Cover Letter Exercise

Sample Cover Letter

A cover letter is an essential letter that accompanies your resume and serves to introduce you to potential employers.

Example Combination Resume

Combination Resume

The combination resume includes aspects of both the chronological and functional resumes. Your work history and skills or accomplishments are emphasized equally. This format allows you to include a section about prior work experiences and a section on your functional and transferable skills.

The combination format is well accepted by hiring authorities and you should consider using it when:

1. You have a steady and progressive employment history.
2. You are applying for a position for which the chronological resume is expected but you also want to highlight qualifications from earlier positions.
3. You are writing a targeted resume and need an effective way to match your skills to the job requirements.

Example Functional Resume

Functional Resume
A functional resume organizes information under functional headings that highlight your major areas of accomplishment or strength. Experiences and skills are organized to support your objective. Some interesting parts of a functional resume are that you are not limited by dates, titles and work history are de-emphasized. This format allows you to draw on all of your areas of experience (employment, volunteer, or college) to describe your skills.
This format is most useful when you want to enter a different career field or illustrate your transferable skills. Although the functional resume takes more time and thought to prepare, it may be more effective than the chronological format if your work experiences have been limited or you wish to focus on special skills and abilities.

Unfortunately, many hiring authorities don't like this format, as it is generally believed that the functional resume is used to hide some deficiency in your career history. Despite this, the functional format can be very effective when:

1. Most of your achievements and accomplishments occurred in a past position.
2. You have recently graduated from high school or college.
3. You have been out of the job market for some time and are trying to re-enter.
4. You are an older worker and want to de-emphasize age.
5. You have held a variety of unconnected positions.
6. You are changing career tracks.
7. You are returning to a previous line of work.

Example Chronological Resume

Chronological Resume

A chronological resume emphasizes your work and experiences and organizes your information around dates. This format is easy to follow because they highlight your career history and employer names. You should use the chronological format when your work or activity experience is strong and relevant to your job objective, when previous job titles are impressive and job history shows growth in your field. This format does have disadvantages as well, your skills may not be highlighted and gaps in your career history are usually more visible since there is an emphasis on dates. With this format you are going to list jobs or experiences in reverse chronological order with your most recent position listed first.

The chronological resume is most suitable when:

1. You have a steady and consistent employment history with no major gaps in employment and have not changed career tracks recently.
2. Your employment history has been one of progressively responsible positions.
3. Your titles have been impressive and/or you have been recently employed at well-known companies.
4. Your major accomplishments have been achieved in your most recent positions.
5. You are seeking a career in a field where this format is expected.