2. TOPIC:
SOCIAL CORRESPONDENCE, OFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCE, BANK CORRESPONDENCE, JOB
APPLICATION AND C.V (CURRICULUM VITAE)
Group members
1 VRUSHALI GAWANDE 110
2 PRIYANKA GHADI 111
3 TORAL RAO 132
4 JEET SHUKLA 153
5 DIYANSHI BALSARA 156
6 MINAKSHI KAMBLE 160
2
3. CONTENTS
1. What is correspondence?............................ pg 4
2. Types of correspondence…………………………..pg 6
3. Social correspondence……………………………….pg 6
4. Banking correspondence…………………………...pg 17
5. Official correspondence……………………………..pg 21
6. Job application……………………………………………pg 27
7. C.V (curriculum vitae)………………………………….pg 34
3
4. 1. What is Correspondence?
Correspondence is a way of communication through written
letters. It is documented medium of exchanging information,
massages and ideas between organization, between individuals
and organization.
Correspondence covers many types of written
communication like reports, circulars, letters, memoranda,
telegram, notes, facsimiles, cables, postcards, email etc. But
the term is commonly used to mean communication through
letters. Letters form the most widely used media of external
business communication .Communication is called the life-
blood of modern trade and commerce.
Letters are composed in the form of person to person
communication. A format of a business letter has evolved in
course of time out of custom and convenience and is now
universally accepted. Letters are consists of the inside address
(personalized letters with name and address of the recipient),
the opening salutation (E.g. Dear Sir, or Sir or Dear Mr. xyz etc.,)
the body of the letter i.e. the message, Complimentary close
(i.e. yours sincerely or yours faithfully etc.,) and the signature,
Name and designation of the writer.
The contents of a business letter may vary according to
4
5. the nature of the message or information to be conveyed. It
may be a simple letter of routine nature like letters of
acknowledgment or greeting or may deal with more
complicated subjects like inquiries, collection letters, orders,
complaints and their adjustments etc.
Correspondence is the most important form of external
communication. Because of its many advantages,
correspondence has become the chief means of written
communication between business concern and its outside
contacts. The success and reputation of a business depends to
a great extent, on the quality of its correspondence
5
6. 2. TYPES OF CORRESPONDENCE
i. Social correspondence
ii. Bank correspondence
iii. Official correspondence
3. Social correspondence:
Letters which are written to relations and intimate friends
should be written in an easy, conversational style. The Social
letters are really of the nature of friendly chat: and, being as a
rule unpremeditated and spontaneous compositions, they are
informal and free-and-easy as compared with essays. Just as in
friendly talks, as in friendly letters, we can touch on many
subjects and in any order we like. And we can use colloquial
expressions which would in formal essays be quite out of place.
But this does not mean that we can be careless and slovenly in
dashing off our letters. For, it is insulting to ask a friend to
decipher a badly written, ill-composed and confusing scrawl so,
it must for us to take care and preserve some order in
expressing our thoughts. Above all, it must be remembered
that, however free-and-easy may be our style, we are as much
bound by the rules of spelling, punctuation, grammar and idiom
in writing a letter as we are in writing the most formal letter.
6
7. Layout and format
Heading
Salutation (Greeting)
Body
Closing
Signature
Heading: Use the proper form in addressing correspondence.
If the recipient is a man over the age of 18, address the letter
to "Mr. John Smith." For a single woman over the age of 18,
use "Ms. Mary Jones." For a married woman, use "Mrs. Mary
Smith" if she uses her husband's last name and “Ms. Mary
Jones if she does not. Use "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" for a
couple in which the woman has taken the man's name, and
"Ms. Mary Jones and Mr. John Smith" for a couple in which
she has not.
Greetings: Choose an appropriate greeting for your social
correspondence. Most people begin with, "Dear," but there
are many variations of this greeting, such as, "My Dear" and
"Dearest." Choose the greeting that best suits your
relationship to to recipient of the correspondence.
Body: Use the body of the letter to express your reason for
writing, share news, ask questions and convey emotions.
