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Obtaining a job involves a lot of hard work. Before your name is added to a company’s payroll, you will have to do more than simply walk into the human resources office and fill out an application form. Finding the right job takes time in this difficult and highly competitive job market. And finding the right person to fill that job also takes time for the employer.

Steps the Employer Takes to Hire From the employer’s viewpoint, the stages in the search for a valuable employee include the following:

1. deciding what duties and responsibilities go with the job and determining the qualifications the future employee should possess

2. advertising the job on the company website, in newspapers, in professional publications and conferences

3. scanning and evaluating résumés and letters of application 4. having candidates complete application forms and submit to background checks 5. requesting further proof of candidates’ skills (letters of recommendation,

transcripts, portfolios) 6. interviewing selected candidates 7. doing further follow-ups and rank ordering candidates to be interviewed 8. offering the job to the best-qualified individual

Sometimes the steps are interchangeable, especially steps 4 and 5, but, generally speaking, employers go through a long and detailed process to select employees. Step 3, for example, is among the most important for employers (and the most cru- cial for job candidates). At that stage employers often classify job seekers into one of three groups: those they definitely want to interview, those they may want to interview, and those in whom they have no interest.

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5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.

Analyzing Your Strengths and Restricting Your Job Search 153

Steps to Follow to Get Hired As a job seeker you will have to know how and when to give the employer the kinds of information the preceding eight steps require. You will also have to follow a certain schedule in your search for a job. You can expect to go through the fol- lowing eight procedures:

1. preparing for your career 2. analyzing your strengths and restricting your job search 3. looking in the right places for a job 4. assembling a dossier and a portfolio 5. preparing a résumé 6. writing a letter of application and filling out a job application 7. going to an interview 8. accepting or declining a job offer

Your timetable should match that of your prospective employer. This chapter shows you how to begin your job search, prepare an appropriate résumé, write a persua- sive letter of application, design an effective portfolio, and prepare for an interview.

Analyzing Your Strengths and Restricting Your Job Search

Before you apply for jobs, analyze your job skills, career goals, and interests. Here are some points to consider.

1. Make an inventory of your most significant accomplishments in your major and/ or on the job. What are your greatest strengths—writing and speaking, working with people in small groups, organizing and problem solving, managing money, speaking a second language, developing software, designing websites?

2. Decide which specialty within your chosen career appeals to you the most. If you are in a nursing program, do you want to work in a large teaching hospital, for a home health or hospice agency, or in a physician’s office? What kinds of patients do you prefer to care for—pediatric, geriatric, psychiatric?

3. What are the most rewarding prospects of a job in your profession? What most interests you about a position—travel, technology, international contacts, on- the-job training, helping people, being creative?

4. What are some of the greatest challenges you face in your career today—or will face in five years?

5. Which specific companies or organizations have the best track record in hiring and promoting individuals in your field? What qualifications will such firms insist on from prospective employees?

Once you answer these questions, you can avoid applying for positions for which you are either overqualified or underqualified. If a position requires 10 years of related work experience and you are just starting out, you will only

154 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

waste the employer’s time and your own by applying. However, if a job requires a certificate or license and you are in the process of obtaining one, go ahead and apply.

Social Networking Sites and Your Job Search Note that not only do employers monitor their employees on the job (see Chapter 1, page 21), they also consult such popular networking sites as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to screen candidates. Be careful about the content and photos you post for public viewing. Project an image of yourself as a professional, someone whom a company wants to hire; avoid posting photos that you might want to share with friends (what you did on your vacation) but not with your future boss. In the “Info” or “Interests” sections on these networking sites, comment about your accomplishments on the job, at school, in the community, or for a charita- ble organization. Describe how you solved a problem at work, pinpoint skills you learned as a part of a team, or focus on your career goals. For example, if you have worked for Habitat for Humanity or a local food bank, or participated in a profes- sional organization, by all means mention them. To ensure that you present the best image of yourself, make sure you select “private” settings for your personal accounts so that no one can access information or photos that might be detrimental to your job search.

Enhancing Your Professional Image Whether you are looking for your first job in your career field, returning to the job market, or changing careers, there are several steps you can take to help improve your chances of getting hired. Here are some suggestions of things that will help you develop your professional career plans:

■ Attend job fairs and interviewing workshops on campus as well as those sponsored by municipal, state, and federal agencies.

■ Join student and professional organizations and societies in your area(s) of interest. Membership rates for students are often reduced.

■ Apply for relevant internships and training programs to gain real-world experience and make networking contacts.

■ If available, take a temporary job in your profession to gain some experience. ■ Ask your instructors to critique your work in light of your career plans. ■ Confer with your academic adviser(s) regularly, not just once a semester. ■ Find a mentor—someone in the field you might want to join. ■ Consider developing a competency in a second (or third) language. ■ Do volunteer work to gain or enhance experience working in a group setting, preparing documents, etc.

■ Write a blog to increase your networking potential and demonstrate your interest in and knowledge about your profession.

Looking in the Right Places for a Job 155

Looking in the Right Places for a Job One way to search for a job is simply to send out a batch of letters and résumés to companies you want to work for. But how do you know what jobs, if any, those companies have available, what qualifications they are looking for, and what dead- lines they might want you to meet? You can avoid these uncertainties by knowing where to look for a job and knowing what responsibilities a specific job entails. Consult the following resources for a wealth of job-related information.

1. Networking. Networking pays. Most jobs come through consulting with other people. John D. Erdlen and Donald H. Sweet, experts on job searching, cite the fol- lowing as a primary rule of job hunting: “Don’t do anything yourself you can get someone with influence to do for you.” Let your professors, co- workers, friends, classmates, neighbors, relatives, and even your clergy know you are looking for a job. They may hear of something and can notify you or, better yet, recommend you for the position. See how the job seekers in Figures 5.10 (page 183) and 5.11 (page 184) have successfully networked with people they know. You can also network with peo- ple you don’t know personally through professional networking websites such as:

http://www.linkedin.com http://www.ryze.com http://www.tribe.net http://www.jobster.com http://www.meetup.com

Additionally, attend professional and organization meetings related to your field, and community and civic functions to meet the right contact people whom you can ask for advice and also for possible follow-up help and recommendations.

2. Your campus placement office. Counselors keep an online file of current available positions and can also tell you when recruiters will be on campus to conduct interviews. Placement offices also have recruiting databases, allowing stu- dents access to a broad range of contacts and interview information. Counselors can help you locate summer and part-time work as well, both on and off campus, positions that might lead to full-time jobs. Most important, they will give you sound advice on your job search, including strategies for finding the right job, sal- ary ranges, and interview tips. Many placement offices also sponsor career fairs to bring job seekers and employers together in specific professional fields. Finally, your placement office will help you set up and archive your dossier, or credentials (see pages 158–160).

3. Internet sites posting jobs. A majority of posted jobs can be found on the Internet. You can learn about jobs at a specific company or organization by vis- iting its website to see what vacancies it has and what the qualifications are for them. Also consult the Riley Guide: Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet (http://www.rileyguide.com). This invaluable resource surveys

156 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

and classifies job openings on the Web by field, location, and category (private or public), and provides you with links for direct access. In addition, you might want to explore many of the job posting sites such as those in Table 5.1 below, which list positions and sometimes give you advice about applying for them.

TABLE 5.1 Sites Posting Jobs on the Web

Website URL Description

CollegeRecruiter.com http://www. collegerecruiter.com Aimed at job seekers with little work experience

Monster http://www.monster.com Lists thousands of openings, from those at small companies to global ones; offers advice on the job search process

Monster Trak http://www.monstertrak.com Posts jobs for new college grads

Monster + Hotjobs http://www.hotjobs.yahoo.com This site combines the former Yahoo! HotJobs site and Monster’s site to create an enormous job search website.

CareerBuilder http://www. careerbuilder.com One of the largest postings linked to more than 200 newspapers around the country

IMDiversity http://www.imdiversity.com Job openings from companies whose mission is to promote diversity in their workforces

Net Temps http://www.nettemps.com Links to short-term positions

WetFeet http://www.wetfeet.com Lists jobs at companies looking for interns in business, technology, health care, etc.

4. Newspapers. Look at local newspapers as well as the Sunday editions of large city papers with a wide circulation, such as the New York Times Job Market (http://jobmarket.nytimes.com). The National Business Employment Weekly (www.careerjournal.com), published by the Wall Street Journal, also lists jobs in different areas, including technical and managerial positions.

5. Federal and state employment offices. The U.S. government is one of the big- gest employers in the country. During 2009 and 2010, for instance, the most active career site on the Web was operated by the federal government, with 1.7 million new hires. Counselors at federal and state employment centers also help job seek- ers find career opportunities. Figure 5.1 shows the homepage for Student Jobs, which helps job seekers find employment opportunities with the U.S. government. Consult the following websites for listings of government jobs:

■ USA Jobs—http://www.usajobs.gov ■ Federal Jobs—http://www.federaljobs.net ■ Student Jobs—http://www.studentjobs.gov

Looking in the Right Places for a Job 157

6. Professional and trade journals plus associations in your major. Identify the most respected periodicals (print and online) in your field and search their ads. Each issue of Food Technology, for example, features a section called “Professional Placement,” a listing of jobs all over the country. Similarly, CIO Magazine—IT Professional Research Center (http://itjobs.cio.com/a/all-jobs/list) can help you find jobs in the computer industry, engineering, and technology. Consulting the Encyclopedia of Associations (http://library.dialog.com/bluesheets/html/bl0114.html) is the quickest way to find out about professional organizations and the journals they publish in your field.

7. The human resources department of a company or agency you would like to work for. Often you will be able to fill out an application even if there is not a current opening. But do not call employers asking about openings; a visit shows a more serious interest.

8. A résumé database service. A number of online services will put your résumé in a database and make it available to prospective employers, who scan the database regularly to find suitable job candidates. Check to see if a professional society to which you belong (or might join) offers a similar service.

9. Professional employment agencies. Some agencies list jobs you can apply for free of charge (because the employer pays the fee) while others charge a stiff fee, usually a percentage of your first year’s salary. Be sure to ask who pays the fee for this service. Because employment agencies often find out about jobs through channels already available to you, speak to someone at your campus placement center first.

Student Jobs website. Figure 5.1

158 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Dossiers and Letters of Recommendation Dossiers play a major role in the job search. A dossier, French for “bundle of docu- ments,” provides a file of information about you and your work—recommendations and so on—that others have supplied.

