drawing of a monitor   Module 1 – Unit 4:  Language Focus

The Language of Résumés and Cover Letters

There are many different types and styles of resumes, including those used in particular fields. Read the sample résumé below and note the organization and language that Irina uses. How does it compare to a résumé you have used or will use in your job search?

Sample Résumé

IRINA PETROVA
6831 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 555-2607
ipetrova@yoohoo.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
Objective: Position as Staff Nurse in Telemetry or Acute Care Unit

Summary of Qualifications
  • 4+ years’ nursing experience including ER, telemetry, and substance abuse
  • Planned, managed, delivered, and evaluated care for clients using a patient/family-centered approach
  • Excellent communication skills; effectively interact with patients, families, and medical staff
  • Bilingual in English and Russian; sensitive to varying cross-cultural needs
  • Versatile computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook
  • Proven problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to varied and stressful work environments
  • California State Nursing License
Clinical Experience
  • Supervised nursing assistants and provided critical care to cardiac patients
  • Coordinated rehabilitation team and provided care during all phases of treatment for substance abuse patients from admission through detoxification, rehabilitation, and discharge
  • Provided comprehensive patient care during clinical rotations in acute medical/surgical units
  • Administered medications (IV, IM, SQ) and tracheotomy care, including Foley catheter insertion and maintenance, NG  tube, IV establishment, dressing change, and wound care
Employment History

Registered Nurse, IP  Community Hospital, San Francisco, Summer 2004
Nurse Trainee Nurse Refresher Course, City College of San Francisco, 2003
Software Quality Assurance Tester & Engineer Various Bay Area Companies, 1999-2003
Registered Nurse Substance Abuse Community Hospital, Leningrad, Russia, 1996-1999
Registered Nurse Emergency Care  Community Hospital, Leningrad, Russia, 1994-1995

Education & Training

English for Health Professionals Welcome Back Center, San Francisco, 2005
Medical/Surgical Training Program Community Hospital, San Francisco, Summer 2004
Nurse Refresher Program City College of San Francisco/JVS, San Francisco, 2004
BSN (equivalent) Leningrad Medical School #2, Leningrad, Russia, 1993

What verbs does Irina use in her résumé to describe her skills effectively? List the verbs below. (Example: plan, perform). Then add other verbs that you can use in your own résumé, keeping in mind that these verbs should be precise and varied.

VERBS FOR RÉSUMÉS

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Cover Letter

Skim the cover letter below. What is the purpose of each of the three paragraphs in the letter? Write the correct paragraph number on the line. Then analyze how well Pha Lo achieves the intended purpose of each paragraph.

____    She describes her qualifications and the reasons she is a good match for      this job.

____    She states that she would like an interview.

____    She states her job objective and how she found out about the job.

Pha Lo
270 Fourth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118-2468
(415) 555-3984
pha_lo@wordlink.net

November 14, 2005

Fred Silver, PharmD,
SFGH Director or Pharmaceutical Services
San Francisco General Hospital, Room 1P2
1001 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110

Dear Mr. Silver:

I am responding to your December 13th advertisement on your website for a pharmacy technician. The skills you are seeking match my professional strengths, and I believe that I am an excellent candidate for this position.

Since I recently earned an A.S. as a pharmacy technician, my professional experience in this country is necessarily limited. However, I believe you will find, and my previous employer will verify, that I am very conscientious and extremely careful with details in the accurate preparation of pharmaceuticals and maintaining records, and that I communicate effectively with patients and staff. In addition, in my past year of volunteer work at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, I have become familiar with all aspects of medical billing and managed care processes, and I have gained experience with automated dispensing machines. I am also registered as a Pharmacy Technician by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

I am confident that my professional abilities would make me a valuable member of the team at San Francisco General Hospital. I look forward to meeting with you, Mr. Silver, and I will give you a call to follow-up this letter the week of November 19th.

Sincerely,

Pha Lo

Pha Lo