Social letters can be used to express congratulations,
sympathy or friendship; it is poor etiquette to use social
correspondence to complain about your own trouble. The
7
8. body of social correspondence varies, depending on the level
of intimacy between the correspondents.
Closing: End your social correspondence with a blessing or
good wishes for the recipient. Further, the closing is a great
place to offer assistance and remind the recipient of your
fidelity and friendship.
Signature: Use the signature to express your feelings for the
recipient. Appropriate signatures include "With Love," "Best
Wishes" and "Warmest Regards." Follow by signing your full
name.
8
9. Types of Social Correspondence
1. Invitation Letter
a. ACCEPTANCE
b. REGRET
c. RECALL
2. Thank-you Letter
3. Letter of Congratulation
4. Letter of Sympathy (Consolation)
5. Letter of Condolence.
1. Invitation letter
Formal and Informal Letters:
Formal letters: important banquets, ceremonious dinners,
church weddings, receptions or dances. Formal invitations are
used. Engraved and they are written in the third person (e.g.
“Mr. and Mrs. John Brown cordially invite you to dinner…”).
They are written like ordinary letters (e.g., one line after
another), but are arranged in a decoratively indented form on
the page.
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10. a. ACCEPTANCE
Mr. and Mrs. -------------------
accept with pleasure
Mr. and Mrs. -----------------------------
kind invitation to dinner
on ------------------the---------
at ------------------------
b. REGRET
Mr. and Mrs.---------------
Regret that previous arrangement
Prevents their accepting
Mr. and Mrs. -------------------------
Kind invitation to dinner
On -----------------------------------------
10
11. c. RECALL
Dr. and Mrs. --------------------------
regret that, owing to the
sudden illness of their son, they
are obliged to recall their invitation
For ------------------------------------
11
12. 2. Thank-you letters
Thank-you letters are letters of ordinary correspondence.
Writing such letters is for expressing one’s gratitude to others
for having got their gifts, help or other favors. A thank-you
letter is the same as an ordinary letter in form, and needs to be
worded appropriately and sincerely. Equally importantly, it
should be written concisely and mailed timely, but it needn’t be
worded exaggeratedly.
Dear, ---------------------
--------- and I want to thank you for the beautiful salad bowl
set. We’re looking forward to getting lots of use out of your
thoughtful and practical wedding gift.
We’re having fun getting organized in our little apartment. Soon
we’ll be ready for company, and we’ll be giving you a call. After all
the times you’ve had us over for dinner, we’ll get to play host for a
change.
Fondly,
12
13. 3. Congratulatory Letters
Congratulatory letters are, too, social letters of common type
in daily life. Whenever there are joyous and happy events, such
as your friend’s marriage, birthday, graduation, receiving an
academic degree or a prize, or opening a business, you can then
write to congratulate him/her on this. The style of this type of
letter tends to be warm and sincere, pithy and natural, and thus
it touches the addressee’s heart.
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14. My dear, ------------
I’ve learnt that you’ve just graduated from college.
Congratulations upon having received your ------------------
From ------------. I know this has meant years of study and hard work
on your part, and it’s an achievement you can well be proud of.
I hope that your graduation will not end your studies, but will
rather be the beginning of a new and broader culture. I believe that
the knowledge you’ve acquired will enable you to be successful in
whatever calling in life you may enter.
14
15. 4. Letters of Consolation
A letter of consolation is written for the purpose of consoling
one’s relatives and friends, when they suffer misfortunes, e.g.,
illnesses, injuries, or some other calamities. As an addresser
you need to try to write a consolatory letter in a succinct,
proper, cordial style so that you may well, so to say, enable it to
be a consolation and inspiration to the addressee
Dear----------
It is with great sorrow that I hear of your illness. I should like
to know how you are getting on now.
Although I’m not a doctor, I’m taking the liberty of sending you
a prescription: Don’t worry about your studies. Take things easy.
