RESUME AND
APPLICATION WRITING
PREPARED BY: MS. IDYLL RUTH V. BASIÑO, LPT
INTRODUCTION
■ This part of the module will focus on the principles of
workplace communication by writing resumes and cover
letters and knowing the strategies for employment interviews.
The exercises will be drawn from the students’ realm of
experience but will be geared toward the future in the
workplace.
Professional Correspondence
Professional correspondence is communication between two or more
parties through professional writing of letters and emails. Professional
correspondence reflects a person's level of competency and
professionalism.
For the cover letter writing, it is true in the following situations:
■ When the employer you wish to contact lives in another city
■ When you mail your résumé
■ When you email your résumé
■ When you are answering an advertisement.
Purpose of a Cover Letter
■ The cover letter helps you to draw attention to your qualities that are
relevant to the position for which you are seeking. It should catch
people's interest in you and your resume while also reflecting your
enthusiasm for the position and the business. As a result, a cover letter
is more than just a “cover” - it is a marketing tool for your credentials for
the position.
■ An effective cover letter highlights the particular aspects of your skills
and accomplishments that best suit a prospective employer’s needs.
Thus, it bridges the gap between your experience, skills, and abilities
and the qualifications of the position.
Format and Layout of an Application Letter (Cover Letter)
■ The application letter may be solicited or unsolicited.
■ It is typically just one page long, with a message conveyed in
about three to five paragraphs. Different companies may specify
different formatting requirements for this, but most will be printed
on short, 8.5 x 11-inch bond paper, ivory or white, and about 70 to
80 gsm.
STYLES OF BUSINESS LETTERS
1. Full Block-Style
■ All letter parts begin at the left margin. It is therefore the fastest traditional arrangement
style to type.
STYLES OF BUSINESS LETTERS
2. Blocked Style
■ All letter parts begin at the left margin, except the dateline, complimentary closing,
company signature, and writer’s identification, which start at the horizontal center of the
page.
STYLES OF BUSINESS LETTERS
3. Semi-blocked or Modified-blocked
■ This is the same as a blocked letter with one change: the beginning of each
paragraph is indented five or ten spaces.
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
1. Letterhead
Ø The part that includes the company’s name, address, website, and logo of the company
that sent the letter of communication.
Example:
22 H Venture St.
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
2. Dateline
Ø The dateline style accepted in business does not abbreviate or use a number to indicate
the month. On the letterhead paper, only the dateline is entered two or three spaces
below the last line of the printed heading.
Example:
Wrong- Nov. 13, 2020, 0r 11-13-20 or 11/13/202
Right- November 13, 2020, or the Military Style: 13th November 2020
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
3. Inside Address
Ø This consists of the name of the person (with proper title), firm or corporation to whom
the letter is sent, the address, the town, and the province this is typed two or three
spaces below the dateline.
Example:
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
4. Salutation
Ø This is considered a greeting and expression of courtesy to put the reader in a friendly
reception frame of mind. This is typed two spaces below the inside address.
Example:
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
4. Body of the letter
Ø This is the most important part of the letter. It consists of the full message of the letter.
The body of the letter begins two spaces below the salutation unless the subject line
appears in this position, the body then starts two spaces below the subject line.
Example:
Body of the letter
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
6. Complimentary Close
Ø Just as you open your letter with a word of friendly greeting, you close t with a cordial
expression. You have to observe the same degree of formality as in the salutation. Only
the first letter of the first word is capitalized in the complimentary close. This is typed two
spaces below the last line of the body.
Examples:
Basic Parts of an Application Letter
6. Signature Block
Ø This identifies the writer. The anme of the writeer is typed four to five spaces below the
complimentary close. This letter has no binding efefct if the writer fails to sign his/her
name.
Examples:
IDYLL RUTH V. BASIÑO
What are the particulars of an application letter?
1. The first paragraph must attract favorable attention and create interest for the interviewer
to continue reading your letter. By way of identifying the type of position you are applying
for tell how you learned about the opening.
Entry-level cover letter example
What are the particulars of an application letter?
2. The second paragraph should indicate or present your qualifications convincingly. It
should be related to the work you are applying for and must be backed by evidence. Avoid
statements such as “I am dependable” or “I am interested in working with people.” In
addition, you can highlight skills to the employer’s needs.
