1. Preparing Résumés and Application Letters
BCOM Chapter 14
Chapter 14 Lecture Slides
Preparing Résumés and Application Letters

2. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 1
Prepare for employment by considering relevant information about yourself as it relates to job requirements. 1
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

3. Process of Applying for a Job
BCOM Chapter 14
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Interview
with
companies
Conduct research; analyze self, career, and job
Identify job listing using traditional and electronic sources
Prepare targeted résumé and application message in required formats
Consider supplementing the résumé : Portfolio (print/ electronic) or video recording
Résumé Presentation and Delivery Options
Print (Designed)
Mailing to company accompanied by application letter
Mailed follow up to electronic submission
Electronic Postings
to network contacts, career and corporate sites, and career service centers
Online form
Electronic portfolio at personal website
Beamer to PDA or cell phone
Scannable
Print résumé formatted for computer scanning 1
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

4. Assess Your Marketability
BCOM Chapter 14
Assess Your Marketability
The job search begins with research…
Gather relevant information for decision-making.
Prepare a company/job profile.
Identify unique selling points and specific support. 1
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

5. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 2
Identify career opportunities using traditional and electronic methods. 2
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

6. Sources for Identifying Career Opportunities
BCOM Chapter 14
Sources for Identifying Career Opportunities
Traditional Sources
Electronic Sources
Career guidance information
Job listings
Company web pages
Résumé posting services
Printed sources
Networking
Career service center
Employers offices
Employment agencies
Professional organizations 2
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

7. Using Electronic Sources
BCOM Chapter 14
Using Electronic Sources
Use career sites to learn about _______ of job search
Use corporate sites to learn about the ________
Find out what ____________ a company is seeking
Network ____________ with potential employers
phases
company
specific skills
electronically 2
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

8. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 3
Plan a résumé that reflects your qualifications and communicates your value to potential employers. 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

9. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Watch Out!
Potential Areas for Employment Discrimination
Name: may give rise to race, ethnicity, or gender discrimination
Marital status: may be considered differently for male and female candidates
Physical appearance: may be viewed negatively for female candidates 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

10. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Standard Résumé Parts
Qualifications
Identification
Career Objective
Career Summary
Personal Information
References 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

11. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Types of Résumés
Chronological Résumés: traditional organizational format for résumés
Functional Résumés: points of primary interest to employers – transferable skills – appear in major headings
Chrono-functional Résumés: combines features of chronological and functional résumés 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

12. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

13. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

14. Chrono-Functional Resume
BCOM Chapter 14
Chrono-Functional Resume
Marc R. Pollard
P. O. Box 739
Wilmington, DE u
CAREER OBJECTIVE: Human resources director of a small progressive firm.
PROFILE
Award-winning business graduate with more than ten years’ supervisory experience.
Superior interpersonal skills, strong organizer with excellent planning and technical skills; proficiency in Microsoft Word and Access, Windows operating system, and web browsers. Fluent in Spanish.
Online portfolio available for viewing at
EXPERIENCE
Assistant manager, Freemont Inn, Smyrna, May 1994–July 2004.
Managed 6 to 10 desk clerks and bellhops during an eight-hour shift.
Recognized as Employee of the Month four times.
Director, Fretz College, August 2004 to present (concurrent with education).
Supervised 72 upper-class male residents and enforced college regulations.
Prepared work schedules and handled payroll for 5 resident assistants and 13 desk assistants.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Fretz College, Wilmington, Delaware. To be Conferred May 1, 2007.
Major: MANAGEMENT with a concentration in human resources.
Related courses: International Management, International Communication, Spanish (three semesters), and technology courses.
GPA: Major: 3.4; overall 3.5 (based on 4.0 scale).
Honors: Phi Kappa Phi (top 10% of junior/senior class). Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) National Championship HR team, 1st place winner, 2007.
Continued…
Uses this visible location to advertise availability of online portfolio where applicant has posted digital evidence of his skills.
Summarizes key qualifications related to job requirements listed in job posting.
Includes “Education” and “Experience,” traditional headings in chronological résumé, but positions “Experience” first as key qualifier.
Addresses requirements stated in job posting that support Marc’s ability to contribute to potential employer. Adding “concurrent with education” emphasizes initiative and discipline required to finance education and maintain academic honors.
Includes honors under “Education” because they are highly relevant to job objective and were achieved as part of education. Divides section into short chunks that emphasize key points and increase readability. 3
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

15. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 4
Prepare an organized, persuasive résumé that is adapted for print, scanning, and electronic postings. 4
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

16. Preparing a Print Resume
BCOM Chapter 14
Preparing a Print Resume
Appealing format that highlights key qualifications and distinguishes resume from other resumes
Format information for quick, easy reading
Create an appealing output to produce top professional quality
Consider adding a statement of your creativity and originality 4
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

17. Preparing a Scannable Résumé
BCOM Chapter 14
Preparing a Scannable Résumé
Use popular, nondecorative typefaces
Use 10- to 14-point font
Do not include italics, underlining, open bullets, or graphic lines/boxes
Print on one side of white, standard size paper
Do not fold or staple 4
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

18. Making a Résumé Search Friendly
BCOM Chapter 14
Making a Résumé Search Friendly
Place name as first item on every page
Add powerful keywords in separate section
- Capitalize first letter of each keyword
- Begin with most important, work in reverse
- Use only 80 keywords
Support keywords in résumé body 4
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

19. Types of Electronic Submissions
BCOM Chapter 14
Types of Electronic Submissions
Most common method
résumé to job bank or networking contact
Beaming a quick résumé version to a PDA or digital phone
Complete online or download form from job bank, corporate website or career services center to be returned by , fax, or mail
Electronic portfolio on your own personal home page 4

20. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 5
Utilize employment tools other than the résumé that can enhance employability. 5
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

21. Supplementing a Resume
BCOM Chapter 14
Supplementing a Resume
Some possible items for your portfolio:
sample speeches with digitized audio or video clips of the delivery.
• performance appraisals and awards.
• certificates of completion and attendance records.
• reports, proposals, or written documents from classes.
• brochures or programs describing workshops attended.
• commendation messages, records, or surveys showing client or customer satisfaction with service. 5
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

22. A Professional Portfolio
BCOM Chapter 14
A Professional Portfolio
Illustrates past activities, projects, and accomplishments
Can be easier to organize and transport if presented digitally
Must show clear understanding of audience’s needs and your qualifications 5
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

23. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Employment Videos
Be sure the video makes a professional appearance and is complimentary to you.
Avoid long “talking head” segments. Include segments that reflect you in a variety of activities.
Remember that visual media may lead to stereotyping and discrimination.
Advertise the availability of your employment video to maximize its exposure. 5
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

24. © 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
BCOM Chapter 14
Learning Objective 6
Write an application message that effectively introduces an accompanying print (designed) or electronic résumé. 6
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

25. General Writing Guidelines
BCOM Chapter 14
General Writing Guidelines
Use fresh, original language.
Avoid “I” and writer-focused statements.
Don’t generalize.
Taylor message to employer needs.
Provide requested information.
Communicate knowledge of company, requirements, and language in field.
Focus on strengths and positivity. 6
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

26. Preparing Effective Application Messages
BCOM Chapter 14
Preparing Effective Application Messages
persuasive
Use __________ letter strategy to sell your qualifications
Use _______ statements
Use concise, on-target language _______ to employer’s needs
Use appropriate tone that avoids insincere _______, false ________, or ________ statements
Focus on strengths and portray a _______ attitude
original
tailored
flattery
modesty
boastful
positive 6
© 2009 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.