STUDY GUIDE

Module 7: The Résumé and Other Job-Search Materials

aptitude - a natural ability to do or to learn something

prospective - likely to be or to become
dossier - a file containing detailed records on a particular person or subject
credential - a document which shows that a person is qualified to do a job
portfolio - a selection of student’s/applicant’s work compiled over a period of time and used for
assessing performance or progress

- an applicant's personal advertisement for employment that provides an instant overview to

the employer
- French word meaning “summary”
- a summary of one’s education, skills and employment when applying for a new job

Structure:
A good resume would start with a Brief Profile of the candidate, Summary of
Qualifications, followed by Industry Expertise and then Professional Experience in reverse
chronological order.
Focus is on the most recent experiences (with responsibilities and accomplishments), and
previous experiences are only presented as a summary. This would be followed by Education
details and/or Professional Affiliations and/or Voluntary Initiatives.

- Contact Information
- Career Objectives
- Education
- Work Experience
- Personal Data and Interests
- References
- Portfolios/Webfolios (optional)

1. Contact Information
[Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[email address]
**If you have two addresses (permanent or current), you may list both, or just list the address
easily accessible for the employer to reach you.
**Check the accuracy of your email address and phone number.

2. Career Objectives
[Career Objectives]
Spell out the kind of job you want.
A position in which I can apply my educational experience—vague
A competitive position in programming and scripting, with eventual goal of
supervising—specific
State your immediate and long-range goals.
If the company has branches, you may include Willing to relocate.
You may insert Qualifications below the Career Objectives.

3. Education
[Degree Completed] [Year Completed]
[Name of School]
If your class rank or GPA is favorable, list it.
Include other specialized trainings relevant to your degree.

4. Work Experience
[Position/Title held]
[Employer’s name]
[Dates of employment]
Begin with your most recent work experience backward (reverse chronological).

5. Personal Data and Interests

Any awards, skills, activities, and interests relevant to the position posted.
Memberships in professional organizations, demonstration of leadership, languages
special skills, and hobbies

6. References - people who have agreed to provide strong assessments of your qualifications and
who can speak on your behalf
[Name of the Referee]
[Job title]
[Company address]
[Contact Information]

==References==
- Three to five people (former employers, professors, and community figures)
- Never list people who haven't given you express permission
- They should not be family members or non work-related friends
- If saving space is important, you may state References available upon Request.
7. Portfolio / Webfolio (Optional)
Portfolio available upon request

ORGANIZING YOUR RÉSUMÉ

Reverse Chronological Résumé - lists the most recent school and job first
Functional Résumé - highlights skills relevant to a particular job

Résumé vs CV vs Biodata

CV – Curriculum Vitae
- more detailed than a résumé; lists out every skill, all the jobs and positions held, degrees,
professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, and in chronological order
- Latin word meaning “course of life”
- used to highlight the general talent of the candidate rather than specific skills for a specific
position
- talks about your entire career ever since you graduated

Biodata / Bio-data
- the focus is on personal particulars like date of birth, gender, religion, race, nationality,
residence, marital status, and the like
- short form for Biographical Data and is an archaic terminology for résumé or C.V.
- not used in a career-oriented field anymore but may be required when applying for
government, or defense positions

Guidelines for HARD-COPY RÉSUMÉ

Begin your résumé well before your job search.
Tailor your résumé for each job.
Try to limit the résumé to a single page but keep it uncluttered and tasteful.
Stick to experience relevant to the job.
Use action verbs and key words.
Use bold, italic, underlining, colors, fonts, bullets, and punctuation thoughtfully, for emphasis.
Never invent or distort credentials.
Use quality paper and envelopes.
Proofread, proofread, proofread.

Guidelines for EMAILED & SCANNABLE RÉSUMÉ

Use keywords.
Consider making your scannable résumé slightly longer than your standard, hard-copy version.
Use a simple font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Garamond)
Use simple formatting.
Save your résumé in "text only" or "rich text" format.
Proofread your résumé.
Do not staple or fold pages of a scannable résumé.

Guidelines for ONLINE RÉSUMÉ

Add hyperlinks, if desired, for a searchable résumé.
Be sure your searchable résumé can download quickly.
Include the searchable résumé’s Web address on your hard copy or scannable résumé.
Prepare alternative delivery options.
Avoid personal information

- a.k.a. Cover Letter, complements a résumé by explaining how the credentials fit the
particular job and to convey a sufficiently informed, professional, and likable persona for
the prospective employer

SOLICITED Application Letters

- used for applying for positions advertised in print or by word of mouth

ADVANTAGES
- You can tailor your documents for the advertised position.
- It is likely that someone will peruse your documents.
DISADVANTAGES
- The advertised position will draw in competitors.
- The posting may be time-sensitive and slots for interview may easily get filled up.

UNSOLICITED Application Letters

- used for applying for positions not advertised with an opening but might need someone

ADVANTAGES
- Some employers are willing to accept unsolicited applications and may pass them
on to another employer who has an opening.
- You give an impression to the employer that you are really interested with the job.
DISADVANTAGES
- You cannot tailor your letter to advertised requirements.
- Your application may get ignored (as it arrives unexpectedly), so be sure to catch
the busy reader’s attention.

Guidelines:
Develop an excellent prototype letter (keep it to a single page, if possible).
Customize each letter for the specific job opening.
Use caution when adapting sample letter templates.
Create a dynamic tone with active voice and action verbs.
Avoid flattery.
Avoid being overly informal (unprofessional) or overly stiff (stuffy).
Never send a photocopied letter.

- a short letter formally advising your employer that you are leaving your job

Guidelines:
Provide Notice: Give adequate notice to your employer, write a formal resignation letter,
and be prepared to move on prior to submitting your resignation.

Include the Details: Resignation letters not only describe the employee’s intent to leave
but also provide information about the last day worked and other requests or details. This
eases the transition for both employer and employee.

Thank Your Employer: In order to maintain a positive and graceful exit, a letter of
resignation often thanks the employer for the opportunities provided and mention
experiences gained at the company or how the employee enjoyed their time there.

Offer to Assist with the Transition: Often, resignation letters will also offer to help in the
transition, whether it be recruiting or training the new replacement. In this way, both the
employee and the employer can leave the situation with closure and a sense of respect and
amicability.

Don't Complain! Resignation letters are not an appropriate place for complaints or
critiques of the employer or co-workers.

Prepared by:

Vanrom Kip P. Follosco

Language Instructor, HSC
FEU Institute of Technology

**This guide is not an “all-in” approach for the lesson’s contents. For a more comprehensive review and content
learning on the module, please refer to the video courseware and the PPT materials in CANVAS.