Activity 1: Writing a Résumé

Directions: Go to AltaVista and enter the phrase "writing a resume" into the search box. Visit a few of the sites that AltaVista finds and write a review of at least three. Which ones would you recommend to your classmates? Why? What advice seems to be consistent on each site?

Activity 2: Writing a Cover Letter

Directions: Go to Yahoo and enter the phrase "writing a cover letter" into the search box. Visit a few of the sites that Yahoo finds and write a review of at least three. Which ones would you recommend to your classmates? Why? What advice seems to be consistent on each site?

Activity 3: Formatting Your Résumé

Directions: The format of a résumé is very important. Review the tips provided in your text and then format the following information for Joan R. Jobless into an appealing resume. You may be as creative as you like to help Joan find a job. You will probably have to fill in some of the information yourself.

Name: joan r. jobless

Address: 233 metropolitan road, apartment 2B, los angeles, california, 90024

Skills: french and some spanish, type 45 wpm, some computer experience.

Goal: Something in new media or publishing

Experience:
1996-7, front desk, Speigel & Jennings law firm
1995-7, volunteer, Literacy Project, at the L.A. public library
1998-present, internship at The Urban Review, a literary magazine.
1997-8, waited tables at The Brass Monkey
1994-5 tutored other students at her high school

Education: 1997-present: Hunter College, New York, NY

Major: English literature (mostly twentieth-century poetry); during her junior Joan wrote a thesis about the poet Elizabeth Bishop

Hobbies/Interests: Roller-blading, Ballet dancing, Making jewelry, Guitar lessons, Reading

Activity 4: Writing a Sample Cover Letter (Exercise)

Directions: Joan saw an advertisement in the classified section of the Los Angeles Times for an editorial assistant for a small literary magazine called The Gamut. The editor is looking for an assistant with an interest in literature and excellent organizational skills. The editor's name is Jessica Helpstone and her address is The Gamut, 222 Whiteburn Ave., suite 1800, Los Angeles, Ca. 90025. Pretend you are Joan and write a sample cover letter requesting an interview for the position.