ENGLISH WRITING

Thiu
nng
Session 10
Instructor: H L V

OVERVIEW

Review
Warm-up
R
Resume/CV
/CV preparation
ti ((partt 2)
CV sample review
Certificate of Merit translation
CV peer-review
peer review

Previously on Thiu Nng

Feedback
Q: Myy mentor,, who got
g 2009 Fulbright
g scholarship
p to p
pursue an
MBA degree at Vanderbit U, said that I don't have to mention
Objectives because I will need to mention them on my essays and
application form
You may leave out the Objectives section but for me I feel that it is
important enough to warrant being mentioned in several places. I
would put it this way: the Objective section in your resume is like
the abstract of what you want to do with your life
life, which should be
elaborated in your SOP/essays.

Previously on Thiu Nng

Feedback
Q: Myy mentor,, who got
g 2009 Fulbright
g scholarship
p to p
pursue
an MBA degree at Vanderbit U, said that I don't have to
mention
Computer and Statistics skills: I was taught about the two skills in
my undergraduate study, therefore my transcript and course
description are evidence of my knowledge of these two skills.
If it doesn't give you any edge, it doesn't hurt either. It also helps
keep your
o r CV from looking too short
short. And for me
me, statistics skills
are really important, especially at graduate level. For Ph.D.
candidates, I would even suggest that your writing sample shows
that yyou know how to use statistics in exploring
p
g and analyzing
y g
your data. Even though your transcript does show that you had
statistics courses, again, it doesn't hurt to bring their attention to
that fact.

Previously on Thiu Nng

Feedback
Q: He said that in Professional Experience, I should only mention results
of my contribution, not description of my work. However, I only have a
one-year working experience. If I just mention my results, I'm afraid that I
don't have many things to say.
I'm with
ith your
o r mentor on this.
this To me,
me a resume
res me is more or less a list of
your achievements or 'products" (as opposed to 'processes', which
should be discussed in SOP and LORs). Since it should mostly include
you can do to "flesh it out" if yyou don't really
y have so
facts, there's little y
many things to talk about (and the admission committee would
understand given that you have only one year of working experience).
You may briefly describe your duties and responsibilities, but always
keep it short and concise
concise. Focus on SPECIFIC (i.e.
(i e quantifiable)
achievements. Save personal interpetations for essays.

Previously on Thiu Nng

Certificate of merits
For people who needs my review
indicate clearly the deadline by which you need my feedback

WARM-UP
Translate a certificate of merit

WARM-UP
A sample solution

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes - language use (cont.)
Be concise but specific
p
avoid vague words such as some, a couple of, many, etc.
E.g.: Developing distribution market for many important projects
Developing
p g PR strategies
g
for truongtructuyen.vn,
g
y
, an online
training website for students nationwide.

Rely more on noun phrases

E.g.:
g Organizing
g
g and implementing
p
gp
proposals,
p
, the g
goals been
battling poverty and its consequences, and helping disabled
people
Coordinating projects on poverty elimination and assistance
f the
for
th disabled
di bl d

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes - language use (cont.)
But not too specific
p
Do not use exact dates. Months and years are sufficient.
E.g. Working part-time as an English tutor for 3 secondary, 2 high
school students, and 1 undergraduate
for small groups of high-school and college students

Avoid redundancy
(Work
(
experience)
p
) Intern,, duty:
y Learn to work in a real working
g
environment
E.g.: Responsibilities:
Perform need analysis and make purchase recommendation for
clients
Persuading clients to believe companys products are indispensable
for them

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes
Keep
pp
personal interpretations
p
minimal. Simply
pyp
present facts and
concrete achievements.
Avoid words that sound subjective. Instead, use something that
can be backed up
p by
y hard evidence and facts
Example: Achievements: I was the youngest among the best
agents of AIA company.
Achievements: became youngest certified agent in the company

To give your resume power and a strong sense of purpose, use

high-impact action words and avoid the passive tense
Consult a sample
p list on the handout. This tip
p also applies
pp
to SOP.
Avoid verbs such as feel, seem and appear

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes
Use simple and conventional English. Stay away from big words.
Keep technical jargons minimal
minimal.
Use fairly formal and politically correct words
no informal language, no idioms
E.g.: poor/unlucky children, dirty people
underprivileged

For MBA students: may prepare a separate more fleshed-out

resume version
i ffor iinterviewers
t i
((who
h usually
ll d
do nott h
have access
to SOP and LORs)
Indicate clearly in your application that there are two versions of
resume

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes
Avoid lying, but you shouldnt admit your weaknesses either.
Wholly responsible for two failed financial institutions.

Present items chronologically, with the most recent items first.

Put the date on a SEPARATE column

Make sure the resume is error-free.

