Chapter Sixteen Employment Communications McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
16-2 Learning Objectives LO16.1 Identify your key selling points for the job application process. LO16.2 Evaluate the primary needs of employers for positions of interest. LO16.3 Set up the message structure for résumés and cover letters. LO16.4 Highlight your qualifications with effective tone, style, and design.
16-3 Learning Objectives LO16.5 Create chronological and functional résumés to highlight your key selling points. LO16.6 Develop a list of references that will improve your employment prospects. LO16.7 Compose effective cover letters that highlight your key selling points. LO16.8 Review your job application documents for effectiveness and fairness.
16-4 Learning Objectives LO16.9 Develop strategies for responding to common job interview questions. LO16.10 Explain etiquette for following up after job interviews. LO16.11 Explain etiquette for leaving an organization with grace and foresight.
16-5 Identify your Key Selling Points To create résumés and cover letters that serve your long-term career interests, your first step should be to carefully evaluate your career ambitions and qualifications
16-6 Identify your Key Selling Points Identifying your career goals helps you accomplish several things in the job search process. First, it helps you frame your résumé and cover letter to project your career hopes. Second, it helps you evaluate how well your abilities and attributes prepare you for your desired career.
16-7 Identify your Key Selling Points Abilities skills and knowledge that can be applied to accomplishing work tasks. Attributes personal traits or characteristics
16-8 Self-Inventory of Career Interests and Job-Related Abilities and Attributes
16-9 Abilities and Attributes that Establish Credibility in the Job Application Process
16-10 Completing a Thorough Job Search Process Use all the resources available to learn about your options and ensure that you apply for the jobs that are good fits for you Contact and get involved with professional organizations and visit organizational websites to learn about options
16-11 Most Common Sources of Professional Networking
16-12 Set up the Message Structure for Résumés and Cover Letters As a university student, however, aim for a single page If you find yourself using more than one page, you are likely weakening the message about your key selling points
16-13 Major Sections of a Résumé Name block Career summary or objective EducationExperience
16-14 Principles of Effective Résumés Emphasize accomplishments with action verbs. Quantify accomplishments where possible. Position your most important contributions first. Group and label information to increase ease of reading. Remove irrelevant details.
16-15 Principles of Effective Résumés Avoid buzzwords and jargon. Be exact and avoid any errors. Group and label information to improve ease of reading. Format to distinguish pieces of information. Select a simple yet visually appealing layout.
16-16 Getting the Tone, Style, and Design Right for Résumés and Cover Letters The tone, style, and design must be perfect How can you make sure that potential employers rapidly understand your story: the unique abilities and attributes that will deliver value to them?
16-17 Emphasize Accomplishments with Action Verbs Without exaggerating, choose verbs that make your key abilities and attributes jump off the page. Avoid verbs that undersell your abilities and attributes
16-18 Using Action Words to Emphasize Accomplishments
16-19 Quantifying Accomplishments
16-20 Positioning Most Important Contributions First
16-21 Removing Unnecessary Details
16-22 Avoiding Clichés and Proofreading for Typos and Misspellings
16-23 Grouping and Labeling to Highlight the Employment Narrative
16-24 Formatting to Distinguish Key Pieces of Information
16-25 Creating Chronological and Functional Résumés Chronological résumés present the information grouped by work and education over time Functional résumés present the information in terms of key skills.
16-26 Developing a Reference List Develop Relationships with Potential References over Time Contact Your References Ahead of Time Thank Your References Complete a Consistently Formatted, Well- Detailed Reference List
16-27 References List
16-28 Constructing Cover Letters The Cover Letter Often Forms the First Impression Clearly Identify the Position You Are Applying For Be Focused and Concise Show a Confident and Enthusiastic Tone without Exaggerating or Displaying Arrogance Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Job Posting and Needs of the Employer Adapting for Unsolicited Letters
16-29 Reviewing Your Résumés and Cover Letters Your job application must be perfect On the most basic level, you should make sure every element of your job application correctly portrays your abilities and attributes
16-30 Dress for the Interview and Pay Attention to Etiquette As much as possible, gain a sense ahead of time about the dress standards at the company where you are interviewing Generally, you should dress up, even when the company has a fairly casual environment.
16-31 Most Serious Problems in the Job Application/Interview Process
16-32 Respond Effectively to Interview Questions Respond to Questions Strategically, Confidently, and Concisely Be Perceptive about What Hiring Managers Are Evaluating Tell Success Stories Avoid Criticizing Your Former Organizations, Supervisors, and Colleagues Ask Questions
16-33 Follow Up after the Job Interview Within a few hours to one day after your interview, send a thank-you note Your primary goal should be to express goodwill and confirm your interest in the position
16-34 Thank-You Note Following an Interview
16-35 Leaving an Organization You should inform your supervisor that you are leaving immediately, preferably in person You may be required to write a formal resignation
16-36 Resignation Letter