I sincerely hope you’ll soon be yourself again. If I can be of any
service to you, remember that to aid you is ever the sincere
Your loving friend
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16. 5. Letters of Condolence
a. You should be honest in writing a letter of condolence
and that your wording must be appropriate. You cannot
use flowery words and expressions.
b. Your letter cannot be too long.
c. It is inappropriate to ask about the details of the disease
and death. In particular, you must avoid referring to the
cause of disease in case the receiver burst into sorrow
again.
d. Never write “She was too young to die” or “Your life will
be desolate without him”
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17. Dear-----------
Today I heard you had lost your----------. I know the
suddenness of it must have been a dreadful shock; and I just
can’t tell you how sorry I am. Having been so recently through
the same sad experience, I know only too well what it means.
I wish there were something I could do or say to soften your
grief. But only time can do that,--------- and it will, as surely as it did
for me.
With deepest sympathy to you and all your family.
Affectionately
17
18. 4.Banking correspondence
Correspondence with banks is essential for organizations.
Banks also are business houses and they have to correspond
with clients and customers. Banks whether Private or Public,
Local or Foreign, have to face stiff competition from others.
Computerized accounts, Automatic Teller Machine, Credit
and Debit cards have enlarged the scope of business. Banks
which were the monopoly of the rich men, today are
attracting common and ordinary people.
The whole competition of banking business has undergone a
sea-change. Banking correspondence is of a special nature
because it deals with finance. Letters have to be carefully
written to protect the interest of the bank as well as its
clientele. In the first place, it has to be very confidential in
nature. The financial status of its clientele can be quite
fluctuating owing to extraneous reasons. The interest of the
client has to be protected as well as the interest of the bank.
The correspondence should also be tactful. A bank cannot
afford to be judgemental in issues connected with a
transaction. Banks can suffer from bad debts but it cannot
afford to hastily call a client a bad-debtor. Courtesy is
another important feature of banking correspondence. Banks
should always look at a situation from the receiver’s point of
view. ‘You-attitude’ in letters is very important for all
correspondence connected with banks.
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19. Types of Banking Correspondence:
There can be classifications of all banking letters into four
groups and they are as follows:
1. There are banking correspondence that relates to opening,
closing and transfer of accounts of customers.
2. There are banking correspondence that relates to operations
in accounts of customers – deposit, collection and payment of
cheques, drafts, bills etc.
3. There are banking correspondence that relates to Loans and
Advances including overdrafts, cash-credits, demand and term
loans, discounting of bills, letters of credit, guarantees etc.
4. There are banking correspondence that relates to subsidiary
or ancillary services like remittances, safe deposit lockers,
agency services, supplying credit or status information and
traveler’s cheques etc.
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20. FORMAT
For prospecting very business house requires to maintain some
sort of relation with the banks as such which rather to the
fulfillment of various needs of the houses. Personal liaison has
got to be maintained harmoniously with the staff of the bank.
Bluntness or curtness should be shed off. On the other hand,
these letters should be politely addressed and these should be
drafted very carefully so as to avoid any type of pitfall. All the
information furnished should be quite clear and precise. The
information furnished should be more factual. Thus the bank
that provides various facilities of safe deposit of money,
operations and transfer of money etc. should be approached in
a civil and more cultured manner.
Personal approach and correspondence may become the
various media of relationship with the bank. Somewhere we
may need some sort of technical decencies. Thus we may say
that all sort of correspondence must be aglow with the
personal touch that should impress the bank officers.
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21. Format of banking correspondence
To
----------------------------------------[bank name]
----------------------------------------[address]
Sir
I wish to invest a sum of---------------------------------------- in fixed
deposit of your bank at the branch of
----------------------------------- Road ---------------------------- for the
period of --------------------years. I shall be highly indebted to
you if you very kindly write to me the rate of interest pertinent
thereto.
Furthermore I wish to know that if such deposits are made
occasionally for a period of one year what rate of interest is
admissible in these deposit please send me all rules governing
such transaction at earliest possible convenience.
I am sure you will deal with the issue expeditiously.
Your faithfully.
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22. 5. Official Correspondence
What is official correspondence?
