From Resume to Cover Letter and Beyond
ningcontentI just finished reading “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume” (Fourth Edition), by Susan Ireland. It’s an excellent book for job seekers and college students trying to land the best internships. Ireland describes and offers samples of four different types of resumes:
- Chronological
- Functional
- Chronological hybrid
- Functional hybrid
Although I’ve always used nothing but a chronological resume, I discovered that a functional resume would serve me better. I also learned that in the United States, a resume and a CV (curriculum vitae) aren’t the same thing. Resumes are for ordinary job seekers, but CVs are for people in education, medicine or technical fields.
Besides being packed with resume writing tips and dozens of sample resumes, Ireland also gives detailed instructions for making a resume email and scanner friendly. Of course, cover letters are included. What surprised me was that she also offered instructions for how to write a thank you letter. Again, samples were provided. Ireland’s samples are typed, but some career counselors recommend handwritten notes, giving the thank you note more of a personal touch.
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume” is a must for any college student looking for an internship or a recent college graduate looking for an entry-level job. I’m glad to have this book in my collection of professional reference material. It’s simple, to the point and easy to navigate if there’s a particular section or sample that’s needed.
