JOB APPLICATION LETTERS

The information you pick up in an ad is useful when writing the CV. You
must pay maximum attention to compulsory requirements and conditions
asked as you have to fit them. Thus, when the words ‘must’ or ‘is required’
occur in the ad you should be aware the requirement is compulsory and you
have to fulfill this ‘must’ if you want to be eligible. On the other hand, any
other pattern such as ’is desirable’, ‘is preferred’ or ‘should’ used with the job
description are non-specific demands. Nevertheless, if you possess the
qualities required you should emphasize them in your CV as they represent
a plus for your selection.

There are two situations when you write application letters (CV and cover
letter):
- when you would like to work for a company which did not advertise a
certain position; in such a case you may send unsolicited or cold letters of
application.
- when you would like to work for a company which advertised a job and you
think you are suitable for it; in such a case you may send solicited letters.
For each of the above situations the application letters and the resume
form a package marketing you and the aim of which is to get you an
interview.

The Resume/CV

The resume – known as curriculum vitae or CV – is a self-portrait

displaying the candidate’s skills; abilities, know-how, accomplishments and
objectives.
A good CV always reflects a correct image of your strengths,
experience and competence which will make you stand out of the crowd. It is
you who decide whether you are an ideal candidate and what are the
features that allow you require the job and makes you fit it.
Let’s see some general hints for drafting an efficient CV:
 Choose a quality paper (generally white paper, but also coloured if you
apply for a marketing job) as well as a good printer. A bad quality
paper may suggest lack of interest for your own person and a sort of
sloppiness in achieving your tasks.
 Pay attention to writing, spacing and editing. Accuracy and simplicity
are also two qualities to be observed in your CV. First impression
always counts the most.
 Bold the titles of each heading but do not use too many different
characters as in advertising. The message may become tiring and
difficult to read.
 Do not attach references or recommendation letters, school transcripts
or diplomas unless they are required. If the would-be employer needs
such deeds, he will ask for them. Sometimes cold applications may
include photos.
  As a general rule, the CV shouldn’t be too long; for a young graduate it
shouldn’t exceed one page and for an experienced person two pages
the most.
 Never lie about yourself or provide embarrassing information you
cannot talk about at the interview as any piece of information can be
checked.
 Unless specifically stated in the ad, do not mention anything about
salary requirements in your C.V. or cover letter. This matter is usually
discussed at the job interview.

Types of Resumes

There are two basic types or formats of resumes:

The chronological resume is the most common and the most

accepted format. The main feature of this type is the fact that employment
history begins with the latest position as it is the most important piece of
information. All other previous positions are presented in a reverse
chronological order. Educational background begins with either the most
important school attended or the highest-rated educational program
required in the ad.
The advantage of this format is that it focuses on the evolution in career and
on the experience accumulated during years. It also provides a good
opportunity to highlight the names of the companies you worked for as well
as the exact periods. Such resumes are specific to business companies,
banks, law firms or to any other type of educated profession.

Basic Information

A resume must follow the following headings or titles:

1. Personal details/info – full name, address, telephone number, e-mail,

etc. Sometimes an age condition is required and therefore the date of birth is
also mentioned.
In US employment system it is forbidden by law to ask any information
about age, marital status, sex, origin, race or religion which can be used
discriminatory.
2. Objective – if you respond to an ad, mention the objective under the
heading: ‘position desired’, ‘career goal’ ‘professional objective’. If you have
several years of experience in a specific industry you may structure a
summary of skills and experiences. If it is about new graduates then an
objective statement may be considered that describes the most valued
short-skill objectives.

3. Experience – work experience, employment history or job descriptions are

some names which concern the same problem: that of previous jobs you
had. Begin with the latest position which is the most important from the
employer’s point of view. All other previous jobs should be enumerated in
reverse chronological order.
4. Qualifications – skills, abilities, extra-competence which count in relation
with work experience and requirements of the position. Proficiency in foreign
languages, good oral/ written communication skills, desktop publishing
abilities, familiarity with computer programs, creative and artistic
performance, stenography, etc. should be listed in this section.
4. Education – begins with your last important educational program
backwards; provide the name of the institution and its location as well as the
period of time you attended the courses (GCE or high school certificate,
university degree or equivalent), further educational courses (master’s
degree, Ph.D.), postgraduate training (project work, other relevant areas
covered). If you are a young graduate with no professional experience then
‘Education’ comes after “Objective’.
5. References - If required, they have to be enclosed in the same file with
the CV and the cover letter. If not required, ‘Available upon request’ under
the respective heading is enough to mention.
 Chronological Resume – Specimen

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: RUSSEL SMITH

Address: 67 All Road St. 2344, Miami, Florida (345) 235 44

Objective: Personnel Manager with experience in

Work Experience:

Transworld Bank, Miami, Florida

Personnel Manager 2005-present

- Recruiting, interviewing, testing and hiring of personnel for secretarial,

clerical, production;

- Negotiated and commission contracts with employment agencies;

- Participated in contract negotiations with labor unions;

- Supervised staff training

- Updated employment records

Popperglate Inc., Passaic, New Jersey

Assistant Personnel Manager, 2003-2005

- Contributed to the manual benefits of the company;

- Assisted the Personnel Manager in job evaluations and job appraisals.

