is to monitor the response that you get to your comments and shares. Are there particular subjects and points of view that seem to resonate with your network? Are there comments that you have shared which you feel you could expand on in a post? Evolving your thought-leadership in this way keeps it real - and keeps you plugged into the issues your connections are talking about. Be ready for your long-form posts to start new conversations too. Keep an eye on the comments and be ready to respond.

Getting your LinkedIn profile working harder for you doesn't have to take up hours of your time. Try working through these ideas, building from one to the other - and you'll find that you can make progress quickly, even if you're just able to set aside a few minutes over a lunch break or in the evenings. Once you're flexing the full advantages of your LinkedIn profile you'll be amazed what a difference it can make to both you and your business. Make 2023 the year it happens!
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20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2023

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Make this the year that you invest in building your personal brand on LinkedIn - here are 20 things to try that will get your LinkedIn profile working harder for you

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Portfolio Tips from an Art Director! | Children's Illustration

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Instagram is one of the most popular social media networks. It provides an entertaining and engaging way to

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Portfolio Tips For New Designers @ ND16 - Nick Chubb | Industrial Designer

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What do companies look for in a design portfolio? How do you show passion?

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New design school graduates, this is what you need to know in putting your portfolio together. What are employers looking for in new grads? How can you stand out? Get a valuable look inside the mind of Master Designer and CEO of Blind Labs: Chris Do, as he talks about what employers like himself look for in a portfolio.

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D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital

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how to make your portfolio site stand out

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18 of the best design portfolio examples

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18 of the best design portfolio examples

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(Image credit: Studio Thomas)

Getting your portfolio right is vital - it can be the difference between getting hired or not. If you need to update yours, we definitely think looking at a few examples is a good place to start, which is why we've collated this list of the best design portfolios around.

We've included portfolios from creatives of different disciplines, including illustrators, studios and freelance designers. Each excels in different elements, for example, while one may have stunning aesthetics, another may have a brilliant user experience.

To start building your design portfolio, you need a platform to create it on. In which case, you can see our best website builder post or you can head over to the best portfolio templates or WordPress portfolio themes, which have pre-existing templates. But for now, just scroll down to indulge in some of the best design portfolios, listed in no particular order.

Top design portfolio examples for inspiration

01. Bruno Simon

Paris-based creative developer Bruno Simon has approached his portfolio in an unexpected way. You can actually drive a virtual car between his projects and experience using a keyboard. In 2019, it won Site of the Year at awwwards, and it's not hard to see why. We wouldn't recommend this type of portfolio to everyone, but if you can make the design of your portfolio show off the skills you want to highlight, then you should.

02. Gus

Gus is a creative strategy company rather than a straight design site, but we think there are plenty of lessons to be learned from its brilliant site. It's cleverly laid out on a grid, and strikes an irreverent tone while giving the reader exactly what they're looking for, with an easy to navigate UX. We particularly like the ' frequently asked questions' section.

03. Good Habit

London branding and design studio, Good Habit, has a fun and fresh portfolio that beautifully displays its work. A plainer Studio section outlines what the studio does, while the brands section displays projects with large format photography intermixed with sections of texts. It really works.

04. Studio Feixen

This Switzerland based design studio is absolutely jam-packed full of fun and characterful work. Studio Feixen perfectly showcases its vibrant work with a mix-match style portfolio that abstains from a 'less-is-more' approach. Despite the examples being framed in a range of different sized shapes on the portfolio page, the site still looks cohesive.

05. RoAndCo

Founded by creative director Roanne Adams, NYC-based RoAndCo offers beautifully crafted design, branding and creative direction to clients in fashion, beauty, tech and lifestyle. Viewing RoAndCo's portfolio is an experience in itself, in keeping with the studio's work ethos. Projects are presented in an editorial-like fashion, allowing the viewer to flick through split-screen images, animated web presentations and full-screen video. It's a carefully considered design portfolio and a pleasure to view, whether you're browsing on a computer or a mobile device.

06. Robin Mastromarino

Paris-based interface designer Robin Mastromarino employs some neat UI animation touches to keeps things fresh on his design portfolio site. His projects appear as though they're on a wheel, juddering into view, which is an engaging effect. The images in each case study respond to scrolling by warping slightly. It's an effect that we wouldn't recommend for every creative, but for a UI design specialist, this strikes the right note and gives a taster of what the designer can do.

07. Active Theory

Entering Active Theory's portfolio website is like visiting a whole other world. It employs a moody, almost cyberpunk aesthetic throughout, and to great effect. From the atmospheric homepage animation with mouse-activated glitch effects to the trippy About page, the setting all gels together to form a cohesive package. The studio keeps things cleaner for its project pages. Each example features a full-screen animation overlaid with a short blurb and relevant links to further information, including detailed case studies hosted on Medium.

