1. Chapter 15 The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Letters
Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Mary Ellen Guffey Copyright © 2008

2. The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Letters
The Customized
Résumé
Optimizing Your
Résumé
Submitting Your
Résumé
The Customized
Cover Letter
Sending Your
Cover Letter By
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

3. The Job Search Preparing Identify your interests.
Evaluate your qualifications.
Recognize the changing nature of jobs.
Choose a career path.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

4. The Job Search Searching Electronically Visit big job boards.
CareerBuilder, Monster, Yahoo HotJobs, etc.
Look beyond the big boards.
Corporate Web sites, professional associations, niche sites
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

5. The Job Search Searching Traditionally Check classified ads.
See announcements of professional organizations.
Contact companies directly.
Visit career center, attend career fairs, ask advice of instructors.
Develop your own network.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

6. The Job Search
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

7. The Customized Résumé Heading and Objective
List your name, address, and phone.
Include a career objective customized for a targeted job.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

8. The Customized Résumé Summary of Qualifications
Provide 3 to 8 bulleted statements.
List your most impressive qualifications: experience, skills, education, awards.
Customize the statements to fit the requirements of the targeted job.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

9. The Customized Résumé Education
Name your degree, date of graduation, and institution.
List your major and GPA.
Give information about your studies, but don’t inventory all your courses.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

10. The Customized Résumé Work Experience
List your jobs. Start with the most recent. Include employer's name and city, dates of employment (month, year), and most significant title.
Salesperson, Kmart, Dayton, Ohio. April 2007 to May Manager, Fleet Equipment, Kettering, Ohio. June 2008 to present.
Tax Preparer, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). March 2008 to present. Sinclair College, Dayton, Ohio.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

11. The Customized Résumé Work Experience
Use action verbs to describe your experience.
Summarize your achievements and skills relevant to the targeted job.
Prepared state and federal tax returns for individuals with incomes under $25,000. Conducted interviews with over 50 individuals to elicit data regarding taxes. Determined legitimate tax deductions and recorded them accurately.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

12. The Customized Résumé Capabilities and Skills
Highlight your technical skills. Mention word processing, database, spreadsheet, and Internet proficiency.
Emphasize your nontechnical skills. Give evidence of communication, management, and interpersonal skills. Employers want more than empty assurances. Try to quantify your skills.
Organized holiday awards program for 1200 attendees and 140 awardees. Praised by top management for enthusiastic teamwork and achievement.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

13. The Customized Résumé Awards, Honors, and Activities
Show that you are well-rounded.
List awards and extracurricular activities, especially if they demonstrate leadership, teamwork, reliability, loyalty, initiative, efficiency, and self-sufficiency.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

14. The Customized Résumé Final Tips
Omit references unless specifically required.
Look for ways to condense your data.
Double-check for parallel phrasing.
Project professionalism and quality.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

15. The Customized Résumé Final Tips Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor.
Use quality paper and a quality printer.
Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

16. Poor Résumé RÉSUMÉ OF JENNIE JENKINS 3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415)
OBJECTIVE: An entry-level position where my proven communication, accounting, and administrative skills could be utilized in a path leading to advancement into management eventually.
DEGREE from San Francisco State University. Broadcast Communication Arts. Bachelor of arts. 3.2 in major.
EXPERIENCE
Apprentice KPFA in Berkeley, CA. Duties included scheduling studios. Also recruited staff. Some paperwork. Often given responsibility to act as production manager. 10/06 to present.
Pacifica House
Position for financial manager. Duties included payroll and benefits for employees of shelter. Was responsible for the books, also for cash trans-actions. Took care of some donations. Expected to help raise funds. I prepared all payroll reports. Also petty cash. Chaotic environment, underfunded.
Poor Résumé
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

