9.1 Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. A curriculum vitae is a career resume showing education and previous work experience.

2. One should not mention his or her career goal in the resume in order not to seem too ambitious.

3. One should have one and the same resume for different potential employers, but they must be perfect.

4. Sometimes it is possible to send a handwritten resume.

5. The information about the applicant's education must always precede the information about work experience.

6. One's summer employment is irrelevant.

7. Some unusual hobbies should be mentioned.

8. Listing references in one's resume is a must.

9.2 Choose synonyms to the words:

1. occupation, provide, benefit, personnel, employ, client, CV, goal, produce

2. advantage, customer, resume, hire, purpose, job, employees, manufacture, offer

9.3 Here we have a sample of a resume.

----------------------------------------------------------------- Name

Address/phone number

Born:

EDUCATION

1996 - 2000 Public Relations Manager

Saint-Petersburg Nevsky Institute of Russian Culture

Area of specialisation: Marketing

Advertising

Computers

Public Relations

Language aptitude: Russian - fluent

English - excellent

French - fair

Final thesis: Planning of PR.

1986 - l996 Secondary school

Achieved high marks in all courses and especially enjoyed courses involving English, Russian, Literature and History.

School-leaving exams: Literature, English, and History.

EMPLOYMENT/WORK EXPERIENCE

2000 - present Central Bank

PR Manager

I have some experience in writing memos and press releases. I took part in different conferences, exhibitions and other special events. Accomplished effective relationship between the organization and environment as well as communications with different levels of management and a wide range of clients.

ACTIVITIES / INTERESTS Basketball, theatre, music.

REFERENCES Available upon request

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Analyze this sample carefully.

Does the resume provide all the information that could be to the author's advantage?

Could the description of work experience be more detailed?

What about initial duties and further promotion?

Does the resume give the potential employer a clear idea about the leisure activities? For example, does the PR manager play in some basketball team or is he or she just a sports fan?

9.4 Choose an attractive want ad from available newspapers and write a resume which is better than this one. Keep the advertisement for the future use at the lesson.

12. Read and translate the text.

A COVER LETTER

It's the first way you introduce yourself to a potential employer - and it can affect whether or not he or she bothers to turn the page and even look at your resume. Sending a resume without a cover letter (it is also called a covering letter) usually means that your CV will end up in the trash.

There are specific points to remember, and a few unwritten rules about what to do - and not to do - in a cover letter.

Be brief; your cover letter should be three-quarters to one full page, single-spaced. A cover letter should emphasize only the most relevant information for the position you are seeking. Highlight one or two top accomplishments or skills.

Explain how your experience makes you qualified for the position. Even if your background may not perfectly match the job, the cover letter allows you to explain how your experience is relevant and has prepared you for future work, what useful skills you have learned from your previous occupation.

A cover letter should be used to target a specific job at a specific company, meaning you should tailor each letter that you send. It should demonstrate that you have taken the time and effort to learn about a company and know how you can be useful to it in the position you want.

Know to whom you should send your letter. The more influential, the better. Don't try sending your resume to the receptionist, thinking someone will want to see it. You need to know the department head or person who will be screening resumes. If it is the personnel manager, then try to find out his or her name beforehand, and address the letter directly to him or her.

What you need for a successful cover letter:

1. Your return address, along with your phone number, should appear on the top right hand corner of the letter.

2. Include the date just above the beginning of the letter.

3. Begin with the salutation: "Dear Mr./Ms./or Mrs." followed by the individual's last name, then a colon (:). If you are applying to a blind ad and don't know the name of the person, it is acceptable to write "Dear Hiring Manager."

4. The first paragraph should state immediately which position you are applying for; write briefly why your background and experience have prepared you for this position. Also, you may include that you are responding to an advertisement, with the date of its publication, if you are doing so.

5. The second paragraph should provide information about why you would be beneficial for the company. Write about how your background can be applied to the position and to the firm.

6. The third paragraph should mention something about your knowledge of the company or your familiarity with the industry in which it operates. It should also mention why it would be interesting for you to work there.

7. The final paragraph is your closing, and here you can request for an interview - but don't forget to include your phone number and the time of day when you are most easily reached.

Follow up with a phone call after a few days.

8. The closing should be simple - "Best regards," or "Sincerely" are always appropriate. Then skip about five lines - enough room for your signature - and type in your name. Don't forget to actually sign the letter (in ink) before sending.