08. Raw Materials

Raw Material' s site is a feast for the eyes. The Work section is particularly fun, with more detail on projects shown through diagrams and images. We also like the 3D models in the 'Hello' section, which also appear in 'Contact'. Overall it's a fun fresh site that makes the studio stand out from the crowd.

09. Velvet Spectrum

Velvet Spectrum is the online moniker of visual artist and designer Luke Choice. He shows that simplicity can also make an impact on his homepage, which shows a montage of uber-colourful thumbnails that lead through to visually arresting super-size examples of his work for maximum impact. The black background keeps things clean and helps the work stand out. It makes for a simple but highly effective design portfolio.

10. Locomotive

Locomotive, a studio based in Quebec, Canada, specialises in crafting digital experiences, so it's taken care to make its design portfolio site an all-round delightful and engaging experience. Playful, entertaining animations bring the site to life, and not just on the homepage. It seems like thought and effort has been put into every detail. Little surprises keep the viewer's interest while they browse through the site, making this a perfect example of how animated flourishes can be used effectively without them becoming gimmicky or distracting.

11. Studio Thomas

Named after its two creative directors, Thomas Austin and Thomas Coombes, Studio Thomas in East London creates visual communication for both physical and digital worlds. Its portfolio is a superb example of Brutalist web design with plenty of neat touches. Projects are presented in an orderly but eye-catching way with clear visuals and wireframe models. The site perfectly reflects the studio's explorative and experimental attitude, and it backs up the studio's claim to offer "design for bold brands."

12. Buzzworthy Studio

Describing itself as a "badass digital studio in Brooklyn", Buzzworthy Studio really needed to come up with the goods to back up that claim, and happily, its portfolio does the job. It features dazzling web techniques from the off. Bold typography and animation combine to grab your attention, and a strong eye for aesthetics ensures that viewers stick around to explore all of Buzzworthy's projects. It's one hell of a calling card.

13. Xavier Cussó

This stunning portfolio site for Barcelona-based designer Xavier Cussó was built by Burundanga Studio. It shows off Cussó's work with bold colours, in-your-face typography and practically every animation and parallax scrolling trick in the book. But that doesn't make it feel overloaded. The animation makes and impact and maintains the viewer's attention throughout.

14. Merijn Hoss

Illustrator and artist Merijn Hoss takes a more pared-back approach, but his design portfolio is still very effective. Hoss creates beautifully detailed psychedelic works of art, but his profile presents his work in quite a simple, clean format. It's one of the most traditional approaches we've included on this list of design portfolios and isn't nearly as flashy as some of the previous examples, but it works well because the colourful thumbnails really pop out of the gallery's white background, putting the focus on the artist's work. Click the thumbnails, and large project images and a short description are revealed. Hoss's design portfolio is proof that you don't need all the bells and whistles to make an impact.

15. ToyFight

Manchester-based studio ToyFight uses a number of whizzy effects - from parallax scrolling to animated transitions and even 3D rendered versions of the studio's founders fighting each other. All of this could threaten to overwhelm the work on show, but seeing as it's been executed with such visual humour and panache, the site is a joy to explore. This is a good lesson in how personality can also sell creatives' work.

16. Made Thought

The London and New York-based contemporary branding and design studio Made Thought shows that bigger can definitely be better with a portfolio that's impossible to ignore. With an onslought of text and images facing you straight away, that then gives way to stunning examples of work. It certainly feels modern, aided by the fact the studio regularly updates its portfolio site to keep it looking fresh.

17. Malika Favre

Illustrator Malika Favre uses a full-screen edge-to-edge tapestry of thumbnails to entice visitors into viewing her vibrant artwork in more detail. The colours and layout already draw attention, while the arrangement of animated pieces within still artworks serves even more to keep eyes on the screen. Once clicked, the thumbnails reveal a full-screen gallery presentation of the work featured. It's displayed on complementary coloured backgrounds that show off her work to great effect and makes for a bold, colourful presentation that grabs the viewer's attention.

18. Yul Moreau

Born in Seoul, based in Paris and "raised by the '80s", Yul Moreau has a portfolio site that grabs your attention from the off with its splendidly garish background montage of retro video. This single-pager does a brilliant job of showcasing the art director's work, combining video, images, clever scroll effects and detailed text explanations to give a complete overview of his work.

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35 brilliant design portfolios to inspire you

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Picked by Creative Bloq's experts, the best design portfolios come in all shapes and sizes.

