CAREER DOCUMENTS SIX STEPS TO CREATING JOB APPLICATION LETTERS, CURRICULUM VITAE AND RESUMES BY JAIME ALFREDO CABRERA ALBUKHARY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, MALAYSIA

Step 1 Important preparations: Know the differences between CVs and resumes [ LINK 1 LINK 2].differences CV resume LINK 1 LINK 2 Choose one job that is appropriate for the short document [ LINK 1] [ LINK 2]. Choose one job that is appropriate for the long document; don’t send both. Attach to the the job advertisement as an image file; don’t paste it in the document. LINK 1 LINK 2 appropriate Avoid starting sentences with “I” – rewrite to create focus on the receiver, not on you.not on you

Step 2 Your online career portfolio: Upload as many certificates, letters of recommendation, skills and competencies that employers want or need for the future. Use these to outline your resume.letters of recommendationskills competencieswant needfuturetheseoutline your resume Use a professional letterhead and photo; upload a business card, CV, and resume with one design.one design Upload recommendation letters, research, projects, and other documents that can elicit interest from employers.recommendation lettersother documents

Step 3 Write each document carefully: Know the parts and structure of a formal letter. Create 30-second application letters and one- page resumes. Know what the letter does for the resume.parts structure formal letter30-second application lettersone- page resumesfor the resume Do not invent; state today’s truths, not a future scenario. Each statement should be supported with evidence.Each statement with evidence Mention each item on the job advertisement. If you don’t meet a requirement, use strategy so that the employer will choose you.each item don’trequirementstrategy choose you

Step 4 Format each document carefully: Use a professional-looking (or multilingual) targeted letter, targeted CV (or bio) and resume: specifically target the job. [ SAMPLE ]professional-looking multilingual targetedCVbio resumetarget SAMPLE Use full block for one letter, modified block for another letter. Use a letterhead for one, use a full signature for the other.full blockmodified blockletterhead onefull Don’t use the space-bar Don’t use the space-bar to format a letter; use the MS Word formatting functions.formatting functions

Step 5 Edit out all errors: Minus 10 per error Punctuation errors Spelling errors Vocabulary errors Grammar errors Conciseness errors Content errors Formatting errors

Step 6 Submit your documents: When sending more than one file, know the rules of zip files. rules of zip When ing your teacher, write a professional . Use a professional address. Know the rules of the opening, body, and closing. professional opening bodyclosing If you send in your work before the deadlines, you can get an immediate reply.the deadlines After the deadline, your teacher may have other priorities. a gentle reminder.gentle reminder