Page 163 - DENG101_Communication Skills-I

Communication Skills-I

Notes 6. Prove that one’s capabilities and experience fulfil key requirements.

7. Be straightforward but polite and respectful in seeking to attend the interview.
8. Compliment the organisation’s reputation, but avoid unnecessary fl attery.

9. Write correct qualification and other details, exactly as is mentioned in the resume.
10. Avoid any negative remarks about yourself, others and the company.
11. Use the letter opening to capture the attention and build interest of the reader.
12. Prove through the letter that you have the strengths and capabilities to excel in the job.
Point towards your key accomplishments.
13. Use the letter ending to request for the interview and stimulate action.
Effort should be made to limit the letter to one page even after including all these points. The
applicant must develop the theme. The key points should be listed and tied together in a concise
and polite form. The key to develop a successful letter is to retain a basic honesty running through
the message.

14.3 Resume/CV Writing

CV stands for curriculum vitae. It is known by several names – resume, personal profi le, bio-
data, personal data sheet, qualification sheet, and summary. In practice, it is a written statement

of your personal history – biographical details, educational qualifi cations, work-experience,
achievements, and other strong points, that make you suitable for getting selected for a job.
A resume is usually attached to an application letter. It is, therefore, read only after the application
letter, but it is something you should prepare fi rst.
Bio-data or resume is the most important document in the job seeking process. It is the fi rst
introduction of the candidate to the employer, and explains the candidate’s background. It should
be interesting and well laid out. In short, a CV/resume is a self introduction to promote yourself.
To be able to sell yourself successfully, you need to know how to prepare a good resume.
The resume gives credibility to the claims made in the covering letter. Write it with focus on the
prospective employer’s needs. It is not the story of your past achievements or a list of what you
have learnt and done. Your past is the source material for the bio-data and it must tell what you
can do and will do for the employer’s benefi t.
As a normal practice, people keep their resumes written in advance. They, then, just mail a copy
of their CV along with the application letter. This is perhaps not the best practice to apply for
a job. The secret of writing a good resume lies in its ability to project you as the most suitable
candidate for a particular job. It is advisable to modify the bio-data for every new job; it should
emphasize the details, so as to support the claims you make in the covering letter for the job.

Therefore, the first thing to know about writing a CV is that, it should be written specifi cally in
terms of the job’s requirements. The basic question you should consider while preparing your
CV/resume is what qualification experience or achievement should you highlight for a particular

position. For example, if you have the experience of working as an HR executive and a marketing
manager, and if you want to apply for a position in the HR division, you will highlight your HR
experience. The marketing experience will be shown as an additional experience.
The following questions will help you to focus on the employer’s needs before writing your bio-
data.
1. What does the employer (the employing organization) want?
2. How will the work that I can do, relate to the employer’s objective?

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