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Tailoring your portfolio for a very specific role

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Tailoring your portfolio for a very specific role

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“Even if you cover a shit in glitter it’s still a shit”: top creatives show us their CVs

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Cecile Dormeau: The German magazine Zeit Campus contacted me after they saw my work on It’s Nice That. I had to illustrate several articles in the magazine on different topics from students jobs and the expression shitstorm to music articles and recipes. That was fun! I was so happy to see that some…

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Writing An Effective CV with Younus Desai, Directory Group

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Writing An Effective CV with Younus Desai, Directory Group

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Writing An Effective CV with Younus Desai, Directory Group

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A CV brings together your professional achievements as an artist on one document.

Having a concise, up-to-date CV is vital. You'll use it to apply for exhibitions and other opportunities. Curators will also consider it when approaching you for a show.

A CV for arts opportunities is very different from a CV used for applying for jobs. Although presentation is important for either, an art CV has different requirements. This document is only concerned with arts-related CVs.

A good, clear, concise 2 page CV is best. Only include more information if the opportunity requires it. such as if it is for very established artists and they need to see more of your experience.

What to include on a CV

Include a selection of the following sections where relevant.

Name and contact details

Full name

Contact details (address, telephone/mobile, email)

Website and social media

Solo and group exhibitions

State if an exhibitions was solo or group.

Include the year of exhibition, exhibition name, gallery and geographic location.

Include the name of the curator if s/he is well known.

If you have had many shows, make the heading 'Selected Exhibitions'. Include the most interesting, impressive and relevant shows here.

Collections

List any private or public collections your work is in. List the year of sale followed by the name of collector / foundation / company etc.

Awards

Give details of any awards you have you won or made the shortlisted for.

Press and Publications

These include

Articles

Books

Academic papers

Coverage in press and magazines

That have written about you or your work, or that you have written for. Include the name of essay / article, name of publication, Issue / Volume number and date. Include a web link if possible.

Commissions

Include year, commissioner, and what the outcome was (eg, portrait, public artwork, etc)

Residencies

Including year and name and location of residency.

Gallery education

List any relevant experience you have and where and when you took part in specific projects. Only list this if its relevant to opportunity you're applying for.

Education

Details of your educational history with most recent first. Only go as far as qualifications attained after secondary school.

More tips on CVs

Things to remember:

Things to avoid:

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A CV brings together your professional achievements as an artist on one document. Having a concise, up-to-date CV is vital. You'll use it to apply for exhibitions and other opportunities. Curators will also consider it when approaching you for a show. A CV for arts opportunities is very different from...

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Creating effective CVs as a researcher — Vitae Website

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Advice for researchers on creating an effective CV for jobs inside and outside of higher education. A skills based CV will pay dividends in any job search.

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There are different types of CV, and if you want to be invited to interview selecting the right one is vital. Take a look at our example CVs and use these templates to help you craft the perfect document

People often create one CV and send this out regardless of the job or employer. This is a mistake that could lead to you missing out on an interview.

A standard CV isn't suitable for all jobs and levels of experience. A CV must highlight skills that match the recruiter's needs and sometimes you may need to use a different CV template to achieve this.

Chronological CV

Sometimes known as a traditional, standard or a graduate CV, a chronological CV is used to match your qualifications and work experience with the requirements for the job role. It is the most commonly used type of CV and is structured in reverse chronological order i.e. the most recent qualifications and experience are listed first.

This graduate CV template makes it easy for employers to identify potential candidates. It allows you to provide clear details of your qualifications, work history and responsibilities, which match the criteria provided in the job description.

It's important to include:

dates - cover any gaps in your history

qualifications and work experience - match these to the role you're applying for

additional skills and knowledge - cover essential criteria for the role.

Take a look at how to write a CV.

Skills-based CV

Also known as a functional CV, the skills-based CV can be used if you have gaps in your employment history. This type of CV template is also useful if you have limited experience or are applying for a job that is unrelated to your degree.

Employability skills are transferable to different roles and employers. The skills-based CV allows you to focus on the skills you have developed in various areas of your life.

It's important to:

position your skills profile prominently

match your skills with the role profile and use the same headings

provide evidence of how you've used your skills in real life situations.

Find out what skills employers want.

Academic CV

Focused on educational achievements, academic CVs are used when applying for lecturing or research-based roles. They differ to general or chronological CVs as they include sections on publications, teaching experience, research activities and conferences and presentations.

You need to ensure that your writing style is scholarly but clearly understood to those outside of your field of interest.

While longer than chronological CVs (there isn't really a set page limit), it's still important to keep academic CVs as concise as possible and to target them to the role's requirements, presenting each section in reverse chronological order. Your academic achievements, research interests and specialist skills should be placed on the first page.

Also include details of your research outcomes, potential future developments, and any funding or grants that you've received and professional memberships that you've gained.

Find out more about getting an academic job.

To find out how to market a PhD effectively, see your PhD, what next? If you're a postgraduate but not looking for an academic career, your CV should follow an alternative layout.

