University of London Glasgow Herald

II. Make up your own cv 10 years after University graduation. Let your imagination run away with you!

III. Your friend is looking for a job. Give him recommendations as to how a resume should be organized. Use should and any other means to give advice.

Use: a summary of one's personal history and professional qualifications, emphasize the kind of work you can do; it is important to present oneself well on paper; personal data: date and place of birth; list previous jobs, hold positions; organize the information in the reverse chronological order; mention the summer jobs related to the job you want; mention interests and skills; command of foreign languages; write a cover letter, send a letter of recommendation.

Model: You are going to write a resume. It should not be a detailed personal history. Under "Personal" write the date and place of birth, then...

IV. You want to work as:

a) secretary; b) sales manager; c) interpreter; d) diplomat; e) laboratory assistant; f) research scientist.

Write a resume to apply for one (or two) of these jobs.

V. Write a Cover Letter and a Letter of Recommendation.

Use: apply for a job; enclose one's resume; for family (or other) reasons; be available for an interview; be pleased to write a Letter of Recommendation; to be a success in every activity one undertook; have a good command of some foreign language; have excellent computer skills.

Here are samples of a cover letter and letters of recommendation.

Cover letter

30 June, 1997

Dear Mr Jones,

I am writing to apply for the job (position) of accountant advertised in yesterday's "Daily Telegraph". I enclose my Resume and a Letter of Recommendation from Mr J. Smith of Smith and Sponsor Bank, Manchester.

I have recently moved to your town for family reasons and feel that my qualifications would enable me to be a productive member of your company. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

References on request.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely, ...

Letter of recommendation

(1st sample)

19 November, 1997

Dear Dr Jones,

Having known Dr Crown for five years as a staff-member of my department, I am pleased to write this Letter of Recommendation for him.

During the five years that Dr Crown worked with us he always excelled in whatever activity he undertook.

It is important to mention here that he has a good command of French and German and speaks both languages fluently. I also want to emphasize his experience in computing (his computer skills).

Dr Crown has my fullest support and should it be appropriate I would be pleased to provide further information.

Yours sincerely, ...

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

(2nd sample)

19 November, 1997

Dear Mr Brown,

Having known Mr Evans for five years as a staff-member of my laboratory, I am pleased to write this Letter of Recommendation for him.

During the five years that Mr Evans worked in my laboratory, he was actively involved in research into semiconductor materials and showed extraordinary ability in it. It is important to mention here that Mr Evans has a good command of French and German.

I also want to emphasize his computer skills. He has an excellent command of multiple platforms (hardware) and is thoroughly at home within a UNIX environment. Mr Evans has my fullest support and I would be pleased to provide further information if necessary.

Yours sincerely, ...

VI. You see the following job ad in a local newspaper. You are quite interested but would like some extra information. Read carefully the advertisement and the notes which you have made below. Then write your letter:

a) saying why you think you would be particularly suitable for this job.

b) asking for extra information as suggested by the italicized notes below.

Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style.