1. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 1 Building Careers and Writing Résumés

2. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 2 Today’s Dynamic Workplace Career stability “Job-hopping” Small businesses Independent contractors

3. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 3 How Employers View the Job Market Financial trade-offs –Temporary workers –Independent contractors Economic uncertainty –Cheaper labor markets –Global recruiting

4. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 4 What Today’s Employers Require Flexibility and adaptability Life-long learning Teamwork skills Strong work records

5. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 5 What Today’s Employers Require Leadership capabilities Diversified skills Varied experiences Multicultural and international awareness

6. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 6 Adapting to the Market What you want What you can offer Your workplace value

7. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 7 Specific Compensation Type of Operation Corporate Culture Type of Occupation General Career Goals Location Nature of the Job Size of Company Facilities What Do You Want?

8. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 8 What Can You Offer? Personal achievements Educational preparation Work experience Extracurricular activities Personal characteristics

9. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 9 Increasing Your Value Employment portfolio Interim assignments Workplace skills Life-long learning

10. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 10 The Employment Search Build toward a career Prepare a résumé Understand the interview process Prepare for interview Take the interview Follow up and accept the offer

11. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 11 Employer Recruiting Practices Look inside the company Networking and personal references Employment agency or search firm Unsolicited résumés Newspaper want ads

12. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 12 Organizing Your Approach Track business news Monitor specific firms Seek opportunities Respond to openings Build a network Seek counseling

13. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 13 Three-Step Résumé Process Planning Writing Completing

14. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 14 Planning Your Résumé Audience and purpose Information needs The best medium Overall content

15. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 15 What Employers Seek Results orientation Workplace achievements Versatility Signs of progress Standards of excellence Flexibility Communication skills

16. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 16 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

17. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 17 Organizing Your Résumé Chronological Functional Combination

18. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 18 Writing Your Résumé Respect your résumé Take your time Review good models Minimize frustration

19. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 19 Keep the Résumé Honest Workplace references Background checks Credit histories

20. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 20 Adapting to the Audience Consider the employer’s perspectiveConsider the employer’s perspective Build on past accomplishmentsBuild on past accomplishments Stress your future potentialStress your future potential Translate skills and experienceTranslate skills and experience Clarify educational achievementsClarify educational achievements

21. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 21 Composing Your Résumé Name and address Career objective or summary Academic credentials Employment history Activities and achievements Relevant personal data

22. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 22 Completing Your Résumé Revising Producing proofreading

23. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 23 Common Résumé Problems Wrong length Hard to read Wordy Too slick Poorly reproduced Amateurish Boastful Dishonest Gimmicky Carelessly written

24. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 24 Producing Your Résumé Printed traditional résumé Printed scannable résumé Electronic plain-text file MS Word file Online résumé Electronic PDF file

25. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 25 Printing Your Résumé Paper quality Overall length Formatting issues Objectives and key words

26. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 26 Digital Résumé Formats Plain-text file MS Word file Webpage version

27. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 27 Proofreading Your Résumé Headings and lists Grammar and punctuation Spelling and word choice Paper and digital formats

28. © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter 17 - 28 Submitting Your Résumé Postal mail E-mail or online Fax machine