Applying for a Job “My First Résumé” Chapter 7 Applying for a Job “My First Résumé”

Key Terms continued résumé format personal fact sheet cover letter personal career portfolio job application references letter of recommendation interview pre-employment tests body language continued

Word Wall Terms Flexible Qualifications Dependable Experience Job Candidate Requirements Preference Availability Willingness

Analyze personal qualifications Discover Analyze personal qualifications How to organize information about yourself in a résumé continued

Why It’s Important One day, you’ll apply for a job. Whether or not you get the job may depend on how you present yourself to the employer.

Putting a Résumé Together In the world of work, a summary of personal information is known as a résumé. A résumé describes your education, skills, work experience, activities, and interests.

Résumé Formats There are two basic formats of résumés. The format is the arrangement of information in a résumé.

Résumé Formats Chronological Résumé Skills Résumé Information is presented in reverse time order People who’ve had a series of jobs in one career field use this format Highlights skills and accomplishments A good choice for first-timers in the job market Focuses on strengths instead of experience

Which Format Is Better? The kind of résumé you choose will depend on the job you want. It can also depend on what you want to emphasize: work experience or skills.

Graphic Organizer Résumé Tips Keep your résumé short. One page is usually plenty. Your résumé should be neat and easy to read. Résumé Tips Check for errors in spelling and grammar.

Electronic Résumés A popular way to send résumés to employers is via the Internet. It is a good idea to have an electronic résumé ready. An electronic résumé is a résumé that is created on a computer and formatted so it can be sent electronically.

Here are some tips for creating a computer-friendly résumé: Electronic Résumés Here are some tips for creating a computer-friendly résumé: Use black and white paper. Avoid boldface, italic, and other formatting. Type headings in capital letters. Include keywords that describe your skills and experience. continued

Personal Fact Sheet A personal fact sheet contains basic information about you and your education, experience, qualifications, and skills. The personal fact sheet may also be referred to as a résumé worksheet.

Applying for a Job “The Résumé” End of Section Applying for a Job “The Résumé”

Applying for a Job “The Cover Letter” Chapter 7 Applying for a Job “The Cover Letter”

What a cover letter is and why it is important Parts of a cover letter Discover What a cover letter is and why it is important Parts of a cover letter continued

Writing Cover Letters No résumé should go anywhere without a cover letter. A cover letter is a one-page letter telling who you are and why you’re sending a résumé.

Marketing Yourself With a Personal Career Portfolio A great way to showcase your accomplishments and personal growth is to create a personal career portfolio. A personal career portfolio is a collection of information about you. You can use a personal career portfolio to market yourself and to set you apart from other job applicants.

Applying for a Job “The Cover Letter” End of Section Applying for a Job “The Cover Letter”

Applying for a Job “Job Applications” Chapter 7 Applying for a Job “Job Applications”

Tips for filling out job applications Discover Tips for filling out job applications

Filling Out Job Applications Many businesses will have you fill out a job application. A job application is a form that asks questions about your skills, work experience, education, and interests.

Filling Out Job Applications

Supplying References You should be prepared to supply references on a job application. References are people who will recommend you to an employer.

Supplying References Some references will supply you with a written letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation is a letter in support of you from a reference.

Applying for a Job “The Job Application” End of Section Applying for a Job “The Job Application”

“The Interview Process” Chapter 7 Applying for a Job “The Interview Process”

How to prepare “before” for an interview Discover How to prepare “before” for an interview

Why It’s Important Interviews are an important part of applying for a job. The more practice you get, the more confident you’ll be in future interviews.

What is an Interview? An interview is a formal meeting about a possible job between a job seeker and an employer.

What is the Purpose of an Interview? Employer’s chance to meet you and decide if you’re right for the job. Job seeker’s chance to convince an employer that you are the right person for the job, and to decide if the job is right for you.

Getting Ready for an Interview What you do “before” an interview is an important as what you do during the interview.

1. Be Prepared You need to be prepared to answer questions about your interests, skills, work experience, education, and career goals, etc. Be prepared for pre-employment tests. Pre-employment tests are tests given to a job seeker by an employer to find out if the job seeker fits the job. Pre-employment tests can evaluate your personality and your skills.

2. Know the Job and the Company To succeed in an interview, you need to know as much as possible about the job you want. Find out as much as you can about the job before the interview. Then you will be better able to sell yourself as the best possible candidate. Get to know the business or organization where you’re interviewing. Be prepared to ask questions about the job and the employer.

3. Practice Makes a Difference The more practice you have, the more comfortable you’ll feel during the interview. One way to practice is to ask a friend or family member to role-play an interview with you. Make a list of questions you might be asked. Prepare answers. Make a list of questions you want to ask.

4. Dress the Part Give some thought to what you are going to wear. Remember, first impressions count!

5. A Winning Attitude The biggest boost you can have going into an interview is a positive attitude. If you feel positive, you’ll have just the attitude employers are looking for.

What happens “during” in an interview Discover What happens “during” in an interview

The Interview Itself If you’ve put effort into preparing for an interview, it’s likely it will go well for you.

1. A Good Conversation A good interview is like a good conversation. Each person should have a chance to speak and ask questions. Each person should listen carefully and pay attention to the other.

2. Watch Your Body Language Body language plays an important part of an interview. Body language is the gestures, posture, and eye contact you use to express yourself.

Try This Activity

? ? ? ? ? ? Graphic Organizer Be Prepared for These Questions What can you tell me about yourself? ? Why should I select you over other applicants? ? Tell me why you think you would be a good fit for this position? What are your greatest strengths? ? ? What are your greatest weaknesses? ? What do you know about this company? ?

How to follow up “after” an interview Discover How to follow up “after” an interview

“After” You Say Good-Bye There are some important things you should do following an interview. Write a letter of thanks no matter how the interview went. A letter of thanks should go out no later than a day after the interview. Make some notes for yourself while the interview is still fresh in your mind. Write a summary of the interview. You may get the job. You may not. If you don’t, don’t give up! Rejection is part of life and part of the learning process.

“The Interview Process” End of Section Applying for a Job “The Interview Process”

End of Chapter 7 Applying for a Job