Resumes
covering letter and resumeA resume or CV is a summary of your educational qualifications and work experience. Companies usually want to see your resume when you apply for a job. A cover letter or covering letter is the letter that accompanies your resume when you send it to a company. Both of these documents are vitally important in the job application process.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression
When you apply for a job, most employers want to have these two important documents from you:
a resume or CV
a covering letter
First impressions are important. Your resume/CV and letter are usually the first impression that an employer has of you. And because an employer may have hundreds of job applications to consider, you have about 15 seconds to make sure that first impression is a good one.
Why you need a good CV
Your resume/CV’s job is to get you an interview.
Your resume/CV is your visiting card, your ambassador, your shop window. It represents you and it has a specific purpose: to get you an interview! To do this, it must:
attract
inform
persuade
sell
A good resume/CV is one of your most important tools in the search for employment.
What a resume/CV is not
A resume/CV is not a book.
A resume/CV is not an obstacle.
A resume/CV is not a tombstone.
A resume/CV is not boring or difficult to read.
A resume/CV is not your life story or autobiography.
A resume/CV is not a catalogue of your personal opinions.
A resume/CV is not a list of problems with past employers.
What a resume/CV is
A resume/CV is short.
A resume/CV is attractive.
A resume/CV is an important document.
A resume/CV answers the question ‘Why?’
A resume/CV is interesting and easy to read.
A resume/CV is a list of benefits for the employer.
A resume/CV is as much about the employer as about you.
Why you need a good cover letter
Your covering letter must sell your resume/CV.
Before even looking at your resume/CV, an employer usually reads your covering letter. If it is badly-written, or untidy, or difficult to read, your resume/CV will probably go into the nearest trash-bin. If it is well-written, attractive, easy to read and persuasive, the employer will turn to your resume/CV. It’s that simple!
When crafting your professional profile, it’s important to use language that showcases your skills and achievements while also being concise and clear. As a non-native speaker, it may be challenging to navigate the grammar rules and vocabulary building necessary for creating a compelling resume. However, there are several strategies you can use to ensure that your language use and content are up to par.
Firstly, make sure to use action verbs when describing your experiences and accomplishments. This will not only make your resume more engaging to read but also demonstrate your ability to take initiative and accomplish tasks.
Secondly, avoid using jargon or overly technical language that may not be understood by your potential employer. Instead, focus on using language that is simple, clear, and to the point.
Finally, be sure to proofread your resume thoroughly to catch any errors in grammar or spelling that may detract from your overall message. By following these tips, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your skills and abilities, while also ensuring that your language use is professional and polished.
Look at the job adverts and the CV and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.
Tick all the things that you write on a CV. Then look at the CV below and see if you were right.
1. date of birth 8. friends
2. address 9. languages spoken
3. family 10. references
4. pets 11. telephone number
5. education history 12. email address
6. work experience 13. favourite food
7. skills
Writing skills practice: A CV – exercises
Check the picture and circle the best answer : multiple choice
1. Where does Natasha live?
a. Liverpool b. London c. Leeds
2. How many of her exams did Natasha pass at school?
a. none b. two c. nine
3. Natasha doesn’t have an email address.
a. true b. false c. answer not given
4. Are all the advertised jobs for weekend work?
a. yes b. no c. answer not given
5. Which two jobs are for weekday evenings?
a. babysitter b. waiters and waitresses c. computer shop assistant d. lifeguard
6. Which three jobs could Natasha apply for?
a. babysitter b. waitress c. computer shop assistant d. lifeguard
Check your writing: gap fill – completing a CV
Use the headings in the box to complete the CV.
Languages References Email Education Address
Date of birth Work experience Skills and interests Mobile
CV – Martin Luke Moore
1
_______________: 26 August 1997
2
_______________: 94 Albion Street, Birmingham, B23 2TF
3
_______________: Mooro@myworld.com
4
_______________: 0778 445 288
5
_______________: 7 GCSEs including English, maths and science
6
_______________: Cashier at a large supermarket
7
_______________: French – A2, German – A2
8
_______________: Mountain biking, drawing and computer programming
9
_______________: Mr Williams, Albion High School, Park Drive, Birmingham
Writing a CV
Task 1: what do you know about a CV?
Are these sentences true or false?
1. A CV is a document with information about you.
2. You use a CV to get a job.
3. You should put your photo on your CV.
4. Your CV should be 3 or 4 pages long.
5. It’s OK to have mistakes (spelling, grammar…) on your CV.
6. All information on your CV must be in full sentences.
7. Employers usually look at a CV for about 2 minutes.
Task 2: what parts does a CV have?
a) Write the missing letters. b) Match the parts 1-6 with their meanings A-F.
1 P_rs_n_l det_ _ils A jobs you did before
2 Ed_c_t_ _ n and q_ _lific_t_ _ns B things you enjoy (e.g. playing a sport)
3 W_rk exp_r_ _nce C your name, address, date of birth, email,
phone number
4 Sk_lls D the name of your school / college; exams you
passed
5 Int_r_sts E things you can do (e.g. speak a language;
drive a car; use a computer)
6 R_f_r_nc_s F names of people who know you (e.g. your
teacher or your boss), and who can say that
you’re good for a job
Task 3: Parts of Nisa’s CV
Nisa Thaoto is a nurse from Thailand.
Look at the details from her CV (a-f), and write them under the right
heading in her CV.
1. Personal details
2. Education and qualifications
3. Work experience
4. Skills
5. Interests
6. References
Task 4: Looking at Nisa’s CV and answer these questions:
1. Why did Nisa write this CV?
2. What does Nisa do now?
3. What words are in bold on Nisa’s CV?
4. What information did Nisa put in brackets (like this)?
5. How many full sentences (with a verb and a full stop) are there in Nisa’s CV?
6. Who are Mr Hargreaves and Ms Dangda? What does Nisa need to ask them?
Task 5
Complete Nisa’s CV. Write the headings in the right place on the dotted lines (…).
a. Education and qualifications
b. Personal details
c. References
d. Interests
e. Work experience
f. Skills
Nisa Thaoto CV
I am a nurse with qualifications and experience. I am looking for a job in healthcare in Beechen.
…………………………………………..
Address: 391 Newbury Road, Beechen, BE2 3AC
Email: nisathaoto@wow.com
Phone: 07746 128 497
Date of birth: 30 April 1992
…………………………………………..
2010-2011: Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok (Thailand). Diploma in Nursing
2012-present: Beechen College. ESOL course. I will take Entry 1 exams this term.
…………………………………………..
2011-2012: nurse at Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok
2013-present: volunteer assistant at Help the Aged (charity shop), 14 High Street, Beechen
…………………………………………..
Languages: Thai (fluent); English (elementary)
Computers: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
UK driving license
…………………………………………..
I enjoy football and played for the women’s team at school.
…………………………………………..
Mr Mark Hargreaves, ESOL Lecturer, Beechen College: mhargreaves@beechen.ac.uk
Ms Pikul Dangda, Head of Nursing, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok:
pikul_dangda@bumrungrad.com. Ms Dangda was my supervisor when I worked at Bumrungrad
Hospital.
Now write your own CV. Write information about yourself.