Cover Letter & Resume Writing Tips

Cover Letter & Resume Writing Tips

Resume Writing Tips Any Job Offer by an employer and applications start pouring by cats and dogs. Employers have a big pile of resumes to choose from. Power of your resume alone can get you an interview call.
Poorly written resume can knock you out of the race at the very outset. Whereas well written resume can get you an interview call and put you ahead of the rest. Charge your resume well and let it work for you.
We believe you alone can write master piece of resume for yourself . No Consultant can do it better than you.
Get into action! Read on! Charge your resume with high power . It will work wonders for you. Think and write in a style that will be completely new to you.
Purpose of a Resume

• Resume is an instrument to win an interview for you.
• It tells employer that you have what it takes to be successful in this new position or career.
• It stimulates employer to meet you and learn more about you.
• It Inspires employer to invite you for an interview.

Subsidiary Purposes

• To pass employer's basic requirements for this job e.g. educational qualification, experience etc.
• To Project you as a Professional with high standards and excellent Writing Skills.
• To give references and contact details.

It is another form of a job seeker's business card, objectives to help job seeker clarify his direction, and strengths to start the process of committing to a job or career change.
Here are the most important issues to consider as you prepare your resume to represent you in the marketplace:

• Write your resume in your own words. It may be challenging - If you write your own resume and don't hand it off to someone else you'll be able to be sharp in your interview. If you do hire an expert to help you, work closely with that person to be sure your resume realistically reflects your abilities and your vocabulary.
• Have an objective or a key word summary or both in the beginning of your resume and end your document with strong content - such as participating trainings, seminars/workshops related to your educational background.
• Make a list of all the work or volunteer experiences you have had that support your candidacy for the job. Select the best ones and write them so that they show what Problems you've solved, Actions you've taken to do this, and the bottom line Results you've achieved. Put at least 2 references of a senior and dignified persons at the end of your resume.
• Use resume manners. Never use "I" to start out a sentence. The language of your resume should be specific, clear, succinct, positive, and exciting.
• Know what format to use. There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume.

Chronological Resume: A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first. Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them.
This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history.
Functional Resume: A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.
Combination Resume: A combination resume lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed next. With this type of resume you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and also provide the chronological work history that employers prefer.
Targeted Resume: A targeted resume is a resume that is customized so that it specifically highlights the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It definitely takes more work to write a targeted resume than to just click to apply with your existing resume. However, it's well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.
The two most commonly used and accepted resume formats are the chronological and the functional. Often elements of both are combined. A chronological resume is most widely used and preferred by recruiters and interviewers. It is good for someone with a consistent work history. A functional resume focuses attention on your accomplishments and is often used more successfully if you are trying to change careers or industries or to downplay gaps in your career.

Resume Template:
		Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Phone Number Email Address
Your Name
Objective	What do you want to do?
Work Experience	Company Name Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Job Title Duties or Achievements Duties or Achievements Company Name Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Job Title Duties or Achievements Duties or Achievements
Accomplishments	List one or more things that you have done or a special skill you may have.
Activities	List activities in which you have participated such as scouting, sports teams, church groups, etc.
Interests	List hobbies, special interests, travel, etc.
Education	Name of High School Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Dates attended: From Date - Present Name of Middle School Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Dates attended: From Date - Present Name of Elementary School Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Dates attended: From Date - Present
References	Name Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Phone Number Name Street Number and Name City, State and Zip Code Phone Number

Cover Letter Writings A cover letter introduces you - and your resume - to a prospective employer. In it, you state what type of position you're seeking, and explain how your particular mix of skills and experiences would match with the employer's needs. At the end of the letter, you request an interview.
Clarify why you're specifically interested in their organization, and allow them a glimpse of your writing ability and style. Because you may be evaluated on form as well as content, aim for a letter that is cohesive, grammatically correct, and error free. The tone of your letter should be polite yet assertive.
Make it short and sweet. Most employers just scan and read the important bits so make sure that whatever you write is need-to-know information. A resume without a cover letter shows you haven't put the time in to address each employer individually.

However, here are some guidelines to help you get started:
• Address the letter to a specific person (phone the organization to ask for a name if necessary). Spell names and titles correctly.
• Write letters in a standard business format.
• Be sure to include contact information (your name, address, e-mail and phone number).
• Get your reader's attention and identify why you are writing in the first paragraph.
• Incorporate what you have to offer with what you know about the organization's needs.
• Draw attention to items on your resume that are specifically relevant to the position you seek; also mention anything not on your resume that is relevant to the employer.
• Vary sentence structure to create interest, and avoid beginning too many sentences with "I".
• Keep your letter to one page.
• Proofread - then have somebody else proofread!!
• Use the same bond paper and laser-quality print as your resume.
• Personally sign each letter.

Sample Cover Letter 1: (Internship)

Mr. Ananda Paul Unilever Bangladesh 1000 Plaza Building Gulshan, Dhaka:3281
Sir,
My unique mix of previous work experience and my status as a University of Dhaka business student in my junior year studying marketing, make me an ideal candidate for a summer internship with Unilever Bangladesh. My experience in sales and customer relationship management, combined with my courses in marketing, have convinced me that consumer marketing is a career option I would like to explore. More importantly, an internship with Unilever Bangladesh would be mutually beneficial. Your company has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction, and I know that the combination of my experience, education, and motivation to excel will make me an asset to your marketing department. I am sure that it would be really a great opportunity for both of us to work together. I am looking forward to receive a positive approach from you very soon. You can contact with me anytime via phone(0181X-XXXXXX)or via email(kk@du.edu) regarding any query. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
___________________
Chowdhury Nazmus Sakib

Sample Cover Letter 2: (New Graduate)

Mr. Ahmed Wakkar Universal Investments Ltd 25/A Farmgate Dhaka:1218
Sir,
My outgoing personality, my sales experience, and my recently completed education make me a strong candidate for a position as an insurance broker for Universal Investments Ltd. I recently graduated from the University of Dhaka with a degree in marketing. Although a recent graduate, I am not a typical new graduate. I attended the renowned institutions like ”Dhaka Laboratory School ”and “Dhaka College” and I've put myself active through various activities by doing voluntary works for Sondhani blood bank, collecting relief materials for the flood victim, actively participated in all the extra curricular activities, all of which enhanced my formal education. I have the maturity, skills, and abilities to embark on a career in insurance brokering, and I'd like to do this in Bangladesh, my home state. I am sure that it would be really a great experience for me to work in a renowned company like yours and I would really appreciate you very much if you kindly consider my application concerning a position at Universal Investments Ltd. Please feel free to contact with me via phone(01XXX-XXXXXXX) or via email(yy@du.edu) if you have any query. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
___________________
Akter Zaman (Date)

Sample Cover Letter 3

House-2254, Road-16 Banani, Dhaka November 15, 2006 Adib Hasan Director of Human Resources Finest Accounting 1243 Gulshan Avenue Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh
Dear Mr. Hasan
I am writing to inquire about the possible entry level accounting opportunities available at Finest Accounting. As you can see from my resume, I will be graduating in December from Business University of Bangladesh with the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, emphasis on Accounting. As a student, I demonstrated strong interest and high academic performance in the coerces related to the field of Accounting, including Advanced Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Business Law for Accountants. I am currently assisting a software firm in measuring their costs and profits and processing other financial data. This accounting experience of mine, along with my previous experience of serving as a retail store manager assistant has provided me with a set of professional organizational, and interpersonal skills which will hopefully help me make a valuable contribution to your company. After you have had the opportunity to review my resume enclosed with this letter, I would appreciate meeting with you to further discuss my candidacy for this position. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
___________________
Arif Hasan