LECTURE ON WRITING A RESUME AND COVER LETTER

OBJECTIVES:

A. discover what a resume is and what is a cover letter is;

B. note the different parts and purposes of a cover letter; and
C. write a good resume and a cover letter.

Defining a RÉSUMÉ

is simply a one to two page summary of your experiences and skills that are relevant to
the job you are applying for. Therefore, it is a very short description of who you are as a
perspective or as a future employee to the company.

Purpose

The resume's main purpose is always to get someone an interview. This is the first thing
that you have to submit whenever you are applying for a job and this is what most companies
would require you to pass or submit before even scheduling an interview

Now if you have a good resume, therefore, you are one step closer to getting an interview
which might land you or which might get you the job

Remember, as an applicant or a future applicant for a job, your resume is always going to
be your employer's first impression of you. That is why, it is very important to have a knowledge
on how to prepare and how to write a good resume.

Some of you might be wondering what the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae
is. Let us try to differentiate the two

Resume Elements Curriculum Vitae

 always shorter length  might extend to
two pages and more
(often limited to a one page or
maximum of two pages long only)
 only needs to contain highlights of purpose  shows a comprehensive
your professional and your personal history of educational and
accomplishments professional life

(everything that is related to

your educational background
your experiences as a student or
maybe as part of the educational
sector or your professional life
or your working background is
included)
  tailored to a very specific job listing organization  sections are often organized
depending on the job that you are in reverse chronological
applying for; order so it starts with the
latest going back to the least
thus, it can take a variety of formats current

If you are a teacher that is applying for a job, you write a resume. If you are a teacher that
is applying for certain positions across your city or your locality or in your country, you write a
resume.

However, if you are a teacher that is applying for a job abroad or a teacher that is
applying for a scholarship or maybe a higher position in the academia, then, you need to prepare
a curriculum vitae instead of a resume. They need to know more details about who you are as a
professional and who you are as an applicant

How to write a good resume?

1. ASSESS YOURSELF

You need to consider who you are as a person, who you are as a worker, who you are as a
future employee, and who you are as a professional. So, you need to ask yourself some questions
such as:

What are your talents and skills?

What projects or activities or some other endeavors have you participated in?
What are the things you are good at?
What else can you offer?
What else can you do?
What else can you learn?

2. PICK THE ITEMS YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AND EMPHASIZE

These are the things that we are good at. We stand out on these things. So, you should be
highlighting these things.

You have to be brief or concise to make sure everything you include in the resume is relevant
and connected to what you are applying. You need to keep it short because an employer is going
through many resumes in a day.

3. CREATE THE SECTIONS OF YOUR RESUME

You have to consider the following:

 a. basic information--- Name, complete address, complete mailing address, personal
contact details (cell phone number or telephone number), religion

b. educational background --- you just need to include (the school where you got your
degree, school graduated from, number of years); honors and awards received

c. experiences---- if there is any; limited to job experiences or else skip this section;
internships if there is any

d. organization---- if you are part of any, include what you have done for that
organization as part of your professional experience; include accomplishments or
duties and responsibilities in this organization

e. skills and interest--- basically the things that you re are good at; you may include set
of skills like proficient in writing or proficient in using the computer but the skills to
be included are relevant to the job you are applying for; include languages you speak

f. references---- these are people who they could contact and then ask about you and
who you best or people that could attest your personality and your professional
experiences. Try to avoid including family members. You may include professors or
teachers.

4. FORMAT YOUR RESUME

It is how you want your resume to look like when it is printed or when it is sent to your
future employer.

It is actually a common preference for most employers to accept resumes that are type
written or encoded.

You also need to keep it short and not too crowded. Make sure that there's only a page
for you or two pages for you to write everything especially if you already have a lot of
professional and educational experiences. The employer or HR personnel will not have a lot of
time to go through all the details of your resume.

All details provided are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Use fonts that are easy to read or are pleasing to the eye. It doesn't necessarily have to be
fancy in nature.

Try to keep headings centered or balanced with one inch margins on all sides

Make your headings and your name stand out. It is very essential that your name stands
out by increasing the font size or using the bold function on the word document
 Do not print it on colored papers. We do not do this and do not use scented papers as
well. Try to keep it simple but still presentable in nature.

Defining a COVER LETTER

A cover letter is basically a one-page document that is attached to the resume that you
will be submitting.

We write a cover letter because we want to express why we are the best candidate for a
particular job.

It also highlights your relevant experience. It also show cases your familiarity with the
company, which is very essential. Some companies would want you to have a background of
who they are because they want to find out if you are suited to the nature or in the culture of the
company itself. So, you need to be familiar with the company--- the background, it's

REASONS FOR A COVER LETTER

1. Introduce us to the hiring manager to whoever is going to be accepting our resume.

2. It also makes a strong case as to why you would be a good fit for the job.

So, in a cover letter you are trying to explain what makes you stand out from the other
candidates. You are trying to convince the hiring manager or the hiring personnel to hire you
3. It also proves your desire to work at their company in particular and why did you even
choose to submit your application to that particular company.

4. It could also fill in any missing data that could not be included in your resume as well as
gives the hiring manager a call to action. It enables them to respond to you.

A cover letter for a high school student is typically three paragraphs long and contains a
greeting and closing line. These cover letters usually focus on skills and career goals, rather than
prior job experience. Each job application requires a personalized cover letter addressing the
specific company and hiring manager.

What to include:

1. Start with a Header

 include a few pieces of personal and role-specific information at the top of your cover letter
to make it easier for a hiring manager or recruiter to follow up with you. If you'd like, you
can center your name and address at the top of the page, mirroring how it looks on your
resume.
2. Include a Greeting
 try to find the name of the person reviewing applications for the job. Address your letter to
this person with a common business greeting, such as "Dear [first and last name]" or "Dear
[position title]." Avoid using "To whom it may concern."

3. Write an Opening Paragraph

 mention the job title you're applying for and where you saw the position posting. Explain
your interest in the role and company to show you have done your research. The first
section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it is
important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.

4. Add a second paragraph

 should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position. Include key
achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position. Focus
on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impacts
you made.

5. Finish with a closing paragraph

 should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to the position. Instead of
repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific story or anecdote that displays
you're right for the role.

6. End with a professional signoff

 end your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the role and
why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look
forward to the employer's response about possible next steps. End with your signature at the
bottom.
Sample cover letter: