Job Search

Week 5, Part 1

Reminder

1. Slideshare.net/janegriffith

Today

1. Grammar quiz preparation2. Job search: the resume3. Job search: the coverletter4. Grammar quiz

Date Changes

Coverletter/resume peer edit: Mon., Feb. 8

Due date of coverletter/resume: Wed., Feb. 10

Proofreading quiz #1: Wed., Feb. 17

Grammar Quiz

Next class On:

Comma splices 3Cs (Constructive, courteous, clear and

concise)

Grammar Quiz Review Constructive

You are not eligible for our credit card because you have not yet graduated.

Courteous Thank you for agreeing last month to attend our board

meeting today to hear how your company can support us in the good work that we do in the community.

Clear and concise It is advised that the meter reading should be recorded

hourly by your technician.

Comma Splices

Identify the subject and verb in each sentence:

The youth left the housing complex earlier last year.

The student was off drugs for 6 months.Her biological mother lives on the Island.Luckily, Michael has found work close to

his child’s school.

Comma Splices and Run-ons Comma splices and Run-ons Same problem: two independent clauses

fused together improperly

Comma splice:Subject verb, subject verb

I love ice cream, I love chocolateRun on:Subject verb subject verb

I love ice cream I love chocolate

Comma Splices

Two independent clauses cannot be fused together on their own.

Comma Splices

Comma Splice: When a comma is doing the work of period. Comma is too weak to take this role Comma = weak Period = strong

How to Fix a comma splice/run-on1. Stronger punctuation2. Use a coordinating conjunction3. Make one phrase dependent

Comma Splice Practice

The door in the office needs to be locked, this will prevent break-ins.

My client has a job, however it does not pay well.

The child is in distress, therefore she must receive counselling.

Comma Splice Practice

The door in the office needs to be locked, this will prevent break-ins.

The door in the office needs to be locked; this will prevent break-ins.

The door in the office needs to be locked, and this will prevent break-ins.

If we lock the doors we will prevent break-ins.

My client has a job, however it does not pay well.

The child is in distress, therefore she must receive counselling.

Job Search Introduction

Job posting Coverletter Resume

Education

Present to past Only put date ranges if in the middle

(different than textbook) Do not include elementary Do not include incomplete courses

Resumes

Two styles Functional (153) Chronological (140)

What do you notice about these two style? Which will you use?

Job Duties

Page 140 (exercise)

Be Specific

Worked on newspaper design Working on a weekly newspaper,

assisted programmers in design of a program to translate computer generated ads into full-page compositions by advising them on how typesetting works.

Action Verbs

designed, developed, demonstrated, received, achieved, trained, coached, facilitated, taught, advised, resolved, reorganized, assisted, identified, tested, reported, diagnosed, machined, created, collaborated, completed, coordinated, troubleshot, documented, wrote, provided, handled, acted as chair, umpired.

Accomplishments SKILL + CONTEXT/SITUATION = ACCOMPLISHMENT 

SKILLS: Can use Microsoft Office CONTEXT: English 170 ACCOMPLISHMENT: Used Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to write and illustrate User Manual, illustrated reports, and

workplace documents in Technical Communications course at Camosun College.

                             

Accomplishments

Able to work in groups

Excellent written and oral communication

Good at problem solving

Patient and empathetic

SKILL + CONTEXT/SITUATION = ACCOMPLISHMENT 

Tips

Use lists to present information concisely, and check them for parallelism.

Proofread fastidiously, use a spell-check and grammar check, and get a peer edit. A résumé must be letter perfect.

Coverletters

Persuasive Sales Letter AIDA

Attention Interest Desire Action

Attention

First paragraph: very short (around 2 sentences)

Focus attention in subject line as well (list job name or “competition number”)

Mention name of job, how you heard of it, and in just a few words why you are perfect for the job.

Attention

Dear K.T. Williams,

Subject: Parkland Secondary Youth Liaison Position

I am pleased to apply for the position of youth liaison at Parkland Secondary School, which I learned about in last week’s Times Colonist advertisement. My education and experience make me an excellent candidate for this position.

Attention

Subject: Application for Position of Regional Manager of Retailing with X-Treem Games  

Please consider my application for the position of Regional Manager of Retailing with X-Treem Games, advertised in the June 2004 issue of Vancouver Island Jobpostings. My education in Computer Engineering Technology at Camosun College has provided me with the computing knowledge that you describe in your idea applicant.

2 Body Paragraphs: Interest/Desire“What evidence can you give me to prove you

have the skills you say you have?” “Do you have any experience?” “How recent is your training?” “What degree of success have you had in other

work experiences?” “Can you work effectively in the type of work

environment we have in this company?” “How are you different from the other applicants?”“What gives you the edge?”  

Job Posting

http://www.employment.gov.bc.ca/index.php?view_posting=046567

Cater it!

Interest/Desire

Paragraph 1: 2 sentences, basic attention-grabber

Paragraph 2: Concrete references to resume and job posting

Paragraph 3: Why you specifically want to work at this place (again, mention resume and job posting)

Paragraph 4: Specific contact information

Action

Last paragraph Be brief Request an interview Restate contact information Specify when/how best you can be

reached

Letter Format

Just like direct letter practiced earlier (address, opening, closing, etc)

One letter maximum No margin for errors

Exercise: Stations

7 Stations