COVER LETTERS & RESUMES

INTRODUCTION
In this topic, you will learn: 1. Useful guidelines for writing a cover letter. 2. Expressions that can be used for different parts of a cover letter 3. Format for writing different types of resumes

COVER LETTER
The letter of application is a cover letter for your job application Should be 1 2 pages in length and brief Accompanied by a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Serves to draw attn to relevant qualifications and work experience listed in the resume Make a match betw what you have to offer and the potential employers needs Persuade your potential employer to consider your applications carefully Support your request for an interview

Guidelines for writing a cover letter

Factors to consider: 1. First paragraph- use one of the following to draw the readers attn to what you want to offer and the job you are applying: summarise the job opening, name the job opening, ask abt the availability of a job opening; 2. Middle paragraph- use one of the following to persuade the reader to invite you to an interview: education, work exp., ability to work with others and/or alone; interest in your field, interest in the company and responsibilities in previous positions.

 3. Closing paragraph request an interview, stating that you will be happy to come to the employers office whenever convenient. - provide your tel. no. and e-mail address For a list of Useful Key Phrases, refer to Pg. 159 of the module

Solicited and unsolicited application letters

Definition The main difference between a solicited application letter and an unsolicited one is whether the company receiving the letter announced a job opening or not. If the company announced an opening, the letter is considered solicited because it was asked for. If the company had not asked for applications, the letter is considered unsolicited.

 The goal of a solicited application letter is to obtain an interview for a specific job position which the writer mentions in the letter. For example, the writer states that she is applying for the "Accounts Payable Clerk" position available. When a person writes an unsolicited letter, she hopes that the company has any position, within a certain area, available. This letter is more general and the writer states that she is applying, for example, to any type of managerial position within the company.

 A person writing a solicited application letter often: - includes where he heard about the opening; - states where he heard about the company. - Both types of letters are used to state details about the writer's qualifications, background and skill. - An unsolicited letter should also include some company information, such as an interesting fact or two the writer has learned about the company.

 When writing a solicited letter, get to the point of the letter immediately without spending too much time on unnecessary details. An unsolicited letter must immediately catch the reader's interest. Employers expect solicited letters when a job opening was announced, however, if no opening was posted, employers generally are not expecting to receive application letters. Therefore, an unsolicited letter must focus on benefiting the reader and the company. An unsolicited letter must also take action by the writer stating his intentions to call the company for a followup discussion regarding the application.

Write unsolicited cover letters

When you write an unsolicited application, many of the same rules apply as for solicited job applications. Pay attention to the following: Company or sector Finding companies Do research Send your application to the right person Be focused Be persistent

RESUME
A document that contains a record of your qualifications, work experience and achievements. A summary of your personal data including your educational background, skills, qualifications, work experience, references, hobbies and interests. Also known as curriculum vitae (CV) [British English]

TYPES OF RESUMES
1. Basic resume has all the normal parts of a resume but is simpler and shorter. - Suitable for school-leavers or those with little exp. 2. Functional resume - use a different order of presentation to highlight a wide range of skills and work exp. - start with most recent work exp that matches a potential employers needs, followed by subheadings e.g. supervisory, marketing, training, etc.

3. Specific resume
- prepared for a specific job with emphasis on qualifications, skills and experience which are particularly relevant to the job. - presents experience in terms of criteria advertised . - highlight all the action words /verbs e.g. achieve, adapt, report.