1. Chapter Sixteen Employment Communications McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. 16-2 Learning Objectives LO16.1 Identify your key selling points for the job application process. LO16.2 Evaluate the primary needs of employers for positions of interest. LO16.3 Set up the message structure for résumés and cover letters. LO16.4 Highlight your qualifications with effective tone, style, and design.

3. 16-3 Learning Objectives LO16.5 Create chronological and functional résumés to highlight your key selling points. LO16.6 Develop a list of references that will improve your employment prospects. LO16.7 Compose effective cover letters that highlight your key selling points. LO16.8 Review your job application documents for effectiveness and fairness.

4. 16-4 Learning Objectives LO16.9 Develop strategies for responding to common job interview questions. LO16.10 Explain etiquette for following up after job interviews. LO16.11 Explain etiquette for leaving an organization with grace and foresight.

5. 16-5 Identify your Key Selling Points  To create résumés and cover letters that serve your long-term career interests, your first step should be to carefully evaluate your career ambitions and qualifications

6. 16-6 Identify your Key Selling Points  Identifying your career goals helps you accomplish several things in the job search process.  First, it helps you frame your résumé and cover letter to project your career hopes.  Second, it helps you evaluate how well your abilities and attributes prepare you for your desired career.

7. 16-7 Identify your Key Selling Points  Abilities  skills and knowledge that can be applied to accomplishing work tasks.  Attributes  personal traits or characteristics

8. 16-8 Self-Inventory of Career Interests and Job-Related Abilities and Attributes

9. 16-9 Abilities and Attributes that Establish Credibility in the Job Application Process

10. 16-10 Completing a Thorough Job Search Process  Use all the resources available to learn about your options and ensure that you apply for the jobs that are good fits for you  Contact and get involved with professional organizations and visit organizational websites to learn about options

11. 16-11 Most Common Sources of Professional Networking

12. 16-12 Set up the Message Structure for Résumés and Cover Letters  As a university student, however, aim for a single page  If you find yourself using more than one page, you are likely weakening the message about your key selling points

13. 16-13 Major Sections of a Résumé Name block Career summary or objective EducationExperience

14. 16-14 Principles of Effective Résumés  Emphasize accomplishments with action verbs.  Quantify accomplishments where possible.  Position your most important contributions first.  Group and label information to increase ease of reading.  Remove irrelevant details.

15. 16-15 Principles of Effective Résumés  Avoid buzzwords and jargon.  Be exact and avoid any errors.  Group and label information to improve ease of reading.  Format to distinguish pieces of information.  Select a simple yet visually appealing layout.

16. 16-16 Getting the Tone, Style, and Design Right for Résumés and Cover Letters  The tone, style, and design must be perfect  How can you make sure that potential employers rapidly understand your story: the unique abilities and attributes that will deliver value to them?

17. 16-17 Emphasize Accomplishments with Action Verbs  Without exaggerating, choose verbs that make your key abilities and attributes jump off the page.  Avoid verbs that undersell your abilities and attributes

18. 16-18 Using Action Words to Emphasize Accomplishments

19. 16-19 Quantifying Accomplishments

20. 16-20 Positioning Most Important Contributions First

21. 16-21 Removing Unnecessary Details

22. 16-22 Avoiding Clichés and Proofreading for Typos and Misspellings

23. 16-23 Grouping and Labeling to Highlight the Employment Narrative

24. 16-24 Formatting to Distinguish Key Pieces of Information

25. 16-25 Creating Chronological and Functional Résumés  Chronological résumés  present the information grouped by work and education over time  Functional résumés  present the information in terms of key skills.

26. 16-26 Developing a Reference List Develop Relationships with Potential References over Time Contact Your References Ahead of Time Thank Your References Complete a Consistently Formatted, Well- Detailed Reference List

27. 16-27 References List

28. 16-28 Constructing Cover Letters  The Cover Letter Often Forms the First Impression  Clearly Identify the Position You Are Applying For  Be Focused and Concise  Show a Confident and Enthusiastic Tone without Exaggerating or Displaying Arrogance  Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Job Posting and Needs of the Employer  Adapting for Unsolicited Letters

29. 16-29 Reviewing Your Résumés and Cover Letters  Your job application must be perfect  On the most basic level, you should make sure every element of your job application correctly portrays your abilities and attributes

30. 16-30 Dress for the Interview and Pay Attention to Etiquette  As much as possible, gain a sense ahead of time about the dress standards at the company where you are interviewing  Generally, you should dress up, even when the company has a fairly casual environment.

31. 16-31 Most Serious Problems in the Job Application/Interview Process

32. 16-32 Respond Effectively to Interview Questions  Respond to Questions Strategically, Confidently, and Concisely  Be Perceptive about What Hiring Managers Are Evaluating  Tell Success Stories  Avoid Criticizing Your Former Organizations, Supervisors, and Colleagues  Ask Questions

33. 16-33 Follow Up after the Job Interview  Within a few hours to one day after your interview, send a thank-you note  Your primary goal should be to express goodwill and confirm your interest in the position

34. 16-34 Thank-You Note Following an Interview

35. 16-35 Leaving an Organization  You should inform your supervisor that you are leaving immediately, preferably in person  You may be required to write a formal resignation

36. 16-36 Resignation Letter