Official correspondence bears the stamp of great responsibility
which may be easily understood. This responsibility pertains to
the fact that an official letter may travel to any authority up and
down the ladder of bureaucracy and that action may be taken
on the same at the lowest and highest levels. Apart from the
fact that an official correspondence has to observe all the
etiquette of address and approach, it has also to be careful
about the contents, accusations, stress, avowals, admissions
and so on and so forth. When a correspondence is issued
officially, the originating source should be prepared for actions
taken on it, favorable or unfavorable, backed even by the
ultimate authority, if the requirement be such.
Clarity and brevity are the necessary ingredients of official
correspondence. Paragraphs must be devoted to single points
mainly, or at best to allied matters. The beginning and the end
must be pleasing and should show politeness and form.
Economy of words is to be observed, though a certain form of
ornamentation at times may be necessary. Jt has to be
remembered that each word in an official letter carries much
weight and may be variously interpreted. The writer, therefore,
should be careful about the possible significances of words and
22
23. expressions used in the communication.
Disputes and disagreements are thus the byproducts of an
official correspondence and the issuing source has to take care
of all the pros and, cons before the communication is
dispatched. Quickness and pointedness are the virtues usually
associated with official correspondence. Haste in reply should
be abjured, or corrections or amendments may have to follow
simultaneously. Clearness of vision and the spirit of
reconciliation, of give-and-take, are the ancillaries that help to
solve the matter, and give the needed solution more readily.
How to Write Effective Official Correspondences
Writing and replying official correspondence does not need to
be a terribly exhausting task. Mastery of the art of official letter
writing is a skill everybody should endeavor to accomplish. in
official correspondence writing techniques, you will find out
that it is, surprisingly, a simple task to accomplish. Simply keep
the language formal and adopt impersonal style of writing.
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24. Types of Official Correspondence
We can classify official correspondence into two broad groups
A. Memorandum
B. Letters
A. MEMORANDUM:
A memorandum is a formal correspondence, usually dealing
with one specific topic, which is send internally within an
organization. It is a type of correspondence from the
organization to its employee or between official of its
organization.
Uses of memorandum
A memorandum is used within an organization to convey
official information, announcement, confirmation, advice,
reprimands and reminders to members. Memorandum can be
intra departmental when it originates from one department
and ends within the same department. For example, if the
production manager writes a memorandum to the staff within
production department. But if it stretches and goes beyond
production department, says accounts department, it is inter-
departmental memorandum.
Do not use memorandum letterhead to write personal
letters to the organization: for example 1 application for a
leave, 2 response to query, 3 personal complaint.
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25. Format for writing memorandum
A memorandum has a definite format with minor
variations depending on the organizations. A
memorandum is not a letter and should follow the
following format.
i. Heading: The bold print of organization name and logo
ii. From: Name and position of the sender
iii. To: Name and position of the receiver
iv. Date: the date of writing
v. Reference: Reference number for filling and
identification of the memorandum
vi. Subject: The objective for sending the memorandum
vii. Body: Details of the information
viii. Name and signature of the sender
Note that there is no room for subscription ( i.e. your faithfully)
Languages and qualities of memorandum
The term memorandum denotes something to be remembered.
For someone to remember the content of your memorandum,
you must clarity and conciseness of language. Formality and
high standard of courteous must be must be your watchword
even if your reader is of equal status with you.
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26. B] LETTERS
Officially, letters are those official correspondence we usually
send to the outside organization. Letters are subdivided into
personal and business letters.
Personal letters are those dealing with personal issues
concerning an individual and organization. For example:
application for job letter, request for maternity leave, etc.
While business letters are those that deals with day to day
running of an organization. For example: request for quotation,
submission of budgets, estimates etc.
Language and style of official correspondence
Formal letter can be written in
1. First person singular [I]:- This style contains personal
elements which often softens the stiffness officialdom.
The first person singular can be used by somebody of
weight and authority in the organization. This is
representatives of the organizations. Example:
We have received your letter of application for
employment and shall be considering it at the board
meeting next week.
26
27. 2. The first person plural (we):- This style also contains
personal elements. However, junior member of the
organization is advised to use the first person plural.
Example:
We have received your letter of application for
employment and shall be considering it at the board
meeting next week.
3. The impersonal passive: This style is for very formal
situation and is becoming very rare in business
correspondence because it kills the modern idea of
directness, friendliness and simplicity advocated in
business circle. But official letter still make use of the
impersonal passive style.