Basically, your dossier contains the following documents:

■ letters of recommendation ■ letters that awarded you a scholarship, gave you an academic honor, or acknowledged your community service

■ letters that praised your work on the job ■ your academic transcript(s)

You may ask your placement office to send your dossier to an employer, or employers may request it themselves if you have listed the placement office address on your résumé.

Obtaining Letters of Recommendation Should You See Your Letters? You have a legal right to see your recommendation letters, but some employers believe that if candidates see what is written about them, their references may be overly complimentary and more inclined to withhold information. Also, some of your references may refuse to write a letter of recommendation that they know you will see. On the other hand, you may feel more comfortable knowing what your recommendation letters contain. Before you make any decisions about seeing your recommendation letters, get the advice of your instructors and placement counselors.

Whom Should You Ask? Whether your recommendation letters are confidential or not, they can sell you or sink your chances, so select your references carefully. Ask the following individuals to be your references and to write enthusiastically about your work qualifications and skills:

■ previous employers (even for summer jobs or internships) who commended you and your work

■ two or three of your professors who know and like your work, have graded your papers, or have supervised you in fieldwork or laboratory activities

■ supervisors who evaluated and praised your work in the military ■ community leaders or officials with whom you have worked successfully on civic projects

Recommendations from such individuals will be regarded as more objective—and more relevant—than letters from friends, neighbors, or members of the clergy.

Whoever you do ask, make sure he or she is a strong supporter of yours, some- one who has sincerely and consistently complimented your work and encouraged you in your career. Stay clear of individuals who are lukewarm about your work or who might be reluctant to recommend you. Figure 5.2 shows a letter requesting a letter of recommendation.

Dossiers and Letters of Recommendation 159

March 30, 2012

Mr. Sonny Butler, Manager Empire Supermarket 4000 West 79th Street Chicago, IL 606052-4300

Dear Mr. Butler:

I was employed at your store from September 2010 through August 2011. During my employment, I worked part time as a stock clerk and relief cashier, and during the summer months I was a full-time employee in the produce department, helping to fill in while Bill Dirksen and Vivian Ho were away on their vacations.

In enjoyed my work at Empire, and I learned a great deal about the latest inventory tracking systems, ordering stock, calculating and helping to prevent merchandise shrinkage, and assisting customers.

This May, I will receive my A.A. degree from Moraine Valley Community College in retail merchandising and I have already begun preparing for my job search for a position in retail sales. Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me describing what you regard as my greatest strengths as one of you employees? Having your endorsement would be a great help to me.

To assist you, I can send you a letter of recommendation form from the Placement Office at Moraine Valley. Your letter would then become part of my permanent placement file.

I look forward to hearing from you. I thought you might like to see the enclosed résumé, which shows what I have been doing since I left Empire. Thank you for the opportunity to work at your supermarket.

Sincerely yours,

Tadeus Majeski

Encl. : Résumé

312-555-7733 tma es @gatenet.com

5432 South Kenneth Avenuea eus a es Chicago, IL 60651

Tadeus Majeski

Reviews employment history

Diplomatically requests strong letter of recom- mendation

Emphasizes skills learned on the job

Explain how letter will be used

Encloses copy of résumé

Request for a letter of recommendation. Figure 5.2

160 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Always Ask for Permission Always ask for permission before you list an individual as a reference, as in Figure 5.2. You could jeopardize your chances for a job if a prospective employer called one of your references and that person did not even know you were looking for a job or, worse yet, reveals that you did not have the courtesy to ask to use his or her name.

Should You Ask Your Current Boss? Asking your current boss, on the other hand, can be tricky. If your present employer is already aware that you are looking for work elsewhere (for instance, if your job is temporary or if your contract is about to run out) or you are working at a part-time job, by all means ask for a letter of recommendation. However, if you are employed full time and are looking for professional advancement or for a better salary elsewhere, you may not want your current employer to know that you are searching for another job. You may want to speak to a job counselor.

Preparing a Résumé The résumé, sometimes called a curriculum vitae, may be the most important document you prepare for your job search. It merits doing some careful homework. A résumé is not your life history or your emotional autobiography, nor is it a tran- script of your college work. It is a factual and concise summary of your qualifications, showing a prospective employer that you have the education and experience to do the job you are applying for. Regard your résumé as a persuasive ad for your professional qualifications. It is a billboard advertising you.

What you include—your key details, the wording, the ordering of information, and formatting—are all vital to your campaign to sell yourself and land the interview. Employers want to see the most crucial and current details about your qualifica- tions quickly. Accordingly, keep your print résumé short (preferably one page, never longer than two) and hard hitting. The same thing goes for your online résumé. See page 175 for an online résumé. Everything on your résumé needs to convince an employer you have the exact skills and background he or she is looking for.

What Employers Like to See in a Résumé Prospective employers will judge you and your work by your résumé; it is their first view of you and your qualifications. They will expect to see the following eight characteristics in an applicant’s résumé.

■ Honest. Be truthful about your qualifications—your education, experience, and skills. Distorting, exaggerating, or falsifying information about yourself in your résumé is unethical and could cost you the job. If you were a cleri- cal assistant to an attorney, don’t describe yourself as a paralegal. Employers demand trustworthiness.

■ Attractive. The document should be pleasing to the eye with appropriate spacing, typeface, and use of boldface; it shows you have a sense of proportion

Preparing a Résumé 161

and document design and that you are visually smart. The print should be clear and dark, not faded, and on high-quality paper. Do not use gimmicks like clip art or excessive capitalization. See pages 198–207 on document design.

■ Carefully organized. The orderly arrangement of information is easy to follow, logical, and consistent; it shows you have the ability to process infor- mation and to summarize. Use plenty of white space and bullets to highlight margin points. Employers prize analytical thinking.

■ Concise. Make sure your résumé is to the point. Generally, keep your résumé to one page, as in Figure 5.3 (page 164). However, depending on your edu- cation or job experience, you may want to include a second page. Résumés are written in short sentences that omit “I” and that use action-packed verbs, such as those listed in Table 5.2.

■ Accurate. Make sure your grammar, spelling, dates, names, titles, and pro- grams are correct; typos, inconsistencies, and math errors say you didn’t check your facts and figures.

■ Current. All information is up-to-date and documented, with no gaps or sketchy areas about previous jobs or education. Missing or incorrect dates or leaving key information out are flags to employers to reject your résumé.

accommodated accomplished achieved adapted adjusted administered analyzed arranged assembled assisted attended awarded bridged budgeted built calculated chaired coached collaborated collected communicated compiled completed composed computed conducted converted coordinated created

customized dealt in delivered designed determined developed directed drafted earned economized edited elected established estimated evaluated expended expedited figured fulfilled generated guided handled headed implemented improved increased informed initiated installed

instituted instructed interned interpreted launched maintained managed mapped monitored motivated navigated negotiated operated organized oversaw performed planned prepared programmed provided purchased ranked reappraised received reconciled reduced re-evaluated reported researched

reviewed saved scheduled searched secured selected served settled sold solved streamlined supervised surveyed taught teamed up tested tracked trained translated tutored updated upgraded verified volunteered weighed wired won worked wrote

TABLE 5.2 Action Verbs to Use in Your Résumé

162 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

■ Relevant. The information on your resume is appropriate for the job level. It must show that you have the necessary education and experience, and confirm that you can be an effective team player.

■ Quantification. Include specific data regarding how much revenue you gen- erated for an employer (or how much money you saved, or how many times you did a complex job).

Your goal is to prepare a résumé that shows the employer you possess the sought- after job skills. One that is unattractive, difficult to follow, poorly written, filled with typos and spelling mistakes or that is sketchy, boastful, or not relevant for the prospective employer’s needs will not make the first cut.

It might be to your advantage to prepare several versions of your résumé and then adapt each one you send out to the specific job skills a prospective employer is looking for. It pays to customize your résumé. Following the process detailed in the next section will help you prepare any résumé.

The Process of Writing Your Résumé To write an effective résumé, ask yourself the following important questions:

1. What classes did you excel in? 2. What papers, reports, surveys, or presentations earned you your highest

grades? 3. What computer skills have you mastered—languages, software knowledge,

designing or writing for Internet resources? Success in e-commerce? Skill at designing a blog and/or website? Understanding collaborative editing online?

4. What other technical skills have you acquired? 5. What jobs have you had? For how long and where? What were your primary

duties? Did you supervise other employees? 6. How did you open or expand a business market? Increase a customer base? 7. What did you do to earn a raise or a promotion in a previous or current job? 8. Do you work well with people? What skills do you possess as a member of a

team working toward a common job goal (e.g., finishing a report)? 9. Can you organize complicated tasks or identify and solve problems quickly? 10. Have you had experiences/responsibilities managing money—collecting fees or

receipts, preparing payrolls, conducting nightly audits, and so on? 11. Have you won any awards or scholarships or received a commendation, and/or

other recognition at work?

Pay special attention to your four or five most significant, job-worthy strengths, and work especially hard on listing them concisely and persuasively.

Although not everything you have done relates directly to a particular job, indicate how your achievements are relevant to the employer’s overall needs. For example, supervising staff in a convenience store points to your ability to perform the same duties in another business context.

Preparing a Résumé 163

Balancing Education and Experience If you have years of experience, don’t flood your prospective employer with too many details. You cannot possibly include every detail of your job(s) for the last 10 or 20 years.

■ Emphasize only those skills and positions most likely to earn you the job. ■ Eliminate your earliest jobs that do not relate to your present employment search.

■ Combine and condense skills acquired over many years and through many jobs. ■ Include relevant military schools or service.

Figure 5.6 shows the résumé of an individual who has a great deal of experience to offer prospective employer.

Many job candidates who have spent most of their lives in school are faced with the other extreme: not having much job experience to list. The worst thing to do is to write “None” for experience. Any part-time, summer, or other seasonal jobs, as well as work in a library or laboratory, apprenticeship or internship, show an employer that you are responsible and knowledgeable about the obligations of being an employee. Figure 5.3 contains a résumé from Anthony Jones, a student with little job experience; Figure 5.4 shows the résumé of María Lopéz, a student with a few years of experience.

