Resume and Cover Letter Guide PDF

Lesson 10 RESUMÉ, CURRICULUM VITAÉ AND BIO-DATA What is the purpose of a job application document?  The purpose of a job application document is to formally express your interest in a specific job position and to present your qualifications, skills, and experience to a potential emplo...

Lesson 10 RESUMÉ, CURRICULUM VITAÉ AND BIO-DATA What is the purpose of a job application document?  The purpose of a job application document is to formally express your interest in a specific job position and to present your qualifications, skills, and experience to a potential employer. It typically includes a cover letter and a resume, which provide an overview of your professional background and explain why you are a suitable candidate for the role.  This document serves as a tool to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview, where you can further demonstrate your fit for the position and discuss how you can contribute to the company. Resume  A resume is a document used by job seekers to present their professional background, skills, and accomplishments to potential employers. It serves as a summary of your work experience, education, achievements, and qualifications relevant to the job you're applying for. Example of professional background of an industrial engineer : Quality Control and Assurance: Industrial engineers may work in quality assurance roles, ensuring that products and services meet certain standards. Duties and Responsibilities: Developing Quality Standards Establish and implement quality standards for products and processes. Collaborate with management and production teams to determine quality benchmarks. Resume Definition: A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional background, skills, accomplishments, and work history. Purpose: Its primary function is to highlight your qualifications for a specific job, showcasing relevant experience, education, and skills. Content: Resumes typically include sections on personal information, a summary or objective, work experience, education, skills, certifications, and any relevant achievements or affiliations. Format: Resumes are generally concise, often one to two pages, and use bullet points to present information clearly and efficiently. Cover Letter Definition: A cover letter is a personalized, one-page letter addressed to the hiring manager that accompanies your resume. It provides context for your application and explains your interest in the position. Purpose: Its goal is to introduce yourself, express enthusiasm for the job, and explain how your background aligns with the company's needs. A cover letter also gives you the chance to convey your personality and motivations. Content: A cover letter typically includes an introduction, a brief explanation of your relevant experience, specific examples of how your skills match the job requirements, and a conclusion expressing interest in an interview. Format: The cover letter is usually written in paragraph form and tailored to each job application. It should be no longer than a single page. Resume Usually paired with a cover letter, a resume helps you demonstrate your abilities and convince employers you’re qualified and hireable. Example of Cover Letter Block Format Sender's address Date Inside address/Recipient's address Salutation ( use colon: ) Body The closing Body of the letter Please accept my application for the _______recently posted through __________. With my background in academe for five years, I am confident that I would make a very successful member of your team.  Having worked for the Local government, I have been exposed to a number of organizations which help me to develop my skills in communication and demonstrates capability in working with others through motivated approach while meeting the daily challenges that were presented to me.  In addition, I am very proficient in using computer-based works, file management and excellent in any form of communication. I would like the opportunity to make a substantial contribution as part of the staff at your organization. Thank you for your time and consideration.  Unlike a resume, which is more general and can be used for various job applications, a cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you're applying to. It allows you to show that you've done your research and understand the company's needs and culture.  You can use the cover letter to emphasize the qualifications and skills that make you a strong candidate for the job. Mention how your background and experiences align with the job requirements. Activity: Write your own Cover Letter Position: Quality Control and Assurance Inside address: Mr. Juan Dela Cruz HR Manager ABC Company Resume  Your resume communicates your qualifications and your brand, who you are and what makes you different—to employers and recruiters. In a tough job market, you need a resume that helps you stand out in a sea of applicants. Ultimately, the purpose of a strategically targeted, polished resume is to get you an interview.  For students, resume shows a future employer what you had done in the past. It details your skills and training, work experience, and education.  The purpose of a strategically targeted, polished resume is to get you an interview.  The spelling of “résumé” actually originates from French, and means “summary.” To this day, the purpose of a resume is still to provide employers with a summary of your relevant qualifications.  The popular belief is that resumes land jobs. NOT TRUE. Instead, the goal of your resume is to convince employers you’re worth interviewing.  To that end, your resume is a valuable tool you can use to highlight your experience to prospective employers.  Remember you are trying to sell yourself, so emphasize your strengths.  If your resume provides a concise summary of your relevant qualifications and skills in a format that makes your ability to handle the work as clear as possible, you will get more interviews. Most employers look for a steady job history and positive patterns of progression (ex. increased responsibility, promotions). However, each organization has different demands, and it is essential to learn as much as possible about the employer and what he or she is looking for. Your resume should be tailored as much as possible to match each employer’s needs.  