COVER LETTER

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit with your resume to
express your interest in a job opening. The purpose of a cover letter is to
introduce yourself to an employer and provide a brief overview of your work
history, professional skills, and an explanation why you’re the best fit for that
job. It is attached to or accompanying another document such as a résumé or
a curriculum vitae.

RESUME

A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional

qualifications, including your relevant work experience, skills, education, and
notable accomplishments. A resume is a one- to two-page document
presenting key facts about your professional experience, educational
background, and skills. Usually paired with a cover letter, a resume helps you
demonstrate your abilities and convince employers you’re qualified and
hireable. A strong resume communicates your qualifications and sets you up
for career success. The goal of your resume is to convince employers you’re
worth interviewing. To that end, your resume is a valuable tool you can use to
highlight your experience to prospective employers. On a base level, a resume
is made up of the following five parts:

Contact details

Introduction

Educational background

Work history

Relevant skills

CURRICULUM VITAE

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a longer document that details the whole course of

your career. A resume is used for job search, a CV—for academic purposes.

A curriculum vitae (CV) provides a summary of your experience and skills.

Typically, CVs for entry-level candidates are longer than resumes—at least
two or three pages. CVs for mid-level candidates who have amassed

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 numerous publications tend to run much longer. CVs include extensive
information on your academic background, including teaching experience,
degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, and other
achievements. CVs are lengthier than resumes and include more information,
particularly details related to one’s academic and research background.
A curriculum vitae summary is a one-to-two-page, condensed version of a
full curriculum vitae. A CV summary is a way to quickly and concisely convey
one’s skills and qualifications. Sometimes large organizations will initially ask
for a one-page CV summary when they expect a large pool of applicants.

Your curriculum vitae should include your name, contact information,

education, skills, and experience. In addition to the basics, a CV includes
research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships,
professional associations and licenses, awards, and other information relevant
to the position you are applying for.

BUSINESS LETTERS

A business letter is a professional, formal letter that is sent by one company to

another. These letters can be used for professional correspondence between
business clients, employees, stakeholders as well as individuals.

Business letters are written messages to a person or group within a

professional setting. Business letters are used when the writer would like to be
formal and professional. Letters may vary in length depending on the writer’s
objective, purpose, and message of the letter. The letter can address anyone
including, but not limited to: clients and customers, managers, agencies,
suppliers, and other business personnel or organizations. It is important to
remember that any business letter is a legal
document between the interested parties. These documents can be held for
up to seven years, so it is important that all information is honest and
legitimate.

A business letter composes of an introduction, body, conclusion, closing

salutation, and the signature block.

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 COMMON TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTERS

Cover letters. Sent with a package, report or other item, the purpose of a
cover letter is to describe what is enclosed and provide a description of what
the receiver should do with it.

Thank you letters. These can be great for networking and relationship
building. Don’t just write a, “Thanks for,” and leave it at that. Provide more
details about what they did and how it helped you, and then close with a
second expression of thankfulness.

Complaint letters. The key to these types of letters is to demonstrate that you
are displeased without being over-the-top angry. Suggest how the receiver of
the letter might correct the situation.

Adjustment letters. This is a response to a complaint letter. The point is to be

humble in the response and to offer potential solutions. You want to avoid
burning bridges and instead use your response as a relationship-building tool.

Bad news letters. The key with bad news letters is to soften the blow. Being
direct is valued in business writing. But when writing bad news letters, it’s best
to remind the receiver about what actually works in your business relationship
before breaking the bad news to him or her.

Acknowledgment letters. They are meant to acknowledge that you received

an item from someone, or that you are aware of a fact or error they pointed
out. Let the receiver know when you received the package or information, and
then thank them for it.

Memos. Often used to spread important news and directives inside a

company, the point with memos is to be fast and to the point with your
communications.

Congratulatory letters. The idea with these types of letters is to stay on point
and avoid sounding over-the-top or mocking. Describe what motivated you to
send a congratulations and the positive feedback that you have already heard.
Keep the letter concise.

Response letters. This is about explaining or listing off how a request was
fulfilled.

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 Letter of request. The key with these types of letters is to ask for help without
groveling or being overly emotional. Take a hard look at the adjectives you’re
using in the letter.

Sales letters. These letters require a strong call to action or hook at the
beginning so that the receiver continues to read and discovers the benefits of
whatever you are selling. Make sure to provide information so that they can
easily respond.

Resignation letters. This is about giving notice that you are leaving a position,
providing a last day of employment, and explaining what is causing you to
leave.

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