1. The Job Search Applying for a Job
Job Application Resume Cover Letter Inquiry Letter Thank-you Notes

2. The Job Application
It's important for your job applications to be complete, correct and accurate - NO ERRORS!

3. Job Application Form Details
Personal Information
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Eligibility to Work in US
Felony convictions
If under age, working paper certificate
Education
Schools/Colleges Attended
Major
Degree/Diploma
Graduation Dates(s)
Position Applied For Information
Title of the job you are applying for
Hours/days available to work
When you can start work
Employment Information
Names, addresses, phone numbers of previous employers
Supervisor's name
Dates of employment
Salary
Reason for Leaving
References
List of three references - names, job title or relationship, addresses, phone numbers

4. Tips for Completing a Job Application
Complete all requested information.
Don't leave anything blank. If you don't know the details, bring the application home and return it when it's completed.
Write clearly and neatly
Use black or blue ink.
Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
List your most recent job first.
List your most recent education first.
References don't necessarily have to be professional.
Use supervisors or teachers.
Always ask for permission prior to using the person for a reference.
Don't forget to sign your application!

5. Your Résumé
Your résumé should provide an employer with answers to certain questions.

6. CONTACT INFORMATION
WHO ARE YOU AND HOW CAN YOU BE REACHED?
Include your name, address, phone number, and address if you have one.
If you’re a student away from home, you should include both your school address and a permanent address so employers can reach you easily.

7. OBJECTIVE WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
Include a “job objective” or “career goal” to show the employer the type of position you’re looking for now.
If looking for jobs in different fields, have a different job objective for each position.
Your job objective may include
(1) the level of position you’re looking for—such as entry level, internship, supervisory, or executive
(2) the skills you hope to bring to the position
(3) the actual title of the job you’re applying for
(4) the field or industry in which you hope to work—such as health care, education, or banking.

8. EDUCATION WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
Include any information about your degree(s)
When and where you graduated
Your major, minor, or concentration
Include any awards or honors you’ve earned.
Make sure you use the official names for schools, degrees, and majors/minors.

9. EXPERIENCE/JOB SKILLS
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE AND WHAT CAN YOU DO?
List the positions you’ve held, names and locations of employers, and dates you were employed.
List responsibilities and achievements for each position you’ve held.
Describe your experience in the most brief and interesting way possible, but don’t sacrifice important details.
Descriptions don’t need to be phrased in complete sentences.
Include any volunteer work or independent study that you’ve done if it’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.

10. Types of Résumés
Although there are many different résumé styles to choose from, every résumé has certain basic components.

11. Chronological Résumé Organized around your work history
Lists your most recent job listed first
Most traditional format and often preferred
Best for people who have been working for a while
Not always the best choice for students or people who are thinking of changing careers and have little experience in their new field

12. Functional Résumé
Emphasizes skills and abilities more than work experience.
Still need to list employment history, but allows you to highlight your skills and specific accomplishments rather than just where you’ve worked.
De-emphasizes lack of experience in a field.
Useful for first-time job seekers, those re-entering the workforce, and career changers

13. Combination Résumé
Combines knowledge, skills and abilities as highlighted in a functional resume with a shorter, chronological work summary
Easily incorporates other experiences, like volunteering or internships
Often used by job seekers with a varied employment history, and by career changers
If you have some relevant experience, but also wish to emphasize particular skills and abilities that you have, this might be a good style for you.

14. Resume Writing Tips Use proper grammar and spelling
Write clearly and concisely
Be specific
Be professional
Make your résumé pleasing to the eye
The one-page rule
Include references separately
Keep your audience in mind

15. Resume Checklist Is the overall content of the resume on target?
Will the content catch an employer's interest?
Are your key skills and strengths highlighted?
Is it an overall representation of your qualities?
Is the resume attractive and easy to read?
Does the resume look attractive?
Are keywords and phrases easy to identify?
Will it be easy to read by a scanning system?
Is the resume complete and accurate?
Is the resume free from grammar, spelling, and typing errors?
Is it complete (all dates, contact information, etc. provided)?