E.g. Awards: Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.
plague vs. plaque

NEVER state "References available on request." Give each of

your references a copy of your resume.
Leave out irrelevant information
information, such as your personal
philosophies and physical characteristics.
Leave out information that is too trifle
E.g.
E g Job responsibilities: Making phone calls to make appointments

RESUME STRUCTURE
Other notes
Play with words (in translation) to impress
In the book of family history, the section about Uncle Tom read like
this: "He was a man who occupied a great seat. He was attached
to his position very firmly. His death came as a great shock.
In
I reality
lit greatt uncle
l Tom
T
had
h d di
died
d iin th
the electric
l t i chair
h i ffor
committing a murder.
E.g. trng phng my qun net supervise a computer shop

GROUP ACTIVITY

Translate to impress (pick one)

gip m i ch
trng em
chuyn bt nt tr con hng xm
xin tin nh i chi in
t

GROUP ACTIVITY

Sample solutions
gip m i ch run a family-owned business
trng em volunteer to babysit for the underprivileged
chuyn bt nt tr con hng xm help children in the
neighborhood with character building
Providing physical education for local children

xin tin nh i chi in t involve in fund-raising activities for

educational programs designed to stimulate thinking

RESUME STRUCTURE

Other notes Q & A

Q: em khong co background in Public Health, trong khi nganh em xin
hoc la ve public health, nen neu co cach nao de lam Resume cua em
khong bi anh huong qua nhieu ve viec lack of undergraduate training in
public health va lam noi bat kha nang cua e trong financing va economic
background?
Q: Em hc Bch Khoa nn im
tng
kt
kh thp
(so vi mt bng

chung ca cc trng khc). C cch no gii quyt vn ny khng?

Q: Em c hai hot ng community rt relevant vi academia/research thit lp 2 website hc thut v manage n
n. Em c th a n vo
Research experience hay Press/ Publication c khng?
Q: i vi resume cho MBA, c nn a phn skills (Leadership,
communication,, interpersonal
p
skills...)) ln trc Working
g Experience
p
khng thy?

There is no single format for resume. Do your homework!

SAMPLE REVIEW
Review the sample Resume on the hand-out,
focusing on
organization
content
sufficiency and redundancy
appropriateness

language use

FUN ACTIVITY
Should you lie on your rsum?
Continue with the story of rsum lies. This time, the guy lied
about being able to speak French.
Lesson learned:
1.
2.
3.
4.

You shouldnt because you will get caught.

If you are sure you wont get caught, read item 3!
Yes, you will!
You may add a skill or experience you currently dont have if this
would help your case greatly. Then start working on it right
away.

TRANSLATION ISSUES
Translation: do it by yourself rather than rely on the
service provided by a notary public
A new problem with notarized translation

DEGREE
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence-Freedom-Happiness
Pursuant to the Regulations on Tertiary Education Certification issued in
accordance with Decision No... dated ... issued by the Minister of Education
and Training, the Rector of ... University has hereby awarded this
BACHELOR DIPLOMA
(photo attached)
Form of training: Full-time | Part-time
Field of study: .
Rate of study:
Year of graduation: .

DEGREE
and has thereby recognized the academic title
ENGINEER | BACHELOR OF .... (your major)
Conferred upon .... (your full name)
Date of birth: ......
Place of birth: ......
Diploma No. .......
Filing | Record No. ...

Hanoi, ...........
(signed and sealed)
... (name
(
off the
th signatory)
i
t )
The Rector

DEGREE
Notes
For the date: may translate verbatim or use the format Month
Day, Year (e.g., January 10, 2010)
Hiu trng: also Chancellor or President (preferred by US
universities)
Tha lnh hiu trng:
With authorization of the Rector of
of...
p.p. [per pro=per procurationem] Signatory
The Rectors name
by/through the agency of
of, by proxy
proxy, by authority

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Document types
yp

Certificate of Merit
Certificate of Achievement
Certificate of Presentation/Participation
Certificate of Recognition/Letter of Appreciation
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Certificate/Medal
Recognition of Excellence
Medal of Honor

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Award types
Award of Excellence
Academic Achievement Award
Valedictorian Award
Top Performer Award

Achievement Award

Employee Appreciation Award

E l
Employee
off the
th Y
Year/Month
/M th A
Award
d
Young Entrepreneur Award
Commitment to Service Award
O
Outstanding
di L
Leadership
d hi A
Award
d
Gold/Platinum Sales Achievement Award

Award of Gratitude
Donation Appreciation Award

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Form I:
Trao tng cho...
cho
This [document] certifies | This is to certify that.
[This certificate of merit is] awarded | presented to
This highest honor which may be bestowed by
by [organization
name] has been awarded to
In appreciation of the services rendered by ...

