Chapter Three Getting the Job

How do you get the job? Competition for jobs can be fierce! You have to be a salesperson… and your product is YOU! You need the tools to properly advertise – Your work experience – Your education – Your ability to do the job

The Letter of Application To apply for a job opening, or to inform a prospective employer of your interest in a job opening, applicants often send a letter of application, together with a résumé. The letter of application introduces you to the potential employer and gives you a chance to sell your qualifications. Contents of an application letter – Should be specific, interesting and direct – Tell why you are writing and how you heard about the job opening. Give reasons why you should be considered for the job. – Use full sentences which explain your qualifications and interest in the company. – Writing style should be conversational but professional! Check out the following link for examples! –

Letter of Application Use proper letter formatting – Letter address – make sure it gets to the right place! – Salutation – also known as the greeting. Make sure you know who you are writing to! – Body – the body of the letter contains four basic parts and should be between three and four paragraphs long. Should attract attention, state your interest, make them want to interview you, and request that the employer take action. –AIDA – ATTENTION, INTEREST, DESIRE, ACTION! – Complimentary Close – Sincerely yours or some other appropriate phrase courteously ends your letter.

The Résumé The résumé is a concise summary of personal information of interest to a prospective employer. Should describe your work experience, education, abilities, interests, and other information such as awards, activities and references. Although there are no set rules for preparing a résumé there are some general guidelines Keep it to one page Edit existing resume to fit each job Put on GOOD quality paper Proofread carefully Choose a style that is attractive and easy to read

Parts of the Résumé Can be arranged to suit personal preferences. Typically includes: – Personal Information – name, address, contact information – Job Objective – short, assertive statement indication your job/career goal. Make it forward looking, interesting, and specific. Avoid weak and unimpressive statements such as “Any type of work in an office” or “Sales Clerk” – Education – start with high school. Use most recent and move backwards. May wish to include major areas of study (especially as it relates to the job you’re applying for), grade point average, extracurricular activities and scholastic honors. – Work Experience – List all jobs, paid or unpaid. Can include assisting at school functions, working as a teacher’s aide, and any part-time or full-time jobs. Include CONTACT INFORMATION, job title and job duties. – Additional Qualifications – You may have additional skills you want to bring to the employer’s attention. For instance, if it’s a job that requires computer skills you may want to list classes you’ve taken, software you know how to use etc… – References are persons who have known you for at least one year and can provide information about your character and achievements. References should be over 18 and should NOT be related to you. Best reference are teachers, school counselors, former employers and adults in business. Be sure to ask the permission of anybody you are going to use as a reference If you don’t have room for references on your resume, you should have a separate page prepared OR have a few letters of reference stashed away!

Job Application When you visit a company to interview or inquire about a job you will probably be asked to fill out a job application! Do: – Print neatly – Keep your responses within the space allotted – Fill in all the blanks (if you cannot answer its better to use N/A then to leave the section blank) – Be truthful – Have all the information that is requested available.

The Job Interview The job interview is a procedure in which you are questioned about the statements you’ve made AND about your qualifications for employment with that company. You should spend time preparing for an interview – Be prepared for open-ended questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you want to work for us” or “What do you see yourself doing in five years” – Avoid rambling on BUT don’t give one-word answers – Emphasize your skills, achievements, and career plans – It helps if you learn something about your potential employer. Think of a question or two to ask the interviewer. – Arrive on time, dress appropriately, go alone, appear poised and self-confident, be courteous, be polite, accurate and honest! Afterwards, FOLLOW-UP is essential. Positive contact with the employer after the interview will remind the employer of your personality and qualifications. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through a Thank You Letter. Writing a short letter expressing your appreciation for the interview is an awesome idea! Click on this link for examples of a thank you letter! –