Effective Written Communications in Job Hunting
Written Communications in
Job Hunting
Presentation Overview
Letters in the job search process
Resume writing
Resume tips
Resume vs. vita
References/recommendation letters
Transcripts & co-curricular transcripts
Record keeping
CIP perspective
Letters in the Job Search Process
Letter of inquiry
Cover letter—
Broadcast vs. Targeted approach
What’s the difference?
See sample outline in Figure 12.2
Tips on preparing effective cover letters
Letters in the electronic age
Cover Letter
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Reason for writing
Name of position, career area
How you heard of the opening
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Mention related experience/qualifications
Slant to employing organization
Why interested in organized, position, location
Refer reader to any enclosed materials
Cover Letter
3rd paragraph – Closing
Request opportunity to visit employer, suggesting possible
date/time
Indicate when you might follow up
Thank reader for considering your application
Sincerely,
Include signature
Type Full Name
Letters in the Job Search
Process
Interview appreciation letter
Letter of acknowledgement
Letter of acceptance
Job offer rejection letter
Purpose of a Resume
Self-marketing tool
Highlights one’s relevant education,
experience, and related qualifications
Designed to get employer’s attention & obtain
an interview
Provide employers a picture of what value you
would bring to the organization
Resume Styles
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enerally, 1 page for college graduates
Longer for persons with advanced degrees
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Choose categories appropriate to job target
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rder categories from most to least relevant
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se consistent format
Alternative Resumes
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Use of key words
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ssume that anyone will be able to see it
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Use simpler format & common headings
Emphasis on specific skills & wording
relevant to employer/position
Avoid colored paper, folding, staples
Organizing a Resume
Chronological vs. functional
What’s the difference?
Advantages & disadvantages of each
M
ay use a combination of the two
Resume Categories
Identification
Career Objective
Education/Training
Experience
Other Categories
Identification
NAME
Address
Street or P.O. Box
City, State, Zip
Phone number(s)
E-mail address
Career Objectives
Opinions vary on whether to include
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Can emphasize career areas, position titles,
type of organization, functional skills, specific
population
Avoid vague objectives that communicate no
useful information to employers
Career Objective Examples
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Career Objective Tips
Use your self-knowledge in formulating career objectives
Review occupational and employer information for ideas
Examine sample objectives in resume guides or
in your campus career center
Consider using the cover letter as a place to state
your specific objective
Recognize importance of being able to clearly
state your job search goal(s)
Education
Begin with highest level of training
Name/Date of Degree
Name/Location of Institution
Major(s)/Minor(s)
Overall GPA/Major GPA
Relevant coursework
Academic Honors (can also be a separate section)
Experience
Can include:
Paid/non-paid
Part-time/full-time
Internships
Volunteer/community service
Military
Other category names:
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Experience
What to Include:
Position title
Name of organization
Organization’s location (city, state)
Dates
Duties/skills used/responsibilities
Accomplishments/results
Sample Positive Action Words
Advised
Arranged
Built
Compiled
Demonstrated
Designed
Edited
Established
Organized
Planned
Supervised
Trained
See complete list in Table 12.1 in text
Positive Action Word Examples
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Personal Data
Generally omitted from resume, including
Birthdate
Marital status
Physical characteristics
Religion
Beware of including any information that could be used
by cyberthieves
Reproducing Your Resume
Use word processing software to
produce a high-quality original
What are the pros and cons of templates?
Use high quality printer and paper in
making copies
Resume Tips
1)
Be brief, clear, concise
2)
Be consistent in formatting,
use an easy-to-read layout
3)
Be positive & honest
4)
Be careful—proof for errors
5)
Be neat—quality of resume
reflects on you!
Resume Don’t’s
State salary requirements
Give reasons for leaving employers
Limit geographic range
Expound on philosophy or values
Offer any negative information
Resume vs. Vita
Most college graduates use brief resumes, 1-2
pages long
Vita is more complete record of academic &
professional accomplishments
Graduate schools & overseas employers may
request a vita
Vita categories focus on areas of accomplishment
valued by academic institutions
Clarify what format employers or graduate
schools are requesting from you
References and Letters of
Recommendation
3 to 4 individuals who can speak to employers
about your qualifications
Who are the best individuals to use?
Most important: ask references if they are
willing to do this before you share their names
List names/contact information on separate
sheet
See sample reference page figure 12.5
Transcripts and Co-Curricular
Transcripts
Research suggests that employers often review
transcripts
Co-curricular transcripts (activities outside the
classroom)—not as frequently requested by
employers
Co-curricular transcript information can be
included on resume
Key: Connect academic experience to positions
you seek!
Record Keeping in the Job
Campaign
Examples may include:
Job search correspondence
List of contacts & referrals
Notes from conversations
Copies of job announcements
Employer literature
Interview travel arrangements & receipts
Records may be paper, electronic, or both
CIP Perspective
Self-Knowledge
Use resume and cover letter to communicate
your values, interests, & skills
Option Knowledge
Know what is available & how your
qualifications match those positions
Decision Making
Targeting employers, following through with
each CASVE cycle phase
Executive Processing
Think positively about what you have to offer
Gain insights on letters in the job search process, resume writing tips, cover letter essentials, and interview correspondence. Enhance your job application skills through this detailed presentation overview.
