For this project, you will write:
Two application letters addressed to different prospective employers and that apply for
two different jobs. The letters should highlight different aspects of your experience
relevant to the different jobs.
Two resumes that may well differ significantly in content or in layout or both. The
choices of content and layout should emphasise appropriate experience for each job.
A cover memo addressed to me that overviews the two jobs, reviews what you know
about these particular employers, and describes the strategies and tactics you have
used to adapt your letter and resume to each situation.
Details
Application Letters
The purpose of the application letter is to persuade that specific employer to grant you an interview.
Just as you appreciate being treated as an individual rather than as a statistic, so does an
employer. Use the following guidelines:
Content and Organisation. The goal is to show the reader both that you know what that
specific company needs and that you have what it takes. You may organise this section
in various ways: around your training and experience, around what the job or the
company requires, or some other way. The letter should close by inviting a response.
Style. Application letters are difficult to write because they aim at somewhat conflicting
goals. On the one hand, you want to make a good first impression. So you want to
sound polite and fairly formal. On the other hand, you want to stand out from the crowd
- otherwise, why should the employer hire you rather than any of the other applicants?
The best policy is probably to talk to your reader as directly and naturally as possible.
Avoid hype.
Format. Use a conventional business letter format. Be brief: if possible, stick to one
page.
Resumes
The purpose of the resume is to describe your qualifications for a type of job. Since this
project requires you to apply for two somewhat different jobs, you will create two resumes that will be
different in content and/or arrangement. Use the following guidelines:
Content. The goal is to argue that you are qualified for a particular type of job and that
you would be a capable, responsible, and personable employee who communicates
effectively.
Format. Your format may be traditional or innovative as long as it is appropriate and as
long as the information is highly accessible and is organised in a way that highlights the
most important items - from the employers perspective.
Style. Your style should be fairly formal. You need not use complete sentences, but you
should use a concise, active style and show consistency in expression from section to
section.
Cover Memo
Write a brief memo (two - three pages, single-spaced) addressed to me that will help me read,
understand, evaluate, and "coach" your resumes and application letters. For each of the two jobs,
the memo must contain a separate job description and audience analysis, as well as a commentary
highlighting how you adapted your resumes and application letters to the different jobs. Include the
following information:
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