School leaver CV

Putting together a strong CV when you've just completed your GCSEs or A-levels with minimum work experience isn't easy but it can be done. The good news is employers rarely expect school leavers to have massive amounts of work experience - the length of your CV doesn't matter, it's the quality that counts.

Remember:

personal profiles are optional - do some research to see if the role you're applying for and the employer requires one. If you choose to include one on your CV, make sure it says something and adds to the document. Empty, generic statements won't impress.

make sure you highlight sought after skills and attributes from the job advert in your CV. You might not have a lot of experience but relate the skills and knowledge you do have to the role. Avoid trying to 'flesh out' your CV with irrelevant detail.

presentation matters - make sure it's consistent throughout and avoid final sentences or stray words trailing on to another page. Bullet points are not essential, but they can help you to be brief and get useful information into a limited space.

Find out more about getting into university, alternatives to university and applying for an apprenticeship.

Teaching CV

To make your teaching CV stand out begin by highlighting details of your school and teaching experience. This could be a mixture of paid and volunteer positions. Include relevant activities such as sports coaching, summer camps or working with youth groups.

Then outline your teacher educational achievements such as your teacher training and any relevant university modules.

List skills that will be useful in the role such as IT knowledge, languages and leadership ability and be sure to mention any interests relevant to teaching such as sporting activities or musical abilities.

Close by providing details of two current referees, such as one from your teacher training and one from teaching practice.

Local authorities and schools usually follow 'safer recruitment procedures' and so ask all applicants to complete a standard application form. That way no-one can hide information, which may be possible in a cleverly written CV.

Read more about getting a teaching job.

Technical CV for IT jobs

An IT CV, also known as a technical CV, can be used to apply for roles such as web developer, IT consultant, software tester or applications developer.

Include an introductory paragraph, which mentions your technical expertise and experience, and incorporate a 'key skills' heading, which will allow for more detail when discussing technical competencies.

While you might be tempted to showcase all your technical abilities at once, ensure that you highlight relevant skills first and foremost. You should also bear in mind that the document will need to be understood by non-technical people such as HR managers.

Use this CV template to focus on your:

ability to maintain existing software applications and develop new ones

experience of applying technical standards, theories and techniques

problem-solving capabilities

communication skills.

Explore IT graduate jobs.

Law CV

Also known as a legal CV, the law CV template can be used when applying for training contracts.

At this stage it's ok to leave out the personal profile (usually presented at the top of your CV). Who you are, your career ambitions and why you're applying for the role should be clearly stated in your cover letter. However, if you're applying for solicitor jobs further down the line you'll need to include this personal statement.

Begin by outlining your education background, making sure to include relevant electives, modules and awards. Then move on to highlight all legal work experience including vacation schemes, work placements or pro bono work.

Commercial awareness is incredibly important to employers so be sure to evidence this in your law CV. List all commercial experience, including relevant tasks and responsibilities.

Discover how to write a legal CV and cover letter.

Video CV

Generally video CVs are used for customer-facing jobs and creative roles in marketing, sales and the media, but a good, well thought out video CV can get you noticed by employers in any sector.

Take a look at how to create a great video CV for examples and advice on how to make one and learn more about creative CVs.

Find out more

Written by Jemma Smith, Editor

Prospects · May 2023

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Take a look at seven example CVs and discover how to create successful chronological, skills-based, academic, teaching, technical and video CVs.

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

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CV personal statements are like the sales pitch of your CV, but not everyone thinks they're useful. Discover if they're really necessary, how to write a CV personal profile and templates for inspiration

What is a CV personal statement?

A CV personal statement is a concise paragraph or summary, which details what you can bring to a job or company. It's also known as an opening statement, personal profile, personal summary or executive summary.

Sitting at the top of your CV, it's your opportunity to sell yourself to employers and to highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess.

While effectively and succinctly convincing recruiters that you're a good fit for the role, a personal statement gives you the chance to show off your strengths and share your career goals.

'The focus of your CV statement should be to target your offer to employers - why should they hire you and how are you different to other graduates? Therefore, making your personal statement as unique as possible is crucial to ensure you stand out from the crowd,' explains Alex Proctor, careers consultant at the University of Bradford.

Do I need a personal summary on my CV?

Traditionally, almost all CV types include a personal statement but there is some debate about whether you actually need to include one.

Some recruiters and careers advisers believe that personal profiles are one of the most important parts of a CV, as they provide an easily accessible overview of a candidate's ability, while others feel that personal statements are a waste of valuable space and time.

The latter belief is often the case with graduate CVs, as some employers feel that those just stepping onto the career ladder don't necessarily have enough knowledge or experience to warrant a personal statement. Because of this, a graduate's personal profile runs the risk of being bland and generic and stating things that should be a given, such as, 'I'm hardworking and organised,' which is why some recruiters believe that they are best suited to more senior CVs.