What to Exclude from a Résumé Knowing what to exclude from a résumé is as important as knowing what to include. Because federal employment laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, or disability, do not include such infor- mation on your résumé. Here are some other details best left off your résumé:

■ salary demands, expectations, or ranges ■ preferences for work schedules, days off, or overtime ■ comments about fringe benefits ■ travel restrictions ■ reasons for leaving your previous job ■ your photograph (unless you are applying for a modeling or acting job) ■ your Social Security number ■ comments about your family, spouse, or children ■ height, weight, or hair/eye color ■ race, sexual orientation, religious and political affiliations ■ hobbies, interests (unless relevant to the job you are seeking)

Save comments about salary and schedules for your interview. (See pages 186–190.) The résumé should be written to earn you an interview.

Parts of a Résumé As with memos, letters, and reports, résumés consist of specific parts listed in bold- face. These parts—contact information, career objective, credentials (education and experience), related skills and achievements, and references/portfolios—need to be included in any résumé.

164 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Salesperson part-time , 200 2011, Buchman’s Department Store Duties included assisting customers in sporting goods and appliance departments,

designing custom window displays each month for the main entrance, and assisting

with the inventory database management.

Know uark Press, InDesign, Illustator, Photoshop, FinalCut Pro.

References, college transcripts, and a webfolio of website designs, photographs, and graphics available upon request.

Volunteer designed website and three-fold brochure for the Santa Rosa Humane Society’s 2012 fund drive helped raise $ ,600.

Santa Rosa Junior College, 2011 2012, A.S. degree to be awarded in 2012 Dean’s ist in 2008 GPA .2

Ma or: Commercial Graphics Illustration, with specialty in design layout

Related courses included:

Digital Photography

Graphics Programs: Illustrator, Photoshop

Desktop Publishing: uark Press, Adobe InDesign

Internship, 2011 2012, McAdam Publishers Ma or pro ects included:

Assisting layout editors with page composition and photo archiving.

Writing detailed reports on digital photography, designs, and artwork used in

www.sonomacounty.com and

www.resc.net magazines.

Anthony H. Jones 73 Allenwood Boulevard

Santa Rosa, California 95401-1074 707-555-6390

[email protected] www.plat.com/users/ajones/resume.html

WEBSITE DEVELOPER DESIGNER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Full-time position as a layout artist with a commercial publishing house using my training in state-of-the-art design technology.

Headlines major achievements and gives contact details

Offers precise, convincing objective

Starts with most important qualification— education

Stresses job-related activities of apprenticeship

Includes part-time work experience

Demonstrates skills in Web design

Credentials and portfo- lio emphasize accomplish- ments

Figure 5.3 Résumé from a student with little job experience.

Preparing a Résumé 165

Contact Information At the top of the page, provide your name (do not use a nickname), address including your ZIP code, telephone number (use a cell phone number since you always have it with you), and e-mail address. This contact information can either be centered on the page or flush left or right. Avoid unprofessional e-mail addresses such as [email protected] or [email protected]. Also include a URL for your website and a fax number if you have these for an employer to contact you.

Career Objective Although some employment counselors advice against using a career objective, or career profile, an objective can help a prospective employer know at once about the specific job you are looking for and in what ways you are qualified. But make sure your career objective is directly related to the position for which you are applying. Phrase it to sell yourself. Put the emphasis on what you can do for your employer, not what your employer can do for you.

To write an effective career objective statement, ask yourself four basic questions:

1. What kind of job am I searching for? 2. What kind of job am I qualified for? 3. What capabilities do I possess that match what a potential employer wants?

Avoid trite, vague, or self-centered goals such as “Looking for professional advancement,” “Want to join” a progressive company,” or “Seeking high-paying job that brings personal satisfaction.” Compare the vague objectives on the left with the more precise ones on the right.

Unfocused Focused

Job in sales to use my aggressive Regional sales representative using skills in expanding markets. my proven skills in e-commerce and communication to develop and expand a customer base.

Full-time position as staff nurse. Full-time position as staff nurse on cardiac step-down unit to offer excellent primary care nursing and patient/family teaching.

Position in cable industry. Working as part of a service team to provide efficient cable repair service

A career objective can help you when you are applying for a specific job opening. You might want to omit it, though if you are sending the same résumés to many different potential employers.

Credentials The order of the next two categories—Education and Experience—can vary. Generally, if you have lots of work experience, list it first. However, if you are a

166 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

recent graduate short on job experience, list education first, as Anthony Jones did (see Figure 5.3). María Lopéz (Figure 5.4) also decided to place her education before her job experience because the job she was applying for required the formal training she most recently received at Miami-Dade Community College.

Education Begin with your most recent education first, then list everything significant since high school. Give the name(s) of the school(s); dates attended; and degree, diploma, or certificate earned. Don’t overlook relevant military experience or major training programs (EMT, court reporter), institutes, internships, or workshops you have completed.

Remember, however, that a résumé is not a transcript. Simply listing a series of courses will not set you apart from hundreds of other applicants taking similar courses across the country. Avoid vague titles such as Science 203 or Nursing IV. Instead, concentrate on describing the kinds of skills you learned.

30 hours in planning and development courses specializing in transportation, land use, and community facilities; 12 hours in field methods of gathering, interpreting, and describing survey data in reports.

Completed 28 hours in major courses in business marketing, management, and materials in addition to 12 hours in information science, including HTML/Web publishing.

List your grade point average (GPA) only if it is 3.0 or above; otherwise, indicate your GPA in just your major or during your last term, again if it is above 3.0.

Experience Your job history is the key category for many employers. It shows them that you have held jobs before and that you are responsible. Here are some guidelines about listing your experience.

1. Begin with your most recent position and work backward—in reverse chrono- logical order. List the company or agency name, location (city and state), your job title, and dates of employment. Do not mention why you left a job.

2. For each job or activity, provide short descriptions (one or two lines) of your duties and achievements. If you were a work-study student, don’t say that you helped an instructor. Emphasize your responsibilities; for example, you helped to set up a chemistry laboratory, ordering supplies and keeping an inventory of them. Rather than saying you were a secretary, indicate that you wrote business letters and used various software programs, maintained records, designed a company web- site, prepared schedules for part-time help in an office of twenty-five people, or assisted the manager in preparing accounts.

3. In describing your position(s), emphasize any responsibilities that involved han- dling money (for example, assisting customers, filing insurance claims, or preparing payrolls); managing other employees; working with customer accounts, services, and programs; or writing letters and reports. Prospective employers are interested in your leadership abilities, teamwork, financial shrewdness (especially if you

Preparing a Résumé 167

DentiMax, Microsoft Office , Excel, F ileMaker Pro.

A .S . in Dental Hygiene , Miami-Dade C ommunity C ollege August 2010 May 2012. G PA: 3.38 Ranked in the top ten percent

Major courses:

Minored: Psychology twelve hours in child and adolescent psychology Experienced with procedures and instruments used with oral prophylaxis techniques. Subject of major project was proper nutrition and dental health for preschoolers. Received excellent evaluations in business writing course . Will take American Dental Assisting National oard Exams for licensure on une 2.

C ARE ER O BJE CTIVE

EDUC ATION

EXPERIENC E

C OMPUTER SKILLS

Fluent in Spanish

LANGUA G E SKILLS

María Lopéz

Position assisting dentist in providing dental care , counseling, and preventive dental treatments, especially in pedodontics.

Oral pathology Dental materials and specialties Periodontics ommunity dental health.

St. F rancis Hospital Miami each, F lorida April 2008 uly 2010

Unit secretary on pediatric unit. Maintained medical supply levels using inventory tracking software , assisted with the computeri ation of all medical records into hospital-wide database , transcribed medical orders and surgical notes, greeted and assisted visitors.

Murphy C onstruction C ompany Miami, F lorida une 2007 April 2008

Office assistant-receptionist. Did keyboarding, filing, and assisted with billing and creating project schedules in a small office 5 employees .

City of Hialeh , F lorida Summers 2005 2006 Lifeguard. Established safety procedures and tested pool chlorine levels.

1725 Brooke Street Miami, F lorida 32701-2121 (305) 555-3429 mlopez @ eagle .com

Provides easy-to-find contact information

Lists course and clinical work required for licensure and job

Calls attention to counseling and bilingual skills that ben- efit employer and patients

Emphasizes professional licensure qualifications

Highlights previous job responsibilities in health care setting

Résumé from a student with some job experience. Figure 5.4

168 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

The following individuals have written letters of recommendation for my dossier available from the Placement enter, Miami-Dade ommunity ollege , Medical enter ampus, Miami, FL 33127-2225.

Lop 2

Sister Mary Pela , R .N . Pediatric nit St. Francis Hospital 10003 ollins Avenue Miami each, FL 33141 305 555-5113

RE F ERENC ES

Tia Guti rre , D .D .S . 9800 Exchange Avenue Miami, FL 33167 305 555-1039

Professor Mitchell Pelbourne Department of Dental Hygiene Miami-Dade ommunity ollege Medical enter ampus Miami, FL 33127 305 555-3872

Mr. ack Murphy 1203 Francis Street Miami, FL 33157 305 555-6767

Wisely lists professionals well known to prospective/ area employers; received permission to list names on résumé

Specifies how employer can obtain further information

saved your company money), tact in dealing with the public, and c ommunications skills. They will also be favorably impressed by commendations (“Employee of the Month”) and promotions you may have earned.

4. Include any relevant volunteer work you have done, as Anthony Jones did for an animal shelter in Fig. 5.3. Note, too, how Dora Cooper Bolger’s volunteer work translates into marketing skills an employer wants to see in a prospective employee’s résumé in Figure 5.6 (see page 171).

5. If you have been a full-time parent for 10 years or a caregiver for a family member or friend, indicate the management skills you developed while running a household and any community or civic service you did, as Dora Cooper Bolger lists on her résumé. She skillfully relates her family and community accomplishments to the specific job she seeks.

Related Skills and Achievements Not every résumé will have this section, but the following are all employer-friendly things to include:

■ second or third languages you speak or write ■ extensive travel ■ certificates or licenses you hold ■ memberships in professional associations (e.g., American Society of Safety Engineers, Black Student Association, National Hispanic Business Association, Texas Women Executives, Child Development Organization)

Figure 5.4 (Continued)

Preparing a Résumé 169

■ volunteer work for community service groups (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army); list any offices you held—recorder, secretary, fund drive chairperson

Computer Skills Knowledge of computer hardware, software, word processing programs, and Web design and search engines is extremely valuable in the job market. Note how Anthony Jones, María Lopéz, and Dora Bolger inform prospective employers about their relevant technical competencies in Figures 5.3, 5.4 and 5.6.