Submitting the same resume for every position can't possibly meet each employer's individual requirements. If you want to grab hiring managers' attention, you need to give them what they want.  Tailoring your resume to a job description is a must. By tailoring your resume to the job description, you signal to the hiring manager that your experience is relevant and that you're the right person for the job.  Employers not only use resumes to find a good fit, but they also use them to weed through the applicants. At this point in the hiring process employers are handling numerous resumes and they are looking for mistakes to narrow the applicant pool.  From the resume, the employer will decide who they will and will not interview. Remember your resume should be a reflection of you! Your resume should accurately reflect your background and experience in a way that optimizes your qualifications.  If your resume is well-written, it will generate phone calls asking you to come in for interviews. If you are not getting phone calls and you are sending out resumes, then you need to take a closer look at what you are sending out. What Do I Include on a Resume? your resume should include the following sections:  1. Contact Information: This should be at the top of your resume and include your name, phone number, email address, and optionally, your LinkedIn profile or personal website.  2. Objective or Summary (Optional): A brief, well-crafted objective or summary statement can help the employer understand your career goals and what you can bring to the table. 3. Professional Experience: Job Titles and Dates: List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Include the job title and the dates you worked there. Company Name and Location: Provide the name and location of the company or organization. Key Responsibilities: Use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and achievements in each role. Focus on quantifiable achievements, such as "increased sales by 20%" or "managed a team of 10 employees." Action Words: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your accomplishments stand out. 4. Education: Include your educational background, starting with the most recent degree. Mention the institution's name, location, degree earned, major, and graduation date. 5. Skills: Highlight your relevant skills. These can include technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software), soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork), and certifications. 6. Optional Sections: Certifications: Include any relevant certifications or licenses. Volunteer Work: Mention any volunteer experience, especially if it's related to your career goals. Awards and Achievements: If you've received any awards or honors, consider adding this section. 7. Formatting Tips: Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) and an appropriate font size (usually 10-12 points). Maintain consistent formatting, such as bolding job titles and italicizing company names. Use bullet points for ease of reading. Keep your resume to 1-2 pages in length, depending on your experience.  8. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific job you're applying for.  9. Proofreading: Carefully proofread your resume to eliminate errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting. 10. Professionalism: Ensure your email address and any other personal information on your resume reflect professionalism. 11. References: It's not necessary to include references on your resume. Typically, you provide them separately when requested. 12. Online Presence: Ensure your LinkedIn profile and any other professional online presence aligns with the information on your resume. 13. Upload and Send as PDF: When submitting your resume electronically, save it as a PDF to preserve formatting. Assessment Write your own resume  Types of Resumes A common misconception is that there’s only one way to write a resume. There’s actually a variety of resume formats, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Depending on your specific skill set or work history, one format might be better suited to highlight your qualifications than another. For reference, there are four main types of resumes: Chronological resumes Functional resumes Targeted resumes Combination resumes  1. A chronological resume is one of the most common resume formats and is particularly useful if you have a consistent work history. In this format, your work experiences are listed in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent job at the top. (meaning your most recently held position is listed at the top). Example: For a Student or Recent Graduate: "Objective: A recent [your degree] graduate with a passion for [relevant industry or field]. Eager to kick-start my career in a [specific role] where I can apply my academic knowledge, strong work ethic, and [mention any relevant skills, e.g., 'analytical abilities and problem-solving'] to contribute to [Company Name]'s success." Skills: Technical Skills: - List technical skills, such as programming languages, software, or tools. Soft Skills: - List soft skills, such as communication, leadership, or problem-solving. 2. A functional resume, also known as a skills-based resume, focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than your work history. This format is useful if you have employment gaps, are changing careers, or want to emphasize your skills and abilities.  While similar to other resume formats, functional resumes are unique a few keyways: The resume introduction and skills section are longer and more detailed than usual. The work experience section is de-emphasized. 3. A targeted resume is a customized resume that is specifically tailored to a particular job or company. It's designed to demonstrate that you have the skills, qualifications, and experience required for a specific position.  