Athipathy Resume Preparation

RESUME` & COVERING LETTER

Vijay Lecturer in English

You won’t get a second chance to make the first impression -unknown

Your Cup of Tea Should be

Purpose of a Resume`

To get an interview A resume does not get you a job…

What is a resume? • Summary of professional history and qualifications. • Information about career goals, education, work experience, activities, honors, and any special skills that one has.

What All Can be offered Functional skills & personal qualities A list of…     

Work experience Academics Volunteer work Classes Course projects

 Activities  Clubs  Languages  Technical skills  and so on…

Functional skills SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS Advising people Handling complaints Analyzing data Interpreting languages Auditing financial records Interviewing people Budgeting expenses Investigating problems Compiling statistics Listening to others Coordinating events Managing projects Corresponding with others Mediating between people Creating new ideas Motivating others Delegating responsibility Negotiating contracts Designing data systems Organizing people & tasks Editing publications Persuading others

Planning agendas Programming computers Promoting events Recruiting people Reviewing programs Running meetings Selling products & services Speaking in public Supervising others Teaching classes Writing for publication

Note : Cannot Be Used Directly

Functional skills & personal qualities SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES Assertive Attention to detail Authentic Candid Committed to growth Cooperative Curious Dynamic Empathic Enthusiastic

Expressive Firm Flexible Generous Hard working Honest Loyal Open-minded Optimistic Patient

Persistent Perform well under stress Poised Resourceful Respectful Sense of Humor Sincere Spontaneous Tolerant Versatile Note : Cannot Be Used Directly

3 Types of Resume`  Chronological  Functional  Targeted

Chronological • Lists work experience in reverse chronological order. • Describes responsibilities & accomplishments associated with each job or educational experience. • Most important information at the top

Can be used, if • Last employer is well known & highly respected. • Plan to continue along your established career path. • Job history shows progressively more responsible position. • Applying to a traditional Organisition.

Should not to use, if • • • •

Changed jobs frequently. Changing career goals. Have not progressed in career. Have been away from the job market for some time. • Applying for the first job.

Functional Resume` •Lists functional activities separately from employment history •Listing skills and qualities into 3 or 4 functional areas

Work Experience • 1997-Present

U.S. Postal Service, Indianapolis. Worked as a Station Manager, delivering mail, overseeing retail sales, planning delivery to new routes

• 1994-1997

All Right Parking, Inc., Indianapolis. Worked as a Manager, handling customer relations, overseeing accounts, supervising twenty-five employees

• 1992-1994

Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis. Worked as a District Sales Manager recruiting and training new employees, managing crews of twenty-five carriers within nine counties, designing routes

Can be used, if • Want to emphasis capabilities not used in recent jobs. • Changing careers. • Entering the job market for the first time or reentering after an absence. • Past career progression has been disappointing. • Held a variety of unrelated jobs.

Should not to use, if • Want to emphasis career progress. • Have performed a limited number of functional activities. • Most recent employers are well known and prestigious. • Applying to a traditional organization.

Functional Experience Research Assistant (August 1998-August 1999)—Anna U. Assisted Professor Robert Thompson in: * updating statistical tables and charts * answering research questions via the Internet, library, and by establishing resources to provide the needed information President, Sociology Club (January-May 2000) * Raised over $2,000 for club expenses and Scholarships * Organized 10 activities for over 200 students * Designed and maintained club website

Targeted Resume` lists capabilities & Accomplishments pertaining to a specific job; briefly lists work experience in a separate section.

Can be used, if • Very clear about the job target. • Have separate career objectives & want a separate resume` for each. • Emphasis capabilities that have not performed for a regular employer.

Should not to use, if • Want to use one resume` for several application. • Not clear about capabilities or accomplishments. • Just starting career and have a little experience.

GENERAL GUIDELINES 

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Length: It is best to limit an entry-level resume to one typed page. Be as concise as possible in stating information in each section of your resume. Font: Avoid fonts smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point. Paper: Use 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Print your resume with a laser or high quality ink-jet printer.

Contents & style       

Resume` should be prepared before the application letter Present the strongest, most relevant qualification first. Use short noun phrases & action verbs, not whole sentences Use facts, not options. Avoid personal pronouns. Omit date of preparation. Should not mention the desired salary, work schedule etc

Heading & Contact Information Use title such as “RESUME`” as heading. ROHAN .R List your th #1276 9 Street Name Tatabad, Coimbatore - 12 Address [email protected] Area code 9894898948 Telephone number

Career Objective    

A clear statement of goals Type of work you want (not a job title) A broad and flexible goal to increase the scope of the job prospectus. Focus on what will be offered, rather than what is looked for

Remember: Everything on the resume should support this purpose/objective

Avoid overgeneralized statements: A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas. Avoid statements that focus only on what a company can do for you: A position where I gain experience in working on biological problems.

Make the statement as specific as possible:

A position which allows me to apply my background in engineering and high performance computing to biological problems.

Education 

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List all the relevant schooling, training & degree programmes, with the most recent first.  List name, location, date (entered & left)  Indicate - major and minor fields.  State the numerical base for grade point, if impressive.  List elective courses in descending order. List training experiences, seminars and workshop attended.

Work Experience  

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List all relevant work experience. State the month you started and left each job. Provide the name and location of the firm that employed you. List your job title and describe your functions

Activities, Honours Achievement & Skills 

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List all relevant unpaid activities, including offices & leadership positions List awards, scholarships, projects (to show an ability to work with others), etc. Writing or speaking activities. Include skills that are unique, such as computer skills, foreign language skills,

Personal Data 

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Omit data that could be regarded negatively or used to discriminate against you. List job related interests and hobbies( should indicate stamina, strength, sociability etc.)

Things to Remember 

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There is no perfect resume – only great works in progress There is no “cookbook” – only traditions & guidelines Keep your language concise, crisp & clear Provide concrete evidence (#, %, $) When in doubt, ask “does it support my purpose?” It is good, if the resume` has

“resume submitted in confidence”

JOB APPLICATION LETTER

Sole purpose of a job application letter is TO GET THE RECIPIENT TO READ YOUR CV

Remember  It should be clear, concise and straight to the point.  Should be brief  Not more than one page in length  Should be easy to read and flow through

Style of A Letter Since there are many formats for writing a formal letter…

It’s left to the individual

THREE PARTS OF A COVERING LETTER  The Introductory Paragraph  The main body  Closing Paragraph

The Introductory Paragraph  Should state why you are writing to them  If it is an advertised position, mention the position title and where it was advertised.  If you are "cold calling" a company then you should specify that you are applying for any current or future employment opportunities.

 This letter is in response to your advertisement inviting application for the post of…….in…….on……..  Please find enclosed my CV, which I am forwarding to you as an application for the position of.......

The main body

 Summaries your educational qualification  Summaries your experience and skills  Highlight- in what you specialise,  How many years in the industry or even the level that you have reached  A brief description of your personal skills  Use adjectives like "demonstrated ability", "well developed", "strong"

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

 The closing paragraph should ask for some action from the recipient  This is where you ask for an interview.  Thank the recipient for giving you the opportunity to apply

BEFORE MAILING THE LETTER  Concentrate on  Spell check  Grammatical errors  Punctuation

Thank You