Resume & Cover Letter
Assignment Sheet
Videos
Job Description
Please find a real, advertised job description that you could currently apply for with the addition of an undergraduate degree. This document will be used in writing the RCL documents for your first major assignment. Post the job description on ELMS saved as a Word document; also bring a hard copy to class. Edit out information not necessary for this assignment (like benefits, graphics of the company's logo). Make sure the Job Description:
1) Gives name of job & actual company (no staffing companies; read carefully) 2) Describes candidate qualifications in detail 3) Describes employee duties in detail 4) Is something you (+ an undergrad degree) are qualified for today. Job Descriptions will be approved by Michelle. Readings & Examples"I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar," Harvard Business Review
"Your Resume vs. Oblivion," The Wall Street Journal "Writing an Effective Resume," Engineering Co-op & Career Services "Resumes & Vitas," Purdue University Online Writing Lab (Resumes 1; Resumes 2; Resume Design; Resume Workshop; Resume Samples) "Job Search Letters," Purdue University Online Writing Lab
Response
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Audience-Based DocumentsWhen you prepared your existing resume, you probably thought at lot about you -- your experiences, what you learned in classes, jobs and internships, what you liked, what you didn't like, what you remember, what you've forgotten. The key word in this equation is, of course, YOU.
When writing Audience-Based documents, the key person to keep in mind is NOT you, but rather, your AUDIENCE. Your goal is for your audience to pick up your cover letter and resume and say, "Hey. This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for." How do we make a virtual stranger do that? Fortunately, we have a great tool to help us: the Job Description.
The Cover LetterAudience-based cover letters are a chance for you to demonstrate to your audience that you possess all the skills the ideal candidate possesses. The best cover letters use the vocabulary of the job description to connect the candidate's skills directly to the job that's being applied for. They also anticipate additional audience needs, explain in detail anything that needs further explanation from the resume, and demonstrate the candidate's communication skills -- from the crafting of clear, concise prose, to an understanding of business etiquette to proof-reading abilities -- a key but often overlooked element of this document.
The ResumeChances are, you've already put thought and effort into designing your own resume. For this assignment, you'll be designing an audience-based resume from scratch. Every element of the resume, from where you put the candidate's name to what classes, experiences, and skills you choose to include will be chosen specifically with the audience of the job description in mind. You'll want to research and experiment with different formats, arrangements, and methods of design to present a clear, concise, audience-targeted one-page resume.
Working with a Classmate: Partnerships in PracticeIn most professional environments, collaboration is often key. We'll practice that art both in the invention stage of this assignment and in the draft stage.
Invention Worksheets
Complete Part One of each worksheet prior to meeting with your classmate. Complete Part Two in connection with your partner. You will only submit to ELMS the completed worksheets. See the syllabus for deadlines.
Draft Worksheets
The Rhetorical Analysis Memo
Reminder: The Rhetorical Analysis Memo is not a part of draft workshop
The Rhetorical Analysis Memo is an essential part of the first assignment; please review the assignment sheet carefully for requirements. I'm posting a document that gives more detail about what exactly is required; you should also look at this as formatting model.
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