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©The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2007
Strategies in the Job-Search Process
Chapter Nine
Basic Business Communication
1-2
Steps in the Job Search Process
Build a network of contacts
Identify appropriate jobs
Find your employer
Prepare the application documents
Continue job search activities
1-3
Building a Network of Contacts
Broaden your circle of friends
Get to know your professors
Meet business executives
Make contacts through internships
Work with community organizations
1-4
Identifying Appropriate Jobs
Analyze Yourself-Education
-Personal Qualities
-Work Experience
-Special Qualifications (languages, communications skills)
Analyze Outside Factors
-Where is the job you are seeking available?
-Are you willing to move?
-Does the location meet with your lifestyle needs?
1-5
Finding Your Employer
Career Centers (School career centers)
Network of Personal Contacts
Classified Advertisements
Online Sources
Employment Agencies
Personal Search Agents
Web Page Profiles
Prospecting
1-6
Preparing the Application Documents
The traditional resume
The application letter
The follow-up and close of the process
Other job search letters
Continued job search activities
1-7
What is a resume?
A resume is a personal summary of your professional history and qualifications
It includes information about your career goals, education, work experience, activities, honors, and any special skills you might have
Three types of resume:
-Traditional Resume
-Scannable Resume
-Electronic Resume
1-8
Resume Workshop
General Guidelines
Constructing traditional resume
Heading
Objective Statement
Education
Employment Experience
References
Different Styles: Organizational Styles
Reverse Chronological Style
Functional Style
Skills Style
Imaginative Style
1-9
General Guidelines
Length
Limit an entry-level resume to one typed page. Be as concise as possible in stating information
Font
Avoid fonts smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point
Paper
Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb paper. Print your resume with a laser or high quality ink-jet printer.
1-10
Constructing the Traditional Resume
Find out general job information
Find out desired qualifications and skills
Logically arrange the facts into groups
Construct the headings and subheadings
Include contact and objective information
Present the data for best eye-appeal
Organize for strength
Write impersonally and consistently
Make the form attractive
1-11
Identifying Information
Put your name, permanent and campus addresses, permanent and campus phone numbers, and email address prominently at the top of your resume
Avoid using a nickname to identify yourself
Consider including your URL address or fax number if you have one
RICK NASON 1401-1094 Wellington Street
Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H [email protected]
(902) 405-9312
1-12
Objective Statement
1-3 sentence summary of your area of expertise and career interest
Write as complete sentences or as descriptive phrases with minimal punctuation
Relate your existing skills directly to the job you are seeking
Demonstrate what you can do for the company rather than what they can do for you.
1-13
Objective Statement
Avoid over generalized statements:
-A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas.
Avoid statements that focus only on what a company can do for you:-A position where I gain experience in working on biological problems.
Make the statement as specific as possible:
-A position which allows me to apply my background in engineering and high performance computing to biological problems.
1-14
Presenting Information
Some guidelines
List the facts under headings
Cover work experience with details
Cover education with details
When appropriate, show achievements
Use action verbs to strengthen the appeal
1-15
Presenting Information
Some guidelines Avoid information on race, sex, religion, marital status,
pregnancy status, citizenship status, age etc Include information on activities and interests that tell
about one’s personal qualities
Get permission for using referee’s name
Use a separate sheet for references
Select references that cover your background
1-16
Presenting Information
Some guidelines
Use accurate mailing and email addresses
List information without use of personal pronouns
Use the same grammatical form for all equal-level headings
Choose fonts carefully
Use right paper
1-17
Summary of Qualifications Statement
This statement can replace or be used in addition to the objective statement.
Write one short paragraph or a bulleted list of qualifications.
Use a summary of qualifications statement to emphasize skills you possess that aren’t obvious from your past work experiences.
1-18
Summary of Qualifications Statement
Summary of Qualifications
An MBA Major in Finance with expertise in the following areas:
-Working as Chief Administrative Officer at Grameen Phone
-Communicating with customers in project environments
-Working as Associate Consultant with BRAC
1-19
Education
An important section for recent graduates seeking internships or summer jobs.
Beginning with the highest level of educational achievement, include information such as university attended, degrees earned, major, minors, grade point average, date of program completion, and so forth.
1-20
Education
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaGraduation October 2007MBA Major in Finance GPA: 3.98/4.3
You do not have to include your GPA on the resume, but if it isn’t included, employers may assume that it is lower than it really is.
Always state the grade point scale your school is using.
