Unit 4 Writing CV Resume and Memo

Unit 4: Writing CV & Resume
Learning objectives:
At the end of this lesson, student will develop an understanding of:
1. Differentiation between various types of CV/Resume
2. Parts of CV/Resume
3. How to prepare a CV/Resume
4. Identify various parts of a memo
5. Distinguish between various types of memo
6. Prepare a memo in the proper order
Key ideas:
1. Difference between CV and Resume
2. CV/Resume parts
3. Types of CV/Resume
4. CV/Resume formats
5. Definition of memo
6. Parts of memo
7. Types of memo
8. Advantages of memo
Difference between CV and Resume:

In what way is the Curriculum Vitae different from a Resume? We can distinguish between
the two based on the terminology, content & objectives and the type of company and
position to which it is directed.
Terminology
The term ‘Resume’ is used exclusively in the USA where as CV is used in Europe, Asia
and Africa.
Content & Objectives

Resume: emphasizes information on the experience, abilities and studies relevant for the
objectives that must be fulfilled in a certain position for which you are applying or in
which selection process you are taking part.
CV: is a compilation of all your academic data and experience throughout your life (as
vitae indicates the Latin term life), unrelated to the position you are applying for or in
which selection process you are taking part.
Type of company and position to which it should be directed

Resume: Commercial positions, directors, media including audio-visual, creative
positions etc.
CV: More appropriate for academic positions, scientists, doctors, research, technologies
etc.
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CV-Resume: Sections
1. Objective Section
2. Education Section
3. Experience Section
4. Additional Information Section
5. Reference Section
Objective Section:
This section is optional, but highly recommended. Here, include the type of position or
occupational field you wish to enter, your skills, experience, and background and any special
interests or areas of focus.
Education Section
• List institution name, post-secondary degree(s) received and dates earned or expected.
• Include major, minor, area of concentration, specialization or certifications.
• List city and state when looking outside of state where employers may be unfamiliar with
your college location.
• This category may be a separate section or divided into subsections depending on the
information presented.
• May include relevant courses and skills/knowledge learned, special projects, G.P.A. if over
3.0, honors, awards, scholarships, thesis, research projects etc.,
Experience Section
• List paid and unpaid experiences, internships, co-ops, volunteer activities, fieldwork,
student teaching, etc.
• Include position title, employer or setting, city, state, and dates. (Place in reverse
chronological order).
• Emphasize responsibilities in each position.
Additional Information Section (Optional)

• Title this category according to type of information presented.
• May include professional/student associations and positions held, athletic participation,
extracurricular activities, special skills (computer, languages, etc.), certifications,
publications, military or community service experience, interests, etc.
Reference Section (Recommended)

• Provides closure to the resume, but not needed if space is an issue.
• Include the statement – “References Available”.
• Do not list your reference’s names and contact information on your resume.
• If you have a portfolio, you may indicate in this statement that it is also available. The
following information is not included on a resume; however, you may need it when
completing application forms:
-Name, location, and dates of attendance for each institution
you worked.
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-Complete street address, zip code, phone number, name of
supervisor, and salary history for each employment and
professionally related experience.
CV-Resume: types
1. Without experience Resume

Objective of this resume is to show the capacity and the potential of the candidate. What they
offer in particular is their difference from other candidates. Normally, experience is very
limited (less than two years) or none, since they are finishing their studies. Therefore it is
necessary to concentrate on the abilities, knowledge, achievements obtained in studies,
qualifications etc.
2. Professional Resume
Professional resume is a style used for people who already have a minimum experience of 3-
5 years and are in intermediate positions. It concentrates on the obtained objectives, solution
of problems, applied abilities and promotion.
3. Executive Resume
Executive Resume is used for people in high positions. It concentrates on the objectives
obtained as a director/head of a department or company, solution of problems, leadership,
development of projects, use of abilities and motivation of team.
CV-Resume: resume format
1. Chronological resume
This format of resume starts by listing your work history with most recent position first.
Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your most recent job, first. The
academic education and the experience appear in reverse chronological order, beginning
by the present or last work followed by the previous ones, and finishing with the studies.
This type of resume is suitable for job seekers with a strong and solid work history.
2. Functional resume
The functional resume avoids the disadvantages of the chronological resume and
facilitates the exhibition of abilities and achievements obtained, although the dates in the
work experience are not continuous. This helps to disguise the periods of inactivity or
successive similar jobs without promotion. Functional resume is used when you want to
highlight the professional career or enter a totally different activity in which the type of
company and/or studies is not relevant.
3. Combined resume
Combined resume format mixes the previous formats-chronological resume and
functional resume. The resume begins with the functional format and finishes with the
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chronological format. Though combined resume format is more complex than the other
formats, it has the advantage of emphasizing the candidate’s experience and abilities in
relation to the new position he or she is applying for.
CV-Resume: resume tips 1