Honors/Awards List any civic (mayor’s award, community service, cultural harmony award) and/ or academic honors you have won (dean’s list, department awards, scholarships, grants, honorable mentions). Memberships in honor societies in your major and technical/business associations also demonstrate that you are professionally accom- plished and active.

References As a rule, do not list references with personal contact information. Simply say they are available on request. The only exception would be when you are applying for a specific job as María Lopéz did in Figure 5.4, where your references are well known in the community or belong to the same profession in which you are seeking employment—you profit from your association with a recognizable name or title. Here is where networking can help you. Ask your instructors, previous employer, or individuals who have supervised your work. Always give them a copy of your current résumé, as the job seeker did in Figure 5.2.

Career Portfolios/Webfolios When preparing your résumé, you may want to indicate if a career portfolio (or webfolio if it is online) of your work is available for review, as we saw Anthony Jones do in Fig. 5.3. Your portfolio/webfolio needs to represent your best work. A career portfolio/webfolio is not a personal/family scrapbook but a record of your most professional work.

What to Include in a Career Portfolio/Webfolio What you include in your career portfolio and how you organize it says as much about your qualifications for the job as the documents themselves. It is never too early to start assembling relevant documents for your portfolio.

Following is a sampling of the kinds of documents you might include in your career portfolio/webfolio, as illustrated in Figure 5.5:

■ a mission statement (two or three paragraphs) that outlines your career goals and work skills

■ an additional copy or e-version of your résumé

170 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Unofficial College TranscriptMission Statement Résumé

Sample Business Documents To demonstrate my clear and concise writing style, my ability to design a variety of complex workplace documents, and my understanding of international communication, I have provided links to various business documents I created. None of these contains proprietary or confidential information. VIEW SAMPLE SALES PROPOSAL ON SAVING ENERGY VIEW SAMPLE RESEARCH REPORT (TABLE OF CONTENTS, ABSTRACT, FIRST 3 PAGES) VIEW SAMPLE SALES LETTER TO INTERNATIONAL CLIENT VIEW SAMPLE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE AND ANALYSIS

Company Newsletter Article At the end of 2011, I was named “Employee of the Year” at my firm's Cincinnati office. An article about the award appeared in the company newsletter, outlining the selection criteria and describing the job accomplishments that earned me this award. VIEW NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

PowerPoint Presentations I understand that the position advertised will entail frequent oral presentations at company meetings. My colleagues and supervisors have praised my abilities as a speaker who can simplify complex ideas for audiences and zero in on the main ideas quickly. To give you a sense of my ability to organize information and provide visual support for my ideas, I attach a sample PowerPoint presentation that accompanied one of my talks. VIEW POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Website To illustrate both my design skills and my keen understanding of the Web environment, I have provided several screen captures from a company website I created. The construction of the site was handled by my company's Web group, supervised by me. VIEW WEBSITE SCREEN CAPTURES

Artifacts/Documents References

■ copies or scans of diplomas, certificates, licenses, internships; unofficial transcript ■ copies of awards (academic and job-related), promotion letters, or commen- dations (e.g., for protecting the environment)

■ impressive examples of written work you did for college courses such as reports or proposals (include any positive comments provided by instructors)

■ newspaper or newsletter stories about your academic, community, and/or on-the-job successes

Figure 5.5 A sample webfolio with annotated Artifacts/Documents page open.

Preparing a Résumé 171

Restricted objective

Aptly features skill areas before education

Links achievements from volunteer and home- based activities most important to employer

Chooses strong, active verbs to convey image of a results-oriented professional

Places education after experience; includes major and related minor plus strong GPA

Excludes details about least recent jobs

DORA COOPER BOLGER 1215 Lakeview Avenue

Westhampton, MI 46532 Cell: 616-555-4773 [email protected]

OBJECTIVE Seek full-time position as public affairs officer to promote the goals of a health care, educational, or charitable organization SKILLS

Organizational Communication • Delivered 20 presentations to civic groups on educational issues • Recorded minutes and helped formulate agenda as president of large, local

PTA (800 members) for past 61/2 years • Possess excellent computer skills in PeopleSoft, Microsoft Word, and

BusinessPax • Updated and maintained computerized mailing lists for Teens in Trouble and

Foster Parents’ Association

Financial • Spearheaded 3 major fund-raising drives (total of $200,000 collected) • Prepared and implemented large family budget (3 children, 8 foster children) • Budget planner, Foster Parents' Association • Served as financial secretary, Faith Methodist Church, for 4 years

Administrative • Organized volunteers for American Kidney Fund (last 5 years) • Established and oversaw neighborhood carpool (17 drivers; more than 60

children) for 7 years • Coordinated after-school tutoring program for Teens in Trouble; President since 1998 • Vice-president, Foster Parents' Association, 2010

HONORS “Volunteer of the Year”(2011), Michigan Child Placement Agency

EDUCATION Metropolitan Community College, A.A., 2008 Mid-Michigan College, B.S., expected 2012 Major: Public Administration; Minor: Psychology GPA: 3.45 | Dean's List: 2010–2012 WORK EXPERIENCE Secretary, 1995–2007 (full- and part-time):

Merrymount Plastics; Foley and Wasson; Westhampton Health Dept.; G & K Electric

REFERENCES Furnished on request

Dora Cooper Bolger’s résumé organized by skill areas. Figure 5.6

172 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

■ pertinent examples of media presentations or other graphic work you have done, PowerPoint presentations you have created, a CD of a website you have designed, layout work you completed, career-related photographs you have taken

■ a list of your references with contact information

What Not to Include in a Career Portfolio/Webfolio Be highly selective about what you include. Never include anything that would contradict or call into question information in your résumé or letter of application. Exclude the following types of documents from your career portfolio/ webfolio.

■ documents or scans of documents that show your memberships in clubs, fraternities/sororities, sports teams, and so on, unless directly relevant to the job (e.g., applying for a job at the national office for Sigma Sigma Kappa or with the Professional Golf Association)

■ links to or printouts from personal Web pages, including Facebook.com or MySpace.com pages (these may contain inappropriate personal information and/or portray you as unprofessional—see page 154)

■ pictures of your family, friends, pets, and the like ■ scans of newspaper or newsletter stories about you that are not directly related to your job search, such as your wining a cruise or other prize or play- ing on a bowling team

When you provide a prospective employer with your career portfolio, you can either mail it as hard copy or send it electronically as a webfolio. If you submit a hard-copy portfolio, always make high-quality copies of each document. Also, never include original documents. If you submit a webfolio, make sure that all of your scans are clean and clear. In addition, you can hyperlink parts of your career portfolio to your résumé, making it easy for a job recruiter or prospective employer to find evidence of your qualifications.

Whether you submit your career portfolio in hard copy or electronically, pro- vide short annotations explaining what each document is and why it is important, as shown in Figure 5.5.

Organizing Your Résumé There are two primary ways to organize your résumé: chronologically or by func- tion or skill area.

Chronologically The résumés in Figures 5.3 and 5.4 are organized chronologically. Information about the job applicants is listed year by year under two main categories— education and experience. This is the traditional way to organize a résumé. It is straightforward and easy to read, and employers find it acceptable. The chronological sequence works especially well when you can show a clear continuity toward progress in

Preparing a Résumé 173

your career through your job(s) and in school work or when you want to apply for a similar job with another company.

A chronological résumé is appropriate for students who want to emphasize recent educational achievements or when there are no major gaps in your career.

By Function or Skill Area Depending on your experiences and accomplishments, you might organize your résumé according to function or skill area. According to this plan, you would not list your information chronologically in the categories “Experience” and “Education.” Instead, you would sort your achievements and abilities—whether from course work, jobs, extracurricular activities, or technical skills—into two to four key skill areas, such as:

■ Sales ■ Public Relations ■ Training ■ Management ■ Research ■ Technical Capabilities ■ Counseling ■ Group Leadership ■ Communications

■ Network Operations ■ Customer Service ■ People Skills ■ Teamwork ■ Troubleshooting ■ Opening New Markets ■ Multicultural Experiences ■ Computer Skills ■ Problem-Solving Skills

Under each area you would list three to five points illustrating your achieve- ments in that area. Skills or functional résumés are often called bullet résumés because they itemize the candidate’s main strengths in bulleted lists. Some employers prefer the bullet résumé because they can skim the candidate’s list of qualifications in a few seconds.

Note Dora Cooper Bolger’s profitable use of a functional résumé format in Figure 5.6. She delayed school for several years because of family commitments, yet she uses the experiences she acquired during those years to her advantage in her résumé organized by “Skills.” No gap of 10 years interrupts her valuable market- able skills.

Who Should Use a Functional Résumé? The following individuals would probably benefit from organizing their résumés by function instead of chronologically:

■ nontraditional students who have diverse job experiences ■ individuals who are changing their profession because of downsizing or seek- ing new professional opportunities

■ individuals who have changed jobs frequently over the last 5 to 10 years ■ ex-military personnel re-entering the civilian marketplace upon conclusion of their military service

174 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

You might want to prepare two different versions of your résumé—one functional and one chronological—to see which sells your talents better. Don’t hes- itate to seek the advice of your instructor or placement counselor to see which one will work best for you.

The Online Résumé In addition to preparing a hard copy of your résumé, expect to create one (or more) to be posted online. An online résumé will give you the widest possible exposure to attract prospective employers.

The online résumé can be delivered in several ways. You can post it on database services such as those in Table 5.1, or you can send it to databases sponsored by professional societies. Expect to send your online résumé directly to an employer’s website as well where it can be scanned, indexed, and even stored. Or you can simply send your résumé to a prospective employer via e-mail. You can also post your résumé on your own website. But job counselors caution that posting your résumé on your website may entail providing more information than the prospective employer needs, or giving out too much per- sonal information.

Prospective employers may receive hundreds of résumés in response to a single job posting. Because of such volume, employers will often scan résumés in 30 to 40 seconds to make the first cut. You need to prepare your online résumé so that it captures the attention of the maximum number of employers. To accomplish this, design your online résumé so that it can be read clearly and quickly and so that it contains keywords that match your prospective employ- er’s needs.

