Overview

In this assignment, you will create a well-designed, professional resume that presents academic achievements, skills, and relevant experience in an attractive layout. You will also compose a well-written and persuasive cover letter that personalizes the resume for a specific, targeted position. The goal is to make it easy for the intended reader to see quickly and easily that the applicant is qualified for the position.

Instructions

Application Letter (often referred to as a Cover Letter) Requirements:

1. For this assignment, you should address your cover letter toward the job you chose in Module 3; Discussion 1.
2. Remember that your letter is a form of advertising and serves as a representation of you. Be sure it is visually appealing and well written using effective sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation.
3. Follow cover letter writing guidelines in our eText starting on page 522.
4. Submit your own original work! DO NOT copy/paste/submit Internet content or prewritten application letter content, or you run the risk of plagiarism and the consequences that follow. Your submissions are scanned for plagiarism.
5. Use business letter format and include all the elements of a business letter (Date, Sender's Address, Inside Address, Salutation, Body, Closing, Signature) in your cover letter assignment.
6. Prominently display your name, address, city, state, zip, phone, and mail address, so this perspective employer knows how to contact you for an interview.
7. Include the current date (You can use the date you create the letter)
8. Be sure to address the letter to the contact person in the position advertisement or use Dear Hiring Manager.
9. Include a signature (i.e., can be typed with a different font style; does not need to be an original signature)
10. After your signature, include an "Enclosure: Rsum" notation
11. Be persuasive, and sell yourself in the letter. Highlight as many qualifications as you possess in the company's ad or that pertain to the field in general.
12. Refer your reader to the rsum to learn more about your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
13. Your letter of interest should be no more than one-page in length.

See the Schedule and Course Rubrics in the Syllabus Module for due dates and grading information.

Resume Requirements

1. Choose your resume format; see ideas in our eText
2. Reverse Chronological Layout (most common format)
3. Functional/Skills Layout
4. Accomplishments/Achievements Layout
5. Use headings to identify major sections quickly/easily
6. Present specific skills and accomplishments in easy-to-skim, bullet-point format.
7. Highlight special skills, focusing on your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
8. Avoid using full sentences.
9. Incorporate many action verbs (see page 496) to strengthen the appeal of your rsum.
10. Use as many statistics as possible (i.e., Supervised 50 people in a department with 25% annual growth rate).
11. Submit your own original work! DO NOT copy/paste/submit Internet content or prewritten application letter content, or you run the risk of plagiarism and the consequences associated. Your submissions are scanned for plagiarism.