A basic guide to writing an application letter and a resume.

1. Writing an applicationWriting an application
letter and resumeletter and resume
Ervin RamosErvin Ramos

2. What is the primaryWhat is the primary
purpose of an applicationpurpose of an application
letter and resume?letter and resume?

3. What is the primaryWhat is the primary
purpose of an applicationpurpose of an application
letter and resume?letter and resume?
To get an interviewTo get an interview

4. What is a resume?What is a resume?

5. What is a resume?What is a resume?
Is it like aIs it like a journal or diaryjournal or diary??
Is it a mere chronology/Is it a mere chronology/
documentation of pastdocumentation of past
experiencesexperiences??
Is it primarily a documentIs it primarily a document
for self-expression?for self-expression?
Is it a personal statement onIs it a personal statement on
issues?issues?

6. What is a resume?What is a resume?
It is your personal advertisement.It is your personal advertisement.

7. What is an effectiveWhat is an effective
resume?resume?
As an advertisement, one should consider theAs an advertisement, one should consider the
audience, that is,audience, that is, focus on the employersfocus on the employers
needs, not yoursneeds, not yours. Ask yourself:. Ask yourself:
What would make someone the perfectWhat would make someone the perfect candidatecandidate??
What does theWhat does the employeremployer really want? What specialreally want? What special
abilities would this person have?abilities would this person have?
What would set a trulyWhat would set a truly exceptionalexceptional candidate apartcandidate apart
from a merely good one?from a merely good one?

8. What is an effectiveWhat is an effective
resume?resume?
Resume should beResume should be concise, brief, andconcise, brief, and
well constructedwell constructed..
Remember most resume readers haveRemember most resume readers have
aroundaround 30 seconds30 seconds attention span perattention span per
resume. Thus, it should not be more thatresume. Thus, it should not be more that
2 - 3 pages2 - 3 pages..

9. What are some commonWhat are some common
sections of a resume?sections of a resume?

10. What are some common sections of aWhat are some common sections of a
resume?resume?
 HeadingHeading
 ObjectiveObjective
 Work ExperienceWork Experience
 SkillsSkills
 Educational BackgroundEducational Background
 Achievements/InterestsAchievements/Interests
 Training and seminars attendedTraining and seminars attended
 Personal DataPersonal Data
 Character referencesCharacter references

11. What are three common types ofWhat are three common types of
resume?resume?
 ChronologicalChronological
 FunctionalFunctional
 Combination/TargetedCombination/Targeted

12. Resume 1Resume 1

13. Resume 2Resume 2

14. Resume 3Resume 3

15. Resume Writing: 7 deadly sinsResume Writing: 7 deadly sins
1.1. Bad Grammar or spelling mistakesBad Grammar or spelling mistakes
2.2. Incorrect contact informationIncorrect contact information
3.3. False informationFalse information
4.4. Lack of datesLack of dates
5.5. NegativityNegativity
6.6. Too much irrelevant or personal informationToo much irrelevant or personal information
7.7. Hard to readHard to read

16. Writing a cover letterWriting a cover letter

17. Sample 1Sample 1

18. Sample 2Sample 2

19. Sample 3Sample 3

20. Sample 4Sample 4

21. CreativeCreative
SamplesSamples

22. What are the main parts of a coverWhat are the main parts of a cover
letter?letter?
 HeadingHeading
 Date lineDate line
 Inside AddressInside Address
 SalutationSalutation
 Body of a letterBody of a letter
 Complimentary closeComplimentary close
 SignatureSignature

23. Writing TaskWriting Task

24. Cover letter checklistCover letter checklist
 Is your cover letter addressed to a particularIs your cover letter addressed to a particular
person?person?
 Is it brief and to the point?Is it brief and to the point?
 Is the opening paragraph an attention-Is the opening paragraph an attention-
grabber?grabber?
 Is your cover letter personalized?Is your cover letter personalized?
 Is the tone positive and confident?Is the tone positive and confident?
 Is your cover letter spotless?Is your cover letter spotless?
 Did you sign it?Did you sign it?