Writing an application Writing an application letter and resumeletter and resume

Ervin RamosErvin Ramos

What is the primary What is the primary purpose of an application purpose of an application

letter and resume?letter and resume?

What is the primary What is the primary purpose of an application purpose of an application

letter and resume?letter and resume?

To get an interviewTo get an interview

What is a resume?What is a resume?

What is a resume?What is a resume?Is it like a Is it like a journal or diaryjournal or diary??Is it a mere chronology/ Is it a mere chronology/ documentation of past documentation of past experiencesexperiences??Is it primarily a document Is it primarily a document for self-expression?for self-expression?Is it a personal statement on Is it a personal statement on issues?issues?

What is a resume?What is a resume?

It is your personal advertisement.It is your personal advertisement.

What is an effective What is an effective resume?resume?

As an advertisement, one should consider the As an advertisement, one should consider the audience, that is, audience, that is, focus on the employers focus on the employers

needs, not yoursneeds, not yours. Ask yourself: . Ask yourself: What would make someone the perfect What would make someone the perfect candidatecandidate? ? What does the What does the employeremployer really want? What special really want? What special abilities would this person have? abilities would this person have? What would set a truly What would set a truly exceptional exceptional candidate apart candidate apart from a merely good one?from a merely good one?

What is an effective What is an effective resume?resume?

Resume should be Resume should be concise, brief, and concise, brief, and well constructedwell constructed. .

Remember most resume readers have Remember most resume readers have around around 30 seconds 30 seconds attention span per attention span per

resume. Thus, it should not be more that resume. Thus, it should not be more that 2 - 3 pages2 - 3 pages..

What are some common What are some common sections of a resume?sections of a resume?

What are some common sections of a What are some common sections of a resume?resume?

HeadingHeading ObjectiveObjective Work ExperienceWork Experience SkillsSkills Educational BackgroundEducational Background Achievements/InterestsAchievements/Interests Training and seminars attendedTraining and seminars attended Personal DataPersonal Data Character referencesCharacter references

What are three common types of What are three common types of resume?resume?

ChronologicalChronological

FunctionalFunctional

Combination/TargetedCombination/Targeted

Resume 1Resume 1

Resume 2Resume 2

Resume 3Resume 3

Resume Writing: 7 deadly sinsResume Writing: 7 deadly sins1.1. Bad Grammar or spelling mistakesBad Grammar or spelling mistakes

2.2. Incorrect contact informationIncorrect contact information

3.3. False informationFalse information

4.4. Lack of datesLack of dates

5.5. NegativityNegativity

6.6. Too much irrelevant or personal informationToo much irrelevant or personal information

7.7. Hard to readHard to read

Writing a cover letterWriting a cover letter

Sample 1Sample 1

Sample 2Sample 2

Sample 3Sample 3

Sample 4Sample 4

Creative Creative SamplesSamples

What are the main parts of a cover What are the main parts of a cover letter?letter?

Heading Heading Date lineDate line Inside AddressInside Address SalutationSalutation Body of a letterBody of a letter Complimentary closeComplimentary close SignatureSignature

Writing TaskWriting Task

Cover letter checklistCover letter checklist Is your cover letter addressed to a particular Is your cover letter addressed to a particular

person? person? Is it brief and to the point? Is it brief and to the point? Is the opening paragraph an attention-Is the opening paragraph an attention-

grabber? grabber? Is your cover letter personalized? Is your cover letter personalized? Is the tone positive and confident? Is the tone positive and confident? Is your cover letter spotless? Is your cover letter spotless? Did you sign it? Did you sign it?