About Kaitlyn Elverson
Hello, I'm 25 and currently based in Worcestershire, UK. I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2019 with a BSc in Wildlife Conservation.
Which category below best describes the type of organisation you currently work for/or run?
Areas of expertise
Would you be willing to be approached and share your lessons learned in your area(s) of expertise with our community?
Would you like to be added to the calendar invitation for our monthly WildHub Socials?
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Nervours Daka
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Experts Like Kaitlyn Elverson
Recent Comments
Thank you so much for this! I'll definitely be sending an email!
Hi Kaitlyn
Firstly thank you for asking the question. All the recent advice I have been given regarding CV and cover letters Samantha Reynolds put very well in her response. My only additional advice that I have been given is Network for example LinkedIn and have your LinkedIn profile match your CV (not exactly as tailoring happens for individual CV"s). Also Beth said in the first session yesterday that she would be happy to connect and there were some generous suggestions regarding volunteer conservation roles. Volunteering networks and shows others that you are motivated and keen. Good luck. Once again thank you for asking this question the responses of others have been great to read.
Hi Beckie,
Really helpful info on the STAR approach there, thanks for that!
Something else I've just been advised on that might help everyone (which might seem like common sense) is to split your CV up into 'Relevant' and 'Other' sections, so that all of your 'relevant' experience can be seem front and centre on your CV and is easy to find and read.
Hope that helps and thanks Beckie and everyone for all your advice, I feel a lot more confident now!
Hey guys, I would also love to connect with everyone on LinkedIn and/or Facebook. My links are in my profile but can be found here too:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmarra/
https://www.facebook.com/dominick.marra.1
I fall into the "career-switcher" category having had a previous background in IT and more recently in sales (retail) and now looking to pursue marine conservation. I am flexible in my travels and feel like there is a lot more conservation work going on on the other side of the Atlantic. than there are here at home, but I'm open to go wherever an opportunity may take me. I hope that as I start to dip my feet into these waters that I too can assist others in pursuing their passions. The more of us there are that want to fight for the survival of this planet and the species that inhabit it, the more likely we are to succeed in it. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the weeks and hopefully months and years ahead.
Hi Beckie,
Great to know you're considering marine conservation, and thank you for all the resources, they are really helpful. I also would love to pursue a career in the marine sector, so if there is anything I can help with or just to chat, please just give me a shout!
Good luck and all the best!
Hi Kaitlyn! Thanks for posting, I'll be hopping on the FB group for sure. I'm actually doing some remote volunteering for a new UK-based charity which focuses on marine and coastal conservation education called Plover Rovers and I'm sure we could use more remote volunteers. I could always ask the "higher ups" about vacant positions if you'd like! The website is https://www.plover-rovers.com/ and they're also pretty active on social if you're curious.
Hi Aurora! Thanks for joining the group! I would love to join in on the volunteering too if possible, sounds like a great opportunity. I think I've seen/heard about them before, thank you for the link!
Hi Kaitlyn
Firstly thank you for asking the question. All the recent advice I have been given regarding CV and cover letters Samantha Reynolds put very well in her response. My only additional advice that I have been given is Network for example LinkedIn and have your LinkedIn profile match your CV (not exactly as tailoring happens for individual CV"s). Also Beth said in the first session yesterday that she would be happy to connect and there were some generous suggestions regarding volunteer conservation roles. Volunteering networks and shows others that you are motivated and keen. Good luck. Once again thank you for asking this question the responses of others have been great to read.
Hi Rosheen,
Thank you for your advice, it is extremely helpful, and also for reading/replying to all the others posts from Molly and Samantha. It's wonderful to see such a supportive group of conservationists! I think I will make another post about LinkedIn if you are personally interested in connecting, and hope others will start connecting to.
Hi Kaitlyn,
I don't have a huge amount of recent experience, but here are a few things I do:
- Pull out keywords and phrases from the job description and make to include them in my CV and Cover Letter, some companies now use screening software.
-I tailor my CV and Cover Letter for every job I apply for to make sure I each of the competencies I have are clear to whoever is reviewing applications.
- I research the company I am applying to and will make sure I state why I want to work for them and what I can offer them. Sometimes when you read through the job description you can think of some other skills you have that aren't stated that could help. If they don't give a name for who to address the cover letter to, I try and find one. This is easier if the job description details the line of reporting.
- Sometimes cover letters can feel a bit stuffy so I try to inject a bit of my personality into it to try and make it feel like a real person rather than just a piece of paper.
- And lastly, "you can't win if you don't play the game". You don't have to have all the essential skills to apply, if you have most of them just apply anyway, you never know what might happen. I applied for a job completely out of my sector a few years ago because I just needed the work. One of the things that got me an interview was that I had worked in the Seychelles and the manager had just been there to celebrate a big wedding anniversary.
- Follow up. From what I have seen there's usually a two to four-week turnaround. If you don't hear anything after two weeks send them an email reiterating your interest and ask if they would like any extra information.
I hope some of this is useful. Good luck. I'm also applying for jobs at the moment, so can understand your hesitations. I'd be happy to have a read through any application documents if that would be helpful.
Thank you Samantha, that is fantastic advice!
Some of your tips I try to do anyway, especially the key word bit (only just picked up on that in my last few applications).
I really appreciate the offer of reading through some applications, and would love a second eye on them if you have the time. Is there a best way of sending them to you?
Good luck too and thanks again!