Resume and Cover Letter
Format, Language Style and General
Guidelines
Outline
A. Format
Resume
Controversies
Components
Types
Cover Letter
B. Language Style
C. General Guidelines
Appearance matters
Questions for
discussion
Controversies
over the format of Resume
One page or not. (Usu. one page for college grads.)
To be unique and creative or not. (with
caution.)
Including hobbies and extracurricular
activities or not.
Personal data (e.g. age and marital status)
and photo.
 Follow the general principles and use your
resume as your “personal” ad to show the
best of your qualifications.
Resume: Components
Heading
Objective (examples); (or qualification summary)
Education –
degree, school, date graduated, major,
GPA, honoraries, scholarships, offices held.
Experience –
dates employed (from ~ to~)
employer, division, position title, key
responsibilities (& achievements)(examples).
Extracurricular Activities OR Activities and Honors
Personal data & References
Types of Resume
Chronological (reverse chronological
order) (example)
Linear (example)
Functional/Skills – emphasizes the
functional areas in which the applicant is
strong at; organize experience by
functions one serves or skills one has.
(example)
Format 1: Chronological
Responsibilities
in Block; use
verbs
Source: Beatty;
Another example
Format 2: Linear: listing responsibilities
linear
Another example
Format 3: FunctionalAnother example
Another example
Format 3: Skills (2)
Another example
source
Component 1:
Heading & Objective
Heading: NAME, address and phone no. 
Make it stand out!!!
Objective: 1. Should be supported by the
other parts of the resume; 2. can be
directed at a specific job, or put in more
general way; 3. (Shows your understanding
of the nature of the job.)
e.g. 1. Secretary: a secretarial position which
utilizes interpersonal, organizational and
computer skills, and which provides chances
to learn business management.
Component 1:
Objectives(2)
2. Marketing: a position in charge of marketing
project direction, product management, sales
promotion, general administration for consumer
goods company.
3. Secretarial Job in a International Trading
company: A position involving computer skills,
high demand of English, basic knowledge of
international trade in relation to fashion business.
An entry position in Public Relations department.
A management position in marketing, finance, or
production. Resume: Components
Component 2:
Education
To be placed before Experience when it is
more significant than the latter.
Give proper titles!
Fu Jen Catholic University
Bachelor of Arts in English, expected June, 2004
GPA: Grade Point Average (see next page)
Major Related Courses: (don’t list the general
ones)
GPA
General Scale in
Taiwan:
80-100=4.0
70-79=3.0
60-69=2.0
50-59=1.0
49 and below=0.0
In U.S.:
90-100=4.0
80-89=3.0
70-79=2.0
60-69=1.0
59 and below=0.0
Explanation:
http://www.eapply.com.tw/dlnet/Big5/members/data_link/Ram/gpa.htm
Online GPA calculation:
http://studyabroad.gostudy.com.tw/gpa/index.asp
Component 3: Experience
Responsibilities at work
e.g. secretary:
Transcribed dictation from three advertising
agency account executives. Accomplishments:
became expert with a word processor;
increased typing speed from 50 to 75 words per
minute; increased accuracy to 97%.
e.g. instructor, language institute
Taught English conversation and grammar to
classes of children ranging from age 7 to 10.
Accomplishments: used lively methods to
interest children of different ages, . . .
Component 3: Experience
Responsibilities at work
e.g. translator, waitress
Communicated with customers in fluent English
and Chinese, sometimes translating between
the two languages.
e.g. administrative work, PR
Negotiated and arbitrated conflicts among team
workers
Developed a climate of enthusiasm, teamwork,
and cooperation
Introduced student projects as well as creative
ways of advertisements to different companies.
Cover Letter: Components
Opening: 1. Your reason for writing; 2. Make
a point that you think will be interesting to
the addressee;
Highlights: Give examples of the qualifications
which make you a good candidate.
Closing: ask for an interview.
Format: Use block format (all justified left) ,
single spaced, double-spaced between
paragraphs.
