Chapter 9 Résumés and Other Employment Materials Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace Laura J. Gurak John M. Lannon

Prospecting for Jobs Prospecting for Jobs  Assess your skills and aptitudes.  Research the job market.

Parts of a Résumé  Contact information  Job and career objectives  Education  Work experience  Personal data  Personal interests, awards, and skills  References

Organizing a Résumé Organize your résumé to highlight your qualifications in the best possible way Reverse chronological order Functional Combination

Electronic Résumés  Most U.S. employers encourage candidates to submit online résumés  Electronic scanning of résumés searches for keywords to select interviewees

Strategies for Résumés  Begin the résumé well before your job search.  Tailor your résumé to each job.  Try to limit your resume to a single page.  Stick to relevant experience.  Use action verbs and key words.  Use bold, italic, underlining, colors, fonts, bullets, and other devices thoughtfully, for emphasis.  Use quality paper and envelopes.  Proofread, Proofread, Proofread.

Application Letters  Explain how credentials fit a particular job.  Convey an informed and likeable persona.  Highlight specific qualifications and skills.  Include two types:  Solicited  Unsolicited

Format of Cover Letters SolicitedIntroduction  State job you are applying for, where you saw it advertised, and a brief summary of yourself. Body  Without simply repeating your resume, point out your best qualifications, using specific examples. Conclusion  Restate your interest and request interview. UnsolicitedIntroduction  Prepare an attention- grabbing opening and remember to address the letter to a specific person.Body  Without simply repeating your resume, point out your best qualifications, using specific examples.Conclusion  Restate your interest and request interview.

Dossiers and Portfolios Dossier  Includes your official records, such as a college transcript, and scholarship letters Professional portfolio  Contains samples of your professional work

Interviews Interviews vary in format. They may be: face-to-face face-to-face one-on-one one-on-one with a committee with a committee with a group of candidates with a group of candidates Interviews may: be as short as an hour be as short as an hour occur over a period of several days occur over a period of several days be pleasant chats be pleasant chats be grueling interrogations be grueling interrogations

Mastering the Interview Careful Preparation Is Key.  Research the company.  Plan for common interview questions.  Dress appropriately.  Prepare a list of well-researched questions about the job and the organization.

After the Interview The Follow-Up Letter. A thank you letter should be sent within a day of the interview. Be brief but personal and close with enthusiasm Letter of Acceptance. If you receive an offer that you would like to accept, send a letter of acceptance, which will serve as part of your contract. Letter of Refusal. If you receive an offer that you would like to refuse, send a letter of refusal that is polite, prompt, and allows for future opportunities

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