1. Crafting the Perfect CV
Why a CV matters
Employers use a CV to get a quick snapshot of your academic achievements, work experience and transferable skills. At LSE we stress relevance, clarity and brevity a twopage CV is the norm for graduate applications.
Structure and layout
- Header: full name, phone number, professional email, LinkedIn profile (optional).
- Personal statement (optional): a 34 line summary of your career objective and most relevant strengths.
- Education: list degrees in reverse chronological order, include institution, dates, grade classification and any relevant modules.
- Experience: work placements, internships, parttime jobs, research projects. Use bullet points, start each with a strong action verb, and quantify achievements where possible.
- Skills: technical (e.g., Stata, Python), languages, data analysis, communication.
- Additional sections: publications, conferences, volunteering, extracurricular leadership.
Key tips
- Tailor the CV to each role highlight the experiences most relevant to the job description.
- Keep formatting consistent: same font size (1012pt), bullet style and date format throughout.
- Avoid jargon and overly academic language; aim for clarity.
- Proofread several times a single typo can cost you an interview.
2. Writing a Persuasive Cover Letter
Purpose
A cover letter explains why you are the ideal candidate and shows you have researched the employer. It complements, not repeats, the CV.
Typical structure (max 1 page)
- Header: same as CV, plus employers address and date.
- Opening paragraph: state the position you are applying for and where you found the advert.
- Middle paragraphs (23): match your top three relevant experiences/skills to the person specification. Use concrete examples and quantify impact.
- Closing paragraph: express enthusiasm, indicate availability for interview and thank the reader.
- Signature: Yours sincerely, followed by your name.
Writing style
- Professional yet personable avoid overly formal clichs.
- Active voice and strong verbs.
- Show knowledge of the organisation (recent projects, values, market position).
- Keep paragraphs short (34 sentences each).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a generic template without adaptation.
- Repeating the CV verbatim.
- Focusing on what you want rather than what you can bring.
- Exceeding one page.
3. Completing Application Forms
General advice
Many employers especially large corporations and graduate schemes require you to fill out an online form. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
Common sections
- Personal details: ensure your name matches other documents.
- Eligibility: right to work, visa status, graduate status.
- Education: enter dates exactly as they appear on your degree certificates.
- Employment history: include shortterm roles, internships and voluntary work. Use the same bullet points as in your CV where space allows.
- Motivation questions: usually 200400words each. Use the STAR (SituationTaskActionResult) technique to structure answers.
- References: provide contact details of two academic or professional referees.
Tips for success
- Read every instruction carefully; some fields have character limits.
- Save your progress frequently technical glitches are common.
- Proofread before submitting; many systems do not allow edits after the deadline.
- When uploading files, name them clearly (e.g., Firstname_Surname_CV.pdf).
- Check that your LinkedIn or portfolio links are active.
4. Further Support from LSE Careers
LSEs Careers Service offers a range of resources to help you perfect each component:
- Onetoone CV workshops
- Coverletter templates and feedback sessions
- Guides on specific graduate schemes
- Mock interview panels excellent for practising how to discuss points you have written in your CV and cover letter.
