© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Searching for Employment and Preparing Employment Messages

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter The Changing Workplace How often people look for work Where people find work They type of people who find work

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Adapting to the Workplace What you want What you can offer Your workplace value

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

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter 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 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Increasing Your Value Employment portfolio Interim assignments Workplace skills Life-long learning

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter The Employment Search Build toward a career Prepare a résumé Understand the interview process Prepare for interview Take the interview Follow up and accept the offer

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Organizing Your Approach Monitor business news Research specific companies Look for job openings Respond to job openings Build a network Seek career counseling

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Three-Step Résumé Process Planning Writing Completing

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Planning Your Résumé Analyze purpose Analyze audience Gather information Adapt the document

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Writing Your Résumé Know what employers seek Build on your strengths Write to impress Avoid résumé deception

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter What Employers Seek Results orientation Workplace achievements Versatility Signs of progress Standards of excellence Flexibility Communication skills

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Organizing Your Résumé Chronological Functional Combination

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Write to Impress Use a direct style Write short, crisp prose Focus on your audience Use action verbs

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Résumé Elements Name and address Career objective or summary Academic credentials Employment history Activities and achievements Relevant personal data

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Avoid Résumé Deception Overstating educational creditsOverstating educational credits Inflating grade-point averageInflating grade-point average Hiding gaps in work recordHiding gaps in work record Covering periods of unemploymentCovering periods of unemployment Omitting embarrassing jobsOmitting embarrassing jobs Exaggerating expertise or experienceExaggerating expertise or experience

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Completing Your Résumé Revision Formatting Proofreading

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Common Résumé Problems Inappropriate length Hard to read Wordiness Too slick Poorly reproduced Amateurish Boastful Dishonest Gimmicky Carelessly written

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Producing Your Résumé Printed traditional résumé Printed scannable résumé Electronic plain-text file MS Word file Online résumé Electronic PDF file

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Printing Paper Résumés Clean typeface High-grade paper Wide margins Laser printed Appropriate length Professional design

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Printing Scannable Résumés Plain text format San serif font Overall length Key word summary

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Digital Résumé Formats Plain-text file MS Word file Webpage version

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Proofread Your Résumé Headings and lists Grammar and punctuation Spelling and word choice Paper and digital formats

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Distributing Résumés Postal mail or online Fax machine

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter On-line Résumés Personal Websites –Personal information –References Index services –Employment information –ASCII version

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Writing Application Letters Be clear and specific Include salary information Keep short Aim for high quality

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

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Cultural Considerations The right style and approach Proper tone and format

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Other Employment Messages Job-inquiry letters Application follow-ups

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication EssentialsChapter Reviewing Key Points Adapting to the workplace Searching for employment Preparing effective résumés Preparing employment messages