Resume and Cover Letter

Resume and Cover Letter

Resume Format & Components Language Style

General Guidelines

Questions First …

1) What jobs are you applying for and what skills, knowledge and tasks are required of them?

2) What are the differences between cover letter and resume? Their components &

Functions?

3) the types of resume?

4) the language styles of cover letter as well as business letter in general.

Outline

A. Format Resume

Controversies Component:

Overview Types

Components 1, 2, 3

Cover Letter

B. Language Style

C. General Guidelines

Appearance matters Questions for

discussion

D.

School Application T rivia

Controversies

over the format of Resume

One page or not. (Usu. one page for college grads.)

To be unique and creative or not. (with caution.)

Including hobbies and extracurricular activities or not.

Personal data (e.g. age and marital status) and photo.

 Follow the general principles and use your resume as your “personal” ad to show the

best of your qualifications.

Resume: Components

Heading

Objective ^(examples)

(optional) Qualifications (qualification summary) Education –

degree, school, date graduated, major,

GPA, honoraries, scholarships, offices held.

Experience –

dates employed (from ~ to~) employer, division, position title,

key responsibilities (& achievements)(examples).

Extracurricular Activities OR Activities and Honors Personal data & References

Types of Resume

+ Action Verbs

Types of Resume

Chronological (reverse chronological order) (example)

Linear (example)

Functional/Skills – emphasizes the

functional areas in which the applicant is strong at; organize experience by

functions one serves or skills one has. ( example)

Format 1: Chronological

Responsibilities in Block; use verbs

Source: Beatty;

Another example

Format 2: Linear: listing responsibilities

Samples

linear

Format 3: Functional Another example

Another example

Format 3: Skills (2)

Another example

source

Component 1:

Objectives, Qualifications &

Profile

C po

Heading & Objective

Heading: NAME, address and phone no.  Make it stand out!!!

Objective:

1. Should be supported by the other parts of the resume; 2.

can be directed at a specific job, or put in more general way; 3. (Shows your understanding of the nature of the job.)

e.g.

1. Secretary: a secretarial position which utilizes

interpersonal, organizational and computer skills, and provides chances to learn business

management.

Component 1:

Objectives(2)

2. Marketing: a position in charge of marketing project direction, product management, sales promotion, general administration for consumer goods company.

3. Secretarial Job in a International Trading company: A position involving computer skills, high demand of English, basic knowledge of

international trade in relation to fashion business.

An entry position in Public Relations department.

A management position in marketing, finance, or production. Resume: Components

Component 1-2: Qualifications

to emphasize skills and achievements required by or useful for a particular job or company.

e.g.

Strong background in Business Administration practices and concepts

2- year experience and summer internship in educational administrative office

Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint;

Good English communicative skills: speak and write very well

Experience as leader of college organization

Quick learner: able to grasp instructions accurately and complete tasks as requested

Industrious, dependable, detail-minded

Profile: Definition

A mix of both a career objective and qualifications summary

Can be styled as either a paragraph or bullet point list

Since they are not necessarily targeting a specific position, professional profiles are great when uploading your resume to job

search sites and networking resumes (source)

Profile: Elements

1. Years of Experience or (recent graduates)

Education

2. Specialty Area of Experience

3. Industry-Relevant skills

4. Achievements ( source)

(Customer Service Representative)

Customer service representative with over 4 years of experience in

account administration and

telephone sales./“A recent graduate of the School of Accounting at James

Madison University, with in-depth knowledge in corporate financing and operational accounting.”

Expert at designing and

implementing sales strategies.

Possess excellent customer service, sales, and communication skills.

Implemented a new sales strategy, cutting training expenses by 90%

while increasing close ratio by 10%

within a 3-month window.

Component 1-2: Qualification Summary: How

1. Extract key points to emphasize your accomplishments and skill set, but

keep the summary fresh, crisp and engaging.

2. Two ways: a. one paragraph with no more than 5 lines; b. bullet points ( source)

Component 1-2: Qualifications:

be Concise

Abilities-- in noun or adj. phrases (be

consistent); accomplishment, verb phrases.

Omit “I” and articles to keep your resume brief and to the point.

Examples:

I completed a 5-month internship in a busy administrative office. 

Resume writing: Completed 5-month internship in busy administrative office.

Component 1-2: Qualifications:

yes or no

Objective or Summary – better just

choose one of them. If you want both, objective comes the second

Yes or no? “For new entrants into the workplace, you likely have not had

enough experience to warrant a summary.” (source)

More here (how to produce a strong summary)

Component 1-2: Qualification Sample

Component 2:

Education

To be placed before Experience when it is more significant than the latter.

Give proper titles!

Fu Jen Catholic University

Bachelor of Arts in English, expected June, 2004 GPA: Grade Point Average (see next page)

Major Related Courses: (don’t list the general ones)

GPA

General Scale in Taiwan:

80-100=4.0 70-79=3.0 60-69=2.0 50-59=1.0

49 and below=0.0

In U.S.:

90-100=4.0 80-89=3.0 70-79=2.0 60-69=1.0

59 and below=0.0 Explanation: http://intra.tpml.edu.tw/study/upload/downloads/GPA.htm

Online GPA calculation:

http://apps.chasedream.com/gpa/

Component 3: Experience Responsibilities at work

e.g. secretary:

Transcribed dictation from three advertising agency account executives.