- One or two pages at the most - White paper or with very clear color and of good quality,
without any décor - Typed form, avoid writing your resume by hand, except for a
company that asks for - Do not include the letter’s date in your resume - You do not have
to enclose supporting documents, unless they are asked for - Avoid sending photocopies
of your resume.
Never include a resume cover- You have to transmit clarity and professionalism visually
(white paper, short phrases, capital letters and with standard format, elegant and simple;
emphasize certain information or sections in bold) - Use action verbs in your resume -
Avoid using too many decorative resources like fitting, colors or much expanded
paragraphs - Be honest and positive to sell the best things about you.
Write well and have the spelling checked before sending your resume. Use different
synonyms to avoid repetitions. Do not use abbreviations, except when they are the
recognized ones in our language (for example: Av. - avenue, St.- street...) - Structure the
resume based on what you consider to be your strong points for that position: abilities and
achievements first, or experience in several similar positions. If a certain academic title is
an essential requirement, you can write it. Do not forget that it is only a "taylor made suit
for the position you want to obtain", not a complete history of your life. - Write in inverse
chronological order.
-Always stress how you have solved problems, your abilities, your contribution to the
goals obtained in your work.
-Do not write a title (we already know that it’s a RESUME or CV)
- Do not speak of economic objectives in your resume (you can explain about it in the
interview, if necessary).
-Do not write anything in the resume.
-Use photograph only if it is requested.
-Use general vocabulary, not technical, colloquial words or slang, which cannot be
understood.
Memo
Memo (short-form for memorandum) is a type of internal communication that an
organization uses for its own staff.
Normally, memos are used to:
- Explain new procedures
- Announce changes
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- Confirm results
- Ask for action
Parts of a memo
Since the memo is an internal means of communication and less formal than a letter, there
is no need to include an inside address, greeting, complimentary close or full signature. A
memo consists of two parts: headings and body.
Heading:
Usually, there are four elements in the heading:
- To: (identifies the receiver)
- From:( identifies the sender)
- Date
- Subject: (indicates the topic of the memo)
Body:
The body of the memo carries a clearly structured message, often written in short number
of paragraphs. Mainly there are three parts; main point, secondary information and
action.
MEMO
To : All students
From: Abdullah Bin Khalid, Head of LRC
Date: 20/11/2009
Subject: Schedule for updating security passes
Main point A new internal security system is being implemented. This requires
students to be issued with a new security pass. Issuing of new passes
will take place in the LRC building next week.To ensure this happens
smoothly, the following schedule has been drafted.
Secondary
information  Names starting A to K -8.30 to 1 p.m . 27/11/2009
 Names starting L to R-1 p.m to 4.30 p.m 27/11/2009
 Names starting S to Z- 8.30 to 1 p.m. 28/11/2009

Action Please attempt to attend at these times before contacting our office for
alternatives.
Advantages of a memo
1. It reaches a large number of people at the same time.
2. It provides written record for reference.
3. It allows the sender to convey details or difficult information in accurate way.
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Types of memo:
1. Instruction memo: provides the receiver with all the information needed to carry out
the task.
2. Request memo: asks the receiver to provide certain information or to take an action.
3. Announcement: the sender provides the receiver with information.
4. Transmittal memo: acts as a cover note for a more formal message.
5. Authorization memo: gives the receiver permission or authority.
6. Confirmation memo: confirms in written what has been agreed between the sender
and the receiver.
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Unit 4: Writing CV & Resume

Difference between CV and Resume:

Content & Objectives

Type of company and position to which it should be directed

Additional Information Section (Optional)

Reference Section (Recommended)

1. Without experience Resume

CV-Resume: resume format

CV-Resume: resume tips 1

From: Abdullah Bin Khalid, Head of LRC

Subject: Schedule for updating security passes

 Names starting L to R-1 p.m to 4.30 p.m 27/11/2009

 Names starting S to Z- 8.30 to 1 p.m. 28/11/2009

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