Curriculum Vitae and Covering Letter Writing

Today, we are going to learn how to write a good curriculum vitae and a supporting letter, which you can then use when applying for a job.

I am sure you are all aware that getting a new job can be a stressful and difficult situation. We live in a very competitive environment in which you might face competition for a job from many people. It is not unusual for hundreds of people to apply for a good job.

A Curriculum Vitae, or CV, is a document that presents certain aspects of your life story to a potential employer. It is a kind of promotional document that includes facts such as your gender, age, nationality, and contact information, and your education, work experience, skills, interests, personality, plans and objectives.

A covering letter is the letter that you send with your CV when you apply for a job. Such a letter must be written with particular reference to the job you are applying for, and should not be a standard letter that you send to all potential employers.

Both the CV and the covering letter are used by the potential employer in the first stage of selection for a job opening.

If you get these documents right, you can move on to the next stage in the recruitment process, the interview; and if you get it wrong, your CV will find its way into the bin and you will not be called for interview.

However, it is important to state that there is a not only one way to write an effective CV and a covering letter. You may need to adapt your CV according to your age, gender, the job you are applying for, the country or culture you intend to work in, and the level of seniority or profession of your position.

Your CV will also reflect the stage of your career. For example, a newly graduated student with little or no work experience might put his or her educational achievements first as they are the main ‘selling point’ whereas

someone who graduated a long time ago might put their work experience first as this is the most meaningful aspect of the CV for the prospective employer.

You may also wish to adopt a certain style to create a desired impression (slide 2). Some people go for a very traditional style while others prefer a more modern and colourful style. The style does not really affect the content, but it may affect the impression you create with the employer.

How you do this depends on the factors mentioned above as well as your computer skills. If you have good computer skills, you CV could be a good way to demonstrate these skills.

What information should a CV include?

What are the most important aspects of CV that you look for?One survey of employers revealed that the following aspects were the most important: 

45% Previous related work experience35% Qualifications & skills25% Easy to read16% Accomplishments14% Spelling & grammar9% Education9% Intangibles: individuality/desire to succeed3% Clear objective2% Keywords added1% Contact information1% Personal experiences1% Computer skills

(2010 Orange County Resume Survey by Eric Hilden)

Let’s look at the parts of a CV. The first part of a CV is the factual information about the applicant (slide 3).

Objective

Your objective is what you hope to achieve in your life in regard to your career. You may also indicate how the current job fits into this plan. This statement can be put at the beginning of your CV as a kind of mission statement.

e.g. My objective is to work in a marketing position for an international company where I can put my extensive experience and skills to work for the company.

What is your objective?

Title and Full name: Title + first name + family name

Mr = a married or unmarried man

Mrs = a married woman

Miss = an unmarried woman

Ms = a professional woman who does not wish to disclose whether she is married or not (as she is at work to succeed in her career - not to find a husband!)

Dr = someone who is a medical doctor or who has graduated with a doctoral degree

Gender: Male or Female

Age and date of birth: e.g. 25 years old

Day/Month/Year 30/5/1995 (UK and Thailand)

Month/Day/Year 5/30/1995 (US)

Contact information

Postal address

Telephone number(s): (mobile, office and landline)

Email address (Note: choose a sensible and simple email address that is easy to write and convey over the telephone) e.g. NOT Kiss-me@gmail.com

Nationality: Note: this is expressed with an adjective

Your nationality is Thai, not Thailand and your country of origin/birth is Thailand not Thai.

Religion:

Your religion = adjective (e.g. I am Buddhist)

Buddhist / Moslem / Christian / Hindu / Jewish

The name of the religion = noun (e.g. My religion is Buddhism)

Buddhism / Islam / Christianity / Hinduism

It is not normally necessary to include a photograph with a CV, but in European countries (France, Germany Holland etc.) a photograph is often required.

You do not need to include social networking (e.g. Facebook page) but many employers will search your name to find out more about you. Be careful what you post on your social networks…

Complete the following table with your own information:

Title and Full name

Gender

Religion

Age and date of birth

Postal address

Telephone number(s) Mobile:Home:Office:

Email address(es)

Education

This section can be filled in chronologically (in time/date order) or in order of importance (highest to lowest)

Chronological order:

High schoolBachelor’s degreeMaster’s degreeDoctoral degree

Order of Importance:

Doctoral degreeMaster’s degreeBachelor’s degreeHigh school

It should also include the name of the course and the school/university + dates and GPAs/Gradese.g. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Studies (Chulalongkorn University)September 2005 – May 2009 GPA 3.5

Complete the following table with your own information:

High School

Bachelor’s degree(s)

Master’s degree

Doctoral degree

Work Experience

It is a good idea to put your most recent job first, but you could also present it in chronological order. It really depends on what you have done in your working career and how impressive or relevant the jobs are to the job for which you are applying. You should include the dates and a description of your responsibilities. Focus on the most impressive aspects of your job and those which are related to the job you are applying for.