Accomplishments: became expert with a word

processor; increased typing speed from 50 to 75 words per minute; increased accuracy to 97%.

e.g. instructor, language institute

Taught English conversation and grammar to classes of children ranging from age 7 to 10.

Accomplishments: used lively methods to interest children of different ages, . . .

Component 3:

Experience --Responsibilities at work

e.g. translator, waitress

Communicated with customers in fluent English and Chinese, sometimes translating between the two languages.

e.g. administrative work, PR

Negotiated and arbitrated conflicts among team workers

Developed a climate of enthusiasm, teamwork, and cooperation

Introduced student projects as well as creative

ways of advertisements to different companies.

Cover Letter

Cover Letter: Components

Opening: 1. Your reason for writing; 2. Make a point that you think will be interesting to the addressee;

Highlights: Give examples of the qualifications which make you a good candidate.

Closing: ask for an interview.

Format: Use block format (all justified left) , single spaced, double-spaced between

paragraphs. (when to use/not use “snap to Grid”)

Language: specific and professional Objective: A good job with a famous

company.

Objective: A part-time English tutor.

An assistant position in procurement department which utilizes my skills in computer applications and negotiating deals and familiarize me with all facets of modern

procurement management.

An English instructor in a language institute which allows me to make full use of a variety of teaching methods to make

students talk spontaneously, correctly and meaningfully.

Language: specific and concise

Objective: A translator

Experience: Raised a lot of funds for student activities.

Experience: Taught a kid creatively.

A translation job which utilizes and further improve my abilities in general research, two-way translation between English and Chinese, as well as specialized knowledge in literature and religion.

Raised over 15,000 dollars from three companies for department annual play, 2000.

Used film scripts and lyrics to increase a high-school

student’s vocabulary. Used Role Play to let a class of 15 eight-year olds speak only in English.

Cover Letter: Opening

(1^st Par.) From the website of 104

Occupation Agency, I understand that

you are offering a working opportunity of the general assistant with requirements of high demand of English and basic

knowledge of trading and computer skills. That’s it?

From the website of 104 Occupation Agency, I understand that you are

offering a working opportunity of a

general assistant with requirements of high demand of English and basic

knowledge of trading and computer skills.

As one who fits your qualifications and wants to learn more about trading

business, I would like to apply for this position.

As an English major, I have not only

mastered English and computer skills, but also acquired a fair amount of knowledge in trading business. From the website of 104 Occupation Agency, I understand that I am exactly the person you ask for. I would,

therefore, like to apply for the position of general assistant you offer.

Cover Letter: Closing

I look forward to meeting your need in any possible interviews, and thank you for your consideration.

I look forward to discussing how my qualifications meet your needs in an interview, and thank you for your

consideration.

Cover Letter: Highlights

As both translator and receptionist at I-Lan

Children’s Folklore Festival, I accommodated the needs of 14 foreign performers from English-

speaking countries and introduced to them both cultural and geographical features of Taiwan. I helped solve their problems in daily matters and unexpected situations to make them feel

comfortable in Taiwan. Besides, together with the other staff members, I designed leisure activities to promote cultural interchanges among us. This experience improved the skills of communication and reception I have acquired at school in and out of class.

General Guidelines

Research the companies you are applying for well, and address what they need in your resume and cover letter.

Be self-assertive and matter-of-fact; do not exaggerate or flatter.

Be concrete: use verbs more than adjectives.

Appearance matters: what is appearance?

Appearance

grammar and spelling;

spatial arrangement of resume; font and spacing;

printing and paper qualities.

What else? A bit of creative and elegant decoration if possible.

Discussion

Which of the following jobs can we apply for right after graduating from

college without getting another degree?

How do you present the objectives or responsibilities of the following jobs?

Jobs …

English Teacher of middle and elementary level

marketing in the foreign company Secretary

tour leader

Editor, translator, journalist Salesman

PR

Librarian

Marketing manager? No.  check here

Tour Leader

entertains and manages people in ways that are fascinating, remarkable and exciting.

Serves as the primary point of contact and an adviser to the group that s/he manages.

well-equipped with the historical background, geography, current affairs for every destination and be updated on the various aspects of each

destination especially when most tourists nowadays have traveled widely and are well informed.

Has an out-going personality, decisive, organized, possesses good

speaking and people skills, inquisitive and above all a strong sense of Ethics.

knows what needs to be done before departure, before boarding, on- board, on-arrival and at the end of the tour.

References:

Beatty, Richard H. The Resume Kit. New York : Wiley , c1991.

Bostwick, B. E. Resume writing : a

comprehensive how-to-do-it guide. New York : Wiley , c1990.

OWL from Purdue U.