Transcript HOW TO WRITE A CV HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER.

HOW TO WRITE A CV
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
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As graduation approaches, students start thinking about their
future employment, either full time or part time. One of
the first things they have to do is to write and submit a job
application and a CV or résumé*.
In different countries, different conventions apply to the
process of job application and interviews. On the other hand, a
CV or résumé contains all the unchanging information about the
student, i.e. education, background and work experience. This
usually accompanies a letter of application, which in some
countries is expected to be hand-written, not word-processed.
Sometimes, if you have already had some working experience, a
supplementary information sheet containing information relevant to
this particular job may also be required.
_______________________
*CV abb. for curriculum vitae = a written record of your education and employment, that you
send when you apply for a job; pronounced in AmE [kə,rikjələm ‘vaiti:] and in BrE [kə,rikjələm
‘vi:tai]; Americans use résumé /’rezjumei/ more often
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When you apply for a job, you may need to fill in a company
application form (a standard company form) which asks for personal
details, your qualifications, and your work history or you may be asked to
supply a CV, which gives similar information, but which you write yourself.
In either case, you will need to write a cover letter to go with the
application form or CV. Since most jobs are advertised in the papers or
specialist publications, before you write your covering letter you should
study the wording of the advertisement carefully. Find out exactly what the
employer is looking for (e.g., your working experience, knowledge of foreign
languages, etc). Then in your covering letter, try to show that you have all
the qualities, qualifications, and experience that the employer is looking for.
Do not simply repeat all the information in the CV, but highlight the most
important parts.
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A CV format should include:
1. contact information
name
address
telephone
mobile phone
e-mail
2. personal information
date of birth
place of birth
citizenship
visa status (if you apply for a job abroad)
sex
3. optional personal information:
marital status
wife’s/husband’s name
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4. employment history:
position details and dates (in chronological order)
work history
5. education
high school
graduate school
6. professional qualifications
certificates
computer skills
7. languages
8. references
9. interests & hobbies
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RESUMÉ
American style
___________________________________________________
Jennifer Roberts
Married
1320 Forest Drive
No children
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Palo Alto, CA94309
tel: (650) 498-129
email: [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________
Objective
To obtain a position as a German-English translator with a
firm in the Bay Area.
Education_____________________________________________________________
1996-98
Master of Arts in Translation, Stanford University
1990-94
Bachelor of Arts (cum laude*)
Major: German; Minor: Russian, Georgetown University
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________________________
*at the third level of the three highest levels of achievement that students can reach when they finish their
studies at college
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Experience___________________________________________________
1998-present
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1996-98
1994-96
Languages
Freelance technical translator, German-English
mostly for hi-tech industries in California
Teaching Assistant (German), Stanford University
English Teacher, Cambridge Institute, Heidelberg,
Germany
Fluent German and Russian
Personal Interests
sailing, cooking and entertaining friends.
____________________________________________________________________
Reference
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Dr. M. Rosen, Chair, Department of Modern Languages,
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA94305
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RESUMÉ
American style
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On an American resumé you may choose whether or not to
include your birth date, marital status, children, etc.
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Begin with your most recent qualification and work backwards.
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Begin with your most recent employment and work backwards.
4 One or more references may be included on the CV / resumé
or they may be included in the letter of application instead.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
British style
Name
Peter James Green
Address
26 Windmill Road, Bristol BS2 6DP
Telephone
0117 945649
Mobile
1
0779 9238182
Email
[email protected]
Nationality
British
Date of birth
11 March 1977
Marital status
Single
____________________________________________________________________
Profile
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A highly motivated, well-travelled and creative graduate
with practical design experience in a large company.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Education / Qualification
1998-2001
1990-1997
Anglia Polytechnic University: BA in Graphic Design (First
Class)
Clifton School, 3 A levels: Art (A); Design and Technology,
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(A); Mathematics (C) 10 GCSEs
Employment to date
2001-present
EMS Corporate Imaging, Design Department,
Riverside House, 22 Charles St, Bristol
Skills
Computer literate: familiar with a number of
design and DTP packages; Clean driving license
Interests
Tennis, swimming, jazz
References available on request.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
British style
1
There is no need for a title or heading other that your own name.
Some people omit these labels.
2
Some people omit the Profile section.
Other useful phrases for a CV or resumé
•
•
•
•
•
Native French speaker
Near-native command of English