To write a strong targeted resume, scan through the job listing for the position you want to fill. Typically, hiring managers include the skills, responsibilities, and traits that they want candidates to possess in the job description. Then, highlight these qualities on your resume to demonstrate that you’re an ideal fit for the position (if you have them). 4. A combination resume, also known as a hybrid resume, is a mix of both the chronological and functional resume formats. It combines the emphasis on your skills and qualifications with a brief employment history section. This format is particularly useful if you have a solid work history and want to highlight your skills and achievements.  A combination resume is a format that (true to its name) combines the best aspects of a functional resume and a chronological resume.  While a chronological resume focuses heavily on experience and a functional resume emphasizes skills, a combination resume typically leverages both work history and skills equally to demonstrate your qualifications. Curriculum Vitae  A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a detailed document that outlines an individual's professional and academic history, skills, and accomplishments. It is typically used when applying for jobs, academic positions, grants, or other professional opportunities. Unlike a resume, which is generally shorter and focuses on relevant experience for a specific job, a CV provides a more comprehensive overview of a person’s career and achievements. Key Elements of a CV: Personal Information: Name, contact details, and sometimes a brief personal statement or objective. Professional Experience: List of jobs held, including titles, dates of employment, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Education: Academic background, including institutions attended, degrees earned, and graduation dates.  Skills: Specific skills relevant to the field, such as languages, software proficiencies, or technical abilities. Publications and Research (if applicable): Any published works, research projects, or presentations given, especially relevant in academia. Awards and Honors: Recognition received for professional, academic, or extracurricular achievements. Professional Memberships: Memberships in professional organizations or societies related to the field. References: Contact details for individuals who can provide recommendations, although this section may be optional or “available upon request.” Tips for Writing a CV: Be Clear and Concise: Use bullet points and headings to make it easy to read. Tailor to the Role: Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the position or opportunity. Include Keywords: Many organizations use software to scan CVs for keywords, so be sure to include terms relevant to the job or field. Example: Job-Specific Skills: Technical Skills Soft Skills: Paper Quality Always use standard white, ivory, or neutral 8.5 x 11 inch heavyweight paper. Keep in mind that colored paper and ink may look hazy after copying. Departments will oftentimes make multiple copies of a CV and distribute it all the members of a search committee. While royal blue or apple red may look great, there is a greater likelihood that they will pose difficulties in the copying process, and may also not look quite as professional. Font style and size The most commonly used fonts are “Times New Roman” or “Helvetica/Arial.” The actual choice is a matter of taste and preference. Point size should be no less than 10 points, but not greater than 12 points. Do not overuse boldface, italics, and underlining, however occasional use should guide the eye and help the reader find useful information. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)? The primary differences are: Length Content Purpose  A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience, and education. A goal of resume writing is to be brief and concise since, at best, the resume reader will spend a minute or so reviewing your qualifications.  A CV, on the other hand, is a longer (three or more pages), more detailed synopsis of your accomplishments. It includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. Biodata  A biodata (short for biographical data) is a document that provides a summary of an individual's personal details, including their background, personal characteristics, and basic information. Biodata is often used in specific regions, such as South Asia, and can sometimes be synonymous with a resume or CV, but it usually focuses more on personal and demographic information rather than detailed professional or academic experiences. Typical Elements of a Biodata: Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, gender, marital status, nationality, and contact details. Family Details: Names and occupations of family members, especially parents, spouse, and sometimes siblings. Educational Background: Basic educational history, such as institutions attended, degrees earned, and years of graduation.  Professional Experience: Brief list of past job roles or career highlights, if relevant. Skills and Hobbies: Relevant skills, personal interests, or hobbies. Physical Attributes (optional): Height, weight, and other physical characteristics, especially in cases where the document is used for marriage proposals. Languages: List of languages spoken and level of proficiency. References: Contact details of individuals who can provide personal or professional references, if requested. When to Use Biodata: Job Applications: In some regions, biodata is used in place of a CV for job applications, especially for entry-level positions. Marriage Proposals: It is also common in arranged marriage settings, where families exchange biodata to evaluate compatibility. Government Forms and Documents: Some government and administrative forms might ask for a biodata-style summary, particularly for demographic surveys or visa applications. Reference RESUME WRITING WORKSHEET https://www.uwgb.edu/UWGBCMS/media/career-services/files/pdf/ Resume-Worksheet.pdf