v l do...
do

in recognition of
for ...
is commended for
in honor of achieving

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Form II:
a general statement
For commitment and dedication to excellence
In
I official
ffi i l recognition
iti by
b this
thi association
i ti | organization
i ti off
high standards of excellence

... c tng
. is hereby presented with this appreciation for
this certificate of merit is hereby awarded to for

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Common phrases
p
[ c] thnh tch hot ng/hc tp/lm vic xut sc
[Valedictorian certificate for] Outstanding | Superior [Scholastic]
Achievement [[while a student at...]]
General Excellence [during the year | session 2009-2010]
notable accomplishment | attainments
outstanding proficiency on the National Mathematics Contest

cng lao ng gp
Dedication, Sacrifice and Commitment to...
[acknowledges with gratitude] personal sacrifices and efforts
the exemplary practice while working for

CV
Common phrases
p
sinh vin nghin cu khoa hc
[presented paper title at the ...] Undergraduate Student
Conference

trnh by c chn vo tp san nghin cu

Note: a higher honor, need to cite the publication accordingly
selected to appear in the subsequent conference proceedings

CV
Common phrases
c khoa/trng khen v thnh tch hc tp
Included in the Dean's | Rector's | Provost's | Chancellor's |
President's List for the semester | year of...
Note: if possible, indicate the number of students in your year
(out of the total number) who made the list

gii thng khng nh k

The award (including a $500 cash prize) is awarded on an
irregular basis.

CV
Common phrases
cuc
thi
contest | competition | game | race | event
tournament : usually sports competition
championship:
p
p implying
p y g the best p
player
y

gii cc k thi Olympic

avoid using the word Olympic or Olympiad
first/second/third place is preferred to Gold/Silver/Bronze medal
why?
e.g., Second place in the National Physics Contest for high
y students
school | university
gii khuyn khch: consolation prize
gii nh, ba, t: (first, second, third) runner-up

CV
Common phrases
p
chuyn vs. khng chuyn
for gifted students in math | students with math concentration |
students specialized
p
in math
a mathematics competition for | open to non-specialized
students

g
gia cc trng
g i
hc

First place in the annual intercollegiate | interscholastic Robotics

championship
vs. intramural competition

ni san:
intramural | internal Journal | Magazine

CV
Common phrases
p
ban chp hnh: Executive Board
hi sinh vin
name:
Student Association | Government (preferred by the US)
Student Union (preferred by the UK)
Student Guild | Organization | Club | Campus Office
level: National | Provincial
position: President | Vice President | Treasurer | Secretary |
Spokesperson | Founding member | Core member | Key
member
responsibility:
se
serve
e as | se
serve
eo
on boa
board
d | co
committee,
ttee, in ccharge
a ge o
of .

CV
Common phrases
hc sinh gii quc gia
a National Merit student

b th on ca lp
Secretaryy of the Communist Youth Union???
[elected by class members to act as] class liaison [officer]
between...
gia s t do v mn
independent freelance tutor in chemistry, physics and
mathematics

gio vin/ging vin tp s

trainee teacher/lecturer

s s
a class | group of 20, a 20-strong class | group

CV

Common phrases
Cuc
thi khi nghip
g p
Career Builder contest a televised business plan competition for
young entrepreneurs
Rung chung vng
Ring the golden bell a trivia game show in which teams of
university students respond to a series of questions in a quest to
ring the golden bell
Sao
S th
thng Gi
Ging
New Year Star Award awarded to college students with
outstanding contribution to community service (only 100
awardees per year nationwide)
tip sc ma thi
accommodate/host/support prospective students during college
entrance
e
t a ce e
exams
a s

CV
Common phrases
chui s kin "en
en hay Trng
Trng"- chui s kin gii tr hng ti minh
bch
The Black and White drive, a campaign for reducing corruption
and increasing transparency in government operations

phi hp cng t chc

co-sponsored by
kha hc dy bng ting Anh
Language of instruction: English

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How about
chin s thi ua
cng tc tp th, cng tc on, phong tro thi ua
t thnh tch xut sc trong hc tp v rn luyn

Fun question: Truy tng?

A soldier killed in combat has been posthumously awarded the
Bronze Star for bravery.

CONCLUSION
t hon thin mnh, chng ta nn...?
The closest to perfection anyone ever comes is
when he or she prepares a resume

COMING UP NEXT
NEXT
session 11 ((module I))
Cohesive devices (part 2)

session 12 (module I)
Cohesive devices (part 3)

session 13 (module IV)

Application preparation SOP (part 1)

PEER REVIEW
Review a classmates Resume focusing on

comprehensibleness
h
ibl
specificity (esp. achievements)
resume gaps & potential problems that may need explaining

find a review partner (for your application package)

and make arrangements to help each other outside
the class