While an online résumé contains basically the same information as the print résumé, as discussed on pages 163–169, the design of an online résumé is very different. Don’t think that you can just paste your hard-copy résumé into an e-mail or send it to a database or employer’s Web portal. You will first have to format it in electronically scannable form. Otherwise, your résumé may be blocked or garbled. The following sections will show you how Anthony Jones’s hard-copy résumé in Figure 5.3 and Dora Cooper Bolger’s hard-copy résumé in Figure 5.6 have been changed into the online résumés in Figures 5.7 and 5.8, respectively.

Formatting an Online Résumé Here are some guidelines to help you make sure your résumé is scannable:

1. Create your résumé as a MS Word file (the most common file format in the world of work) rather than as a PDF, WordPerfect, or zip file.

2. Save your résumé properly and consistently—as an ASCII plain text file. Follow the directions given by a database service or the prospective employer.

3. Avoid underlining, boldface, italics, boxes, shadowing, or color, which can gar- ble the text of your résumé and make it unscannable. Use all caps instead of

Preparing a Résumé 175

Anthony H . ones ajdesigner plat.com Phone: 707 555-6390

K E YWO RDS

Web designer, computer graphics, Illustrator, Photoshop, uark Press, InDesign, fundraiser, budgets, sales, virus protection, team player

O E TIV E

Position as layout artist with small commercial publisher using my training in state-of-the-art technology.

E D ATIO N

Santa Rosa unior ollege , A .S. degree to be awarded in une 2012. ommercial Graphics Illustration major. G PA 3.45

OMP T E R SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of computer graphics and design software: uark Press, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Final ut Pro.

E P E RIE N E

* Intern in layout and design department. Preparing page composition, importing visuals, manipulating images, McAdam Publishers, 8 Parkway Heights, Santa Rosa , A 94211.

* Salesperson; display merchandise coordinator, uchman’s Department Store , Greenview Mall, Santa Rosa .

* Volunteer: designed website , brochures, and other artwork for successful fund drive , Santa Rosa Humane Society.

* Web designer, graphic artist, proofreader, student maga ine .

R E F E R E N E S Available on request

W E F OLIO www.plat.com/users/ajones/resume .html

An online version of Anthony Jones’s hard-copy résumé in Figure 5.3. Figure 5.7

All lines aligned flush with the left margin

Keywords (for search engine readiness) go at the top of the online résumé

Objective appears in the body of the online résumé

All caps rather than bold, italic, fancy fonts used to highlight categories

Uses terminology appropriate for position

Choose nouns rather than action verbs to increase employer matches

Asterisks rather than bullets mark beginning of lines

Webfolio is hyperlinked (see #10 on page 176)

176 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

bold or italics for emphasis, and an asterisk (*) or a plus sign (+) in place of a bullet at the beginning of a line, as in Figures 5.7 and 5.8.

4. Do not use hard-to-read or fancy fonts like script. Instead, choose a font like Tahoma, Arial, or Courier that is clear and does not mask letters.

5. Make sure your résumé is easy to scroll. Keep in mind that reading a résumé on a screen is different from seeing it on a printed page. Use plenty of white space between sections so that headings are clear and distinct from one another. Use at least 10 or 12 point. Put no more than 65 characters on a line to make your résumé easy to read.

6. Design your résumé to be concise. Prospective employers will not have the time or patience to scroll through multiple screens to find informa- tion. The equivalent of one printed page is still best. Don’t use a “page 2” or “continued.”

7. Select the automatic wrapping feature to avoid losing characters at the end of a line, but make sure you do not exceed the limit of 65 characters per line.

8. Align everything flush with the left margin. Do not indent anything or use tabs.

9. Never send your résumé as an e-mail attachment. A prospective employer will not open it because of the risk of contracting a virus. Instead, copy and paste it into the body of your e-mail message.

10. Include hyperlinks to your website or one you helped design reviews of your work or professional blogs (see pages 88–91) you wrote.

11. Format and save your résumé before you send it to any database service. 12. Preview your résumé for quality control.

Making Your Online Résumé Search-Engine Ready The most important section of your online résumé contains the keywords you use. Prospective employers scan résumés to find the keywords they most want to see in the job seeker’s description of his or her experience, education, and interpersonal skills. The more matches, or hits, they find between appropriate keywords on your résumé and those on their list, the better your chances are of being interviewed. List keywords at the top of your résumé, as in Figures 5.7 and 5.8, and also insert them throughout your résumé in appropriate places. Keywords should highlight your technical expertise, training and education, knowledge of a field, leadership ability, team work, writing/speaking skills, sales experience, etc.

Here are a few tips to help you select appropriate keywords:

1. Provide a keyword section at the top of your résumé to give employers an immediate snap shot of your skills.

2. Include the descriptive keywords found in the employer’s ad and website to increase your chances of landing an interview.

3. Do not be afraid of using shoptalk (or jargon) of your profession. An employer will expect you to be aware of current terminology.

Preparing a Résumé 177

Dora Cooper Bolger P.O. Box 3216 Westhampton, MI 46532 [email protected]

KEYWORDS Activity planner, budget coordinator, fund-raising, community service campaign, child advocacy, grant writer, public affairs, public speaking, interpersonal communication, management internal and external groups, team builder, strategic planner

OBJECTIVE Position as public affairs officer for health care, educational, or charitable organization

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Presenter at 20 civic group functions Fund raiser for 3 major campaigns over $200,000 collected President and coordinator, Teens in Trouble, a tutoring and mentoring program Budget planner, Foster Parents Association; large urban church

VOLUNTEER WORK/AWARDS Volunteer of the Year, Michigan Child Placement Agency, 2011 Volunteer Coordinator/Leader, American Kidney Fund President and Secretary, local PTA, 2003–2010 Vice-president, Foster Parents Association, 2010

EDUCATION Metropolitan Community College, A.A., 2008 Mid-Michigan College, B.S., 2012 Major: Public Administration Minor: Psychology GPA: 3.45. Dean's List: 2010–2012

COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Word; Peoplesoft; PowerPoint; BusinessPax

REFERENCES Available on request

Avoids giving personal information

Uses keywords from job description

Uses nouns to list accomp- lishments

Summarizes experience carefully

Avoids any symbols, boldfacing, or italics that could garble text

An online version of Dora Cooper Bolger’s résumé in Figure 5.6. Figure 5.8

178 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

4. Use keywords to connect sections or categories of your résumé. Keyword headers will help you emphasize your job strengths and make it easy for employers to scroll back to an appropriate section of your résumé.

5. Replace the action verbs found in conventional résumés (on the left in the following list) with keyword nouns on the right. Here are some examples:

Conventional Résumé Online Résumé Wrote technical report Technical writer

Performed laboratory tests Laboratory technician

Solved consumer complaints Consumer advocate

Responsible for managing accounts Accounts manager

Won three awards Award winner

Edited company newsletter Newsletter editor

Solved software problem Software specialist

Cyber-Safing Your Résumé Whether you use a database service or post your résumé on a website, protect your identity and your current and future jobs. Be careful about revealing personal information.

■ Post your résumé only on legitimate sites. Avoid those that say they will flood the market. You don’t know where your résumé will end up.

■ Do not put personal information in your résumé—home address, Social Security number, birthday, health status, or photograph.

■ Use an anonymous e-mail address rather than your personal one. Consider a generic e-mail address that includes a word or phrase that identifies your area of expertise, for example, [email protected]. Or include an e-mail link with a built-in “mailto” on your résumé.

■ Never put the names of your references or their addresses online. Simply say, “References available on request.”

■ Block certain readers from searching your résumé, such as your current employer or firms that you know send out spam.

■ Never use your present employer’s company name or business e-mail address. ■ The online résumé is not the place to allow readers access to a portfolio of your work. Send your portfolio only to employers who request it.

Testing, Proofing, and Sending Your Online Résumé

1. Test your formatting. Send your résumé to a friend to be sure your file is read- able and formatted correctly.

2. Proofread carefully just as you would a hard-copy résumé. 3. Don’t just put résumé as the subject of your file to an employer. List the title,

number, or code of the position for which you are applying.

Letters of Application 179

4. Simply posting your résumé online is not enough. Also send a scannable hard copy and a letter of application (see letters discussed below) to prospective employers. But do not fold or staple your résumé. Put it, along with your letter, in a large envelope (8 1/2" x 11") to avoid folding/bending.

5. Always keep a log of where you have sent your résumé online.

Letters of Application Along with your résumé, you must send your prospective employer a letter of application, one of the most important pieces of correspondence you may ever write. Its goal is to get you an interview and ultimately the job. Letters you write in applying for jobs should be personable, professional, and persuasive—the three P’s. Knowing how the letter of application and résumé work together and how they dif- fer can give you a better idea of how to compose your letter.

How Application Letters and Résumés Differ The résumé is a persuasive record of dates, important achievements, skills, names, places, addresses, and jobs. As noted earlier, you may prepare several different résumés depending on your experience and the job market.

Your letter of application, however, is much more personal. It introduces you to a prospective employer. Because you must write a new, original letter to each prospective employer, you may write (or adapt) many different letters. Each letter of application should be tailored to a specific job. It should respond precisely to the kinds of qualifications the employer seeks.

The letter of application is a sales letter that emphasizes and applies the most relevant details (of education, experience, and talents) in your résumé. In short, the résumé contains the raw material that the letter of application transforms into a fin- ished and highly marketable product—you.

Résumé Facts to Exclude from Letters of Application The letter of application should not simply repeat the details listed in your résumé. In fact, the following details that you would include in your résumé should not be restated in the letter:

■ personal data, including license or certificate numbers ■ specific names of courses in your major ■ names and addresses of all your references

Writing the Letter of Application The letter of application can make the difference between your getting an interview and being eliminated early from the competition. It should convince a prospective employer that you will use the experience and education listed on your résumé in the job he or she is hoping to fill. You want your letter to be placed in the “definitely

Visit www. cengage.com/ english/kolin/ writingatwork concise3e for an online exercise, “Locating and Applying for an International Job.”

180 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

interview” category. Limit your letter to one page. As you prepare your letter, use the following general guidelines.

1. Follow the standard conventions of letter writing (see Chapter 4). Print your letter on good-quality, white 8½" 3 11" paper. Proofread meticulously; a spelling error, typo, or grammatical mistake will make you look careless. Don’t rely only on your spell-check.

2. Supply all contact information as part of your letterhead (see page 99). Include home address, phone numbers, e-mail address, and your website, if you have one.

