cv and cover writing now made simple-by frimpong m. kwadwo

8/12/2019 Cv and Cover Writing Now Made Simple-By Frimpong m. Kwadwo

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C.V. & COVER

LETTER

WRITING NOW

MADE SIMPLE

2014

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO WRITE YOUR C.V

& COVER LETTER WITH EASE FOR THAT JOB.

FRIMPONG M. KWADWO



BACKGROUND

Cover Letter according to Wikipedia is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying

another document such as a résumé or curriculum vitae. Cover letters may serve the purpose of

trying to catch the reader's interest or persuade the reader of something, or they may simply be

an inventory or summary of the documents included along with a discussion of the expected

future actions the sender or recipient will take in connection with the documents.

Job seekers frequently send a cover letter along with their curriculum vitae or application for

employment as a way of introducing themselves to potential employers and explaining their

suitability for the desired position. Employers may look for individualized and thoughtfully written

cover letters as one method of screening out applicants who are not sufficiently interested intheir position or who lack necessary basic skills.

Poor cover letters. As much as we despise them, they are a chance to make a case, to cover

everything we can’t express in our resumes – which is a lot – and come across as real people to

potential employers. Don’t throw together a cover letter in the hope that nobody will actually

read it. To take advantage of its full potential, follow these approaches.

FOUR APPROACHES IN WRITING COVER LETTER

APPROACH 1:

Writing an Email Cover Letter

1. Include a salutation. There are a number of different kinds to choose from, and the greetingyou choose will depend on how much information you have about the company.

If you know the name of the hiring manager, your salutation should be something like"Dear [insert name]" followed by either a comma or a colon. Make sure to address themanager formally using their proper title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.).

If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "DearHiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team."

As a last resort, address the letter "To whom i t may concern," though we recommendavoiding this salutation, as it could come across as a template letter.

2. Write the first paragraph of your l etter. This is where you will mention the job for which you'reapplying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.

STARTING WITH YOUR OVER LETTE



3. Write the body paragraphs of your letter. Most cover letters will only have 1 or 2 bodyparagraphs. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his or hertime. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs:

Why am I a qualified candidate for this position? What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing?

Why do I want to work for this company specifically?

4. Write the final paragraph of your letter. This will be where you wrap up and discuss how youwill proceed with the application. Consider including the following:

Reiterate in one sentence why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position.

Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week

or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing

for the position and discussing your qualifications further.

Provide your contact information. Include your email address and your phone number so

the hiring manager can get in touch with you.

Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable).

Thank the person for their time.

5. End your cover letter with a respectful closing statement. "Best" or "Sincerely" are both

classic options. Also, since you won't be able to sign your email, finish the letter by typing your

full name.

APROACH 2:

Writing a Paper Cover Letter

1. Add a letterhead at the top of the letter. Your letterhead should include your full name,

address, telephone number, and email address. Some guidelines to follow when creating your

letterhead:

Your name should be in bold 14- or 16-point font.

Your address and other contact information should be in normal 12-point font.



The font of your letterhead does not need to be Arial or Times New Roman, like the rest

of your letter, but it should be professional looking and easy to read. The most important

thing to remember is to include up-to-date information so that you make it easy for the

employer to contact you.

You may want to include an extra line under the letterhead in order to create visual

appeal and to separate the letterhead from the rest of the letter.

2. Write the recipient’s name and address and the date below the letterhead. It doesn't matter

whether you put the date first or last, or how many blank lines you include between them, as long

as it looks professional.

From here on out, use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman throughout the entire letter,

set your margins to one inch, and use single spacing. Be sure your font is black, and if

you're printing your letter out, use standard-sized paper (8 1/2” by 11”).

3. Address the recipient. Be sure to refer to the recipient by his or her proper title (Mrs., Mr., Dr.,

etc.). If you’re not sure who the recipient is, write, “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir or

Madam”; however, it is always best to address a cover letter to a real person to make it look like

you’re not sending form letters.

4. State your purpose in the first paragraph. Tell the employer why you are writing to them in two

or three sentences. State the position for which you are applying (or the one you would like to

have should it become available).

You don't necessarily need to include how you became aware of the position unless it

was through a mutual contact or recruiting program—in which case you should make themost of the connection.

If you are writing a letter of interest (also known as a prospecting or inquiry letter) in

which you are asking about positions that might be available, specify why you are

interested in working for the employer.

5. Outline your qualifications in the middle paragraph(s). Make sure to match them to the

requirements of the position. If you are writing to inquire about open positions, tell the employer

how you can contribute to their bottom line, not what you want to get out of the deal. To do this,

use what you have researched about the employer's background and history.

Make your qualifications jump out at the reader by researching the company to which you

are applying for a job and tailoring your letter accordingly. This will also be useful if you

get an interview. Some questions to keep in mind as you write are:

What is the employer's mission? What do they promote as the one thing that sets

them apart from their competitors?



developed/reinforced/learned/etc."). However, this does not imply that every sentence

should start with "I..." so vary your syntax accordingly.

