Response: Modules 27 and 28

Module 27 offers advice on how to write an effective resume. The lecture suggests some guidelines to make resumes more attractive to employers, such as providing details of our previous jobs, emphasizing achievements relevant to the position for which we are applying, and including skills that are used in almost every job.

There are two types of resumes: chronological and skills resumes. Chronological resumes highlight degrees, job positions, and dates. Skills resumes emphasize skills rather than jobs and dates. We will use a chronological resume if our education and experience prepare us directly for the job position. We will use skills resumes when our education and experience are not directly related to the job position, but we do have the necessary skills to apply for the job. We can also use skills resumes when we are changing fields or there are gaps in our work history.

These two types of resumes differ in the way they list experience, activities, and volunteer work. A chronological resume lists them in different categories, while a skills resume combines them together under each skill needed for the job. However, both types of resumes include: career objective, summary of qualifications, education, honors, and references.

I find useful the lecture’s advice of using minimum detail about low level jobs, or listing them together in a chronological resume. The lecture also suggests using jargon in the headings of a skills resume to show that we know about the field.

Module 28 explains how to write a job application letter. The purpose of this letter is to get an interview. Therefore, we need to focus on the requirements of the job, show our knowledge of the organization, and point out aspects that separate us from other applicants. Like any other written communication, we need to plan, write, revise, edit, and proofread our job application letters.

There are two types of letters: solicited and prospecting job letters. We will send a solicited job letter when we know the company is hiring. On the other hand, we will send a prospecting job letter when we want to work for a company that has not announced openings. In a solicited job letter, we state the job that we are applying for, offer details of our qualifications, and ask for an interview. In a prospecting job letter, we need to catch the reader’s interest, offer details of our qualifications, and ask for an interview.

I find useful the lecture’s advice of researching on the web about the company offering the job. This will help us when writing the letter and prepare us for the interview. In addition, letters should be at least one page long, because a short letter may suggest that we do not have enough qualifications or that we are not really interested in the job.