Application Letter and Résumé

◦ Chronological Format ◦ Functional Format ◦ Combination or Hybrid Format

3 Formats of Résumé

◦ Heading ◦ Inside Address ◦ Salutation ◦ The Body ◦ Complimentary Close ◦ Signature

6 Components of a Letter

◦ Heading ◦ Goals/Objectives ◦ Qualifications ◦ Educational Background ◦ Work Experiences/Special Skills ◦ References

6 Parts of a Résumé

Body

In the Components of a Letter - It contains information not seen in the applicant's resume. In this example, the applicant clearly indicates the desired position, source of information, qualification and experiences and reason of career shift.

Heading

In the Components of a Letter - It includes the applicant's address to make it easier for the employer to easily contact the applicant. The date written below indicates the date when the letter was written.

Inside Address

In the Components of a Letter - It includes the name of the name of the employer or the human resource manager, his job title, name of the company and address.

Complimentary Close

In the Components of a Letter - It is done to politely finish the letter. Note that this ends with a comma (,). It shows that the letter has already ended.

Salutation

In the Components of a Letter - It is written to indicate for whom the letter is. It should start with the word "Dear" followed by the last name of the receiver. End the this with a colon (:). If the name has not been obtained, address it as "Ma'am/Sir."

Inside Address

In the Components of a Letter - It refers to where and to whom the letter is addressed. Ensure that there is a line in between heading.

Body

In the Components of a Letter - The most important and critical part in writing the employment application letter is its?

Signature

In the Components of a Letter - This is considered as the last part of the letter. Write your name on the first line and your title (if applicable) on the second line. Then sign directly above the first line. It shows the name of the job applicant

Heading

In the Components of a Letter - Written on the first two lines is the address of the applicant. This includes the street number, city, state and zip code. The format in writing the date is month-day-year.

Chronological Format

In the Formats of Résumé - It is used to emphasize the applicant's work experiences progress. It starts with the complete work experiences, followed by the educational background. It is best used if the applicant is applying for a job related to his previous experiences, and has ten to fifteen years work experiences.

Combination or Hybrid Format

In the Formats of Résumé - It combines the chronological and functional format. It works best if the applicant is aiming for a career change or wants to present both skills and accomplishment.

Functional Format

In the Formats of Résumé - It focuses on the skills, not on the work history. It is best used if the applicant changed career or if re-entering the industry after a long absence. It is also used by the high school or college students entering the industry.

Goals/Objectives

In the Parts of a Résumé - Do not forget to tell the employer the specific job position that you are applying for. Be specific. Avoid using vague statements. Be direct and to the point.

References

In the Parts of a Résumé - Do not give a detailed list of this. Instead, state that "Is this available upon request? This should include people you have professionally worked with. Do not include friends or relatives. Inform each person that you have included him/her in your list.

Qualifications

In the Parts of a Résumé - Focus on your selling point. Highlight the reasons why your prospective employer should hire you. Do not give opinions or subjective remarks about yourself. Be realistic and factual.

Work Experiences/Special Skills

In the Parts of a Résumé - If you have been working for a long time, provide your employer your work history in chronological order (ideally from most recent to oldest). Your work history may include both full-time and part-time jobs. as well as on-the-job trainings. Do not include job experiences that are not in any way related to the job position you are applying for. If you are a new graduate with little work history, you should highlight your skills and other special abilities that will fit the job description. Do not include personal information such as nickname, birthday, height, complexion, etc.

Educational Background

In the Parts of a Résumé - Inform your prospective employer about educational achievements and trainings that are related to the job you are applying for. Include the following information: name of school, degrees attained or is/are currently taking, certificates received, important dates, honors and awards received, and other extra-curricular activities. These details are important, especially if you are a new graduate and applying for your first job. If you have been working for many years, however, give minimal information about your educational background.

Heading

In the Parts of a Résumé - The first few details that your prospective employer will look for are your complete name, full current address, phone numbers, and e-mail address. There is no need to include nicknames. Do not include a lot of numbers. Indicate only the number/e-mail address that can be used to contact you directly.

◦ Its first paragraph should contain the introduction. It should say where or how you found out about the job opening. Mention any referrals. This should grab the attention of your employer. You may give details about the company that sparked your interest. As an added note, you may present your core competencies that encourage you to apply for that certain position you are aiming for. ◦ The second paragraph should contain the detailed support or evidence why you are qualified to apply for that certain job in the company. This is the part where you need to hook your reader. This serves as your brief pitch so you may include proposals or project you have been involved in. You may cite improvements, achievements, and events that transpired in your life recently. Make your cover letter strong and assertive. ◦ The third paragraph of the letter should show your knowledge about the company you are applying to. At the last part of your letter, you may include how you can be an asset to the company. Provide also an impressive summary of your background instead, for the employer's perusal. Indicate the possible ways on how and where they can reach you.

In the Parts of the Body it should include:

Semi-Block Format

In the cover letter format - It is the least used format. It is almost the same as the modified block format; however, the difference is that the first sentence in each paragraph is indented.

Semi-Block Format

In the cover letter format - ◦ Heading (To the Right) ◦ Inside Address ◦ Salutation ◦ Body (The first sentences in each paragraph are indented.) ◦ Complimentary Close (To the Right) ◦ Signature (To the Right)

Modified Block Format

In the cover letter format - ◦ Heading (To the Right) ◦ Inside Address ◦ Salutation ◦ Body (The first sentences in each paragraph aren't indented.) ◦ Complimentary Close (To the Right) ◦ Signature (To the Right)

Modified Block Format

In the cover letter format - It is a type of format where applicant's address, complementary close, signature and sender's identification is shifted to the right side. Note that the first sentence in the body or in each paragraph is not indented.

Full Block Format

In the cover letter format - This is the most common layout used in writing cover letter. In this format, all parts are justified to the left.

Résumé

It is a brief summary of your skills, and your academic and work background. It is usually a one-page paper that is given to a prospective employer.

Employment Application Letter

It is a one-page letter, also referred to as the "cover letter" attached to the résumé when applying for jobs

Résumé

It is a tool that employers require to help them choose who they should hire for a vacancy in their company. There are certain skills and abilities required for a particular applicant to be accepted.

Résumé and Application letter

It serve as the job-seeker's self-marketing tool

Summary

The word résumé is of French origin meaning ?

Combination or Hybrid Format

Which Format: Heading Objective: Professional Summary: Expertise and Achievements: Work Experience: Educational Background:

Functional Format

Which Format: Heading Objective: Professional Summary: Work Experience: Educational Background: Skills and Expertise:

Chronological Format

Which Format: Heading Objective: Work Experience: Educational Background: Skills/Expertise: Voluntary Activities/Involvement:

Full Block Format

Which Format: ◦ Heading (To the Left) ◦ Inside Address ◦ Salutation ◦ Body (in each paragraph is not indented.) ◦ Complimentary Close (To the Left) ◦ Signature (To the Left)

◦ Full Block Format ◦ Modified Block Format ◦ Semi-Block Format

Employment application letter or cover letter has three different formats:

· Make sure the letter is free of errors and does not contain any slang or informal language. This should be written in a professional manner so it to be considered as a good employment application letter. · Limit the letter up to one page only. The employer or human resource person will not have time to read letter longer than this. · It is advisable to computerize the letter so that it can be read easily and print it in a good quality paper. · The cover letter must not repeat elaborated details written in the resume. · The applicant must not assume that he is hired after submitting the cover letter.

Guidelines in Writing an Application Letter