Colloquial (informal) writing. You want to sound professional and educated. Avoid all

forms of slang, unnecessary abbreviations, and texting lingo.

Incorrect punctuation.

2. Read your letter aloud to hear how it reads. Do not rely on the spelling and grammar checks

to catch mistakes. Consider asking a friend, or even two, to proofread your letter as well. If no

one is available to help, another good strategy is to spend some time away from your final draft (a

few hours or even a whole day) so that you can return to it with a fresh perspective.

APPROACH 4:

Ask Yourself Questions when Prepar ing Your Cover

Letter

1. Find your answers to these important question s before you start writing your cover letter:

What is the complete name of the company to which you are applying for a job?

What is the name of the person to whom you are addressing the cover letter?

What is the address of the person to whom you are sending the letter?

What is the title of the job for which you are applying and does it also have a reference

number that you should include?

What is the type of job or level of the position you are seeking?

"entry-level"

"management"

"senior level"

What skills do you possess that you are not using enough in your current role?

Would the ideal candidate for this new role be required to make more use of those types

of skills? What opportunities are missing in your current role?

Answering these questions will help you explain why you are interested in leaving

current position. For example, are you looking for:

"room for advancement"

"an opportunity to learn new skills"



What is your current job or educational position? This may seem like an obvious

question, but knowing how to clearly define your current role is a tremendous asset. For

example, you could be a:

"graduate student in environmental science"

"customer service professional specializing in the high-end retail market"

What is a general description of your accomplishments/experiences in the field to which

you are applying? For example, you could have:

"fifteen years of excellent customer service experience"

"an outstanding background in scientific research and discovery"

"a solid history of dependability in the automotive industry"

What assets can you offer to the company? List a few in your cover letter, such as:

"extensive experience with start-ups"

"demonstrated ability to solve problems"

"refined ability to manage teams"

What will you help the company accomplish, if given the job you desire?

"increase its bottom line"

"meet its goal of providing only the best in customer service"

"expand its customer base and increase its revenue"

IMPORTANT NOTES

Tweak your cover letter depending upon your target. If you are applying for specific jobs

then make it relevant as possible. Include the job reference number and address your

cover letter directly to the company contact (if you have their name). Alternatively, if you

are applying speculatively you can start with the salutation 'Dear Sirs,' and finish with

'Yours faithfully' rather than 'Sincerely'.

Consider namedropping if you are confident that the person you know at the company

you are applying to will vouch for you. Sometimes a bit of inside help does go a long way,

so don't dismiss this option out of hand if it is open to you.



Be concise. Never use two words when one will do. Always strike the word "very" and

eliminate the word "that" as much as you can.

Do not overdo the style elements. Choose a font that is simple but elegant. Avoid

uncommon decorative fonts unless you are applying for a job where being quirky is of

greater value than being businesslike and the people who are doing the hiring are on

board with this philosophy.

Make sure your cover letter is visually appealing and coordinated with your resume. Use

the same personal information block in the heading of your cover letter and your resume.

A cohesive resume package is a very attractive selling point. If using paper (i.e., not

online), use the same high quality paper for the cover letter as for your resume.

BE CAREFULL

This is not your autobiography. Keep it well under a page.

Be careful not to overplay your cover letter's role in the job application process. Yes, a good

cover letter is important and a well-written cover letter should help entice the employer to read

your resume. Even so, you should still be aware that your resume/CV is the main player, whereas

the cover letter's role is a supporting one. If you get the balance wrong and place too much

emphasis on the cover letter (making it too long and complex) then it could deter the employer

from reading your resume.

Avoid generic, empty language ("I will bring a depth of experience," or "I believe my qualifications

and experience suit the demands of the position"). Be specific and concrete about what you can

bring to the position.

If you're doing a thorough job search, you will get rejected sometimes. If you're not getting

rejected, you're not putting yourself out there enough. And if you don't learn to see rejection as a

chance to improve your approach, then you'll have a very difficult time getting a job.



SAMPLE OF COVER LETTER

NOW JUMP TO YOUR CU RICULUM VITAE



BACKGROUND

A curriculum vitae (CV) provides an overview of a person's experience and other qualifications.

The purpose of this document is to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills (and somecomplementary ones) to do the job for which you are applying.

In some countries, a CV is typically the first item that a potential employer encounters

regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an

interview, when seeking employment.

In United Kingdom, most Commonwealth countries, and Ireland, a CV is short (usually a

maximum of two sides of A4 paper), and therefore contains only a summary of the job seeker's

employment history, qualifications, education, and some personal information. It is often

updated to change the emphasis of the information according to the particular position forwhich the job seeker is applying.

Many CVs contain keywords that potential employers might pick up on and display the content

in the most flattering manner, brushing over information like poor grades. A CV can also be

extended to include an extra page for the job-seeker's publications if these are important for

the job.