So while your CV doesn't need a personal statement, employers spend only seconds looking at application documents. With this in mind, a CV personal statement gives you an invaluable opportunity to make your application stand out as quickly as possible.

Alex believes 'that a CV personal statement is a good idea, because employers often have so many CVs to read through and the personal statement, if clear and concise, can elevate your chances of getting through to the next stage of the recruitment process.'

If you'd like to include a personal statement on your CV it might be best, as a graduate, to focus on your educational background and the career path you'd like to embrace. If you have relevant experiences use these to make your personal statement unique. 'If you haven't got much work experience, focus on what experience you can extract from your degree,' advises Alex. 'If you have taken part in various projects demonstrate what your role was. Alternatively, if you have written a dissertation, showcase your topic and what skills you have developed from this experience. Employers will value your individuality even if you haven't had masses of practical work experience.'

If you're struggling to give it context and get it right, make an appointment with your university's careers or employability service and ask an adviser to help you hone your writing.

What should I include in my CV personal profile?

In terms of length, a CV personal profile should be no longer than 150 words. 'It should be short, impactful and aligned effectively with the CV content,' explains David Ainscough, careers consultant team lead and deputy director at the University of Cambridge.

'A personal CV profile should include details of your educational background, evidence of work experience, as well as your career aspirations. You ideally need to ensure you are telling the reader what you can offer skill-wise and don't be afraid to also share any accomplishments,' adds Alex.

If you're struggling with what to write, break your personal statement down into three parts. Focus on:

Start by introducing yourself. For example, 'A recent graduate with a 2:1 in English literature from the Hillview University' or a 'Highly-skilled physiotherapist with five years' experience...'

Next, detail what you can offer the company. Ask yourself why you're suited to the role and cover any relevant skills or experience. If you lack practical work experience instead draw attention to your academic achievements, such as contributing to university publications, which developed written communication, attention to detail and teamworking skills. Or how you applied skills learned on your physical therapy degree during your time as a physio assistant for university sport teams.

Conclude your personal statement by highlighting your career goals. For example, 'I am looking to start my career in the exciting world of publishing and to develop the skills learned through my university studies and internships.'

It's up to you how you present this information; there is no hard and fast rule. However, personal statements are generally displayed as a single paragraph, without a title or subheading. You'll need to keep it consistent with the rest of your CV formatting, meaning that the font size and type will need to be the same throughout your document.

Also, consider the voice and tense you'd like to use. Personal statements can be written in either the first or third person, but you'll need to maintain this voice throughout - don't switch between the two.

Take a look at how to write a CV.

How can I make it stand out to employers?

Do:

'Remember that first impressions count so make sure you're giving the recruiter a comfortable reading experience. Layout and clarity are crucial,' says David.

Tailor your CV personal statement (and CV in general) to each application.

Be honest. Untruths are easy to uncover and lying on your CV is a criminal offence.

Provide evidence of skills and experience but remember to keep it brief. For example, 'experienced event manager, who led a team to organise a charity ball for 150 people, raising £5,000 - a 20% increase on previous years.'

Use the job description to help form your CV personal profile.

Stick to the word limit.

Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. The personal summary sits at the top of your CV so any errors will be immediately apparent.

'Keep it fresh. It needs to be reviewed in each application you make so consider something new to say each time,' adds David.

Read it aloud once you've finished writing to make sure it flows.

Don't:

Copy and paste from your cover letter or from online CV personal statement examples. Your personal summary needs to be unique and personal to you.

Include unnecessary personal information such as your age, marital status etc.

Use clichés, slang or jargon.

Use bland, empty statements like 'I work well independently and as part of a team'. This tells employers absolutely nothing about what you're capable of.

Overuse buzzwords.

Include quotes from previous employers.

Ramble. Recruiters don't have time to read through waffle, so get to the point.

Think about the connotations of the words you use - 'currently studying' implies things might change, 'trying' implies failure, 'might' or 'maybe' sounds like you're not sure. The words you use have power so choose them carefully. You want to sound confident, positive and enthusiastic.

Find out more about the top 7 CV mistakes.

CV personal statement examples

To help you get started take a look at the following CV personal profile examples.

Remember; avoid copying and pasting ready-made examples. Instead use them as a guide to craft your own, tailored CV personal statement. Take a look at our example CVs.

Find out more

Written by Jemma Smith, Editor

Prospects · May 2023

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

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Discover how to craft the perfect personal statement for your CV

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185+ Action Verbs That Will Majorly Impress Hiring Managers

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185+ Action Verbs That Will Majorly Impress Hiring Managers

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What's the best job for you?

Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Select the career path that aligns with you:

How many years of experience do you have?

What company benefits are most important to you?

Calculating your job matches...

