CV - Resume: Definition

In what way is the Curriculum Vitae different from a Resume?

Different terminology is applied in different countries:

• Resume is used exclusively in the USA. 
• CV is used in Europe, America, Asia and Africa.

Different content and objectives.
Resume: emphasizes information on the experience, abilities and studies relevant for the objectives that must be fulfilled in a certain position for which you are applying, or in which selection process you are taking part.

CV: is a compilation of all the academic data and experience of a person throughout their life (as vitae indicates the Latin term life), unrelated to the position you are applying for or in which selection process you are taking part. The structure usually is personal data, academic, experience, languages, computer science and other data, all in chronological order.

Type of company and position to which it should be directed.

Resume: Commercial positions, directors, media, audio-visual, creative...
CV: More appropriate for academic positions, scientists, doctors, research, technologies....


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How to write a Cover Letter

FAQ - Cover Letter

Why write cover letter instead of sending only the resume?

• Writing a cover letter you are sure that you do not forget important things, excludes misunderstandings and also serves as reminder.
• You can select yours words and context meanings carefully.
• Because of the one-way-communication, you are able to structure your line of reasoning, without interference, thus not only gaining time, but also influencing the other part more effectively in less time.
• People take the written words with more attention than a phone call to introduce your resume, and always not interrupting to other people in their work

Can a resume cover letter be personal and effective?

Everyone of us must have the experience of receiving letters that could have been written for any person; nothing shows the sender is directing him/herself to you especially. The use of standard phrases leaves the reader (in this case the Human resources manager) to think that they and the company are not important for the person who is writing the cove letter. The can be read with “half attention”….

Sample:

If your start the cover letter with: “your advertisement in the …. Of…..where you ask for a …..”

The manager will not be surprised and will search for the real start of the letter.

You will want him to think from the moment he starts reading, that your letter is worth reading a lot more than all the others: SO, BE ORIGINAL!!

Always remember that the letter you write is representing you and you want to be invited for a interview and show that you are the most suitable candidate for the position you are applying.

The letter as image-builder

Imaging reading a letter with the following sentences:

• In reference to your advertisement of … looking for….
• Please, find enclose..
• Thanking you in advance…
• I hope to be invited for a personal interview…
• You will not think the person responsible for selecting people and making interviews, knows you: Your cover letter is formal, standard .
• The text are always the same, and nothing change if your write to one or thousands companies.
• The text in this kind of cover letters lack character, personality and impact. The overall image will be one of pure routine.
• If you learn to be creative, you can change your way of thinking and your creative sentences can be used more than one also.
• Show in your cover letter something more about you than only the academic background and experience. Show your interest in that company, show the skills you have and you have developed in many professional and personal areas…

Disadvantage of writing a resume cover letter…

A cover letter lacks intonation, facial expression and posture (body-language). This has to by balanced by the careful selection of words, action verbs and creative writing skills.


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Tips Writing A Cover Letter
How to write a Cover Letter
The Cover Letter

Tips Writing A Cover Letter

The cover letter must be directed to somebody in particular (avoid using phrases like “dear sir/madam” or “to whom it may concern”). You should try to find out the name of the person with hiring power. If this is not possible, you may address the letter to a title or to the Human Resources department.

1. Consider the cover letter as a business letter, a professional one.
2. Never more than a page for writing a resume cover letter
3. Quality paper, white or very clear (same type and colour of paper that was used to print the resume).
4. Brief explanation of what you offer and want, without forgetting that the cover letter must be in accordance with what the company needs.
5. Bring (from your CV or resume) only aspects relevant to the position (abilities, capacities, achievements). Do not make a new summary of your resume. Your resume talks about you, your cover letter about the company, the target…
6. Use the cover letter to convince, to persuade the reader that you are the most appropriate candidate for the position, that you can perform the functions.
7. Show enthusiasm and interest in the company. Write something about the company or industry that shows you know about them.
8. Check your spelling, grammar and expressions before approving the letter.
9. Use short phrases, concise but with a rich lexicon writing a cover letter. No more than four or five paragraphs. 
10. Avoid very formal expressions and facts. The cover letter is a measure of what you want to obtain.
11. Use action verbs writing a cover letter.
12. Do not overuse "I", it can give an egocentric image of the candidate.
13. Do not use copies of cover letters or paragraphs previously used for other selection processes. Send an original cover letter to each employer.
14. Write a resume cover letter in a creative way, oriented towards the client (the company), be flexible and always willing to work in a team and learn.
15. Don’t forget to make your letter stand out and mention something which makes you special; make your potential employer want to go on to read your CV or resume. If you did a language course or have a great qualification, mention it and let yourself shine!

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The Cover/Application Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter
FAQ - Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter

Follow these instructions:

Paragraph 1: present and explain the aim of the cover letter.

Paragraph 2: why you are interested in the company that you are writing to, in this very industry and in this particular position.
Paragraph 3: what you contribute (achievements, experience); abilities and capacities that you will use to carry the position’s functions.
The order of paragraphs two and three can vary based on how you want to write the cover letter.
Paragraph 4: invitation to the interview. Be creative when finishing the letter; do not use the expression "I wait for your call". Mention that you can call to arrange an appointment or meeting, not an interview.
Warm goodbye, full name, email id, contact number and sign the letter.

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Remember to  make your cover letter eye-catching; you want the reader to be taken in, read on to your CV and give you an interview. You want to distinguish yourself from the rest! Bearing this in mind, think about your main strength for the post and highlight it from the beginning – don’t let your potential employer read through lots of irrelevant data and miss the good part! Your main strength will be something that isn’t in the requirements for the job – all the other candidates will have these so think outside the box, what else can you bring to the table? Maybe you have worked for a competitor and so can educate your (potential!) new company about the competition they face. Or maybe you have language skills and so can bring in business from abroad. 
NOTE: Don’t make cover letter a simple introduction, the reader will have read many of these beforehand, make it interesting in its own right and you’re sure to win that interview!


See also...
FAQ - Cover Letter
Tips Writing A Cover Letter
The Cover/Application Letter

The Cover/Application Letter

The cover letter is a document of equal importance to the resume.
The resume cover letter is the first impression the selector will have of the candidate and its negative or positive impact is going to influence his or her further reading (or not ) the CV or resume.
A Cover Letter must be very professional, well written, without misspellings. The content directly explains the candidate meets the requirements for the position, emphasizing and directing the attention of the selector towards the abilities, skills and knowledge the candidate has proved, with concrete examples based on previous experience or non-work experience (if you have never worked or have been outside the job market for a while).

Why is the resume cover letter useful?

1. Cover letter highlights the difference with the rest of candidates.
2. Cover letter has to convince the selector to invite you to an interview.
3. Cover letter shows your motivation.
4. Cover letter reflects your skills for written communication.

See also...

FAQ - Cover Letter

Tips Writing A Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter

Fresh Engineers, Is there no JOB?

Many fresh/trainee engineers complain that they have to suffer a lot when they start looking for jobs after they complete their education. The Pakistani youth have been facing this dilemma for quite some time now and the situation seems to be deteriorating with each passing day. The global recession has further aggravated the situation as millions became jobless and as a result, fresh graduates have to face tougher competition.

Well, now there is no need to despair, if you are a fresh engineer and just started looking for a job then jobs-for-fresh-engineers.blogspot.com is here for you. According to our statistics, many jobs open up for fresh or trainee graduates but they're always mixed up with Experienced or Professional Engineering jobs, so its quite difficult to find a fresh/trainee job out. But now you will find all trainee and fresh jobs at this blog.

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Best of Luck

Regards: Blog-team