The Résumé & Covering Letter

The Résumé  - An important job search tool.

 The purpose of a resume is to gain the opportunity for an Interview or to create the interest of the employer and not to tell every detail. 

—  A resume is a structured, written summary of a person’s education, employment background, and job qualifications.

—  It is a persuasive business message intended to stimulate an employer’s interest in meeting you and learning more about you.

—  Résumé comes from a French word which means summary.

—  Usually one page long, sometimes goes to two pages

—  Includes the gist of an individual’s education, past employment, and skills

—  Personal information such as age, marital status not included

Qualities of a Good Resume

You have to write a CV or resume not autobiographies

A resume or a  V should reflect the personal image you want to create, therefore it should be:-

—  Neat and error-free with no hand corrections

—  Legible and well-spaced

—  Logical structure

—  Key information easily highlighted

—  No long sentences or passages but point in bullets

—  Text lined up or columns

—  Consistency of font

—  The ideal length of a resume 1-2 pages

Sample Résumé

What is Resume or CV?

The resume or bio-data is a brief record of the applicant’s personal details, educational qualifications, specialized training, experiences, references and any other relevant information. It is a summary of one’s personal and educational accounts. A resume is considered as a formal advertisement of a person’s qualifications.

Your resume (sometimes called your "CV") is your most important tool when applying for a job. It doesn't matter how qualified you are, or how much experience you have - if your resume is poorly presented or badly written, Also known a as job resume.

 

A resume is a brief written summary of a job applicant’s past employment history, education, and other pertinent information. The term resume is used primarily in America, where it has taken the place of the Latin expression curriculum vitae, or CV.

Resume Formats

When you are job searching, it's important to choose the resume format that works the best for your background and experience. Depending on your career level and work experience, some resume formats may work better than others at emphasizing your particular abilities and work history.

Your resume shows the employer how and why you are qualified for the job, and you will want to present your skills and experience in a way that will have the most chance of getting you selected for an interview.

Read below for information on the different types of resume formats, and a detailed example of a resume format.

TYPES OF RESUME FORMAT

The different types of resumes include chronological, functional, and combination resumes. Read below for more information on each, and for links to examples and further information.

 

• Chronological Resumes-- – The chronological resume format is most commonly used. It lists your work history in reverse chronological order (with your most recent work history listed at the top).

• Functional Resumes –--- Functional resumes focus on skills. They are organized by different types of skills or experiences, rather than by chronological work history. Functional resumes are good for people with gaps in employment history, or whose work history is not directly related to the job.

• Combination Resumes–--- Combination resumes are a mix of the chronological and functional formats. They provide a chronological list of one’s work history, but they also have sections that focus on different types of skills

 Basic Resume Format

Purpose of resume

Once you're in the workforce, your resume contains a summary of what you do for a living. Whether you're an executive assistant or the executive manager of a large corporation, you must be able to explain what you do. The ability to explain your responsibilities and the purpose of your duties is what enables you to move from one position to another. A well- written resume is proof that you understand how your tasks and responsibilities fit into the overall goals of the organization for which you work

Importance of Resume

Without a favorable initial impression, a prospective employer is likely to stop considering you as a suitable candidate for the job on offer and move on to other candidates who have provided better resumes.

 

Think of a resume as a tool for marketing yourself. It’s more than just a document: It outlines your background, your skills, and your education so that a potential employer is quickly and easily able to see how your individual experiences can contribute to a company’s success.

 

Resume is a medium for advertising yourself, it’s the first means in which you use to present yourself as a job applicant and try to claim that you are the best choice candidate to a prospective employer.

Difference between RESUME and CURRICULUM VITAE

A resume provides a summary of your education, work history, credentials, and other accomplishments and skills. There are also optional sections, including a resume objective and career summary statement. Resumes are the most common document requested of applicants in job applications. A resume should be as concise as possible. Typically, a resume is one page long although sometimes it can be as long as two pages. Often resumes include bulleted lists to keep information concise.

A curriculum vitae summary is a one-to-two-page, condensed version of a full curriculum vitae.

A CV summary is a way to quickly and concisely convey one’s skills and qualifications. Sometimes large organizations will ask for a one-page CV summary when they expect a large pool of applicants

Like a resume, a curriculum vitae (CV) provides a summary of one’s experience and skills.

Typically, CVs are longer than resumes – at least two or three pages.

CVs include information on one’s academic background, including teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, and other achievements. CVs are thus much longer than resumes, and include more information, particularly related to academic background

The Covering Letter

• A cover letter is a document sent alongside your CV when applying for jobs.

• It acts as a personal introduction and helps to sell your application.

