Resumes and CVs
Cover Letters
Concision and Clarity
Modifier problems
Subordination
100
What should be on the very top of both a resume and a CV?
Your name and contact information.
100
What is the purpose of a Cover Letter?
To introduce yourself to your future employer and to 'fill in the gaps' of your resume/CV.
100
What is not concise about this sentence? Can you revise? "Really, most Americans believe very strongly that essentially they have a right to privacy."
Delete meaningless words! Most Americans believe that they have a right to privacy.
100
What is the problem with the modifier? Can you revise it? On July 20, 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon, watched by nearly a fifth of the world's population.
Watched by nearly a fifth of the world's population, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. (The world was not watching the moon; the world was watching the astronauts.)
100
What two components do you need when using subordination?
1. Dependent clause; 2. Independent clause; 3. (usually) Subordinator or relative pronoun
200
After your name, what comes next on a RESUME?
Your objective
200
How long should a cover letter be?
No more than a page.
200
What is not concise about this sentence? Can you revise? "Each individual must follow the basic fundamentals when aiming to successfully pass the test."
Doubled words! "Individuals must follow the fundamentals when aiming to pass the test."
200
What is the problem with the modifier? Can you revise it? An author who did not receive much attention until after her death, readers of all ages enjoy Emily Dickinson's poetry today.
Today, readers of all ages enjoy the poetry of Emily Dickinson, an author who did not receive much attention until after her death. (The phrase, an author who did not receive much attention until after her death, should modify Emily Dickinson rather than readers or Emily Dickinson's poetry.)
200
Find the error in the sentence and revise. Indigestion is when you cannot digest food.
Avoid "is when" or "is because" constructions. Indigestion is the inability to digest food.
300
What is the main difference between a resume and a CV?
A CV is longer and more detailed.
300
How should a cover letter start?
Explain how you found the job posting, mention a mutual contact, describe why the position interests you.
300
What is not concise about this sentence? Can you revise? "The artifact was a bright color, large in size and unusual in nature."
Replace phrases with a word The artifact was bright, large and unusual.
300
What is the problem with the modifier? Can you revise it? Cost-efficient and convenient, many of today's corporate employees are being trained through computer-assisted instruction.
Cost-efficient and convenient, computer-assisted instruction is being used by many companies to train employees. (The descriptive words, cost-efficient and convenient, modify computer-assisted instruction rather than today's corporate employees.)
300
Find the error and revise. The reason the pharaohs had bad teeth was because tiny particles of sand found their way into Egyptian bread.
Avoid "is because," and the sentence starts with "the reason" which is unnecessary when using "because". The pharaohs had bad teeth because tiny particles of sand found their way into Egyptian bread.
400
When listing your experience in a CV what must you include and what tense/aspect should it be in?
Description of your position in past tense.
400
What should be included at the top of a cover letter that is not in an email?
Your address and the employer's address
400
What is not concise about this sentence? Can you revise? "The increase of the problem of poverty requires that the government tackle the task of increasing jobs."
Summary words as descriptors "The increase in poverty requires that the government increase jobs."
400
What is the problem with the modifier? Can you revise it? Having submitted the conference registration form after the deadline, special permission by the chairperson was needed before she could give her presentation.
Having submitted the conference registration form after the deadline, Susan needed special permission from the chairperson before she could give her presentation. (The example doesn't make sense as it is written. Someone must have submitted the form late. According to the revision, Susan submitted the form late.)
400
Find the error and revise. Depending on our method of travel and our destination determines how many suitcases we are allowed to pack.
Faulty logical connection. "Depending on" is a subordinator that requires a certain type of main clause. "Our method of travel and our destination determine how many suitcases we are allowed to pack."
500
What is the problem with this job description? Accountant - Compiled sales data - Excel worksheets created - Negotiating with clients
No parallel structure!
500
List two things you should not do in a cover letter.
1. Use superlatives when describing yourself; 2. Complain about not finding a job...
500
What is not concise about this sentence? Can you revise? "In regard to the subject of deportation, Obama has, at this point in time, initiated a policy allowing young immigrants to apply for residency visas."
Language inflation! "Regarding deportation, Obama has now initiated a policy allowing young immigrants to apply for residency visas."
500
What is the problem with the modifier? Can you revise it? New York Stock Exchange members shout out opening bids and offers, acting on behalf of institutions and individual investors.
Acting on behalf of institutions and individual investors, New York Stock Exchange members shout out opening bids and offers. (Members of the New York Stock Exchange--rather than opening bids and offers-- act on behalf of institutions and investors.
500
Find the error and revise. Even though Ellen had heard French spoken all her life, yet she could not speak it.
Mixed construction: Using 'even though' and 'yet' "Even though Ellen had heard French spoken all her life, she could not speak it." or "Ellen had heard French spoken all her life, yet she could not speak it."
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