Effective Resume writing, Covering letter, thank you letter, reference letter,

1. Effective Resume Writing
M.B.A., Ph.D.,
Head – CM Training Academy

2. AGENDA:
 Difference between Resume and CV and BioData
 Define what a RESUME is.
 Two types of RESUME.
 RESUME format and content.
 RESUME OBJECTIVE and/or CAREER PROFILE.
 Helpful tips when emailing and scanning your RESUME.
 Creating COVER LETTER
 Reference letter
 Thank you letter

3. Difference between Resume and CV
and BioData

4. Resume:
A resume is ideally a summary of one’s education, skills and employment when
applying for a new job. It is usually 1 or at the max 2 pages long.
 1 or 2 pages max
 Lists important KRAs or OKRs from the last 10 years
 Lists only relevant and active certifications
 Customised to a target job description
 Written in a neutral or third person tone
 Most Important Information: Full Name, Contact Details, Experience in reverse-
chronological order, Education details, Professional Skills & Certifications
 Not required: Date of Birth, Gender, Fathers name, Nationality, Hobbies,
Declaration.

5. CV – CURRICULUM VITAE - “course of life”
Your CV is more detailed than a resume, generally 2 to 3 pages, or even longer as per
the requirement. A C.V. lists out every skill, all the jobs and positions held, degrees,
professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, and in chronological order.
 No limit on the pages
 Lists important KRAs or OKRs from the entire tenure
 Lists all skills and certifications held (also expired)
 Customised for a larger audience and not for a specific job description
 Written in a first, neutral or third person tone
 Most Important Information: Full Name, Contact Details, Short Bio, Education
details, Experience in chronological order, Professional Skills & Certifications,
Interests, Courses, Publications, References
 Not required: Date of Birth, Gender, Fathers name, Nationality, Hobbies,
Declaration.

6. BIO-DATA
Biodata is the short form for Biographical Data and is an archaic terminology for
Resume or C.V. This term is mostly used in India by people who started their careers
back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
 No limit on the pages
 Focus on Date and Time of Birth, gender, religion, race, nationality, residence,
marital status
 Customised for the purpose of marriages
 Written in a first or third person tone
 Education & Experience: not mandatory
 Salary details: mandatory if using for matrimonial purposes

7. The interview gets you the job
The resume gets you the interview
“YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO CREATE A FIRST
IMPRESSION.”
Your RESUME is one of your FIRST IMPRESSIONS with a potential
EMPLOYER - said by someone

8. The Employer Wants to know
• What can you do for me?
• How can you improve my operations?
• Can you make me money?
• Save me time?
• Keep my customers happy?
Your resume must not only show the skills you have; it must
demonstrate your success.

9. Essentials of a Resume
Objective/Personal Statement
Personal Details
Educational Qualification
Professional Experience
Technical Qualification
Core Competencies
Skills (area of expertise)
Achievements
References

10. There Are 2 Main Types Of Resumes
Chronological Functional

11. Chronological
• It is the MOST common type of Resume
• It lists previous jobs & dates; most recent job first
• It identifies work accomplishments and skills connected
to each job.
Easier to prepare and is generally successful

12. Formatting your Resume
You can arrange your resume in a variety of formats.
However, most resumes follow this type of order:
Contact information
Objective or Career Profile
Summary of Skills (optional)
Work Experience
Education
Professional Affiliations (optional)
Military Information

13. Contact Information
Your CONTACT INFORMATION is the most
significant PART of your Resume:
NAME
Address (optional) City, State, Zip Code
Telephone Number – Email Address Professional
affiliation; e.g. www.linkedin.com (optional)

14. Create an Impact!
OBJECTIVE
A short statement that includes the job title you want,
and the main reason why they should consider your
for the position.
CAREER PROFILE
A short paragraph (three –to five sentences) that
highlights your experience and qualifications that
match the job you are applying for.

15. Highlight your strengths
To prove you are a better choice than competition describe:
Specific Achievements/Targets achieved
New Accounts added/Value additions in previous jobs
Mention the technology/skills used in different projects.

16. Skills Related to the Job You Are Seeking
or Strengths/Key Accomplishments
Include the skills that are
directly relevant to the
job you are seeking.
Use strengths and
accomplishments to
highlight these skills

17. Education
List diploma, degree(s) or certificate(s) and the school name,
city and state. If you did not graduate college, list total
semesters completed.
List dates of completion if you are a recent graduate (last three years)

18. Check for Grammar & Typing
Mistakes
No excuses for typing mistakes, grammatical
errors and spelling. All PC have this features to
check this.
Use Action Verbs to demonstrate that you are a
person who initiate and proact.
Action Verbs
Organized
Created
Analyzed
Directed
Assisted
Developed
Planned
Initiated
Managed

19. Make the Best first Impression
 Use best quality paper & printer.
 Good formatting may not get you a job but Bad formatting
will definitely reduce your chances
 If sending resume by email use PDF format if possible –
Looks good.
Avoid sending photocopied or pre written resume – makes
bad impression
Choose a font style that looks professional. Avoid multiple
fonts as it looks cluttered & busy.

20. Structure
Be consistent in structure to make it easy for
readers to skim through your resume quickly
without confusion.
Font: 10-12 points,
Bold for name and positions Dates – Month/Year
Paper color – WHITE Spacing – 1 or 2 line spacing

21. Content and Structure
Use short, bulleted statements
Use numbers or percentages
Avoid personal pronounces like “I” or “ME”
Start your statements with action VERBS!!!

22. Emailing and Scanning Tips
Choose conventional fonts like…
Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Times New Roman
Font sizes should be 10 -12
Avoid a lot of Bold, Italics, Tables and underlining.
Use KEYWORDS for your industry/job Do not use Header/Footer
Send a .doc (or .docx) and a.PDF

23. Why a Cover Letter?
It accompanies a Resume and tells the
employer why he/she is receiving your Resume
Used to convince the employer:
Why you are best candidate
That you understand the position for which
you are applying
Why you should be considered for an
interview.
Creating a Cover Letter

24. First, your cover letter should include your
contact information so that the prospective
employer can get in touch with you. Include
current date.
Second, your cover letter must include the
name of the hiring manager and his/her
title; company name and address, followed
by the proper salutation.
Important: Never use the salutation:
“To whom it may concern.”
Cover Letter Content

25. Cover Letter Content
Third, your cover letter should
include at least three paragraphs:
1.What position your are applying for and where
you found the job posting – first paragraph.
2.What you have to offer (middle paragraph(s).
3.How you want to be contacted at the employer’s
time and availability.
And last but not the least, don’t forget the closing;
your name, and the word “Enclosure(s)” to
indicate that your are enclosing your Resume.

26. Reference Page
Prepare as a separate page.
Don not include on your Resume.
“Reference Available Upon Request.”
Prepare at least three references; usually
either two professional and on personal
or three personal and on professional.
Take the reference page with you at the
time of the interview, but submit only if
requested by the prospective employer.

27. Thank You Letter
Send immediately after an interview:
•Card
•Letter
•Phone call
•Email
A THANK YOU LETTER REEMPHASIZES YOUR VALUE TO THE
COMPANY AND RESTATES YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION.

28. Thank You very much for
your participation
HEAD – CM Training Academy
drcmphd@gmail.com
97898 15363