Example: Your letter of application for employment has
been received and will be considered by the board next
week.
Qualities of official letters
a. Suit abilities of tone to the subject matter
b. Friendliness, politeness and warmth tone
c. Selection of materials and choice of wording to suit the
audience.
d. Psychological factors – tact, courtesy and carefulness
while conveying unwelcome information
e. Freshness of language- be original and avoid slate
expressions and cliches
27
28. 6.Job Application
DEFINATION : A Job application is a written request for
employment typically on a specific form provided by the
potential employer.
Applying for a job is an art. There is no doubt that the number
of jobs and opportunities available today are amazing but the
number of applicants and their quality has also improved
drastically. So the equation has become competitive.
A resume is not good enough to sell talent. It must always be
accompanied with a Job Application Letter. A Job Application
Letter does not talk anything different from the resume but it
just gives the gist of the resume. It also highlights any salient
qualities that an individual has but do not reflect in the resume.
These qualities may be innate in an individual and not acquired
through any course or training.
A Job Application Letter should be addressed to the person
responsible for the selection process. It should always be typed
with not too much playing done with fonts or colors. It should
be short and crisp. It should give the gist of the individuals
qualifications along with any specific qualities that s/he
possesses
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29. JOB APPLICATION IS USED:-
To make a good impression with the employer.
To gather information about an individual’s
qualifications.
To compare candidates to one another.
DO’S AND DON’TS OF JOB APPLICATION LETTER
DO’S
A Job Application Letter should always accompany the
resume
It should always be typed with standard fonts and colors
It should have the applicants name, address and contact
details clearly mentioned
Apart from giving the gist of the resume it should also
highlight the qualities of the applicant
A Job Application Letter should always have a subject line
to indicate to the reader that the application is for a
particular post
If the letter is being sent in response to an advertisement
given by the organization then that too should be referred
in the letter
Since the applicant does not know the reader personally,
the letter should be addressed to madam/sir
Giving a brief of current job profile is of utmost
importance while sending a Job Application Letter
29
30. Giving the CTC (cost to company) break up of current
employment is optional
DON’TS
No flowery language needs to be used in the letter
The applicant should not show any desperation while
applying for the job as that gives a wrong indication to the
prospective employer
A Job Application Letter is an effective tool to provide
additional details of your career history, experience, skills,
achievements and awards in the field related to the job for
which you have applied. These letters are also known as the
cover letters that make your resume more impressive than
other several common resumes.
Most of the applicants are not serious about the application
letters while applying for a job. They use same format for the
different jobs in different companies. This ignorance to update
and modify the Application Letter makes wrong impression on
the employer. In this case, candidates need to follow some tips
that are helpful while writing their letters.
30
31. These tips include:
i. Before sending a Job Application Letter, you must study the
company in which you are going to apply for job. This will help
you to make an impression on the employer that how well you
understand the company and how you can contribute to the
growth of Company.
ii. Generally, the business letters are typed, but some employers
want the cover letters to be handwritten. Some of the
companies prefer theses letters in the form of e-mails. Hence,
the format of your Job Application Letter depends upon the
employers' choice.
iii. An introductory paragraph should be effective, and it should
include from which reference you are applying, how you came
to know about this job and what do you think about the
desired job.
iv. You must be careful about not mentioning your personal
details in application letter. Gender and religion information
should not be given unless the employer requires it.
Sometimes if these details creates wrong impression on the
hiring managers. Hence, you must confirm this aspect before
sending the job Application Letter
v. The closing paragraph is an opportunity to ask an employer for
an interview. You can ask the hiring manager that you would
31
32. like to meet in-person to discuss your experience and
qualifications.
vi. Finally, you need to proofread and review your Job Application
Letter after you have completed. Proofread is very important
to remove the grammar and spelling mistakes in your letter. An
effective job letter with clear and specific details will create
positive impression on the hiring manager.