Language: specific and professional
Objective: A good job with a famous
company.
An assistant position in procurement department which
utilizes my skills in computer applications and negotiating
deals and familiarize me with all facets of modern
procurement management.
Objective: A part-time English tutor.
An English instructor in a language institute which allows me to
make full use of a variety of teaching methods to make
students talk spontaneously, correctly and meaningfully.
Language: specific and concise
Objective: A translator
A translation job which utilizes and further improve my abilities in general
research, two-way translation between English and Chinese, as well as
specialized knowledge in literature and religion.
Experience: Raised a lot of funds for
student activities.
Raised over 15,000 dollars from three companies for
department annual play, 2000.
Experience: Taught a kid creatively.
Used film scripts and lyrics to increase a high-school
student’s vocabulary. Used Role Play to let a class of 15
eight-year olds speak only in English.
Cover Letter: Opening
From
the
website
of I104
Occupation
As
an(1English
major,
have
not only
st Par.)
From the website
of 104
Agency, IEnglish
understand
that you are
mastered
and
computer
skills,that
but
Occupation Agency, I understand
offering
a working
opportunity
of a
also
acquired
a
fair
amount
of
knowledge
in
you are offering a working opportunity of
general
assistant From
with requirements
of 104
trading
business.
the
website
of
the general assistant with requirements
high demand
of English
and basic
Occupation
Agency,
I
understand
I am
of high demand of English andthat
basic
knowledge
of trading
and
computer
skills.
exactly
the
person
you
ask
for.
I
would,
knowledge of trading and computer
As one who
fits
your qualifications
and
therefore,
like
to
apply
for
the
position
of
skills. That’s it?
wants to
learn more
general
assistant
you about
offer. trading
business, I would like to apply for this
position.
Cover Letter: Closing
I look forward to meeting your need in
any possible interviews, and thank you
for your consideration.
I look forward to discussing how my
qualifications meet your needs in an
interview, and thank you for your
consideration.
Cover Letter: Highlights
As both translator and receptionist at I-Lan
Children’s Folklore Festival, I accommodated
the needs of 14 foreign performers from Englishspeaking countries and introduced to them both
cultural and geographical features of Taiwan. I
helped solve their problems in daily matters and
unexpected situations to make them feel
comfortable in Taiwan. Besides, together with
the other staff members, I designed leisure
activities to promote cultural interchanges
among us. This experience improved the skills of
communication and reception I have acquired at
school in and out of class.
General Guidelines
Research the companies you are
applying for well, and address what
they need in your resume and cover
letter.
Be self-assertive and matter-of-fact; do
not exaggerate or flatter.
Be concrete: use verbs more than
adjectives.
Appearance matters: what is
appearance?
Appearance
grammar and spelling;
spatial arrangement of resume; font
and spacing;
printing and paper qualities.
What else? A bit of creative and
elegant decoration if possible.
Discussion
Which of the following jobs can we
apply for right after graduating from
college without getting another degree?
How do you present the objectives or
responsibilities of the following jobs?
Jobs you are considering
English Teacher of middle and elementary
level
marketing in the foreign company
Secretary
tour leader
Editor, translator, journalist
Salesman
PR
Librarian
Tour Leader
entertains and manages people in ways that are
fascinating, remarkable and exciting.
Serves as the primary point of contact and an adviser
to the group that s/he manages.
well-equipped with the historical background,
geography, current affairs for every destination and be
updated on the various aspects of each destination
especially when most tourists nowadays have traveled
widely and are well informed.
Has an out-going personality, decisive, organized,
possesses good speaking and people skills, inquisitive
and above all a strong sense of Ethics.
knows what needs to be done before departure,
before boarding, on-board, on-arrival and at the end
of the tour.
References:
Beatty, Richard H. The Resume Kit. New
York : Wiley , c1991.
Bostwick, B. E. Resume writing : a
comprehensive how-to-do-it guide. New
York : Wiley , c1990.
OWL from Purdue U.