The following are good phrases to use:

I was responsible for… (Your main duties)I helped to develop… (Something new or innovative)I was involved in planning… (A budget or future plans)I organized… (A function, event or activity e.g. a conference)I worked in a team… (To demonstrate your teamwork skills)

Complete the table with your own information

Job Title and Company

Dates Details

Other Skills and Qualifications

This could include various types of information, but the most important are the following:

Leadership skills

This should include anything in which you have demonstrated leadership and responsibility, whether paid or unpaid. For example:

I was the student president at university.I led a team that helped to build schools in remote rural areasI was the captain of the school football team

Language skills

This should include your proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC results or an assessment of your overall level of skill. (e.g. advanced/intermediate/ basic)

Thai: (First language) excellent speaking and writing skillsEnglish: Intermediate speaking and writing skills (IELTS 5.5)Chinese: Basic speaking skills

Computer Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Office, PowerPoint, Excel I can design and create HTML pages

Driving license

I have a clean full, current Thai driving license and 5 years of driving experience

Other

Any other relevant skills or qualifications

Complete the table with your own information

Leadership skills

Language skills

Computer skills

Driving License(s)

Other Skills

Interests and Achievements

You should not put too much detail in this section. Try to include interests that in some way relate to the job or that demonstrate aspects of your personality that would benefit your application.

e.g. I enjoy reading classic novels, such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. (This indicates that you are intelligent and cultured)

I play football every week. (This suggests you are healthy and physically fit and that you are probably a team player)

I am a volunteer for the Red Cross. (This suggests you are a person with a social conscience)

I won a competition for…. (This shows you are successful and ambitious)

Interests and achievements

References

It is best to select a person who you have known for a considerable length of time and who is respected and trusted in society, for example a lecturer, a doctor, a lawyer a teacher, or a qualified professional in another field. You must also include their contact information.

Reference

Writing a Covering Letter

Note: It is called a ‘cover letter’ in American English

A covering letter is a letter that is sent to a potential employer when you apply for a job. It is sent along with a Curriculum Vitae (CV). It is important because it is the first communication between a potential employee and the possible future employer. First impressions are important because, these days, there are usually many more applicants than job opportunities so there is competition between candidates. A badly written or incomplete application and cover letter may lead to the candidate being rejected without ever having the opportunity to be interviewed. Only about 1 in 5, and in many cases fewer, pass the application phase.

The reasons why a covering letter is important

1: It is polite and appropriate and is expected by a potential employer.

2: To demonstrate your knowledge about the job

3: To demonstrate your knowledge of the company

4: To demonstrate your suitability for the job

5: To create a good impression with the reader

6: To provide a summary of your CV

7: To demonstrate that you have crafted a letter to each of the potential employers as opposed to a standard letter to each

Match the following with the reasons given above:

to show how your skills and personality match the vacancy ______

to create a good first impression and to facilitate easy processing ______

to impress the reader with your knowledge (1) ______

to demonstrate that you know about standard business practice ______

to show that you are not lazy and have good attention to detail ______

to impress the reader with your knowledge (2) ______

to increase your chances of passing the first elimination stage. ______

The format of a covering letter

First and last name Day/ Month/YearAddressTelephone numberEmail address

Mr./Ms./Dr. First Name and Last NameTitle (position) + Name of Organization (if you have a job)Street + City + Postcode

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. + Last Name

Opening Paragraph: State the reason for writing, how you found out about the vacancy, and basic information about yourself.

2nd Paragraph: Explain why you are interested in the job (and/or company). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer/position and the ways in which your abilities match this. Mention specific qualifications that would be useful in the job and for the company. Focus on what you can offer the company, but not on what the employer can do for you, and how your personality and character are a good fit for the company/position. Mention relevant experience (from your CV) and mention that your CV is attached. If any other documents are required, (e.g. an application form) mention that they are also attached.

3rd Paragraph: Indicate that you would like to be given the opportunity to be interviewed. State your intention to follow up the application, such as by telephone, within a specified period of time. If you are likely to be in the employer’s location at a certain time, indicate when this will be. State that you would be happy to provide further information upon request and thank the employer for his/her consideration.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)

Your name (typed)Full contact informationPostal address/email/telephone+ Attachments

Read the following cover letter and then answer the questions:

Glen Greaves Tel: (0234) 567 3423

23 Luton Road Email: glengy@gmail.com

Dunstable LU54 67T June 14th 2018

To: Mr. William Burroughs,

Chief Personnel Officer

Chav Clothes Retailers Co. Ltd.

PO box 345 Luton Bedforshire LU 56 8YG

Dear Mr. Burroughs,

I am writing to apply for the Sales Assistant position at Next (Fashion Stores) advertised in the Bedfordshire Times on June 12th 2014.