3. Make sure your letter looks attractive. Use wide margins and don’t crowd your page. Keep your paragraphs short and readable—no more than four or five sentences long (see page 101 in Chapter 4).

4. Send your letter to a specific person. Never address an application let- ter “To Whom It May Concern,” “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “Director of Human Resources.” Get an individual’s name by double-checking the company’s website or calling the company’s main office and be sure to verify the spelling of the per- son’s name and his or her title.

5. Emphasize the “you attitude” (see Chapter 4, pages 105–109). See yourself as an employer sees you. Focus on how your qualifications meet the employer’s needs, not the other way around. Employers are not impressed by vain boasts (“I am the most efficient and effective safety engineer”). Convince prospective employers that you will be a valuable addition to their organization—a team player, a problem solver, an energetic representative, a skilled professional.

6. Don’t be tempted to send out your first draft. Write and rewrite your letter of application until you are convinced it presents you in the best possible light. Get- ting the job may depend on it. A first or even second draft rarely sells your abilities as well as a third, fourth, or even fifth revision does.

The sections that follow give you some suggestions on how to prepare the vari- ous parts of an application letter successfully.

Your Opening Paragraph The first paragraph of your letter of application is your introduction. It must get your reader’s attention by answering four questions:

1. Why are you writing? 2. Where or how did you learn of the vacancy, the company, or the job? 3. What is the specific job title for which you are applying? 4. What is your most important qualification for the job?

Begin your letter by stating directly that you are writing to apply for a job. Don’t say that you “want to apply for the job”; such an opening raises the question, “Why don’t you, then?”

Letters of Application 181

Avoid an unconventional or arrogant opening: “Are you looking for a dynamic, young, and talented accountant?” Do not begin with a question; be more positive and professional.

If you learned about the job through a website or journal, make sure you itali- cize or underscore its title.

I am applying for the food service manager position you advertised in the May 10 edi- tion of the Los Angeles Times online.

Because many companies announce positions on the Internet, check there first to see if their position is listed online, as Anthony Jones did in Figure 5.9.

If you learned of the job from a professor, a friend, or an employee at the firm, state so. Take advantage of a personal (networking) contact who is confident that you are qualified for and interested in the position, as María Lopéz (Figure 5.10, page 183) and Dora Cooper Bolger (Figure 5.11, page 185) did. But first confirm that your contact gives you permission to use his or her name.

The Body of Your Letter The body of your letter, comprising one or two paragraphs, provides the evidence from your résumé to prove you are qualified for the job. You might want to spend one paragraph on your education and one on your experience or combine your accomplishments into one paragraph.

Follow these guidelines for the body of your letter:

1. Keep your paragraphs short and readable—four or five sentences. Avoid long, complex sentences. Use the active voice to emphasize yourself as a doer. Review the action verbs in Table 5.2 and use keywords found in the employer’s ad.

2. Don’t begin each sentence with “I.” Vary your sentence structure. Write reader-centered sentences, even those beginning with “I.”

3. Concentrate on seeing yourself as your employer sees you. Prove that you can help an employer’s sales and service, promote an organization’s mission and goals, and be a reliable team player.

4. Highlight your qualifications by citing specific accomplishments. Tell your reader exactly how your schoolwork and job experience qualify you to perform and advance in the job advertised. Show how you can make a positive contribution to the employer’s company. Don’t simply say you are a great salesperson. Demonstrate your accomplishments by stressing that you increased the sales volume in your department by 15 percent within the last six months, you won an award or received a promotion for customer service, or you reduced costs by 10 percent.

5. Mention you are enclosing your résumé. Put an “encl.” notation at the bot- tom of your letter.

Education Recent graduates with little work experience will, of course, spend more time discuss- ing their education. But, regardless, emphasize marketing why and how your most significant educational accomplishments—course work, degrees, certificates, licenses, training—are relevant for the particular job. Employers want to know which specific skills from your education translate into benefits for their company and clients.

182 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Anthony H. Jones 73 Allenwood Boulevard

Santa Rosa, California 95401-1074 707-555-6390

[email protected] www.plat.com/users/ajones/resume.html

WEBSITE DEVELOPER DESIGNER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

May 2 , 2012

Ms. Jocelyn ogasaki Human Resources Manager Megalith Publishing Company 1001 Heathcliff Row San Francisco, CA 12 - 0

Dear Ms. ogasaki:

I am applying for the layout editor position advertised on your website, which I accessed on 1 May. Early next month, I will receive an A.S. degree in commercial graphics illustration from Santa Rosa Junior College.

With a special interest in the publishing industry, I have successfully completed more than 0 credit hours in courses directly related to layout design where I gained experience using uark Press, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. ou might like to know that many Megalith publications were used as models of design and layout in my graphics communications and digital photography courses.

My studies have also given me practical experience at McAdam Publishers as part of my Santa Rosa internship program. While working at McAdam, I was responsible for assisting the design department in page composition and archiving photos. Other related experience I have had includes creating a website for the Santa Rosa Humane Society and designing and executing custom window displays at Buchman’s Department Store. As the enclosed r sum indicates, my references and webfolio are available upon request.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in graphic design with you. My phone number, e-mail address, and website are listed above. After June 12, I will be available for an interview at any time that is convenient for you. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Anthony H. Jones Encl. : R sum

Anthony H.Jones

Clear, professional- looking letterhead

Identifies position and source of ad

Writes to a specific person

Validates necessary education and applies it directly to employer’s business

Convincingly cites related job experience

Refers to résumé/ webfolio

Asks for an interview and gives contact information; thanks employer

Figure 5.9 Letter of application from Anthony Jones, a recent graduate with little job experience.

Letters of Application 183

1725 rooke Street Miami, F lorida 32701-2121

305 555-3429 mlope eagle .com

May 15, 2012

Dr. Marvin Henrady Suite 34 Medical/Dental Plaza 839 Causeway Drive Miami, FL 32706-2468

Dear Dr. Henrady:

Mr. Mitchell Pelbourne, my clinical instructor at Miami-Dade Community College, informs me you are looking for a dental hygienist to work in your northside office. My education and experience qualify me for that position. This month I will graduate with an A.S. degree in the dental hygienist program, and I will take the American Dental Assisting National Board Exams in early June.

I have successfully completed all course work and clinical programs in oral hygiene, anatomy, and prophylaxis techniques. During my clinical training, I received intensive practical instruction from several local dentists, including Dr. Tia Gutiérrez. Since your northside office specializes in pedodontal care, you might find the subject of my major project—proper nutrition and dental care for pre-schoolers—especially relevant.

I also have related job experience in working with children in a health care setting. For over two years, I was a unit clerk on the pediatric floor at St. Francis Hospital, and my experience in greeting patients, transcribing medical orders and surgical notes, and assisting the nursing staff would be valuable to you in your office. An additional job strength I would bring to your office is my bilingual (Spanish/English) communication skills. You will find more detailed information about my accomplishments in the enclosed résumé.

I welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the position and my interest in pedodontics. I am available for an interview any time after 2:00 pm until June 11, but after that date I could come to your office any time at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely yours,

María Lopéz

Encl. Résumé

Letter of application from María Lopéz, a recent graduate with some job experience. Figure 5.10

Begins with personal contact

Verifies she will have necessary licensure

Links training to job responsibilities; demonstrates knowledge of employer’s office

Relates previous experience to employer’s needs; refers to résumé

Ends with a polite request for an interview and thanks reader

184 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Begins with contact made at professional meeting, highlighting her qualifica- tions

Relates proven past successes to employer’s needs; gives concrete examples of her skills

Encourages reader to see her as best-prepared candidate; includes résumé

Requests interview and gives contact information

Thanks reader

Dora Cooper Bolger

February 9, 2012

Dr. Lindsay Bafaloukos, Director Tanselle Mental Health Agency 4400 West Gallagher Drive Tanselle, MI 46932-3106

Dear Dr. Bafaloukos:

At a recent meeting of the County Services Council, a member of your staff, Homer Steen, told me that you will be hiring a public affairs coordinator. Because of my extensive experience in and commitment to community affairs, I would appreciate your considering me for this opening. I expect to receive my B.S. in Public Administration from Mid-Michigan College later this year.

For the past ten years, I have organized community groups with outreach programs similar to Tanselle’s. I have held administrative positions in the PTA and the Foster Parents’ Association and served as president of Teens in Trouble, a volunteer group providing assistance to dysfunctional teens. My responsibilities with Teens have included coordinating counseling activities with various school programs, scheduling tutorials, and representing the organization before local and state government agencies. I have been commended for my organizational and communication skills. My twenty presentations on foster home care and Teens in Trouble also demonstrate that I am an effective speaker, a skill I could put to work for Tanselle immediately.

Because of my work at Mid-Michigan and in Teens and Foster Parents, I have the practical experience in communication and psychology to promote Tanselle’s goals. The enclosed résumé provides details of my experience, education, and awards.

I would enjoy discussing my accomplishments with Teens and the other organizations I have represented with you, and how I might help Tanselle to promote its programs. I am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my interest in and qualifications for your public affairs coordinator position.

Sincerely yours,

Dora Cooper Bolger

Encl. Résumé

1215 Lakeview Avenue [email protected] cell: 616-555-4773

Westhampton, MI 46532

Figure 5.11 Letter of application from Dora Cooper Bolger, job candidate with years of community and civic experience.

Letters of Application 185

Simply saying you will graduate with a degree in criminal justice does not explain how you, unlike all the other graduates of such programs, are best suited for a particular job. But when you indicate that you have completed 36 credit hours in software security and have another 12 credit hours in global business, you show exactly how and where you are qualified. Note how Anthony Jones in Figure 5.9 and María Lopéz in Figure 5.10 establish their educational qualifications with spe- cific details about their training.

Experience After you discuss your educational qualifications, turn to your job experience. But if your experience is your most valuable and extensive qualification for the job, put it before education and stress any previous experience that is similar to what a new position calls for. If you are switching careers or returning to a career after years away from the work force, start the body of your letter with your experience or your community and civic service, as Dora Cooper Bolger does in Figure 5.11. Her volunteer work convincingly demonstrates she has the organizational and commu- nication skills her prospective employer seeks. Never minimize such contributions.

