Chapter Sixteen

EmploymentCommunications

McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Learning Objectives

LO16.1 Identify your key selling points for the job application process.

LO16.2 Evaluate the primary needs of employers for positions of interest.

LO16.3 Set up the message structure for résumés and cover letters.

LO16.4 Highlight your qualifications with effective tone, style, and design.

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Learning Objectives

LO16.5 Create chronological and functional résumés to highlight your key selling points.

LO16.6 Develop a list of references that will improve your employment prospects.

LO16.7 Compose effective cover letters that highlight your key selling points.

LO16.8 Review your job application documents for effectiveness and fairness.

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Learning Objectives

LO16.9 Develop strategies for responding to common job interview questions.

LO16.10 Explain etiquette for following up after job interviews.

LO16.11 Explain etiquette for leaving an organization with grace and foresight.

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Identify your Key Selling Points

To create résumés and cover letters that serve your long-term career interests, your first step should be to carefully evaluate your career ambitions and qualifications

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Identify your Key Selling Points

Identifying your career goals helps you accomplish several things in the job search process.

First, it helps you frame your résumé and cover letter to project your career hopes.

Second, it helps you evaluate how well your abilities and attributes prepare you for your desired career.

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Identify your Key Selling Points

Abilities skills and knowledge that can be applied to

accomplishing work tasks. Attributes

personal traits or characteristics

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Self-Inventory of Career Interests and Job-Related Abilities and Attributes

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Abilities and Attributes that Establish Credibility in the Job Application Process

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Completing a Thorough Job Search Process

Use all the resources available to learn about your options and ensure that you apply for the jobs that are good fits for you

Contact and get involved with professional organizations and visit organizational websites to learn about options

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Most Common Sources of Professional Networking

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Set up the Message Structure for Résumés and Cover Letters

As a university student, however, aim for a single page

If you find yourself using more than one page, you are likely weakening the message about your key selling points

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Major Sections of a Résumé

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Principles of Effective Résumés

Emphasize accomplishments with action verbs.

Quantify accomplishments where possible.

Position your most important contributions first.

Group and label information to increase ease of reading.

Remove irrelevant details.

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Principles of Effective Résumés

Avoid buzzwords and jargon.Be exact and avoid any errors.Group and label information to improve ease of

reading.Format to distinguish pieces of information.Select a simple yet visually appealing layout.

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Getting the Tone, Style, and Design Right for Résumés and Cover Letters

The tone, style, and design must be perfect

How can you make sure that potential employers rapidly understand your story: the unique abilities and attributes that will deliver value to them?

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Emphasize Accomplishments with Action Verbs

Without exaggerating, choose verbs that make your key abilities and attributes jump off the page.

Avoid verbs that undersell your abilities and attributes

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Using Action Words to Emphasize Accomplishments

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Quantifying Accomplishments

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Positioning Most Important Contributions First

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Removing Unnecessary Details

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Avoiding Clichés and Proofreading for Typos and Misspellings

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Grouping and Labeling to Highlight the Employment Narrative

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Formatting to Distinguish Key Pieces of Information

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Creating Chronological and Functional Résumés

Chronological résumés present the information grouped by work and

education over timeFunctional résumés

present the information in terms of key skills.

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Developing a Reference List

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References List

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Constructing Cover Letters

The Cover Letter Often Forms the First Impression

Clearly Identify the Position You Are Applying For

Be Focused and Concise

Show a Confident and Enthusiastic Tone without Exaggerating or Displaying Arrogance

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Job Posting and Needs of the Employer

Adapting for Unsolicited Letters

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Reviewing Your Résumés and Cover Letters

Your job application must be perfect

On the most basic level, you should make sure every element of your job application correctly portrays your abilities and attributes

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Dress for the Interview and Pay Attention to Etiquette

As much as possible, gain a sense ahead of time about the dress standards at the company where you are interviewing

Generally, you should dress up, even when the company has a fairly casual environment.

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Most Serious Problems in the Job Application/Interview Process

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Respond Effectively to Interview Questions

Respond to Questions Strategically, Confidently, and Concisely

Be Perceptive about What Hiring Managers Are Evaluating

Tell Success Stories

Avoid Criticizing Your Former Organizations, Supervisors, and Colleagues

Ask Questions

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Follow Up after the Job Interview

Within a few hours to one day after your interview, send a thank-you note

Your primary goal should be to express goodwill and confirm your interest in the position

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Thank-You Note Following an Interview

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Leaving an Organization

You should inform your supervisor that you are leaving immediately, preferably in person

You may be required to write a formal resignation

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Resignation Letter