Education: Master of Science degree in personnel management, 2003

New York University

Bachelor of Business Administration: 2001

Training Certificate in Personnel Administration, six

weeks, 2003

References: Available upon request

 Chronological Resume – Specimen

CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME : MARINESCU ELIZA

ADDRESS: PITESTI, Carpen Street, Bl. C12, Sc. B, Ap. 24. Home telephone:
048/328… / Mobile: 0945…
OBJECTIVE : Medical Representative at Pharmaceutical HCP.
CORPORATION for Pitesti
PROFESSIONAL - UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL , Bucharest,
EXPERIENCE 2007- to present
Doctor training in Nuclear Medicine,
Degree acquired: Specialist Doctor in Nuclear
Medicine, March , 2009
Competence in General Ecography, May 2009
SKILLS: Oral and written proficiency in English
Mobility and possibility of extensive travel
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Persuasive character

EDUCATION : - CAROL DAVILA University of Medicine and

Pharmacy, Bucharest , 2007
Profile – General Medicine
- Training Course for Using the Radioactive Isotopes at
Physics Institute – Magurele, 2007
- Sonocardiography Course 2008
- General Sonography Course 2009
- P.C. Operator Course 2010

National and International Conferences and Meetings:

- Radiology European Congress, Vienna, 2008
- National Congress of Ultrasonography , Bucharest, 2008
- National Congress of Radiology, Medical Imagistics and
Nuclear Medicine : Brasov 2007, Cluj 2008, Constanta 2009, Iasi 2010
- Brasov 2008: scientific research paper + poster
- “ The Role of Lungs Perfusion in the Diagnosis of TEP”
- Iasi 2008: scientific research paper + poster :
“ The Role of Bones Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis of Bones Tumors”
- Cluj 2009: scientific research paper + poster : (2nd prize)
“ The Role of SPECT and PET in the Diagnosis of Epileptogene Hotbeds“

REFERENCES: Dr. Virgil Marinescu, vmarinescu@hospit.ro

 The functional resume. A functional resume is a resume format that
primarily showcases a candidate’s skills. As opposed to a reverse-chronological
resume which organizes a candidate’s experience under their previously or
currently-held professional jobs held in order of recency, the functional resume
groups a candidate’s experience under skills or categories of skills. This allows
for employers to focus on the candidate’s qualifications such as any technical or
soft skills required for the job. 
The advantage of this format is that it emphasizes the candidate’s personal
skills acquired during previous jobs. At the same time, this type is very
convenient for people who were unemployed for a period, had an
interruption during their career or provided volunteer work.

Functional Resume – Specimen

Name: ROBERTSON PETER

Address: 52 St. Long Island NY

Telephone: 0053-049-53

Birth Date: 23 July 1988

Objective: Package Handler – a convenient part-time job where I can use

my former practice as weight lifter in high-school team.

Education: GCE at Golden State High School

Experience: I worked for HEAVY PACK Co. for a half of year having also
supervising assignments. I enrolled as a volunteer in charity for disabled
people care.

I had no problems with law and I can pass full criminal examination.

References: Available upon request

GRAMMAR CHECKER

ACTIVITY A1: Fill in the past simple of the irregular verbs mentioned in the
parentheses:

1. The tailor (cut)……………… a new coat for someone in my family.

2. The architect (draw) ………………the plan of the new three-storey
house.
3. The driver (drive)………………… the bus two days ago but he (have)
…………………….. a bad accident.
4. The mechanic (shut)………………… the door of the car and
(forbid)……………………….. everybody to open it.
5. The milkman (bring)………………… five bottles of fresh milk right from
the farm.
6. The barber (become)…………………… a hairstylist when he opened a
beauty parlour instead of the old barber’s shop.
7. The confectioner (break) ………………… the bowl in which he
(keep) ………………………. the ingredients.
8. The grocer (freeze)…………….. a piece of cheese in the freezer.
9. The beautician (not, feel)………………. well and
(leave)……………………….. home.
10.The watchmaker (hang)……………… the clock on the wall.

ACTIVITY A2: Underline the verbs in the past and write the corresponding present
form:
1. The teacher went at the ironmonger’s shop …………………….…………………..
2. The criminologist drank and ate in the dyeing house …………….………………
3. The doctor borrowed the nurse’s car ……………………………..………………….
4. The sociologist applied for a new job ……………………………..………………….
5. The academics promoted their books in the furrier’s shop ………………………..
6. The fireman lent money from the butcher’s stall ………………………………….
7. The physical therapist was acquainted to patient recovery …………….…………
8. The pilot enrolled a new course …………………………………….………………….
9. The commander-in-chief rode the stallion ……………………….………………….
10. The barrister understood the procedure ……………………….………………….