Adequate spoken Dutch and German
Baccalauréat, série C (equivalent of A levels in Maths and Physics)
The qualifications described below do not have exact equivalents in
the American system.
• I enclosed photocopies of my certificates with English translations.
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APPLYING FOR A JOB
British style
26 Middle Road
Bristol BS2 6DP
24 May 2000
Ms Emma Campbell
Personnel Manager
Multimedia Design
4 Kennnigton Road
London SE1 8DD
Dear Ms Campbell
I am writing to apply for the position of assistant designer
advertised in the Evening Post of 23 May. Please find enclosed a
copy of my CV.
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I have a degree in Graphic Design from Anglia Polytechnic
University. Since graduation last summer I have been
working for EMS Corporate Imaging on a contract basis.
I have become particular interested in interactive and
multimedia work and now I wish to develop my career
in that direction. I would welcome the chance to work as part of a
small, dynamic team where I could make a significant contribution
while developing my skills yet further. I would be happy to show
you a portfolio of my work.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Peter Green
Peter Green
Enc. CV
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A COVER LETTER
your address:
32 Green Road
K-10004 Freetown
March 2, 2011
the person in charge:
Mr Frank Peterson,
Personnel Manager
Jeans and Co.
254 Main Streeet
Seattle, WA 98502
Dear Mr. Trimm
I am writing to you in response to your advertisement for a local branch
manager, which appeared in the Seattle Times on Sunday, February 28. As you
can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and qualifications match this
position’s requirements.
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My current position managing the local branch of a national shoe
retailer has provided the opportunity to work in a high-pressure, team
environment, where it is essential to be able to work closely with my
colleagues in order to meet deadlines.
In addition to my responsibilities as manager, I also developed time
management tools for staff using Access and Excel from Microsoft’s Office Suite.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity
to personally discuss why I am particularly suited to this position. Please telephone
me at (360) 352-0259 after 4.00 p.m. to suggest a time that we may meet.
I can also be reached by email.
Sincerely,
Peter Smith
Peter Smith
Enclosure
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Applying for a job - British style
Ms Patricia Wright
Personnel Department 4
5 Multimedia Design
27 Albion Road
London SE1 8DD
1, 2 22 Rocks Lane
Bristol BS8 9DF
3 20 April 2011
Dear Ms Wright 6
I am writing to apply for the post of ...7
Since graduating from Cardiff University I have been working for ....
I would welcome the chance to work as part of a small dynamic team where I could
make a significant contribution while devloping my skills yet further. I would be happy to
show you a portfolio of my work.
I am avaliable for interview next week and look forward to hearing from you. 8
Yours sincerely 9
Mark Wallace 10
Marc Wallace 11
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Enc. CV 12
Applying for a job - British style
22 Rocks Lane
Bristol BS8 9DF
20 April 2011
1,2 Never write your name at the top of
the letter; write your own address
in the top right-hand corner.
3 The date can go on
either the left or right.
Ms Patricia Wright
Personnel Department
Multimedia Design
27 Albion Road
4 Personnel is sometimes
called Human Resources
 5 Write the address, name
and position of the person
you are writing to here.
Dear Ms Wright
I am writing to apply for the post of ...
6 Use Sir or Madam if you do not know
the name of the person you are writing to,
and use the person’s title (Mr, Ms, etc)
and their surname if you do.
7 In your application use
the word post, position
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or vacancy, not “job”
I am avaliable for interview next week and ...
8 avoid contractions:
I am rather than I’m
Yours sincerely
9 In British English end your letter
Yours sincerely if you have begun it
with a person’s title and family name.
If you have begun Dear Sir or Madam,
then end your letter Yours Faithfully.
Mark Wallace
Marc Wallace
10, 11 Sign your name and print it in full
afterwards.
Enc. CV
12 shows you have enclosed something.
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PARAGRAPH 1
I am writing ...
- explain which job you are applying for and how/where
you heard about it
other useful phrases:
• I noted with interest your advertisement for a .... in today’s edition of ...
• I am writing in response to your advertisement in ... for the position of ...
• I would like to apply for the vacancy advertised in ...
• I am interested in applying for the post of ...
• With reference to your advertisement in ...
• As you will see from my CV ...
• I have enclosed a copy of my CV, from which you will see ...
• Please find enclosed a copy of my CV.
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PARAGRAPH 2
Since graduating ...
- briefly describe your most relevant qualifications and/or
experience
other useful phrases:
• I am currently studying …. at …
• After graduating from …, I …
• Since leaving university, I have …
• On leaving school, I …
• Having gained a degree, I …
• While I was working at …
• During my employment at …
• I am currently employed at …
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PARAGRAPH 3
I would welcome ...
- explain why you want the job and why you think you
would be good at it
other useful phrases:
• This post interests me because …
• I would welcome the chance to gain more experience of …
• I would be greatful for the opportunity to improve my … skills.
• I have extensive experience of …
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PARAGRAPH 4
I am avaliable ...
- say how you can be contacted and/or when you are
available for the interview
other useful phrases:
•If you consider that my experience and qualifications are suitable …
•I am available for interview any afternoon and would be pleased to discuss
the post in person.
•I will be available for interview from … to …
•I can arrange to attend an interview whenever convenient for you.
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A CROATIAN COVER LETTER