16. Cover Letter
Found a job opening that fits your career goals and qualifications? Now it's time to prove to the employer that you're qualified.

17. What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a brief letter that you include with your resumé.
Usually your first contact with an employer, addressed to a specific individual and closed with your signature.
This is your chance to really shine-to let your prospective employer know why you’re the best person for the job.
Should be different for each employer.

18. Parts of a Cover Letter

19. INTRODUCTION WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU WRITING?
Introduce yourself and say why you are writing to the employer.
Name the position or field you’re interested in, how you learned of the opening or organization, and, if appropriate, who referred you.
Briefly explain what skills make you the best candidate for the position.

20. BODY HOW DO YOUR SKILLS MATCH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION?
Match your background to the experience and skill requirements of the job.
Summarize qualifications and give specific examples.
Do not repeat what is in your résumé; instead, expand on your experience that relates to the job and the employer.
Identify any transferable skills, strengths, accomplishments, and results.

21. EXAMPLE SKILLS Good judgment Ability to solve problems efficiently
Self motivated, initiative, high level of energy.
Verbal communication skills.
Decision making, critical thinking, organizing and planning.
Tolerant and flexible to different situations.
Leadership communication skills
Business leadership skills
Technical and technological skills
Project management skills
Reliable
Creative
Determined
Good Ethics
Customer Service Skills
Ability to Multi-Task
Responsible
Trustworthy
Analytical
Good planning skills
Strong communication skills.
Accuracy and attention to details.
Organization and prioritization skills.
Problem analysis
Organization skills

22. CLOSING WHAT’S NEXT? This paragraph should be brief.
Simply summarize the letter, and indicate that you’ve enclosed your résumé.
End the letter with an active statement, such as an offer to contact the employer within a specific period of time, usually one to two weeks.
Always confirm how the employer may reach you.
Close the letter by thanking the reader for his or her time and consideration, and don’t forget to sign.

23. Tips for Writing a Cover Letter
Address your cover letter to a real person.
Show them you’re interested!
Include information relevant to the job you’re seeking.
Don’t just describe your background
Write in clear, concise sentences.
Organize your information for the reader.
Be brief.
Be personable, but professional.
Make sure your cover letter is pleasing to the eye.
Type!

24. Inquiry Letter
An inquiry letter is similar to a cover letter, but you send it uninvited (or as a cold contact) to an employer

25. Who to send it to?
Send inquiry letters to potential employers who have not advertised a job opening.
Use the letter to match your qualifications to the needs of the employer.

26. Match the employer's needs to your qualifications.
Detail-oriented, experienced Administrative Assistant
Assist Customer Relations Manager
Corporate experience with major clients a must
PC knowledge a plus
My Qualifications
Four years Administrative Assistant experience with responsibility for numerous detailed reports
Assisted Customer Relations Manager for two years
Regularly served purchasing agents at Fortune 500 companies
Hands-on experience with Lotus and WordPerfect on IBM-PC

27. In addition, an inquiry letter should include:
A specific contact name and title at the company
An introduction with why you are writing
A polite request for a follow-up meeting or phone call
A thank you to the reader for his or her time
Your signature — blue ink is best to show the letter is an original
Your resume as an attachment

28. Sending a Thank You Note
Saying “THANK YOU” is not only the right thing to do, it is also an effective job search strategy.

29. Who gets a Thank You Note?
A thank-you note is another opportunity to sell your qualifications and leave a positive impression on the reader.
Send after each job interview.
Send to…
Employers
Employment contacts
References

30. What should I include in my Thank You Note?
Statement of appreciation for the opportunity
Expression of continued interest in the job
Brief restatement of qualifications and skills
Additional information you failed to mention
Final thank you for their consideration
Date and time you will follow up as previously agreed

31. Other Thank You Note tips?
Send no later than 24 hours after the interview, even if the interview didn’t go well.
Be brief.
Address to the interviewer by name and title.