In the United States a CV is used in academic circles and medical careers in place of a résumé

and is far more comprehensive; the term résumé (which literally means "summary") is used for

most recruitment campaigns. A CV elaborates on education, publications, and other

achievements to a greater degree than a résumé, but it is often expected that professionals use

a short CV that highlights the current focus of their academic lives and not necessarily their full

history.

Writing a CV can be more complicated than writing a resume, because the format changes

depending on what type of position you are applying for, where you are located, and what you

need to include in your CV. The primary differences between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae

(CV) are the length, what is included and what each is used for. A resume is a one or two page

summary of your skills, experience and education ( Alison Doyle-about.com ). Here is advice on

writing your curriculum vitae:



WHEN CURRICULUM VITAE IS THOUGHT OF

In Africa, Europe, the Middle East, or Asia, employers may expect to receive a curriculum vitae

rather than a resume.

In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used when applying for academic, education,

scientific or research positions. A curriculum vitae can also be used to apply for fellowships or

grants.

STEP1: BRAINSTORMING FOR YOUR CV

1. Know what information a CV generally contains. Most CVs include your personal

information, your education and qualifications, your work experience, your interestsand achievements, your skills, and references. Also experienced people tailor your

resume to the job you are applying for. Use a modern but professional format. However,

there is no set format for a CV, what you include is up to you.

2. Consider the job you are applying for. Research the company. A good CV is tailored to

the specific job and company you are applying for. What does the company do? What is

their mission statement? What do you think they are looking for in an employee? What

skills does the specific job you are applying for require? These are all things to keep in

mind when writing your CV.

3. Check the company’s website for extra information about the CV. See if there is any

specific information they want you to list in your CV. There might be specific directions

listed on the application page. Always double check this.

4. Make a list of jobs you have held. These can be both jobs you hold currently and jobs

you have held in the past. Include the dates that you began and ended your term at

each particular job.

5. Zoom on your hobbies and interests. Unique interests or hobbies will make you stand

out. Be aware of the conclusions that might be drawn from your hobbies. Try to list

hobbies that portray you as a team-oriented individual rather than as a solitary, passive



person. Companies want someone who works well with others and can take charge if

need be.

Hobbies and interests that paint a positive image: Being the captain of your

soccer (or football) team, organizing a charity event for an orphanage, secretary

of your school’s student-run government.

Hobbies that imply a passive, solitary personality: watching TV, doing puzzles,

reading. If you are going to put any of these things, give a reason why. For

instance, if you are applying for a job at a publishing house, put something like: I

enjoy reading the great American writers such as Tw ain and Hemingway

because I think their writing gives a unique perspective into American culture at

the time they were writing.

6. Make a list of your relevant skills. These skills often include computing skills (are you a

skilled at Invoicemanager? Wordpress? Excel? inDesign? Access? etc.), languages youspeak, or specific things the company is looking for, such as targeted skills.

Example of targeted skills: If you are applying to be a writer for a newspaper, list that

you are fluent in AP style. If you are applying for a coding job, mention that you have

worked with Java script.

STEP 2: WRITING YOUR CV

1. Create the format for your CV. Are you going to break each section up with a line? Are

you going to put each section in its own box? Are you going to list all of your

information? Play around with different formats to see which looks most professional.

Aim for no more than the front and back of a standard sheet of paper.

2. List your name, address, telephone number, and email at the top of the page. It is

important to make your name a size larger than the rest of the text as it is important for

your reviewer to know who he or she is reading about. It is up to you as to how you

format this information.

Standard format would be to have your name in the center of the page. Your home

address should be listed in a block format on the left side of the paper. Put your

telephone number and email below your home address. If you have another



Example achievements: Successfully took a national bestseller from manuscript to

publication; received certification in copy-editing from Ghana Institute of

Journalism.

7. Create a section for your interests. You should list any relevant interests that paint you

in the most positive light. Choose several interests from the list you created while

brainstorming for your CV (in Part One).

8. Create a section for other information. If there is a noticeable gap in your CV or there is

some other information you would like to share, put it in this section. This sort of

information can include leaving work to take care of children, join the Peace Corps, etc.

Example: I took two years off from my intended career path in publishing to

teach English in Tamale through the National Voluntary program. Teaching

English has helped me build my English fluency.

9. Create a section for references. These are people you have worked with in the past

such as professors, previous employers, etc. that have seen your work and can credibly

support praises that they give you. The company you are applying to may contact these

references to find out more about your previous work. You should talk with the person

you would like to list a reference before actually listing them--it is best to double check

that they still have the same number, are ok with giving you a reference, or that theyremember who you are. Write down their full names and contact information (including

their phone numbers and emails).

STEP 3: FINALIZING YOUR CV

1. Check your spelling and grammar. Poor spelling is the quickest way to get rejected. If

your CV is sloppy or riddled with errors, potential employers will be unimpressed.Double (and triple) check that you have spelled the name of the company correctly, as

well as any companies you have worked for in the past.

2. Proofread for any sentences that could be written more concisely. CVs that are concise

and well-written tend to do better than long-winded CVs that have repetitive

cv and cover writing now made simple-by frimpong m. kwadwo

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