# Applying for a job

First impressions can be important. Often the only thing an employer knows about you is what they see in your job application.

Most good job applications contain a résumé and a covering letter.

Writing a résumé

Your résumé is a document that allows you to ‘sell’ yourself to potential employers; therefore it is important that you know how to create an effective résumé. Learn what to do by looking at Writing a résumé (.pptx 80kB), Hints for writing a résumé and a Sample résumé (.pdf 222kB). Use Microsoft Word to create your own résumé (.docx 12kB) and save it so that you can update it whenever you need to. Also save it in PDF form so you can send it to potential employers via email.

Writing a cover letter

A well-written cover letter is an important part of a job application as it gives you an opportunity to show genuine interest in the position and shows a potential employer that you are courteous. Look at the ad for a Junior salesperson at a furniture store.

Then read the cover letter (.pdf 112kB) written by a job applicant.

Find an ad for a job that you are interested in and using Microsoft Word, write your own cover letter (.doc 58kB) for the position. Then save it as a PDF and submit it to your teacher with the PDF of your résumé.