17. Self-starter, can finish jobs without supervision.
Spring, Worked for one spring with Renaissance Rainbow, which is a performing arts troupe operating out of San Francisco. My duties included scheduling interviews with print and broadcast journalists. Was responsible for volunteers and publicity.
Other temporary positions Manpower, Inc. San Francisco. Worked at many different places as a temp Dohring Company. File clerk, receptionist, general duties. Other places. Good Earth Restaurant - server
Personal
Self-starter, can finish jobs without supervision.
Marital status: single Birth: 6/15/83
Health: Excellent Hobbies: Knitting, singing, like to read
First Baptist Gospel Choir Awards: Spirit Award, Oakland High School
Dean's List, college, 2 semesters
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e 8

18. Improved Résumé Jennifer Marie Jenkins
3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415)
Objective: Administrative position involving
 Payroll  Accounting  Employee Benefits  Customer Service
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Two years' experience in responsible administrative and accounting positions
Disciplined self-starter; able to work without supervision
Proficient with PCs including Word, Excel, and Internet
Can be counted on to follow through on every detail, until a task is successfully completed
B.A. degree, San Francisco State University
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
10/06 to Apprentice, Radio Production, KPFA , Berkeley, CA
present
• As production manager, schedule studios, recruit support staff
• Process scripts, permissions, and logs involved in weekly productions
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

19. Improved Résumé
Financial manager, The Pacifica House (shelter), San Francisco, CA
• Used computer to manage payroll and employee benefits for a staff of 26
• Completed all projects on time, despite chronically chaotic environment
• Managed agency's cash flow, involving funder reimbursements, in-kind donations,
and fund-raising
• Processed all accounts payable and receivable, monthly, and quarterly statistical
reports for local, state, and federal funding agencies; oversaw petty cash
• Designed a flow chart to track success of a $25,000 fund-raising project
Spring Publicity coordinator, Renaissance Rainbow
2004 (performance arts troupe), San Francisco, CA
• Scheduled all media interviews and supervised volunteers
• Coordinated publicity mailings for African-American Performance Arts Festival
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

20. Improved Résumé
Temp positions, Manpower Temporary Services, San Francisco, CA
• Developed customer service skills as telephone interviewer for Dohring Company
• Maintained files, routed incoming telephone calls, input employee progress journals,
prepared interoffice memos, recorded accounts payable checks, keyboarded
accounts payable correspondence, learned systems in various assignments
EDUCATION
B.A. in Broadcast Communication Arts, San Francisco State University , 2005
GPA in major: 3.2 (A = 4)
Dean's list, 2 semesters
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

21. Optimizing Your Résumé for Today's Technologies
You need three résumé versions:
1. Print-based presentation résumé
2. Scannable résumé
3. Plain-text résumé
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

22. Optimizing Your Résumé for Today's Technologies
To prepare a scannable résumé:
Convert your print résumé.
Use a popular large font (such as 12-point Times New Roman or Arial).
Remove underlining, italics, open bullets.
Be sure to include keywords mentioned in job description.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

23. Optimizing Your Résumé for Today's Technologies
To prepare a plain-text résumé:
Reformat with shorter lines (no more than 65 characters).
Move all text to the left.
Consider using equals signs (= = =) or tildes (~ ~ ~) to separate items and enhance format.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

24. Optimizing Your Résumé for Today's Technologies
To prepare a plain-text résumé:
Save file in plain-text (.txt) or rich text (.rtf) format.
Send to yourself to check layout.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

25. Submitting Your Résumé
Word Document
Send your presentation résumé by surface mail or as attachment.
Plain-text, ASCII Document
Embed within or send as attachment.
PDF Document
Use Adobe software to convert your presentation résumé. Send as attachment.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

26. Submitting Your Résumé
Company database
Complete online form with your résumé information.
Fax
Send your presentation résumé.
If you are faxing or sending a résumé by , consider following up with a copy of your presentation résumé.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

27. The Customized Cover Letter
Opening
Address the letter to an individual by name.
For advertised jobs, name the source; include job title, date, and publication.
If someone referred you, name that person.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