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33. Sample of job application letter
_____________ (Name and address of the applicant)
_____________ (Date)
Subject: Application for the post of ______________ (post
applied for)
Dear Sir or Madam,
This is in response to your advertisement in ___________
(medium of advertisement) dated _________ for the post of
_________ (post advertised).
I am ____________ (details of highest qualification) and have
______ (number of years of experience) in companies of repute
such as ______________ (names of companies). Currently I am
working with ____________ (name of organization currently
employed with) as ______________ (designation) since
_______ (date since when working with this organization). My
job profile entails _____________ (details of current job
profile).
I also have _____________ (details of any additional
qualifications, if any). I am a hard working, sincere and
dedicated worker. By working in companies of such repute I
have learnt certain values such as integrity and respect for
people and swear by them now. I assure you that if I am
33
34. selected by your organization I will give it my best and promise
you a result-oriented tenure.
My Resume has been enclosed for your kind perusal.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Best regards,
(Name of the applicant)
Encl: As above
34
35. 7. C.V. (curriculum vitae)
C.V is an outline of a person's educational and professional
history, usually prepared for job applications Abbreviation
C.V[Latin, literally: the course of one's life] A CV is the most
flexible and convenient way to make applications. It conveys
your personal details in the way that presents you in the best
possible light. A CV is a marketing document in which you are
marketing something: yourself! You need to "sell" your skills,
abilities, qualifications and experience to employers. It can be
used to make multiple applications to employers in a specific
career area. For this reason, many large graduate recruiters will
not accept CVs and instead use their own application form.
An application form is designed to bring out the essential
information and personal qualities that the employer requires
and does not allow you to gloss over your weaker points as a
CV does. In addition, the time needed to fill out these forms is
seen as a reflection of your commitment to the career.
There is no "one best way" to construct a CV; it is your
document and can be structured as you wish within the basic
framework below. It can be on paper or on-line or even on a T-
shirt (a gimmicky approach that might work for "creative" jobs
but not generally advised!).
35
36. DO’S
be concise when outlining your education and
employment history
try to keep your CV/résumé to one or two sides of A4
paper
use brief, informative sentences, short paragraphs, and
standard English
structure your CV/résumé in a logical way, with a limited
number of main sections
begin with an action verb when describing your duties (see
the CVs/résumé below)
use bold type or bullet points to highlight key points
proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and
punctuation (many employers just discard job
applications that contain such errors)
see your college careers adviser: they'll have a range of
sample CVs/résumés and will be able to help you when
writing specific applications
update your CV/résumé regularly, as your situation
changes
DON'T
go into too much detail: employers are too busy to read
rambling and unfocused CVs/résumés
leave gaps in your employment history: it's better to add a
sentence explaining any periods that are unaccounted
for (such as a gap year)
36
37. forget to read your CV/résumé for both content and
mistakes (you could also ask someone to read it for you)
use many different typefaces: keep to one or two that are
clear and easy to read
brighten up your CV/résumé with inappropriate colour,
photos, or graphics
name people as referees unless you've already confirmed
that they're happy to provide a reference for you
Here are some guidelines on two broad approaches to writing
CVs/résumés, one suitable for students embarking on their
careers who haven't had a full-time permanent job, and one for
students who've worked for several years and who'll be
returning to full-time work after their studies.
37
38. Structure of CV/resume
1. Personal details:
name
address (home and college address if different)
telephone number (home/mobile/college if applicable)
email address
personal profile (a summary outlining who you are and
why you're a worthwhile employment prospect for this
particular job)
2. Education and qualifications:
i. if you're studying for a qualification in higher education,
start with this, making it clear that your studies are
ongoing and when the course is due to end
ii. if you've completed any other further or higher education,
state this next
iii. give your school or schools and the dates you attended
them, together with:
a list of all your A-level (or Scottish Higher) subjects and
grades
brief details of GCSEs, Scottish Standard Grades, or
equivalent qualifications (only give full details of these
38
39. if the employer has specifically asked for them or the
subjects are relevant to the job in question)
3. Employment history:
if you've had several temporary or part-time jobs, list the
most important in chronological order, starting with the
most recent
give a brief summary of your roles and responsibilities,
focusing on those most relevant to the post you're
applying for
if you've worked in a variety of short-term jobs that aren't
relevant to your current application, you can summarize
these as, for example, 'various temporary retail posts'
4. Any other skills, achievements, or training:
list any relevant courses or training (e.g. IT qualifications,
knowledge of a foreign language)
mention significant awards and other achievements, or
positions of responsibility at college
5. Interests or pastimes:
a brief overview of your interests or hobbies will help your
potential employer to gain an insight into the type of
person you are
39
40. 6. Referees:
you can either give contact details of two people who'd be
willing to give you a reference or say that references are
available on request
if you're providing specific names and this is your first job,
you could use a tutor, teacher, or anyone (apart from
your family) who knows you well enough to vouch for
you
c.v should be used
When an employer asks for applications to be received in
this format
When an employer simply states "apply to ..." without
specifying the format
When making speculative applications (when writing to an
employer who has not advertised a vacancy but who you
hope my have one)
What makes a good CV?
