5. Points for discussion.

• What are the sections of the resume?

• What are the rules for writing an effective CV?

• What is a cover letter? Why should you send your CV along with a cover letter?

6. Write a resume and a cover letter of your own. Resume preparation

All significant achievements in life are attained through knowledge, determination, hard work, and perseverance. If your goal is to secure a new job then you must be willing to dedicate all of your efforts to achieving that goal. It is unfortunate that many job seekers fail to have a resume or forward substandard ones to potential employ­ers. Resumes do not have to be fancy or elaborate ... but they must be truthful, organized, and presentable. The following clues will help you write of a good, basic re­sume:

• Type your resume with a clean, simple type style.

• Your name and all subheadings should be in bold type.

• Use proper spelling, grammar, and verb tense throughout. ( Keep your resume in a past-tense for­mat and use verbs that grab the reader's attention when describing employment history (see next page).

• Make sure all information is accurate and complete.

• Use black ink on white, quality bond paper.

• Attempt to keep your resume to one or two pages in length.

• It is recommended that you accompany every re­sume with a cover letter.

• Always forward clean, crisp copies of your resume to prospective employers.

• Take your time when composing your resume. Be prepared to write and rewrite it several times before you are satisfied. Remember you are representing yourself to a potential employer on paper only. Your credentials have to look good to help you get that first interview.

HEADING INFORMATION

The first page of your resume must begin with who you are, where you live, and how you can be contacted. This information is most often centered at the top of the page. It is advisable to type your name in bold print.

YOUR FULL NAME INCLUDING MIDDLE INITIAL

STREET ADDRESS FOLLOWED BY APARTMENT, IF YOU HAVE ONE

CITY, AND INDEX CODE, TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) INCLUDING AREA CODE(S)

Complete the following as you want it to appear at the top of your resume:

Your full name

Street address_______________ Apt. ______________

Index Code _______________

Your telephone number beginning with the area code

E-mail address _________________________________

If you want to list a day number separate from an evening number you can opt to do so either in the head­ing of your resume or somewhere within your cover letter. If you list more than one telephone number in the heading, do so as follows:

216/555-1212 (days) - 216/555-1234 (eves)

OBJECTIVE

This should be a one or two sentence statement of what position in a company you would like to attain. It can also include a goal you feel you could accomplish on be­half of the employer. Some examples are:

• A position in the transportation division of a manufac­turer, assuming full responsibility for the division.

• Account Representative ... acting as liaison between the manufacturer and its customer base in such a way as to increase sales.

List your objective. Then re-write it several different ways until you are satisfied with the way it reads.

EDUCATION

List your most recent degree or educational status first, followed chronologically in reverse order with other academic accomplishments. If you have a PhD or mas­ters degree, it is not necessary to list back to your high school graduation. If you have a bachelors or associ­ates degree, then it is recommended to list your high school graduation. This is also the section in the resume where you can list training seminars or brief post gradu­ate course work undertaken that enhances your abili­ties for the job you are applying. The following examples are offered:

Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio

1978 B.S. Education Cum Laude

Newbury High School, Newbury, Ohio

1974 Graduated College Preparatory

Bayside High School, Greenville, North Carolina 1

1990 Graduated General Studies

Mountainview High School, Port St. John, Virginia

1986 Graduated Vo-Ed, Cosmetology

List the following:

High School

Full name of school _____________________________

Location: City_____________ Region______________

Date of graduation_______________

Post High School (If you attended more than one insti­tution, list chronologically.)

Full name of college or university _______________

Location: City______________Region______________

Date of graduation_____________Degree(s)_________

Honors? ___________

Post High School

Full name of trade or technical school ______________

Location: City_______________Region_____________

Date of graduation __________

[ ]Certificate; [ ]License in _________________

or seminar in field of____________________________

sponsored by __________________________________

EMPLOYMENT

Although it is important to be accurate and concise with all entries in your resume, nowhere is it more critical than under the EMPLOYMENT section. Make certain that there are no unexplained time gaps between employers. Make sure employment dates, titles, responsibilities, and accom­plishments are precise.

Complete the following to assist you in drafting this section of your resume. Begin with your current or most recent employer and list chronologically in re­verse order a sufficient number of entries to support your career experience.

Company's complete name________________________

City_________________ Region ___________________

Dates of employment from (month)_____(year)_______

to (month)_______(year)________

Company's major product or service _____________

(For example: manufacturer and distributor of home fur­nishings)

Your title _______ _________________________

Description of duties____________________________

Accomplishments (major achievements over and above

your daily routine...

be concise, this is where you can really impress the reader)

Company's complete name _______________________

City _____________ Region __________________

Dates Of employment from (month)____(year)_________

to (month)_________(year)__________

Company's major product or service _____________

(For example: manufacturer and distributor of home fur­nishings)

Your title______________________________________

Description of duties ____________________________

Accomplishments ________________________________

PERSONAL

This section of your resume contains a brief summary of you with respect to your birth place, birth date (optional), health status (optional), marital status, military history and hobbies. Some examples would be:

Born May 19, 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio. Excellent health. Married with two children, ages 4 and 7. I enjoy reading and travel.

In addition to, or in place of the above examples, you may choose to write a brief passage of your immediate contributions to the company you are applying. For example: I enjoy a progressive work environment... one where I can apply my skills immediately ... available for any shift.

What would you want your PERSONAL section to in­clude?

Date of birth______________Birth Place____________

Marital status___________________________________

Military history__________________________________

Hobbies _________________________;______________

Number of Children _____________________________

Ages____________

Now write out your PERSONAL statement. Write it several times until you are satisfied with its content and appearance. _____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following is a selected list of dynamic, action verbs you may find helpful.

accomplished achieved acquired

acted activated administered

advised analyzed arbitrated

assembled assisted assumed

audited authored

balanced benefitted

campaigned channeled compiled

complemented composed conducted

conserved consolidated consulted

contributed controlled coordinated

counseled critiqued

decreased defended delivered

demonstrated designed developed

devised . diagnosed directed

disseminated distributed documented

edited eliminated enhanced

entrusted envisioned established

evaluated executed expanded

facilitated forecasted expedited

gathered generated graduated

headed hosted graphed

identified illustrated implemented

improved initiated inquired

instructed interfaced introduced

invested investigated

launched litigated

maintained managed maximized

mitigated modified motivated

negotiated networked

obtained officiated operated

optimized organized originated

performed prepared prescribed

produced promoted proposed

provided published

realized received recommended

reconciled recruited rendered

represented researched restored

reviewed revised routed

secured selected simplified

solved stimulated studied

summarized supervised supplied

systemized terminated trained

transacted translated

upgraded verified