28. The Customized Cover Letter
Opening
Tell how your qualifications fit the job specifications, show knowledge of the reader’s business, or describe how your special talents will be assets to the company.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

29. The Customized Cover Letter
© Rubberball Productions / Getty Images
Body
Demonstrate how your background and training fill the job requirements.
Summarize your principal assets from education, experience, and special skills.
Avoid repeating specific data from your résumé.
Refer to your résumé.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

30. The Customized Cover Letter
© Photodisc / Getty Images
Closing
Ask for an interview. Consider hooking the request to a statement reviewing your strongest points.
Make it easy to respond. Tell when you can be reached (during office hours). Some recruiters prefer that you call them.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

31. Sending Your Cover Letter by E-Mail
Be sure to send a cover letter if you your résumé.
Move your return address from the top to just below your name.
Include your address and phone numbers.
Remove tabs, bullets, underlining, and italics.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

32. 1. How many employers can you expect to have had before you reach the age of 38?
__ 4 __ 8
__ 6 __ 10
2. The average job tenure for an American worker between the ages of 18 and 38 is
__ 2.6 years __ 6.6 years
__ 4.6 years __ 8.6 years
3. Having your job terminated ranks in the top 10 of the most severe crises in life.
__ True __ False
4. What résumé format do recruiters generally prefer?
__ Chronological (arranged around dates of employment, education)
__ Functional (arranged around skills)
Employment Quiz
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

33. Preview Employment Quiz
1. How many employers can you expect to have had before you reach the age of 38?
__ 4 __ 8
__ 6 __ 10
2. The average job tenure for an American worker between the ages of 18 and 38 is
__ 2.6 years __ 6.6 years
__ 4.6 years __ 8.6 years
3. Having your job terminated ranks in the top 10 of the most severe crises in life.
__ True __ False
4. What résumé format do recruiters generally prefer?
__ Chronological (arranged around dates of employment, education)
__ Functional (arranged around skills) X
Preview Employment Quiz
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

34. __ Searching the Internet __ Networking
5. Many experts in the field of recruiting think that the best way for a college graduate to find a job today is by
__ Searching the Internet __ Networking
__ Sending out hundreds of résumés __ Reading the classified ads
6. The best place to look for a job online is at
__ Monster.com __ Company Web sites
__ Yahoo HotJobs __ CareerBuilder.com
7. You have heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job. Who should be on your list of people to contact about job leads?
__ Potential employers, professional organizations, and friends
__ Family members, neighbors, and business associates
__ School alumni and former instructors
__ Your dentist, doctor, insurance agent, and other service providers
__ All of the above
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

35. __ Searching the Internet __ Networking
5. Many experts in the field of recruiting think that the best way for a college graduate to find a job today is by
__ Searching the Internet __ Networking
__ Sending out hundreds of résumés __ Reading the classified ads
6. The best place to look for a job online is at
__ Monster.com __ Company Web sites
__ Yahoo HotJobs __ CareerBuilder.com
7. You have heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job. Who should be on your list of people to contact about job leads?
__ Potential employers, professional organizations, and friends
__ Family members, neighbors, and business associates
__ School alumni and former instructors
__ Your dentist, doctor, insurance agent, and other service providers
__ All of the above X
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

36. 8. A savvy job candidate would prepare which of the following résumés?
__ A beautiful print-based résumé __ A plain-text résumé
__ A scannable résumé __ All three versions
9. The primary purpose of a cover letter is to ask for a job.
__True __ False
10. If you are sending your résumé by , you do not need to send a
cover letter ?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

37. 8. A savvy job candidate would prepare which of the following résumés?
__ A beautiful print-based résumé __ A plain-text résumé
__ A scannable résumé __ All three versions
9. The primary purpose of a cover letter is to ask for a job.
__True __ False
10. If you are sending your résumé by , you do not need to send a
cover letter ? X
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e

38. End Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 15, Slide 38