Relate Your Experience/Education to the Job Link your education and experience as benefits to the particular job you apply for. Persuasively show a prospective employer how your previous accomplishments, especially teamwork and responsibility, have prepared you for future success on the job. Relate your course work in computer science to being an efficient programmer. Indicate how your summer jobs for a local park district reinforced your exemplary skills in customer service. Connect your background to the prospective employer’s company. Any homework you can do about the company’s history, goals, or struc- ture (see page 186) will pay off.

■ By citing Megalith publications as a model in his courses, Anthony Jones in Figure 5.9 stresses he is ready to start successfully from the first day on the job.

■ Note how María Lopéz in Figure 5.10 links her major school project and her work on a hospital pediatric floor to Dr. Henrady’s specialty.

■ Dora Cooper Bolger in Figure 5.11 likewise shows her prospective employer that she is familiar with and can contribute to Tanselle’s programs in commu- nity mental health though her volunteer work and public speaking experience.

Closing Keep your closing paragraph short—about two or three sentences—but be sure it fulfills the following four important functions:

1. emphasizes once again briefly your major qualifications 2. asks for an interview or a phone call 3. indicates when you are available for an interview 4. thanks the reader

End gracefully and professionally. Be straightforward. Don’t leave the reader with a single weak, vague sentence: “I would like to have an interview at your

186 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

convenience.” That does nothing to sell you. Say that you would appreciate talking with the employer further to discuss your qualifications. Then mention your chief talent. You might also express your willingness to relocate if the job requires it.

After indicating your interest in the job, give the times you are available for an interview and specifically tell the reader where you can be reached. If you are going to a professional meeting that the employer might also attend, or if you are visiting the employer’s city soon, say so.

The following samples show how not to close your letter and why not.

Pushy: I would like to set up an interview with you. Please phone me to arrange a convenient time. (That’s the employer’s prerogative, not yours.)

Too Informal: I do not live far from your office. Let’s meet for coffee some- time next week. (Say instead that since you live nearby, you will be available for an interview.)

Introduces New Subject: I would like to discuss other qualifications you have in mind for the job. (How do you know what the interviewer might have in mind?)

Note that the closing paragraphs in Figures 5.9 through 5.11 avoid these errors.

Going to an Interview There are various ways for a prospective employer to conduct an interview. It might be a one-on-one meeting—you and the interviewer—or you may visit with a group of individuals who are trying to decide if you would fit in. You could even have an interview over the telephone or through a videoconference. An interview can last 30 minutes or take all day.

Preparing for the Interview Before you go to the interview be prepared by doing the following:

1. Do your homework about the company. Click on “About Us” and other links on the corporate or agency website to find out who founded the company, who the current CEO is, if it is a local firm or a subsidiary, its chief products or services, how many years it has been in business, how many employees it has, where its main office and plants are, and who its major clients and competitors are. Read company brochures, catalogs and blogs to get a sense of the corporate culture. Look for recent stories about the company on their website and in leading business publications, such as:

■ Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com ■ New York Times: www.nytimes.com ■ USA Today: www.usatoday.com ■ Business Week: www.businessweek.com ■ Fast Company: www.fastcompany.com ■ Fortune: www.fortune.com ■ Forbes: www.forbes.com

Going to an Interview 187

2. Review the job description carefully. Bring a copy of the job description with you to review just prior to the interview so that you are clear about what the job entails.

3. Prepare a one- or two-minute summary of your chief qualifications. You will most likely be asked to summarize your education, experience, and professional goals during the job interview.

4. Take your portfolio, including three or four extra copies of your résumé, with you. Also bring a notepad and a pen to jot down essential details.

5. Practice your interview skills with a friend or job counselor. Be sure that this person asks tough questions about your education and experience so that you will get practice answering these questions realistically and convincingly.

6. Brush up on business etiquette. Silence your cell phone before your inter- view. Remember the name(s) of the interviewer(s) and others you may meet. Always be polite and respectful, saying “Thank you,” “You’re welcome,” and so on. Pay special attention to acceptable ways of communicating with international audiences if your interview is with a multinational company or with a non-native speaker of English.

7. Bring your photo ID and Social Security card. Bring any licenses or certifi- cates you may be asked to present to a human resources office. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring your work visa.

Questions to Expect at Your Interview The following questions are typical of those you can expect from interviewers, with advice on how to answer them.

■ Why do you want to work for us? (Recall any job goals you have and apply them specificially to the job under discussion.)

■ What qualifications do you have for the job? (Point to educational achieve- ments and relevant work experience, especially computer skills.)

■ What could you possibly offer us that other candidates do not have? Why should we hire you? (Say enthusiasm, being a team player, having problem- solving abilities; meet deadlines. Stress that you are conscientious diplomatic, and goal oriented.)

■ Why did you attend this school? (Be honest—location, costs, programs.) ■ Why did you major in “X”? (Do not simply say financial benefits; concen- trate on professional goals and interests.)

■ Why did you get a grade of C in a course? (Don’t say that you could have done better if you’d tried. Explain what the trouble was, and mention that you corrected it in a course in which you earned a B or an A.)

■ What extracurricular activities did you participate in while in high school or college? (Indicate any responsibilities you had—managing money, prepar- ing minutes, coordinating events. If you were unable to participate in such activities, tell the interviewer that a part-time job or community or church

188 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

activities prevented you from participation. Such answers sound better than saying that you did not like sports or clubs in school.)

■ Did you learn as much as you wanted from your course work? (This is a loaded question. Indicate that you learned a great deal but now look forward to the opportunity to gain more practical skill, to put into practice the princi- ples and procedures you have learned.)

■ What is your greatest strength? (Say being a team player, planning and organizing tasks efficiently, being sensitive to others’ needs, concern about the environment, cooperation, willingness to learn, ability to grasp difficult concepts easily, proficiency at managing time or money, taking criticism eas- ily, and profiting from criticism.)

■ What is your greatest shortcoming? (Be honest here and mention it, but then turn to ways in which you are improving. Don’t say something deadly like, “I can never seem to finish what I start” or “I hate being criticized.” You should neither dwell on your weaknesses nor keep silent about them. Saying “None” to this kind of question is as inadvisable as rattling off a list of faults.)

■ How do you handle conflict with a co-worker, boss, or customer? (Stress your ability to be courteous and honest and to work toward a productive resolution. State that you avoid language, tone of voice, or gestures that inter- fere with healthy dialogue. Describe a specific situation where you resolved a problem with maturity and grace.)

■ Why did you leave your last job? (Say, “I returned to school full time” or “I moved from Jackson to Springfield” or say that you changed professions. Never attack your previous employer. That only makes you look bad.)

■ Why would you leave your current job? (Again, never attack an individual or an organization. Say your current job has prepared you for the position you are now applying for. Emphasize your desire to work for a new com- pany because of its goals, work environment, and opportunities. Say you want a challenge.)

■ What are your career goals over the next three to five years ? (Be able to state your career objectives in terms of what you would like to accomplish for the company, your profession, or the community. Be confident, not cocky.)

What Do I Say About Salary? Again, do your homework. Find out what the salary range is for your profes- sional level in your area. Consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco as well as http://www.salary.com. You can also ask your instructors or individuals you know who work for the com- pany or call a professional organization to which you may belong for information. If the issue of salary comes up, ask if the company has established a salary range for the position and where you stand in relationship to that range. However, because many companies set fixed salaries for entry-level positions, it may be unwise to try to negotiate.

Going to an Interview 189

If you are asked what salary you expect for the job, do not give an exact figure. You may undercut yourself if the employer has a higher figure in mind. By doing your homework on salary ranges, you will have a better feel for the market when the employer does mention salary.

Factor other things into your job equation—health insurance, day care, hous- ing, uniform/clothing allowances, product or service discounts, opportunities for travel and/or foreign language instruction, and tuition reimbursement.

Questions You May Ask the Interviewer(s) You will have a chance to ask the interviewer(s) questions. Watch for appropriate cues and be prepared to say more than “No, I don’t have any questions,” which suggests either indifference or unpreparedness on your part. Here are some legiti- mate questions you can ask interviewers:

1. Will there be any safety, security, or proficiency requirements I will need to meet? 2. When is the starting date? 3. Is there a probationary period? If so, how long? 4. How will my work be evaluated (monthly, quarterly, semiannually) and by

whom (immediate superior, committee)? 5. What types of on-the-job training are required and/or offered? 6. Are there any mentoring programs in place? 7. Is there any support for continuing my education to improve my job performance?

Also, ask questions about the company’s products and services, including a dedica- tion to greening the environment, to express your interest in the position.

What Interviewer(s) Can’t Ask You There are some questions an interviewer may not legally ask you. Questions about your age, marital status, ethnic background, religion, race, or physical disabilities violate equal opportunity employment laws. Even so, some employers may dis- guise their interest in those subjects by asking you indirect questions about them. A question such as “Will your husband care if you have to work overtime?” or “How many children do you have?” could probe into your personal life. Confronted with such questions, it is best to answer them positively (“My home life will not interfere with my job,” “My family understands that overtime may be required”) rather than bristling defensively, “It’s none of your business if I have a husband or a wife.”

Ten Interview Dos and Don’ts Keep in mind these other interview dos and don’ts.

1. Be on time. In fact, show up about 15 minutes early in case the interviewer or human resources office wants you to complete some forms.

2. Turn off your cell phone! The last thing you want is for it to ring during your interview. Never text during an interview.

190 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

3. Dress appropriately for the occasion and be well groomed. Men: Wear a dark solid-color or a pinstripe suit and tie. Women: Wear a suit (pants or skirt) or equally business-like attire. Avoid using strong perfume or cologne.

4. Be careful about tattoos. Job counselors warn that visible tattoos can hurt a job seeker’s chance for success.

5. Greet the interviewer with a friendly and firm, but not vicelike, hand- shake. Don’t be a wimp, either, with a limp, fishy handshake. Thank your interviewer(s) for inviting you.

6. Don’t sit down before the interviewer(s) do. Wait for them to invite you to sit and to indicate where.

7. Speak slowly and distinctly; do not nervously hurry to finish your sentences, and never interrupt or finish an interviewer’s sentences. Avoid one- or two-word answers, which sound unfriendly or unprepared. Do not use slang (e.g., “Right on,” “Way to go,” “You go, girl”) or overly casual language (“Like . . .” “You know?”). Don’t monopolize the discussion by talking too much and always about yourself. And don’t act arrogantly thinking the job is yours already. Show a keen interest in the company and it products/services/organization. See Figure 5.12 where a candidate reiterates her interest in a prospective employer.