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Presentation Transcript
Written Communications in Job Hunting
Presentation Overview Letters in the job search process Resume writing Resume tips Resume vs. vita References/recommendation letters Transcripts & co-curricular transcripts Record keeping CIP perspective
Letters in the Job Search Process Letter of inquiry Cover letter Broadcast vs. Targeted approach What s the difference? See sample outline in Figure 12.2 Tips on preparing effective cover letters Letters in the electronic age
Cover Letter 1st paragraph Opening Reason for writing Name of position, career area How you heard of the opening 2nd paragraph Body Mention related experience/qualifications Slant to employing organization Why interested in organized, position, location Refer reader to any enclosed materials
Cover Letter 3rd paragraph Closing Request opportunity to visit employer, suggesting possible date/time Indicate when you might follow up Thank reader for considering your application Sincerely, Include signature Type Full Name
Letters in the Job Search Process Interview appreciation letter Letter of acknowledgement Letter of acceptance Job offer rejection letter
Purpose of a Resume Self-marketing tool Highlights one s relevant education, experience, and related qualifications Designed to get employer s attention & obtain an interview Provide employers a picture of what value you would bring to the organization
Resume Styles Length Generally, 1 page for college graduates Longer for persons with advanced degrees Format Choose categories appropriate to job target Order categories from most to least relevant Use consistent format
Alternative Resumes Posting resumes online Use of key words Assume that anyone will be able to see it Scannable resumes Use simpler format & common headings Emphasis on specific skills & wording relevant to employer/position Avoid colored paper, folding, staples
Organizing a Resume Chronological vs. functional What s the difference? Advantages & disadvantages of each May use a combination of the two
Resume Categories Identification Career Objective Education/Training Experience Other Categories
Identification NAME Address Street or P.O. Box City, State, Zip Phone number(s) E-mail address
Career Objectives Opinions vary on whether to include Needs to focus on types of job targets being sought Can emphasize career areas, position titles, type of organization, functional skills, specific population Avoid vague objectives that communicate no useful information to employers
Career Objective Examples Position Title To obtain a copy editor position at a publishing firm Type of Organization Seeking a data analytics position in a sports media organization Functional Area/Population To obtain a human services position working with the elderly
Career Objective Tips Use your self-knowledge in formulating career objectives Review occupational and employer information for ideas Examine sample objectives in resume guides or in your campus career center Consider using the cover letter as a place to state your specific objective Recognize importance of being able to clearly state your job search goal(s)
Education Begin with highest level of training Name/Date of Degree Name/Location of Institution Major(s)/Minor(s) Overall GPA/Major GPA Relevant coursework Academic Honors (can also be a separate section)
Experience Can include: Paid/non-paid Part-time/full-time Internships Volunteer/community service Military Other category names: Related or Additional Experience
Experience What to Include: Position title Name of organization Organization s location (city, state) Dates Duties/skills used/responsibilities Accomplishments/results
Sample Positive Action Words Edited Advised Established Arranged Built Compiled Demonstrated Designed Organized Planned Supervised Trained See complete list in Table 12.1 in text
Positive Action Word Examples Sales Representative Initiated and completed all services for new customers, as well as handled all billing problems and service change orders. Teaching Assistant Served as peer educator in class of 110 students; helped design and implement lesson plans; assisted with grading assignments
Personal Data Generally omitted from resume, including Birthdate Marital status Physical characteristics Religion Beware of including any information that could be used by cyberthieves
Reproducing Your Resume Use word processing software to produce a high-quality original What are the pros and cons of templates? Use high quality printer and paper in making copies
Resume Tips 1) Be brief, clear, concise 2) Be consistent in formatting, use an easy-to-read layout 3) Be positive & honest 4) Be careful proof for errors 5) Be neat quality of resume reflects on you!
Resume Donts State salary requirements Give reasons for leaving employers Limit geographic range Expound on philosophy or values Offer any negative information
Resume vs. Vita Most college graduates use brief resumes, 1-2pages long Vita is more complete record of academic & professional accomplishments Graduate schools & overseas employers may request a vita Vita categories focus on areas of accomplishment valued by academic institutions Clarify what format employers or graduate schools are requesting from you
References and Letters of Recommendation 3 to 4 individuals who can speak to employers about your qualifications Who are the best individuals to use? Most important: ask references if they are willing to do this before you share their names List names/contact information on separate sheet See sample reference page figure 12.5
Transcripts and Co-Curricular Transcripts Research suggests that employers often review transcripts Co-curricular transcripts (activities outside the classroom) not as frequently requested by employers Co-curricular transcript information can be included on resume Key: Connect academic experience to positions you seek!
Record Keeping in the Job Campaign Examples may include: Job search correspondence List of contacts & referrals Notes from conversations Copies of job announcements Employer literature Interview travel arrangements & receipts Records may be paper, electronic, or both
CIP Perspective Self-Knowledge Use resume and cover letter to communicate your values, interests, & skills Option Knowledge Know what is available & how your qualifications match those positions Decision Making Targeting employers, following through with each CASVE cycle phase Executive Processing Think positively about what you have to offer