Tijardovićeva 17
10110 Zagreb
(01) 3881 477
[email protected]
April 22, 2010
SIEMENS d.d.
Human Resources
Heinzlova 70 a
10000 Zagreb
Dear Sir,
I would like to apply for the post of Development Engineer, as advertised in the
April issue of Electronics Today. I enclose my CV with the name of one referee.
I consider myself well qualified for this post. My college work was good and I
have completed all my modules successfully. I have just graduated from the
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb and I got my
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Master’s degree.
I am now looking for a permanent position in a dynamic, interesting and
challenging working place which would give me an opportunity to fully
realize my interests and qualities and to continue my education. I am
confident that with my relevant qualifications, knowledge of English
and German, as well as my personal qualities, I will be able to satisfy
all your requirements.
Please find attached a copy of my CV and reference. Hoping that you would
take my application under serious consideration, I remain,
Yours faithfully,
Hrvoje Horvatić
Hrvoje Horvatić
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Date of birth:
Nationality:
Marital status:
Hrvoje Horvatić
Tijardovićeva 17
10110 Zagreb
(01) 3881 477
[email protected]
February 12, 1986
Croatian
single
Educational background
2008 – 2011
Graduate Study Programme (MSc), Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Computing, Zagreb University,
2004 – 2008
Bachelor Programme (BSc Undergraduate Programme), Electrical
Engineering and Information Technology, Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Computing, Zagreb University,
2000 – 2004
Mathematics high school (MIOC), Zagreb,
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Working experience
2007
summer practice in Electronics and Telecommunications,
Zagreb
Language
English – written and spoken fluently
German – finished elementary school in Berlin (my parents worked there)
Other qualifications
computer knowledge: operational systems: DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, UNIX,
programming in Fortran, Turbo Pascal and C, basics of SQL-a, developing Web
pages, (publishing information on the Web, HTML maps, HTML forms, basics of Java
script, etc), using MS office, Internet
Skills
driving license (category B) since 2002
Interests
theatre, movies, reading, swimming
Reference
Prof __________________, PhD
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JUST A FEW MORE SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE AND…
Ever since Croatia started democratic processes in the early
nineties of the last century, both Croatian and foreign companies and
employers have been advertising posts emphasizing
the need of applicant’s fluent knowledge of at least one foreign
language.
Therefore, CVs and covering letters should be written in a foreign
language, mostly English. The interviewers usually ask applicants to speak
English and if they get the job, they are often sent to specialize aboard,
usually to the country from which the employer comes from. For our
graduates, knowing at least one foreign language is an imperative not only
when European Union is regarded, but the Bologna process requirements
are the same.
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There are different kinds of interviews:
-
either traditional one-to-one interviews, or
-
so called panel interviews where one or more candidates are
interviewed by a panel interviewers.
Sometimes applicants have to demonstrate how they can cope in actual
business situations. The atmosphere of an interview may vary
-
from the informal to the formal and
-
interviewers may take a friendly, neutral or even hostile approach.
Different interviewers use different techniques and the only rules that
applicants should be aware of may be
“Expect the unexpected”
“Be yourself”.
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Of course, the salary is an important part in the process of job hunting. Certain
companies, beside a good salary may offer some
 extra benefits, such as
 a company car or
 cheap housing loans, bonuses paid in, the so-called “thirteenth month”,
 company pension schemes,
 free canteen meals,
 long holidays or
 flexible working hours.
All these definitely contribute to the attractiveness of a job.
Unfortunately, you can only dream about it.
What could help you is a good knowledge of at least one foreign
language.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING
LANGUAGES...

is no more a subject of discussion

it is a necessity, an obligation

it is the way how to make students globally competitive.

As Dr. Dan Davidson, President of the American Councils on
International Education says:

“Learning a foreign language is the first step to getting that
job that pays seven figures and gives you two paid Hawaii
vacations a year.”
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and more about
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES
A family of mice was surprised by a big cat.
Father Mouse jumped and said, "Bow-wow!" The cat ran away.
"What was that, Father?" asked Baby Mouse.
"Well, son, that's why it's important to learn a second language."
*******
A person who speaks two languages is bilingual...
A person who speaks three languages is trilingual...
A person who speaks four or more languages is multilingual.
What is a person who speaks one language?
An American.
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A JOB INTERVIEW JOKE
Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources person
asked a young applicant fresh out of school,
"And what starting salary are you looking for?“
The applicant said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the
benefits package.“
The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks
vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement
fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years - say, a red
Corvette?"
The applicant sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?“
And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."
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Good luck in writing a successful cover letter,
impressive CV and most of all,
find a good job!
THANK YOU!
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