8. Do not chew gum; click a ballpoint pen; fidget; twirl your hair; or tap your foot against the floor, a chair, or a desk.

9. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer; do not sheepishly stare at the floor or the desk. If you are interviewed by a group of individuals, make eye contact with each one of them. Body language is equally important. For instance, don’t fold your arms—a signal that you are closed to the interviewer’s suggestions and comments. Sit up straight; do not slouch.

10. When the interview is over, thank the interviewer(s) for considering you for the job and say you look forward to hearing from him, her, or them.

The Follow-up Letter Within a week after the interview, it is wise to send a follow-up letter, not an e-mail, thanking the interviewer for his or her time and interest in you. In your letter, you can reemphasize your qualifications for the job by showing how they apply to con- ditions described by the interviewer; you might also ask for further information to show your interest in the job and the employer. The sample follow-up letter in Figure 5.12 accomplishes all of these things.

Searching for the Right Job Pays As we saw, finding the right job takes a lot of hard work (researching, organizing, and writing). But all your efforts will pay off with your first and subsequent checks. Make all your letters, résumés, portfolios/webfolios, and applications models of successful writing at work.

Searching for the Right Job Pays 191

September 20, 2012

Mr. ack Fukurai, Director Human Resources Global Tech 1334 Ridge Road N . E . Pittsburgh, PA 17122-3107

Dear Mr. Fukurai:

I enjoyed talking with you last Wednesday and learning more about the security officer position available at Global Tech. It was especially helpful to take a tour of the plant’s north gate section to see the challenges it presents for the security officer stationed there .

As you noted at the interview, my training in surveillance electronics has prepared me to operate the sophisticated equipment Global Tech has installed at the north gate . I was grateful to Ms. Turner for taking time to demonstrate this technology.

I am looking forward to receiving the handbook about Global Tech’s employee services. Would you also kindly e-mail me a copy of the newsletter from last quarter that introduced the new security equipment to employees?

Thank you, again, for considering me for the position and for the hospitality you showed me . Please let me know if you have any other questions for me . I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Marcia Le orde

A follow-up letter. Figure 5.12

Expresses gratitude for an interview and singles out main company feature

Reemphasizes qualifications

Ends politely by thanking interviewer

Asks for newsletter to express further interest

192 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

Exercises 1. Using at least four different sources, compile a list of 10 employers for whom you

would like to work. Get their names, street and e-mail addresses, phone num- bers, and the names of the managers or human resources officers. Then select one company and write a profile about it—locations, services, kinds of products or services offered, number of employees, clients served, awards, contributions to the community or environment, and any other pertinent facts.

■■ Enhanced my professional image to apply for jobs for which I am qualified. ■■ Prepared a dossier at school placement office, including supporting letters

from professors, employers, and community officials. ■■ Identified places where relevant jobs are advertised. ■■ Networked with instructors, friends, relatives, and individuals who work for

the companies I want to join, notified them that I am looking for a job. ■■ Researched the companies I am interested in—on the Internet, through

printed sources, and by networking with current employees. ■■ Inventoried my strengths carefully to prepare résumé. ■■ Wrote a focused and persuasive career-objective statement. ■■ Determined the most beneficial format of résumé to use—chronological,

functional, or both. ■■ Investigated creating a website for my job search-related documents. ■■ Prepared a portfolio/webfolio that included documents demonstrating my

professional skills and achievements relevant for the job. ■■ Made résumé attractive and easy to read with logical and persuasive headings

and descriptive keywords. ■■ Made sure résumé contains neither too much nor too little information. ■■ Proofread résumé to ensure everything is correct, consistent, and accurate. ■■ Created properly formatted online résumé to send to prospective employers. ■■ Wrote a letter of application that shows how my specific skills and

background meet an employer’s exact needs. ■■ Prepared short oral presentation about myself and my accomplishments for

an interview. ■■ Researched prospective employer’s company/organization and salary

range(s). ■■ Sent prospective employer a follow-up letter within a few days after interview

to show interest in position.

Revision Checklist✓

2. Which of the following would belong on your résumé? Which would not belong? Why? a. student ID number b. Social Security number c. the ZIP codes of your references’ addresses d. a list of all your English courses in college e. section numbers of the courses in your major f. statement that you are recently divorced g. subscriptions to journals in your field h. the titles of any stories or poems you published in a high school literary maga-

zine or newspaper i. your GPA for every year you were in college j. foreign languages you studied

k. years you attended college l. the date you were discharged from the service

m. names of the neighbors you are using as references n. your religion o. job titles you held p. your summer job busing tables q. your telephone number r. the reason you changed schools s. your current status with the National Guard t. the URL of your website or blog u. your volunteer work for the Red Cross v. hours per week you spend reading science fiction w. the title of your last term paper in your major x. the name of the agency or business where you worked last

3. Indicate what is wrong with the following career objectives, and rewrite them to make them more precise and professional. a. Job in a lawyer’s office. b. Position with a safety emphasis. c. Desire growth position in a large department store. d. Am looking for entry position in health sciences with an emphasis on caring

for older people. e. Position in sales with fast promotion rate. f. Want a job working with semiconductor circuits.

g. I would like a position in fashion, especially one working with modern fashion. h. Desire a good-paying job, hours: 8–4:30, with time and a half for overtime.

Would like to stay in the Omaha area. i. Insurance work. j. Working with computers.

k. Personal secretary. l. Job with preschoolers.

m. Full-time position with hospitality chain. n. I want a career in nursing.

Exercises 193

194 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

o. Police work, particularly in a suburb of a large city. p. A job that lets me be me. q. Desire fun job selling cosmetics. r. Any position for a qualified dietitian. s. Although I have not made up my mind about which area of forestry I shall go into, I

am looking for a job that offers me training and rewards based upon my potential.

4. As part of a team or on your own, revise the following poor résumé to make it more precise and persuasive. Include additional details where necessary and exclude any details that would hurt the job seeker’s chances. Also correct any inconsistencies.

RÉSUMÉ OF Powel l T . Harr ison 8604 So. Ki rkpatr ick St . Ardvi l le, Ohio 345 37 8760 614 234 4587 harr ison@gem .com

PERSONAL Confident ial

CAREER Seek good paying posi t ion wi th progressive OBJECTIVE Sunbel t company.

EDUCATION

2010–2012 W i l l rece ive degree f rom Cen t ra l Tech . Inst i tute in Arch. St . Earned high average last semester . Took necessary courses for major ; interested in systems , plans , and design development .

2008–2010 A t tended Ardvi l le H igh School , Ardvi l le , OH ; took al l courses requi red . Served on several student commi t tees.

EXPERIENCE None , except for numerous par t - t ime jobs and student apprent iceship in the Ardvi l le area. As par t of student app. worked wi th local f i rm for two months.

HOBBIES Sur f ing t he Ne t , p l ay ing N i n t endo DS i , Member of Junior Achievement .

REFERENCES Please wr i te for names and addresses.

5. Determine what is wrong with the following sentences in a letter of application. Rewrite them to eliminate any mistakes, to focus on the “you attitude,” or to make them more precise. a. Even though I have very little actual job experience, I can make up for it in

enthusiasm.

b. My qualifications will prove that I am the best person for your job. c. I would enjoy working with your other employees. d. This e-mail résumé is my application for any job you now have open or expect

to fill in the near future. e. Next month, my family and I will be moving to Detroit, and I must get a job in

the area. Will you have anything open? f. If you are interested in me, then I hope that we make some type of arrange-

ments to interview each other soon. g. I have not included a résumé since all pertinent information about me is in

this letter. h. My GPA is only 2.5, but I did make two B’s in my last term. i. I hope to take state boards soon. j. Your company, or so I have heard through the grapevine, has excellent fringe

benefits. That is what I care about most, so I am applying for any position that you may advertise.

k. I am writing to ask you to kindly consider whether I would be a qualified per- son for the position you announced in the newspaper.

l. I have made plans to further my education. m. My résumé speaks for itself. n. I could not possibly accept a position that required weekend work, and night

work is out, too. o. In my own estimation, I am a go-getter—an eager beaver, so to speak. p. My last employer was dead wrong when he let me go. I think he regrets it now. q. When you want to arrange an interview time, give me a call. I am home every

afternoon after 4:00.

6. Explain why the following letter of application is ineffective. Rewrite it to make it more precise and appropriate.

Apartment 32 Jeggler Dr ive Talcot t , Ar izona

Monday

Grandt Corporat ion Product ion Supervisor Capi tal Ci ty, Ar izona

Dear Sir :

I am wr i t ing to ask you if your company wi l l consider me for the posi t ion you announced onl ine recent ly. I bel ieve that wi th my educat ion (I have an associate degree) and exper i - ence (I have worked four years as a freight supervisor) , I could f i l l your job.

Exercises 195

196 CHAPTER 5 How to Get a Job: Searches, Dossiers, Portfolios, Résumés, Letters, and Interviews

My schoolwork was done at two junior col leges, and I took more than enough courses in business management and infor- mat ion technology. In fact , here is a l ist of some of my courses: Supervision, Mater ials Management , Work Experience in Management , E-commence , Safety Tact ics , Int roduct ion to Sof tware Analysis , Ar t Design , Contemporary Business Pr inciples, and Smal l Business Management . In addi t ion, I have worked as a loading dock supervisor for the last two years , and before that I worked in the m i l i tary in the Quartermaster Corps.

Please let me know i f you are interested in me. I would l ike to have an interview wi th you at the earl iest possible date, since there are some other f i rms also interested in me, too.

Eagerly yours,

George D . Mi lhous

7. From the Sunday edition of your local newspaper or from one of the other sources discussed on pages 155–157, find notices for two or three jobs you believe you are qualified to fill and then write a letter of application for one of them.

8. Write a chronologically organized résumé to accompany the letter you wrote for Exercise 7.

9. Write a functional résumé to accompany your application letter in Exercise 7.

10. Bring the two résumés you prepared for Exercises 8 and 9 to class to be critiqued by a collaborative writing team. After your résumés are reviewed, revise them. Write an e-mail to your instructor about the revisions you made and why they will help you in your job search.

11. Prepare a hard-copy portfolio. Collect appropriate documents and arrange them into the most relevant order. Provide an annotation for each.

12. Write a letter to a local business inquiring about summer employment. Indicate that you can work only for one summer because you will be returning to school by September 1. Include an appropriate résumé.