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Usually, resumes are written for the industry, and CVs are written for academia. Although there are certain expected ways of organizing and presenting your information in employment documents, thereis no single right way of doing so. Our handout outlines the steps for writing successful job search documents. In addition, it refers you to resources for templates.  \nJob search writing done smart  \n1. If you already have a resume or a CV, start by updating it. Update your LinkedIn or other profile if you have one.  \n2. Carefully read and understand the job ad. This Purdue OWL resource will help  \nyou: [https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/skilled_labor_job_search_resources/reading_and_using_job_ads/in](https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/skilled_labor_job_search_resources/reading_and_using_job_ads/in)[dex.html](dex.html)  \n3. Create a table that lists job requirements for the position and your response to each point in the ad.  \n\n| Job requirement in the ad/ and based about the job ad | on | my inquiry | How my skills and achievements match the required qualification |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Example: Accredited teacher status |  |  | [M.Sc. in](M.Sc. in) Education, XXX University |\n\n4. Make sure that you know to whom to address your cover letter. Address it to a person and not “to whom it may concern.” If you were not able to find the name of a person to address your cover letter to, write “Dear Hiring Manager,” “Dear Hiring Team,” “Dear Search Committee,” etc.  \n5. Now that you have understood the job ad, create your profile. The profile is a database you will use to write your employment documents and prepare for the interview. You will use this database to match your strengths to the employer’s needs. The podcast published by Nature (see the URL at the bottom) offers a detailed description of this process and document examples.  \n6. If you are writing a resume, create your employment objective statement or summary of qualifications. Alred et. al. (2020) offers many examples.  \n7. Resumes/CVs usually contain but are not limited to the following large categories: contact information, education, experience, and honors and activities. Review sample documents in the resources listed below and customize titles in your document. Split major categories into subcategories, if possible. Title these subcategories.  \n\n| Category | Optional Title | Subcategories |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Contact information |  |  |\n| Education |  |  |\n| Experience |  |  |\n| Honors and Activities |  |  |\n\n8. Create your resume/CV template. Using an existing template saves time and effort, but doing so might send a message that you are not hard-working or invested enough. Resources listed at the bottom offer templates and examples of employment documents.  \n9. Create a list of active verbs that you want to use when detailing duties you performed. The following job skills list will help you brainstorm and name your skills:  \n[https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/preparing_an_application/job_skills_checklist.html](https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/preparing_an_application/job_skills_checklist.html)  \n10. Fill out your CV/resume template.  \n11. Have someone perform a 20-second test on your document:  \n[https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/resumes_and_vitas/resume_design.html](https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/resumes_and_vitas/resume_design.html)  \n12. Edit and proofread.  \n13. To understand and write a good cover letter, we suggest using the Purdue OWL resource: [https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/skilled_labor_job_search_resources/cover_letters/index.html](https://owl. purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/skilled_labor_job_search_resources/cover_letters/index.html)  \nKeep in mind the following:  \n• Your cover letter sh","cbCaihjSNx8qWE67","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaihjSNx8qWE67","pdf",217364,"English","# Job search writing done smart\n## Update and review job materials\n## Analyze job ads and build a skills match\n## Prepare cover letters and profile\n## Draft resumes/CVs and templates\n## Improve design, test, and proofread\n# Useful resources","[{\"question\":\"What should be done first when preparing job search documents?\",\"answer\":\"Start by updating an existing resume or CV and refresh LinkedIn or other profiles. Then ensure the job ad is carefully read and understood.\"},{\"question\":\"How can a job seeker match their skills to the requirements in a job ad?\",\"answer\":\"Create a table listing each job requirement and a corresponding response showing how skills and achievements match the qualifications. Use this mapping to guide writing.\"},{\"question\":\"What are key steps to finalize a resume or CV?\",\"answer\":\"Create an employment objective or summary (for resumes), include major categories such as contact information, education, experience, and honors, and customize titles and subcategories. Use an existing template when appropriate, apply active verbs, run a quick 20-second test, and edit and proofread.\"}]","Effective Job Search Writing - Job Search Documents Writing Steps | PDF",1789296210]