Example:
What are the particulars of an application letter?
3. The closing paragraph provides a smooth transition from a description of your
qualifications to a request for an interview. Close your cover letter with a specific request for
an interview. In your closing, also refer the interviewer to your résumé, and give a telephone
number and email address where you can be reached.
Example:
Preparing a Résumé
■ A resume is a formal document that summarizes your professional
qualities, such as relevant job experience, abilities, education, and
significant achievements. A resume, which is usually combined
with a cover letter, helps you exhibit your skills and persuade
companies that you are qualified and hirable.
■ The spelling of “résumé” actually originates from French, and
means “summary.” To this day, the purpose of a resume is still to
provide employers with a summary of their relevant qualifications
Preparing a Résumé
A resume is a personal summary of your professional history and
qualifications. It includes information about:
■ Your career goals
■ Education
■ Work experience
■ Activities
■ Honors
■ Any special skills you might have
Types of Resumes
1. Skills Résumé
Ø Students who have obtained relevant expertise through a variety of
unconnected professions and studies will benefit from the skills
style. This style is also suitable for those who are undertaking a
big career move. It focuses on what you can do rather than where
you have worked. Applicable skills can be established through any
activities that you feel will demonstrate your qualifications: courses,
work, volunteer activities, personal life, and so forth.
Types of Resumes
1. Skills Résumé
Ø Students who have obtained relevant expertise through a variety of
unconnected professions and studies will benefit from the skills
style. This style is also suitable for those who are undertaking a
big career move. It focuses on what you can do rather than where
you have worked. Applicable skills can be established through any
activities that you feel will demonstrate your qualifications: courses,
work, volunteer activities, personal life, and so forth.
Types of Resumes
2. Chronological Résumé
Ø This style is also most suited to people who have not had long
periods of unemployment time between jobs. This format starts
with the present, or most recent, job and progresses back in time.
Your work history is listed in order, according to dates. Begin with
your most current position and end with the earliest. Many
employers prefer this type because it gives them an overview of
your experience.
Types of Resumes
3. Functional Résumé
Ø This is one of the most popular résumé formats, and it is ideal for those who have done
internships or cooperative experiences. This form of résumé emphasizes past work
experience that has provided you with background experience for the position you are
applying for. It focuses on your skills and experience and de-emphasizes your work
history. Employment history is secondary to the abilities you have to offer. This basic
resume type is preferable if you have lapses in employment.
Formatting & Appearance of Resume:
• Make your name stand out with a bold, larger font size
• Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier
• Type Size: 10 - 12 Point
• White, beige, or light gray quality bond paper
• Use a laser printer for the best finish
• Limit entry-level resume to one typed page
Key Components of Resume:
1. Heading
Ø Includes contact information:
▫ Top of the page
▫ Name: large and bold- so it stands out!
▫ Address: street, town, state & zip code
▫ Telephone number(s)
▫ Email address
Key Components of Resume:
2. Objective
Ø What is an objective?
o A one-sentence summary of the position desired.
o Short
o Specific
o Tailored to the position
Ø What does an objective do?
o Clarifies the purpose of your resume
o Presents a clear statement of your goals
Key Components of Resume:
3. Education
Ø Name and location of the school
o Major, minor, and area of concentration
o Graduation or anticipated graduation date
o GPA – if 3.2 or higher
Key Components of Resume:
4. Skills
Ø A couple of sentences or bullets that describe what you are like as a
person and how you do things, including personality traits, attitudes,
work habits, etc.
o This is a useful section, especially if you do not have much work
experience.
o Think of the skills you use in school that employers want!!!
o Punctuality, Time Management, Teamwork
Key Components of Resume:
5. Experience
Ø Remember – Experience can be:
o Paid part-time/full-time positions
o Internships
o Volunteer work/ Community Service
o Summer Jobs
Key Components of Resume:
6. References
Ø References in a resume or as an addendum
o If your resume is strong, it is enough to state that references are
available upon request or to include as an addendum
o Choose references that are knowledgeable about your skills, abilities,
and work ethic. Former employers, teachers, and counselors would be
good references, but your friends and relatives would not.
o Always obtain permission from references in advance and provide them
with a current resume
Next lesson: ORAL STRATEGIES FOR
EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW
