How to write a CV and a cover letter

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Image by Lola la Torre
When was the last time you applied for a job? Did you send in your CV? Did you write a cover letter explaining why you were a suitable candidate?

This post is about CVs and cover (or covering) letters.

In your book Global you will find a sample of a cover letter at the end of Unit 1. You will be expected to apply for a job and write a cover letter in class at the end of this week. This is going to be your first writing task.



Some tips to plan what you are going to write:

1) Pay attention to formal letter conventions.
2) Make sure you are aware of false friends (e.g. qualifications, career)
3) Use appropriate academic terms.
4) Edit your letter before you hand it in. This requires re-reading more than once.


CVs

  1. What should you include in your CV?
  2. Do you know how many types of CV there are? 
Click here to see good and bad examples of CV.

Click here for a Europass Curriculum Vitae.

Cover letters

  1. What is a cover letter?
  2. What should you include in it?

Read real examples of good and bad covering letters.
Do you ever wonder how many bad cover letters employers get?

Visit the Careers Office at Kent University and do the following task:
Compare the three cover letters and be prepared to identify why
  1. the first cover letter is good
  2. the second cover letter is bad
  3. the third cover letter will never get anywhere!
To help you in this task, you may want to follow these guiding questions:
  1. What position (post or job) is this candidate applying for?
  2. Where did s/he see the job advertised?
  3. Does s/he have the right qualifications?
  4. What work experience does s/he have?
  5. Any skills that might be valuable?
  6. Is the presentation good? How about the spelling?
  7. Will s/he get the job?

If you would like to read more examples of CVs and cover letters, visit the Newcastle University Careers Office. You will find very useful tips and links to other sites.

I hope you find this post useful.


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