Topic: Application/Cover letter and CV/Resume Format!

Fellow naijahotjobbers, I was privileged to be among a team of human resource personnel in Victoria Island, lagos recruiting for Senior Management posts. I posted the Advert here, I was solely given the responsibility to screen and prepare who would be called for direct interview. It was highly UNFORTUNATE to go through what a lot of people sent as application/cover letters and CVs; I was disgusted, angry, annoyed, frustrated, disturbed etc. name it. Little wonder a large number are never called for interviews/aptitude tests. A lot don't following instructions, they just post desperately and blindly their CVs, some CVs have spelling errors, wrong or terrible formats, irrelevant infos, I can't name them all. Out of over 30 CVs and cover letters (some without Cover/application letters required by the advert) I reviewed, Less than 5 qualified to be called for interview. "My people are destroyed for lack of Knowledge" going to school and graduating magna laude is different from knowing HOW TO apply and construct your CV. So I have taken my time to help out with a CV format, Application/cover letter, some dos and don'ts in a CV.

RESUME SAMPLE 1:

UCHENDU UGENYI
20, Peculiar street,
Ifako, Lagos.
08023754012
[email protected]
29th November, 1982

OBJECTIVE: To work with existing staff and facilities contributing the best of my ability and quota, so as to improve organisational objectives and achieve managerial goals and targets.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited (NYSC)
Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State
Department: QIT Operations (Crude movement) 2008

EXPERIENCE:
- Crude Accounting
- Crude Treatment
- Crude loading for Export
- Scrapper Pig Analysis
- Etc
COMPUTER KNOWLEGDE:
- Operationg systems of MS-Dos, Windows 98 and Windows NT
- Application programmes: Microsoft Office
- Programming Language: AUTOCAD

EDUCATION: University of Nigeria, Enugu
B. Eng (2nd Class upper) Chemical Engineering 2005

Government College Ijanikin, Lagos. 1998
West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE)

RESEARCH: Design and construction of a single stage centrifugal Pump
(Final year project)

REFEREES: Dr. Mike Adetola
Tegu clinic
Ikeja, Lagos
0803---------
e-mail

Chief Moses Isoh
Jacob's Travelling Agency
Victoria Island, Lagos
0803----------
e-mail


RESUME 2

DENNIS CHIMA

2, Mill Plain Road, 08033510271
Apapa, Lagos. [email protected]
27th May, 1976

OBJECTIVE: To invest in work an enduring legacy and seeking self-development, advancement and improvement while enjoying job satisfaction.

EDUCATION: University of Benin, Edo state
B.Sc (Hons) Accountancy 2006

Methodist Boys High School, Lagos
Senior Secondary School Certificate 1992

EXPERIENCE: Meridan Finance Limited, Abuja
Account Department

Responsibilities:
- Extract monthly management account and monthly financial report
- Ensuring efficient risk management of assets and liabilities of the company
- Participate in ensuring that all control account, bank and cash balances and other subsidiary accounts are regularly updated and reconciled.
- Part of a team that ensures account compliance with both statutory and professional regulations as regards preparation, presentation and disclosure of company's financial information.

COMPUTER SKILLS:
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Accounting Darkeasy package
- Peachtree Accounting package

PERSONAL PROFILE:
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team
- Integrity and Honesty
- Ability to meet tight reporting schedule
- Excellent Oral and written communication skills
- Self motivated and target-oriented

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) in view

INTEREST: Reading Motivational books.

Referees: Prof. Moses Isoh
Dean of Student Affairs
University of Benin
Edo state
Phone no:
Email add.

Dr. Kalu Ibe
Head of Accounting Department
University of Benin
Edo state
Phone No
Email add.

Bishop Femi Adebayo
Victorious Army Ministry
Festac Town
Lagos
Phone No.
Email add.


SAMPLE APPLICATION/COVER LETTER 1

Makinde John Shola
19, Abiodun Street
Ifako, Lagos.
08023754012
[email protected]
3rd of march, 2006

The Human Resources Manager,
A Team Oil Company Ltd,
P. O. Box 61709
Victoria Island,
Lagos.

Dear Manager,
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
On Naijahotjobs, a job seeker forum of 28th february 2009, you advertised that you have a vacant post for experienced young engineers in your company.

I am a chemical engineer with skills and experience that meet your requirement.

Attached with this letter is my resume for your perusal.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Scanned signature

Makinde John shola

APPLICATION/COVER LETTER SAMPLE 2

DENNIS CHIMA
2, Mile Plain Road,
Apapa, Lagos.
08033510271
[email protected]
4th of may, 2006

The Advertiser,
P. O. Box 2949,
Sabo, Yaba,
Lagos.

Dear Manager,

RE: ACCOUNTANT

Your advert on Naijahotjobs of 27th may 2006 stated that you have a vacant position for the above post.

I have keen interest in working in the above position in your reputable company. I do believe that my qualifications, experience and skills meet all your requirement as stated in the advert.

Attached here with is my resume for your perusal.

Yours faithfully,

Scanned Signature

Dennis Chima

WHAT NOT TO PUT IN A RESUME
Don't include personal information such as:
- Your age
- Your marital status
- Your children's ages
- Your problems finding a job
- Hard-luck stories
- How difficult your life is
- Nationality
- Religion

Don't include detalis about physical shortcomings such as:
- Any type of negativity
- Self - ridicule
- That you've never had a job before

Don't include your height, weight or photo, scanned copies of credentials (unless this information is specifically requested by a prospective employer).

Don't ramble on about how much you used to make in your past jobs.

Don't mention family members and their employment or interests.

NB: Except the hiring company specify that you include any of the above you don't have to include them.
- CVs should not be more than two to three pages for experience individuals and one - two for fresh graduates
- Application/cover letters should be brief and not more than one page.
- watch out for spelling errors
- follow instruction very SQUARELY
- Make cover/application letter body of message or make it as attachment.
- MS word forwats are preferable except where excel or pdf is instructed
- PRAY AND BELIEVE GOD FOR THE BEST. Take charge and God bless you all. See you at the top.

Thanks Faith Yetu, that will help alot of us. You are wonderful?