Resume Format
Your Contact Information
First Last Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone (Cell/Home)
Email Address
Objective (optional)
What do you want to do? If you include this section it should be a sentence or two about your employment goals. A customized objective that describes why you are the perfect candidate for the job can help your resume stand out from the competition.
Career Highlights / Qualifications (optional)
A customized section of your resume that lists key achievements, skills, traits, and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying can serve dual purposes.
It highlights your relevant experience and lets the prospective employer know that you have taken the time to create a resume that shows how you are qualified for the job.
Experience
This section of your resume includes your work history. List the companies you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements.
Company #1
City, State
Dates Worked
Job Title
Responsibilities / Achievements
Responsibilities / Achievements
Company #2
City, State
Dates Worked
Job Title
Responsibilities / Achievements
Responsibilities / Achievements
Education
In the education section of your resume, list the colleges you attended, the degrees you attained, and any special awards and honors you earned.
College, Degree
Awards, Honors
Skills
Include skills related to the position / career field that you are applying for i.e. computer skills, language skills.
References available upon request
There is no need to include references on your resume. Rather, have a separate list of references to give to employers upon request.
Customize Your Resume
In all cases, be sure to personalize and customize your resume, so, it reflects your skills and abilities and connects them with the jobs you are applying for.

Writing A Cover Letter

Guidelines for writing a cover letter:
• Organise your thoughts carefully
• Express yourself clearly and reasonably
• Use strong action words to describe your achievements
• Use active rather than passive voice
• Avoid jargon
• Avoid long sentences
• Avoid bad grammar and spelling mistakes
• Limit the length to one page only
• Proof read before you send via e-mail
Techniques of Letter Writing
• Have a clear purpose before writing a letter
• Plan and organize each section
• Convey the most important ideas first
• Consider the needs of the organization
• Opening sentence should be concise and clear
• Communicate purpose in the opening paragraph
• Keep paragraph short and sentences simple
• Write letter that can convince the reader to take action
• Good grammar, correct spelling and punctuation
• Use more "you" than "I" or "we"
• Use assertion rather than negation "not"
• Use active voice in sentence construction
• Use personal rather than formal language
• Cheerful and creative in tone and style
• Courteous and considerate in approach
• Double check mistakes carefully
Layout of a cover letter
1. The opening
o Include your name and address, the date, employer's designation and address, salutation and subject.
2. Introduction
o Nominate the job for which you are applying for.
o Indicate the source and date of the job information.
o Mention briefly your qualifications
o Indicate your interest, career objective or goal.
3. Sales pitch
o Highlight the extent to which you match the requirements of the job.
o State your relevant experience gained from industrial attachments, projects, vacation or part-time jobs.
o Give a brief summary of your educational achievements, experience, qualities, capabilities and skills.
o Outline any further points in your favour related to the job and mention the attached resume.
o Mention your interest in the organisation and your reason for applying for that particular position.
4. Request for further action
o Write that you look forward to a call or letter.
o State your availability for interview.
o Thank the person for his or her time and consideration.
5. The complimentary close
o Remember to sign personally and include your name. State your enclosures such as your attached resume, academic results or references.

Cover Letter Format
Your Contact Information
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Employer Contact Information (if you have it)
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact)
Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.
First Paragraph
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing.
Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.
Final Paragraph
Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.
Complimentary Close
Respectfully yours,
Signature
Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)
Typed Signature
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