Responsible for ...
Experience in...
Most resume bullet points start with the same tired old words hiring managers have read over and over-to the point where they've lost a lot of their meaning. They also don't do much to show off your accomplishments, and instead tend to just communicate your job duties.

So let's get a little more creative, shall we? Next time you update your resume, switch up a few of those common words and phrases with strong, compelling action verbs that will catch hiring managers' eyes.

What are action verbs and how can you use them on your resume?

Action verbs convey doing-for example, "She walked to the door," or, "The dog chased the ball." On your resume, action verbs show readers you accomplished something at your past jobs, you weren't just "responsible for" it. Instead you "streamlined" or "coordinated" or "executed" it. You got the job done and you achieved something in the process.

But be careful: Not all action verbs are as strong as others. For example, words like "led" or "handled" may have their place on a resume (sparingly), but don't give the reader any details about how you did it. Did you lead by assigning work to a team; by creating a road map for a project; by organizing resources, people, and deadlines; or by doing some combination of the three?

No matter what duty or accomplishment you're trying to show off, we've got just the resume action verb for you. Check out the list below, and get ready to make your resume way more exciting.

Action verbs for when you led a project

Actions for when you envisioned and brought a project to life

Action verbs for when you increased efficiency, productivity, profit, sales, revenue, or customer satisfaction (or reduced costs or time spent)

Action verbs for when you changed or improved something

Action verbs for when you managed a team

While "managed" may have a place on your resume (especially if it's a keyword), phrases like "Managed a team..." or "Managed employees..." are just reciting your job duties. Instead, you can show what an inspirational leader you were with terms like:

Action verbs for when you brought in partners, funding, resources, or clients

Were you "responsible for" a great new partner, sponsor, source of funding, or client? Try:

Action verbs for when you supported customers

Because monitoring the phones, answering questions, or providing customer service really means you're advising customers and meeting their needs, use:

Action verbs for when you did research or analysis

Action verbs for when you communicated

Action verbs for when you oversaw or regulated

Action verbs for when you achieved something

Did you hit your goals? Win a coveted department award? Don't forget to include that on your resume, with words like:

The Muse is a values-based careers site that helps people navigate every aspect of their careers and search for jobs at companies whose people, benefits, and values align with their unique professional needs. The Muse offers expert advice, job opportunities, a peek behind the scenes at companies hiring now, and career coaching services. You can also find The Muse on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Flipboard.

More from The Muse Editors

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185+ Action Verbs That Will Majorly Impress Hiring Managers

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No matter what duty or accomplishment you're trying to show off, these resume action verbs will show hiring managers you're the best candidate for the job.

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Talks to watch before a job interview | TED Talks

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Interviews can be intimidating. These talks are full of useful tips, tricks and advice that can help you land the job you're after.

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Learning to relax is the best body language tip

Psychologist Dr Gary Wood recommends forgetting about body language techniques during a job interview. "Body language takes care of itself when we are relaxed," he says.

But making yourself relaxed isn't easy. "Most people can overcome interview nerves by adopting some simple breathing and mindfulness techniques before and during the interview," adds Lisa LaRue, career coach at CareerWorx. One tip is to go into a quiet room and practice slow, deep breathing before you go in. When we are anxious, blood flows away from our brains, so this technique will bring the oxygen back to your head and help you to think clearly.

Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses

Before you have the interview, you need to be self-aware about your skills and weaknesses, says Claire Jenkins, founder of 121 Interview Coaching. "Really step inside the job description and the key words and phrases it contains to work out where you have more or less what they might want," she says. It's then a case of using this knowledge to convince your audience that you are the best candidate for the job.

Sarah Archer, co-founder of CareerTree, agrees that you need to think about what makes you stand out against other candidates. "Think about your unique selling points in relation to the role you are being interviewed for and communicate them clearly to the interview panel."

Archer adds that knowing your weaknesses is also a strength. "When you get asked about your weaknesses, employers are really testing your self awareness," she says. "They want to hear what you think your development needs are. My best advice to clients for this is whatever weakness you choose to share, have a strategy to manage it."

So if you say, "I sometimes take on too much", as a weakness then follow it up with an explanation of the way you manage that weakness. For example: "Now I have a detailed work plan so I can see how much spare capacity I have to take on extra work, and I've undertaken assertiveness training."

Do a mock interview beforehand

It's well-known that preparation is key for pulling off a strong interview, but Katherine Burik, founder of The Interview Doctor, recommends preparing your responses in writing in advance. "Edit and then practice saying your stories out loud until the responses sound succinct and support your claims. Know by heart the stories you want to tell that demonstrate your accomplishments."

Interview specialist Jon Gregory adds that running mock interviews with a willing friend or family member can also help you hone your technique. "Once you've prepared your answers to common questions, rehearse them thoroughly. This will greatly help with nerves also, if you suffer from them."

