Business Communication
English 302/Fall 2003
“Getting the Job”
Assignment #3
Résumé and Cover Letter
Write a résumé and a cover letter. Your résumé should include the following
information: name, address, and phone number; summary of qualifications; education;
experience; honors; and activities. You may add relevant categories for you
qualifications, such as foreign languages and computer skills. On a separate page write
your references.
You will need to decide on a chronological résumé or on a skills résumé. Use a
chronological résumé if your education and experience have specifically prepared you
for the job and if you have impressive titles and honors. Use a skills résumé if you want
to emphasize the skills you have rather than the jobs you have had and you want to
combine experience, activities, and coursework to show your strengths.
Assume your cover letter is a solicited job application letter. Your letter should
state that you are applying for a specific job and where you learned about the job,
including reference numbers from the ad. Summarize your major qualifications
required in the ad and any other qualifications that you will bring to the job. In the
order that you mention them, develop these major qualifications in detail by being
specific. Develop your other qualifications that you will bring to the job. Demonstrate
your knowledge of the organization. Ask for an interview and tell when you are
available to be interviewed and to begin the job.
Length: Successful résumés range from one to two pages, and cover letters are one page.
Time: Your first draft is due Wednesday (Oct. 1) at the beginning of class.
Format: On the due date of the first draft, bring five copies to class and submit a typed,
single spaced copy to each member of your workshop and one to your instructor. To
submit the final draft, further instructions will be given.
Audience: Your instructor and the members of your class will be the audience for this
assignment. Your polished piece for this assignment will be submitted at the end of the
semester in your portfolio for a final grade.
Evaluation: You will be given feedback for revision during your workshop by the
members of your group. You will submit a revised draft to your instructor who will
give you further feedback for revision during a conference.