Covering letter
When sending in a CV or
job application form,
you must include a
covering letter.
The purpose of the letter
is:
To make sure that the CV arrives on the
desk of the correct person.
To persuade the person to read your CV.
To clearly say what job you are interested
in.
To say why you want that particular job
with that particular employer
Your covering letter determines a company's
first impression of you, as it reveals your
professionalism, communication skills,
personality and a brief summary of your
qualifications
BEGIN -----------> END
This is with reference to I wish to introduce myself In response to your
your advertisement in as a young graduate with advertisement in the
today’s newspaper for a bachelors degree in Times Of India, May 20th
the post of a Accountant Science but am without a 2005, I have the
in your company, I job. pleasure of offering my
hereby offer my services for the post of
services for the job. executive.
I posses a spirit of
enterprise to accomplish
all the tasks concerning
I enclose herewith the job. I assure you
copies of my resume I may assure you, sir, that if I am given the job
and certificates. Let if given a chance to in your concern, I will
me assure you that if serve you, I shall contribute in my humble
you appoint me, I work diligently. way in managing
shall leave no stone accounts with the best
unturned to satisfy method.
you with my work I hope you will consider
Job Applications
Application Letter Format
To Whom It May Concern:
Application for the position of (Job Position)
I am interested in applying for the above position
advertised in ...(Newspaper) on [Job Post Date] . My resume is
attached for your review. I am confident that my skills and past
experience could make great contributions to your organization.
Therefore I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my
qualifications for this position in greater detail with you in
person at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to
hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Job Seeker
How to write a
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
WRITING A CV
If you are looking for a job, then it is very
important that you understand how to offer
yourself in the best way to an employer.
This is done by writing a 'CV' (curriculum vitae -
Latin for 'life story'), called in some countries a
'resume'.
WHAT IS A CV FOR?
A CV or resume is quite simply an 'advert'
to sell yourself to an employer.
You should send a CV to an employer
when they ask for one in a job advert, or
when you are enquiring if any jobs are
available.
The purpose of your CV is to make you
attractive, interesting, worth considering
to the company and so receive a job
interview.
Picture yourself to be a busy
manager in the employer's office.
He (or she) may have to read
through 100 CVs in half an hour,
and will have two files - 'possibles'
and 'waste-bin'.
So yours must be easy
to read, short and
attractive
An employer may have several hundred
enquiries about a single job, he or she
will only choose a few people who
appear suitable for interview.
Therefore, your CV must be
as good as you can make it.
Before you start
Sit down with a piece of paper.
Look at the job(s) that you are applying
for.
Consider how your skills, education, and
experience compare with the skills that
the job requires.
How much information do you have about
the job description?
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Personal
details
Education
Work
experience
Interests
Skills
References
Personal details
Name, home address, college address,
phone number, email address, date of
birth.
Education
Give places of education where you have studied -
most recent education first.
Include subject options taken in each year of your
course.
Include any special project, thesis, or dissertation
work.
Pre-college courses (school, etc.) should then be
included, including grades.
Subjects taken and passed at or after college will
be of most interest.
Work experience
List your most recent experience first.
Give the name of your employer, job
title, and very important, what you
actually did and achieved in that job.
Part-time work should be included.
Ifyou have been involved in any type of
voluntary work, do give details
Interests
They will be particularly interested in activities
where you have leadership or responsibility, or
which involve you in relating to others in a
team.
A one-person interest, such as stamp-
collecting, may be of less interest to them,
unless it connects with the work you wish to
do.
If you have published any articles, jointly or by
yourself, give details.
Skills
Ability in other languages
Computing experience
Possession of a driving licence should be
included
References
Usually give two names - one from your
place of study, and one from any work
situation you have had.
Or if this does not apply, then an older
family friend who has known you for
some time.
Make sure that referees are willing to
give you a reference.
Give their day and evening phone
numbers if possible.
Length of your CV
Maybe all you need to say will fit onto one
sheet of A4.
But do not crowd it - you will probably need
two sheets.
Do not normally go longer than this.
Put page numbers at the bottom of the pages
- a little detail that may impress.
Style
There are two main styles of CV, with
variations within them.
Chronological
Functional (also known as skills
based)
Style
Chronological
Information is included under general
headings - education, work experience,
etc., with the most recent events first.
Style
Functional (Skills based)
You think through the necessary skills needed
for the job you are applying for. Then you list
all your personal details under these skill
headings. This is called 'targeting your CV',
and is becoming more common
Presentation
Youmay vary the style according to the
type of job. A big company would normally
expect a formal CV on white paper.
But, perhaps, a CV applying for a
television production job, or graphic
designer, could be less formal - coloured
paper, unusual design, etc!
Consider using a two column table to list
your educational qualifications and
courses taken.
Optional extras
It can be good to start with a Personal
Profile/Objective statement.
This is a two or three sentence overview of
your skills, qualities, hopes, and plans.
Itshould encourage the employer to read
the rest.
You could add a photo of yourself - either
scanned in by computer, or stuck on. But
make sure it is a good one. The pictures
that come out from automatic photo-
machines usually make you look ill, like a
prisoner, or both!