Don't give generic answers

"The more specific and tangible examples you can provide that demonstrate that you have the experience needed, the better," explains interview coach Margaret Buj. "In my experience most people unfortunately give very generic answers that don't make them stand out from others." A good way to stop yourself sounding generic is to provide as many specific examples as you can of how you've added value, of course making sure they're relevant to the skills the interviewers are looking for.

Victoria McLean,founder of CityCV.co.uk, agrees that a common mistake is to give basic answers. "The internet is a great empowerer, but it also means that we all have access to pretty much the same information." The way to get ahead of the competition is to apply the knowledge you've learned to the wider industry you're hoping to work in. "Anyone can learn facts about a company but not everyone can give the facts some context by showing an opinion or argument that draws upon the information they've learned," explains McLean.
Looking for a job? Browse Guardian Jobs or sign up to Guardian Careers for the latest job vacancies and career advice

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Take deep breaths, know your weaknesses and let your personality shine through, say the experts

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In order to put in a good performance and secure the job you need to make sure you're prepared. Take a look at these tips to get you interview ready

Types of interview

There are different types of job interview. In some cases, you'll only need to succeed at one of these to land the role. In others, particularly at large graduate employers, you may face several interview formats throughout the application process.

Face-to face - the traditional and still most common form of interview. You'll attend the employer's office and be questioned on your suitability for the job by an individual or panel. Face-to-face interviews usually last between 45 minutes and two hours, and may be preceded or followed by tests and exercises. Questions may be strength-based or competency-based.

Telephone - often used by employers early in the application process to filter large numbers of applicants. If you're successful, you'll typically be invited to a face-to-face interview or assessment centre. Expect a telephone interview to last around half an hour.

Video - increasingly popular among large employers, particularly for applications to graduate schemes. Video interviews can be live or pre-recorded and tend to last around half an hour.

Assessment centres - lasting a full day they enable employers to compare the performance of lots of candidates at the same time. You'll attend an assessment centre with other applicants and take part in tasks such as presentations, team exercises and psychometric tests.

Interview research

Your performance in an interview depends, to a significant extent, on how well you prepare. Don't leave this until the last minute. In the days leading up to the interview, focus your research on the:

Employer - you need to show that you understand the business beyond the basics. What sector does it operate in? What challenges does it face? Who are its competitors? What major projects has it recently completed? What are its culture and values? This kind of knowledge demonstrates a genuine interest.

Role - read the job description again and, if you completed an application form, go over it to refresh your memory of how your skills and qualifications match the job. It's vital that you can explain why you want the job, that you understand the role and, even more importantly, why the employer should choose you over other candidates.

Interview panel - try to find out who will be interviewing you. The email inviting you to the interview may include this information. Use LinkedIn and the 'About us' section of the company website to find out more about their professional interests and experience. This may help you to connect with your interviewers and create a positive impression during the interview.

Questions - consider how you'll answer common interview questions, as well as preparing some questions you'd like to ask the interviewer.

There are also some practical things to plan. When and where is the interview taking place? Have you planned your journey and checked the timetables for any public transport you need to take? Does all your equipment work for video and telephone interviews?

Getting a good nights sleep and having a healthy breakfast on the morning of your interview will stand you in good stead. If your interview is scheduled after lunchtime, make sure you eat something even if you're feeling nervous - you won't put in your best performance on an empty stomach.

Practice job interviews

It's a good idea to do at least one mock interview before the real thing. Your university careers and employability service will help you to practice your interview technique.

You can also write and practise answers to common interview questions with someone you trust - possibly even recording yourself and then reviewing your performance.

It's also worth testing your telephone connection and making sure that your laptop, microphone and any other technical equipment you need is working, and you know how to use them.

What to take

pen and notebook

your CV and interview invitation

your academic certificates and work examples if requested

photo ID

breath mints or gum

a bottle of water

money for transport and food.

In addition, for online interviews you may also need:

laptop/computer

headset/earphones

microphone

log in for the software you need to use.

What to wear to an interview

While many employers expect candidates to dress smartly, a growing number encourage casual wear at work, making it trickier than ever to choose an interview outfit.

What you'll be expected to wear depends on factors such as the size of the company, the industry it operates in and the culture it promotes. For example, a small creative agency may have different standards to a major accountancy firm.

If you're unsure on the dress code, ask before attending the interview. The key point to remember is that it's better to be too smart than too casual. Only opt for a more casual outfit if you're certain that's acceptable - if there's any doubt, go for smart business attire. Whatever you choose, make sure that your clothes are ironed and your shoes are clean.

For telephone and online interviews make sure you dress as though the interview is in person. Sitting in your tracksuit bottoms trying to act professional probably isn't going to go too well.

