UPDATE: 28 JAN 2014

COVER LETTER READINGS:

The second portion of our current project cycle will necessitate that you write a cover letter for the same job posting for which you created a resume. To this end, read the following websites and articles that provide guidance and tips for composing this document:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/34/42/
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CoverLetters.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/03/24/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/aa030401a.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cover-Letter

While reading these sites and articles, consider how the information therein would apply to the cover letter that you will be writing for this course. Be prepared to write about and discuss in class what you've read.

RESUME PEER-REVIEW:

Today, you respond critically to your peers' resumes in today's class session. By "critically," I mean offering constructive feedback so they can improve their document. Simply writing "Good work," or "I wouldn't change anything," or "Everything looks in order" will not suffice.

As such, I want you to think about the manner in which the resume responds to the job posting:

Is the form and style of the resume easy to read? Give the resume a 20-second test; meaning, look at the resume for 20 seconds and jot down whatever you can remember from the cursory glance. What facts and elements do you remember? Are these the facts/elements that are most relevant to the position? If not, how can the resume be re-ordered or re-formatted so that it foregrounds the most important aspects of the job posting? Does the resume pass the "four quadrant" test? Again, if it does not, how can it be re-formatted so that it does?

Does the resume employ diction (word choice) of the job posting? Does the content of the resume use "action words"? Does the content demonstrate "results-based" descriptions? Does the content forefront the skills and qualifications that the job posting lists first? Even if you think the resume you're reading does accomplish these goals, offer alternative suggestions so your peer has several ideas or variations from which to choose.

What format has your peer employed: chronological, functional, or combination? How could you re-format the resume, generally speaking, so it addresses the job posting more effectively?

Does the resume contain all the necessary components: Name, contact information, skills, experience, and education? If the resume contains references, relevant coursework, or a belief/objective/summary statement, how are these elements incorporated into the fabric of the text? How could they be improved or re-ordered?

Lastly, is the resume clear of typos, misspellings, and other careless errors? If the resume you're looking at contains hyperlinks or other multimedia elements, do the links, etc. function properly?

Make sure to write down all your feedback, as part of the requirement for this assignment will be that your peer must turn in all the comments made by fellow students.