1-21
Relevant Courses
List relevant courses that:-Help you stand out from the crowd
-Have provided you with specific skills or knowledge Include this information in the education section:
Spanish (4 semesters)Computer ScienceBusiness WritingEthics
Only include courses taken in addition to your major or minor
Refer to the course by name rather than by number
1-22
Employment Experience
Include positions you have held which are related to the job you are seeking. These might be both paid and volunteer positions
Be creative with this section by describing your experiences in the most relevant way possible
1-23
Employment Experience
Hospitality Intern (May 1999-August 1999)Mountain Jacks, HFx, NS
-Oversaw the planning,
production, and prompt
delivery of food
-Assisted in training and
retaining new and
experienced employees
-Created a healthy
atmosphere in restaurant
Include information such as company name and location, job title, dates, and duties performed
Make this section easy to read by using spacing and bullets
Use action phrases to highlight the duties you have performed
1-24
Activities and Honors
Include relevant activities and honors that you could discuss with your prospective employer or that have given you valuable experience or skills
1-25
Specialized Skills
Include skills that make you unique, such as computer skills, foreign language skills, or military service
Be specific in describing your special skills; name computer programs you know, how long you studied a foreign language, or your dates of military service
1-26
References
In general, do not include the names and addresses of your references
Better state that references are available upon request
Choose professional references rather than character references
1-27
Reference Sheet
Dr. AnsonHeavilon Hall, Room 226Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN 47907(765) 494-3723 -Dr. Anson is my current academic advisor in theCreative Writing andScience Fiction Program
Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your references
Always ask permission before you include any information on your reference sheet
Consider giving your references a copy of your resume so they will be prepared to talk to employers
1-28
Organizing Your Resume
Organize your resume to highlight your unique skills and strengths
Use whatever combination of organizational styles you think best highlight your individual qualifications
The most commonresume styles are:
-Organizational style
-Reverse chronological
-Functional
-Skills
-Imaginative
1-29
Reverse Chronological Resume Style
Present your education and work experience in chronological order, beginning with your most recent experiences
This style is best if:
Job experiences closely parallel the positions
There are no periods of unemployment time between jobs
1-30
Work Experience:
1997-Present U.S. Postal Service, Indianapolis. Worked as a Station Manager, delivering mail, overseeing retail sales, planning delivery to new routes
1994-1997 All Right Parking, Inc., Indianapolis. Worked as a Manager, handling customer relations, overseeing accounts, supervising twenty-five employees
1992-1994 Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis. Worked as a District Sales Manager recruiting and training new eemployees, managing crews of twenty-five carriers within nine counties, designing routes
Reverse Chronological Resume Style
1-31
Functional Resume Style
Organize experience by type of function performed. Under each, give specific examples
Highlight experiences that directly relate to the job you are seeking
Ignore experiences that do not relate to the job for which you are applying
Place things in order of importance rather than chronological order
1-32
Functional Resume Style
Experience:
Research Assistant (May 1998-June 1999)- Purdue U.Assisted Professor Robert Thompson in:
-updating statistical tables and charts-answering research questions via the Internet, library, and by establishing resources to provide the needed information
President, Sociology Club (January-May 2000)-Raised over $2,000 for club expenses and scholarships-Organized 10 activities for over 200 students-Designed and maintained club website
1-33
Skills Resume Style
Emphasize what you can do rather than where you have worked
Try to match your skills to the position for which you are applying
Ideal style for people who have gained valuable skills from a variety of unrelated experiences
1-34
Skills Resume Style
Skills:
Communication Skills
-Counseled teens in an anti-drug initiative at Jefferson High School
-Received Employee of the Month Award for my work creating a positive environment at Wal-Mart while working as a cashier
-Presented a semester-long project on choosing a major to a group of prospective students
Training Skills
-Trained new employees in cashier procedures at Wal-Mart
-Served as assistant coach for a Scotia High School basketball team
1-35
Imaginative Resume Style
Acts like a mini-portfolio because it demonstrates a combination of layout, graphics, text integration, and audience selection
Make sure a company is open to this type of resume before submitting it
Ideal style when a job demands creativity, such as graphic design
Appropriate to use color graphics on an imaginative resume
1-36Rick Nason7431 Davenport Drive
Dallas, TX 75226(512) 598-9693 (512) 598-0017
Objective: Administrative Assistant Position
Education: Bachelor of Science in Office AdministrationNorthern State University, 1991GPA 3.0/4.0
Special Skills:Keyboarding at 90 wpm, WordPerfect, Word,Ami Pro, Excel and 1-2-3, Paradox and Access
Relevant Courses:Business Communication Office ProceduresDocument Imaging Management
1-37
Experience:
Secretary 1996-1998Boatner King Insurance Company, DallasPersonal secretary to Mr. Carlos Boatner, President
Data-entry Clerk 1993-1996Thatcher Manufacturing Company, Dallas
File Clerk 1992-1993J. C. Douglas Wholesale Company, Dry Creek
References:
Will gladly provide personal and professional references on request.
1-38
Scannable Resume
Constructed to be read by a computer and retrieved when an appropriate position is being filled
Can be scanned into a database and retrieved when a position is being filled
Objective is to getting the resume reviewed in order to be re-interviewed
1-39
Scannable Resume
Procedures for Scannable Resume
Include industry-specific key words Choose precise nouns over verb actions Present information in a form read accurately by
scanners
1-40
Electronic Resume
Enables you to use electronic technology
Three basic formats:
-ASCII or Text File:
-Word Processor, RTF (Rich Text File) and PDF (Portable Document File)
-Multimedia HTM File
1-41
Electronic Resume
Procedures for Electronic Resume
Use the electronic format the receiver specifies or prefers
Remove all contact information except your email address
Consider adding a last updated notation Extend the HTML format to include colors, graphics,
video, and sound as appropriate
1-42
Writing the Cover Messages
Writing cover messages involve matching your qualifications with the job
They are as good as sales letters
Skillfully sell your abilities through them
1-43
Procedure of Writing the Cover Messages
Study your product (you) and your prospect (the employer) and think out a strategy for presentation
Begin with words that gain attention
-begin applying for the job
-set up the presentation of your sales point
Adapt the tone and content to the job you seek
Present your qualifications, fitting them to the job
Choose words that enhance the information presented
Derive for an appropriate actions (interviews)
1-44
Handling the Interview
Research the employer (company) to impress
Make a good appearance through dress and grooming
Anticipate questions and plan to answer
-Standard, tough, illegal, critical thinking and behavioral questions
Make a good impression by being at ease (calm, confident)
Help bring out the questions that show your qualifications
1-45Preparing your answers helps you choose a strategy
Question: What are your weaknesses?Possible Strategies: Present a weakness that’s really a hidden strength Cite a corrected weakness Recall a lesson learned Reveal a lapsed skill Use an unrelated skill Cite an objective Try humor Repeat your qualifications
1-46
Writing Other Job Search Letters
Thank-you letter Follow-up letter Job acceptance letter Job refusal letter Job resignation letter
1-47
Continuing Job Search Activities
Maintain your resume Read job ads/ professional journals