There is no single "correct" way to write and present a CV but
the following general rules apply:
It is targeted on the specific job or career area for which
you are applying and brings out the relevant skills you
have to offer
40
41. It is carefully and clearly laid out: logically ordered, easy to
read and not cramped
It is informative but concise
It is accurate in content, spelling and grammar. If you
mention attention to detail as a skill, make sure your
spelling and grammar is perfect!
Tips for a good CV
1. Understand that your CV is your marketing tool and that it
must project you as much as possible. It should be
packaged in such a way that makes you the employer’s
choice.
2. Make your CV focused and concentrated, addressing the
requirements stated in the advertisement. For most
applicants for a post-graduate employment would have a
first degree like you. Therefore, emphasize that special
skills you have, for example, you may have been certified
by Microsoft.
3. Use your curriculum vitae to obtain an interview not a job.
You do not need to go into detail about your
accomplishments. Strive to be clear and concise. The
purpose of your curriculum vitae is to generate interest in
you to have an employer contact you for an interview
4. Use bulleted sentences. In the body of your curriculum
vitae, use bullets with short sentences rather than long
paragraphs. CVs are read quickly. This bulleted-sentences
format makes it easier for someone to glance at your CV
and still absorb it.
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42. 5. Use action words like prepare, develop, monitor and
present to add life to your CV.
6. Make numbers, dollars, and percentages ((#’s $’s and %’s.)
stand out in the body of a curriculum vitae. For example:
*monitored a group of ten to erect terminals of
$1,000,000.
* Increase Sales by 20% in 10-state territory.
7. Put your strong points first where they are more likely to
be read. CVs are typical reviewed in less than 30 seconds.
This will strongly support your job-search objective.
8. Use the key words listed in the advertisement and match
them to bullets in your curriculum vitae.
9. Use buzzwords that show your competence in a particular
field:
For lectureship, for example use “taught Transaction
Analysis”.
For accounting types, use “reconciled accounts”.
10. Accent the positive. Ignore negatives and irrelevant
points. If you feel your date of graduation will subject you
to age discrimination, leave it. Focus on the duties that do
support your objective.
11. Show what you know by highlighting your breadth of
knowledge. An interview will provide opportunity for
detail.
12. Show whom you know. If you have been reporting to
someone as important as your Managing Director, say so
in your CV. Having reported to someone important causes
the reader to infer that you have high network.
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43. 13. Construct your CV to read easily by using a font size
not smaller than 10 point. Limit the length of your CV to 1-
2 pages so that the reader can scan it efficiently and
effectively.
14. Have someone else review your CV in relation to the
advertisement. Encourage them to ask questions. Their
questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently
left off your CV, revise your CV to include these items.
Their questions can also point to items on your CV that are
confusing to the reader.
15. Submit your CV to your potential employers. Apply
for some jobs that appear to be beneath your level. Apply
for jobs that seem to be just at your level. Your will get
interviews for some of those jobs. Apply for some jobs that
are below you. This game will give you more courage to
attend interviews and perfect your CV.
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44. Sample for a resume / C.V
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Employment history:
Education and qualifications:
Current studies:
Higher Education:
Secondary Education:
Other skills and achievements:
Interests:
References:
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