4 ways to make a good impression

As you're preparing for the interview, think about ways you can show yourself in a positive light:

1. Punctuality - arriving late will increase your stress levels and give the employer a bad first impression, so do your best to arrive in good time.

2. Positivity and enthusiasm - be polite and professional with any staff you meet before or after the interview and, if you're feeling particularly nervous, remind yourself that the worst thing that could happen is not getting the job. During the interview, respond to questions with positive statements, be enthusiastic about the job and avoid badmouthing your previous employers or university tutors.

3. Body language - give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s) before and after the session. Once you're seated, sit naturally without slouching in your chair or leaning on the desk. Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently and maintain eye contact.

4. Clarity - answer all questions clearly and concisely, evidencing your most relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It's acceptable to pause before answering a difficult question to give yourself thinking time, or asking for clarification if you're unsure what a question means. When answering, don't speak too quickly.

After the interview

As your job interview comes to an end, make sure you find out when you'll be informed of the outcome - and thank the interviewer for giving you the chance to attend.

Make some notes about the questions that were asked and how you answered them while the interview is still fresh in your memory. This will help you prepare even better for future interviews.

There are three potential outcomes:

Success - if you're offered the job, make sure it's right for you by discussing it with friends and family, and double-check details such as the salary before deciding whether to accept.

Rejection - if you're unsuccessful, don't be too downhearted as graduate employers receive large numbers of applications for every role. Email the company to thank them for the opportunity and request feedback from your interview so that you can improve your performance next time.

Further steps - interviews are typically the final stage in the application process, but if the employer has not been able to make a decision you may be asked back for a second interview.

Written by Rachel Swain, Editorial manager

Prospects · May 2022

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Discover all you need to know about interview techniques including what to take with you, what to wear and four ways to make a good impression.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Intellectual Property (IP) is a term that is used to describe creations of the mind, such as:

things you make, write or produce

inventions and ideas

the design or appearance of products

symbols, names and brands.

IP exists to help you manage and protect the way your work is represented and enjoyed. It is a legal right to protect your interests as a creative and equally for society to benefit from cultural production.

When working for yourself, with and/or for others, it's essential you recognise the potential value of your IP.

When collaborating with others in all areas of professional practice, consider the ownership and the use of IP as a central part of your strategic decision-making.

It can be overwhelming to navigate complex agreements, understand when you register your brand and identify how to protect your business ideas. Read our tips and advice on how best to manage and benefit from the value of your IP.

Designed with creatives for UAL creatives, the 'From idea to industry: valuing your creative rights' module is a practical introduction to IP.

Tips for collaboration

Ask yourself the following questions:

What is the project/purpose/goal?

Who owns the IP?

What is the financial agreement, if there is one?

How long does the agreement last?

Can anyone else use the created content or is it an exclusive agreement?

How will all parties benefit?

What is the long-term benefit of the agreement? Could there be further opportunities?

Tips for contracts

If you don't understand what you are about to sign, don't sign it!

Always agree something in writing. This does not always involve a formal contract but in any agreement it should be clear on the agreed terms between all parties.

If you are unclear how to proceed, seek legal advice.

Always think about what to share, how much to share and when to share it.

Always use a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to keep your invention a secret when talking to others. You can download an NDA template for free from the gov.uk website.

Useful links:

Get advice on pricing, invoicing and selling your work as a designer, maker or artist.

Read our guidance on how to launch and maintain a successful freelance career.

Explore our tips for finding new clients and work, and establishing yourself as a freelancer.

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Careers and Employability offers legal advice for UAL students and graduates setting up businesses.

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From idea to industry: valuing your creative rights

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From idea to industry: valuing your creative rights

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The online home for your studies with information, activities and communication relating to your course

Login Issues

If your Log in doesn't work please try resetting your password. If you still can't log in then please contact the IT Service Desk (24 hours) on (+44) 0207 514 9898 or email them at servicedesk@arts.ac.uk.

Partner College Research Degree Students - if you are a Research Degree student from Arts University Bournemouth, Falmouth University, Norwich University of the Arts or University of the Creative Arts, please email dlsupport@arts.ac.uk in the first instance and state 'Partner College Login Problems' in the subject line.

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The online home for your studies with information, activities and communication relating to your course If your Log in doesn't work please try resetting your password. If you still can't log in then please contact the IT Service Desk (24 hours) on (+44) 0207 514 9898 or email them at servicedesk@arts.ac.uk.

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This Padlet was designed to bring together all the resources we recommend to help kickstart your career.

It can be used in conjunction with our Career Guides or without.

For more information and support from UAL's Careers and Employability department please visit our website:

arts.ac.uk/careers

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UAL Moodle The UAL logo aligned with the text “moodle”.

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UAL Moodle The UAL logo aligned with the text “moodle”.