© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Writing Résumés and Application Letters

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter The Workplace Today Globalization Technology Workforce diversity Information overload Workplace teams Outsourcing Deregulation Downsizing Shareholder activism Mergers & acquisitions Corporate downsizing Entrepreneurialism

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Effects on the Job Search How people look for work Where people find work What employers require

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Adapt to the Workplace Determine what you have to offer Decide what you want to do Increase your value

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter What Can You Offer? Personal achievements Educational preparation Work experience Extracurricular activities Personal characteristics

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter What Do You Want to Do? Type of occupation Nature of the job Specific compensation Career goals Size of company Type of operation Location Facilities Corporate culture

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Increasing Your Value Employment portfolio Interim assignments Workplace skills Life-long learning

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Seeking Employment Build toward a career Prepare a résumé Learn the interview process Prepare for interview Take the interview Follow up and accept the offer

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Organizing Your Approach Monitor business news Research specific firms Seek opportunities Respond to job openings Build a network Obtain career counseling

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Three-Step Résumé Process Planning Writing Completing

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Planning Your Résumé Audience Information Adaptation

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Writing Your Résumé Results orientation Workplace achievements Versatility Signs of progress Standards of excellence Flexibility Communication skills

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Organizing Résumés Chronological Functional Combination

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter The Chronological Résumé Employ a familiar format Stress career growth and progress Highlight continuity and stability

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter The Functional Résumé Stress your skills Emphasize relevant experience Minimize employment gaps De-emphasize lack of progress

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter The Combination Résumé Advantages –Functional skills –Chronology Disadvantages –Lengthy –Repetitious

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Résumé Components Name and address Career objective or summary Academic credentials Employment history Activities and achievements Relevant personal data

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Avoid Résumé Deception Exaggerating education Inflating grade point average Stretching employment dates Claiming self-employment Referring to defunct companies Omitting embarrassing jobs Overstating experience

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Completing the Résumé Revising Producing Proofreading

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Common Résumé Problems Inappropriate length Hard to read Wordy Too slick Poorly reproduced Amateurish Boastful Dishonest Gimmicky Carelessly written

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Producing Traditional Résumés Clean typeface High-grade paper Ample margins Laser printed Appropriate length Professional design

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Résumé Formats Traditional ASCII-Text HTML-Coded

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Producing Scannable Résumés ASCII Format Document design Keyword summary Buzzwords and jargon

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Submitting Scannable Résumés Postal mail or online Fax machine

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Submitting Online Résumés Personal Websites –Personal information –References Index services –Employment information –ASCII version

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Writing Application Letters Be specific Include salary Keep short Aim for high quality

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Types of Application Letters Solicited Unsolicited –Getting attention –Building interest –Increasing desire –Motivating action

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Cultural Considerations The right style and approach Proper tone and format

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Excellence in Business CommunicationChapter Other Employment Messages Job-inquiry letters Application follow-ups