The cover letter

A resume that will be mailed to a prospective employer should be accompanied by a cover letter.

The cover letter should be straightforward and brief. It should not be a repetition of all the information contained

in the resume. You should state the specific position you are interested in. You should briefly discuss your experience,

and to refer the reader to the enclosed resume. At the end of the letter you may wish to indicate that you will telephone

the prospective employer for an interview.

A sample cover letter

DEAR SIRS:

I am applying for the position of assistant sales manager, advertised in Sunday's Boston Globe. I have held a number of selling jobs and I am currently working in the sales department of a large manufacturing company.

The enclosed resume will furnish additional information on my background. I will telephone you next week for an interview. Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely, Helen Croft.

A SAMPLE RESUME FOR A PERSON LOOKING FOR A FIRST JOB

Leslie White

987 East ROAD

Elmwood, New Jersey 03103

987-6343

Objective

To find an entry-level job in sales with a large international company. Would like to utilize my knowledge of French.

Work experience

Summers 1998,1997

Group leader in a European teen-travel summer trip. We traveled on bicycles and by boat. Many of the arrangements had been made in advance, but I often had to make substitute arrangements because of unforeseen events.

Summer 1996

Spent three months in France working as a volunteer on a farm. Did so to improve my spoken French.

Part-time employment 1997, 1998,1999

Salesperson, college bookstore during school year.

School record

1999

B. A. magna cum laude with honors in French Literature and Language Minor in History. Prinston University.

1995

Elmwood High School, class salutatorian. Honours in language and science.

Extracurricular activities

Member of soccer team in high school and college. Contribution to school magazine in college. President of

French Club in high school. Speak and write French fluently. Have working knowledge of Spanish.

A SAMPLE RESUME FOR A PERSON LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB

Courtney Black

123 Lincoln Street

Deerfield, Illinois 60015

789-3456

Objectives

To find a job that would utilise a broad range of my managerial and business skills and offer the potential for advancement in a large company.

Record of work experience

1987 to present

Public Relations Director for a small manufacturing company. I’m responsible for creating and maintaining a favorable public image by preparing and disseminating news releases, arranging press conferences, contests, conferences and other activities that keep the company in the public eye. Supervise a staff of six and work with various other departments: art, advertising, production. Maintain close working relations with various people in the media and local government.

1983 to 1987

Publicity Writer for the Widget Company. Wrote copy for publicity releases and other public-relations material.

Know paper, printing, art styles. Many of my releases appeared on trade journals and local newspapers.

1980 to 1983

Copy editor for Deerfield Gazette.

Corrected copy and did proof-reading for the local paper. Did some rewrite and occasional reporting.

Educational background

M. B. A. University of Illinois, 1986. Took night courses for master's degree.

B. A. University of I11inois, 1980. Major in Journalism. Received award for Most Promising Student.

Extracurricular: Worked on college newspaper; member of swim team.

Affiliations and hobbies

Member of Illinois Society of Publicity Writers.

Vice President of Alumni Association, University of Illinois Hobbies include: swimming, tennis and directing amateur theatre productions.

T a s k 4. Learn the vocabulary list in the given situations.

1. to seek - 1. The company is seeking commercial travellers.

2. to take on - 2. Don't take on any extra work.

3. to provide 3. This letter will provide us with the information

we need.

4. to handle 4. It was a difficult situation but he handled

it very well.

5. to submit 5. Your essays should be submitted by the

end of the week.

6. to apply for the 6. She is going to apply for the position of

headmaster.

7. to enclose with 7. I enclose a check for a 100 pounds with

this letter.

8. to graduate from 8. He graduated from a very good university.

9. to cater for the needs of 9. In this country no attempt is made to cater

for the needs of the elderly.

10. to furnish 10. These people are responsible for furnishing

us with the necessary translation.

11. to get the insight into

the problem

11. After reading the book you will get a

better insight into the problem.

12. to broaden one's horizons

12. Travel broadens our horizons.

13. to pursue 13. I'd prefer not to pursue the matter.

14. to be commensurate

with

14. This salary isn't commensurate with your

experience.

15. application 15. Write this application as quickly as possible.

16. resume 16. This fact should be included in your resume.

17. curriculum vitae 17. Why haven't you written your curriculum

vitae yet?

18. personal details 18. We don't know his personal details.

19. marital status 19. His marital status is still unknown.

20. working knowledge 20. I'm fluent in English and have a working

knowledge of German.