• A cover letter is necessary as it gives you the chance to explain to an employer why you're the best candidate for the job

Sample Covering Letter

249, Ashok Bhawan

BITS, Pilani

Rajasthan – 333031

25 November 2014

To,

The Manager

Cisco Private Limited

5th cross, Sebastian Road

Hyderabad

India – 530016

Dear Sir

I was very interested to see your advertisement for a Software Engineer in The Hindu

(20 November 2014). I have been seeking just such an opportunity as this, and I think

my background and your requirements may be a good match. I am very much interested

in working as a Software Engineer in your esteemed organization. I enclose my résumé

as a first step in exploring the possibilities of employment with Cisco Private Limited.

I have worked as a project trainee in Satyam Computer Services Limited for the past 6

months. I was involved in developing a graphical user interface for Metadata Management

System. So I have hands-on experience in Java Swing, Java Security, JDBC, and Oracle.

As a Software Engineer in your organization, I assure you that I will work hard for the

improvement of your company. Furthermore, I work well with others.

I would appreciate your keeping this enquiry confidential. Thank you for your

consideration.

Yours faithfully

(Gopinath M.C.)

Enclosure: Résumé

Job Application Letter

A job application letter (also known as a cover letter) is a letter you send with your resume to provide information on your skills and experience. This letter is your chance to “sell” yourself to an employer, explaining why you are an ideal candidate for a position.

The letter of application is intended to provide detailed information on why are you are a qualified candidate for the job you are applying for

Your application letter should let the employer know what position you are applying for, what makes you a strong candidate, why they should select you for an interview, and how you will follow up.

In another word, an application letter is also called as a cover letter. It is considered to be the important document which you can send with your resume. In this document, you can add information related to your skills and experiences. This letter basically gives the reason to the employer to appoint you because it states your qualification for the particular job.

TYPES OF JOB APPLICATION LETTERS

1.         SOLICITED --A solicited cover letter is something you draft when you're applying for a posted job opening or responding to an employment ad. Start off the letter by introducing yourself and stating why you're writing. For example, "I'm writing in regard to the open marketing manager position posted on your website

2.         UNSOLICITED         An unsolicited cover letter is used to pitch yourself to a potential

Employer, either for an existing job opening, or as a way of introducing yourself to a company you'd like to work with. The former is known as "prospecting," and is used to let an employer know who you are and what kind of job you're looking for

FORMAT OF APPLICATION LETTER

Date  

(date of writing letter)

From:

(Your name)

(Your address)

 To,

(Employer’s name)

(Employer’s address)

Dear Mr. /Ms   (name of the concerned person),

I have come across your advertisement regarding the post of  (mention post)  in        (mention where you saw the advertisement) dated    (mention date of advertisement).

I am a graduate in (mention subjects) from      University (name). Currently I

am working in ………………….(name of current employer) as a       (designation). I have____

years of work experience.

 

I am sending all my certificates including resume for your perusal. Please inform me through email or call me on the telephone number given in the resume if I am short listed.

Your organization has good reputation in the industry and I want to be a part of this esteemed organization. If I am selected, I shall put in all me efforts and become an asset to the organization.

Looking forward to hear from you,

Thanking you,

 

Yours Sincerely,

(Your name)

Enclosures:--

SAMPLE  JOB APPLICATION LETTER

NileshDubey

46, New Palasia,

Indore

 Date: - 16-11-1990

 To,

 The Recruiting Manager,

General Electricals,

Uppal Road,

Hyderabad

 Subject            Application for the post of Civil Engineer

 Dear Sir/Madam,

This letter is with reference to your advertisement in Times Newspaper dated 28th September, 2013 for the post of onsite engineer. I am interested to apply for this job.

I am a graduate in Civil Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Currently I am working with a private firm as a civil engineer.

I am looking for better opportunities and find your job profile interesting. Your company has reputation in the industry as one of the best employee friendly organizations. I want to be a part of this esteemed organization.

I am sending my resume and all other certificates for your perusal. Please inform me through email or call me on the number given in the resume if I am short listed for the interview.

Looking forward to hear from you,

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Nileshdubey

Enclosures-1} Resume

     2} photocopies of certificate

SAMPLE  JOB APPLICATION LETTER

25th September

To,
The HR Manager,

IFB Services,

Salem Road,

 Chennai

 Subject: ---

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this letter in response to your advertisement in The Hindu newspaper dated 23rd September, 2013 regarding the vacancy for Area Sales Manager

I have a graduate degree in economics and a diploma in marketing management. Currently I am employed as Sales manager in Croma Industries Ltd. I have three years work experience in this field. I am looking for better opportunities which are suitable for my educational qualification and experience.

I am aware of the reputation your company has in the industry. I want to be a part of this esteemed organization. I shall put in all my efforts to become as asset to the institution.

Along with academics, I have been a sportsperson as well. I play cricket and represent the state in several tournaments. I am sending all relevant certificates including my resume for your perusal.

If you consider me as a suitable candidate for the post, please email me or call me on the telephone number provided in the resume.

Looking forward to hear from you, Thanking you

Yours Sincerely,

Vinay Kumar

Enclosures-1} Resume

     2} photocopies of certificate