Building Careers and Writing Résumés PITALOKA, SE.ME

Securing Employment in Today’s Job Market  Understanding the employer’s approach  Organizing your approach

Employment Search Process 1.Build toward a career 2.Prepare a résumé 3.Understand the interview process 4.Prepare for interview 5.Take the interview 6.Follow up and accept the offer Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Employer’s Approach to the Recruiting Process  Look inside the company  Networking and personal references  Employment agency or search firm  Unsolicited résumés  Newspaper want ads Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Organizing Your Approach  Track business news  Monitor financial news  Research specific firms  Build a network  Seek career counseling Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Three-Step Résumé Process  Planning  Writing  Completing Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Planning Your Résumé  Identify audience and purpose  Include pertinent information  Determine the best medium  Build on your strengths Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

What Employers Seek  Results orientation  Workplace achievements  Versatility  Signs of progress  Standards of excellence  Flexibility  Communication skills Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Areas of Concern  Frequent job changes  Gaps in work history  Level of experience  Long-term with one company  For-cause job termination  Criminal or arrest record

Organizing Your Résumé  Chronological  Functional  Combination

Writing Your Résumé  Respect your résumé  Take your time  Review good models  Minimize frustration

Keep the Résumé Honest  Workplace references  Background checks  Credit histories

Adapting to the Audience  Consider the employer’s perspective  Build on past accomplishments  Stress your future potential  Translate skills and experience  Clarify educational achievements

Composing Your Résumé  Name and address  Career objective or summary  Academic credentials  Employment history  Activities and achievements  Relevant personal data

Completing Your Résumé  Revising  Producing  Proofreading

Common Résumé Problems  Wrong length  Hard to read  Wordy  Too slick  Poorly reproduced  Amateurish  Boastful  Generic  Gimmicky  Carelessly written © Prentice Hall, 2008

Producing Your Résumé  Printed traditional résumé  Printed scannable résumé  Electronic plain-text file  MS Word file  HTML format  PDF file

Printing a Traditional Résumé  High-quality paper  Crisp, clear image

Printing a Scannable Résumé  Use sans-serif fonts  Separate characters  Avoid columns  Avoid special characters  Separate phone and  Use plain white paper  Identify all pages  Include a keyword summary

Digital Résumé Formats  Plain-text file  MS Word file  HTML version  PDF format

Proofreading Your Résumé  Headings and lists  Grammar and punctuation  Spelling and word choice  Paper and digital formats Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter © Prentice Hall, 2008

Distributing Your Résumé  Postal mail   Fax machine  Online  Personal website  Index service or job site