I am very interested in fashion and especially in clothing for the younger market. I have worked at two clothing retail outlets in Luton and Dunstable, and I am quite knowledgeable about the market and the latest fashion trends. My experience when dealing with customers directly will be useful in matching products with customers and in seeking potential new customers for your products. I am able to use a variety of software including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and One Note, and I am generally computer literate. I also have office experience from working as an Administration Assistant for local government. I have attached a CV together with a completed application form and photographs as required.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet you to discuss your vacancy, and as I live in the area, I am willing and able to meet you at your convenience. I will telephone within the next two weeks for any updates. If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact me. I would like to thank you for considering me for future employment.

Yours sincerely,

Glen Greaves

Attachments: CV, Application form, two photographs

Questions

1: What is the job that Glen is applying for?

___________________________________________________________________________

2: What information can be found in the second paragraph?

i) __________________________________________________________________ii) __________________________________________________________________iii) __________________________________________________________________iv) __________________________________________________________________v) __________________________________________________________________

3: What do you think are his strongest qualifications?

i) __________________________________________________________________ii) __________________________________________________________________iii) __________________________________________________________________iv) __________________________________________________________________v) __________________________________________________________________

4: What else is sent along with the letter?

i) __________________________________________________________________ii) __________________________________________________________________iii) __________________________________________________________________

Exercise: Read the following covering letters for a job as a Salesperson for a high-street, budget retailer. Which people can you eliminate/shortlist, based on only the covering letter?

Mr. Simon Cowell Tel: (0876) 562 875445 Market Street email: simon@email.comLeicesterUK LE34 6TG

To: Head of Personnel Dept. 28/4/2014 Bargain Wine Sales Co. Ltd. P.O Box 34 Leicester LE56 6UHG

Dear Sir or Madam,

RE: Application for position as Sales Officer

I am writing in support of my application for the position of Salesperson at your company as advertised in Sales Monthly (23/4/14).

I am very interested in working in Sales as I have just graduated from university with a degree in marketing. I have worked in a part time capacity at a retail outlet in Wolverhampton (Tesco), and I am quite knowledgeable about the retail sector. My experience when dealing with customers directly will be useful in any sales job and in finding potential new customers for your products. I am able to use a variety of software including SPSS, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and I am generally quite computer literate. I believe that the future of marketing lies in the use of technology, social networks and internet marketing. I have attached a CV together with a completed application form and photographs as required.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet you to discuss your vacancy, and I am willing and able to meet you at your convenience. I will telephone within the next two weeks for any updates. If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact me. I would like to thank you for considering me for future employment.

Yours faithfully,

Simon Cowell

Enclosed: My digital CV and two passport photographs

Mr. Colin Firth Tel: (0876) 566 456927 Central StreetLeicesterUK LE35 5KL

To: Head of Personnel Dept. 28/4/2014

Bargain Wine Sales Co. Ltd. P.O Box 34 Leicester LE56 6UHG

Dear Sir or Madam,

RE: Application for position as Sales Officer

I am writing in support of my application for the position of Salesperson at your company as advertised in Sales Monthly (23/4/14).

I am very interested in working in wine sales. I have worked in the wine industry for many years in Birmingham, and I am very knowledgeable about this sector. I am sure that my experience will be extremely useful. I believe that having a personal connection with customers by visiting them in person is the best way to increase sales. I have attached a photocopy of my CV together with a completed application form and photographs as required.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet you to discuss your vacancy, and I am willing and able to meet you at your convenience. I will telephone within the next two weeks for any updates. If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact me. I would like to thank you for considering me for future employment.

Yours faithfully,

Colin Firth

Enclosed: A paper copy of my CV and two passport photographs

Ms. Delia Ponceby-Smythe Tel: (0872) 460 231445 Market Street email: ponce@email.comLeicesterUK LE39 4GF

To: Head of Personnel Dept. 28/4/2014 Bargain Wine Sales Co. Ltd. P.O Box 34 Leicester LE56 6UHG

Dear Sir or Madam,

RE: Application for position as Sales Officer

I am writing in support of my application for the position of Salesperson at your company as advertised in Sales Monthly (23/4/14).

I am very interested in working in wine sales. After finishing school in Switzerland, I studied Hotel and Catering in France, which involved a very detailed study of wine production methods and the serving and storing of fine wines. I have also worked in the City of London as a wine purchaser for Harvey Snobber-Waring and Partners, who provide an advisory service to the Royal family, many city gentlemen and various government departments. I am sure my experience in dealing with chateaux, wine merchants and high-end customers will be extremely useful. I can speak fluent French, Italian and some German, and I am also computer literate. I have attached a CV together with a completed application form and photographs as required.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet you to discuss your vacancy, and I am willing and able to meet you at your convenience. I will telephone within the next two weeks for any updates. If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact me. I would like to thank you for considering me for future employment.

Yours faithfully,

Delia Ponceby-Smythe

Enclosed: My CV and two passport photographs

1) What are the strengths of each candidate?

Simon:

Colin:

Delia:

2) What are the weaknesses of each candidate?

Simon:

Colin:

Delia:

Practice Task: Write a covering letter to apply for a job of your choice.

Remember to check your work very carefully.

For proofreading contact stevec_12@hotmail.com