The Job Search Résumés and Application Letters Chapter 13 The Job Search Résumés and Application Letters

Test Your Employment Sense 1. You are just entering the workforce. How many times are you likely to change careers over the course of your working life? Two times Three times Four times Five or more times

1. You are just entering the workforce. How many times are you likely to change careers over the course of your working life? Two times Three times Four times Five or more times

2. Having your job terminated ranks in the top ten of life’s most severe crises. True False

2. Having your job terminated ranks in the top ten of life’s most severe crises. True False

3. You are putting together a résumé 3. You are putting together a résumé. What format do recruiters generally prefer? Chronological (arranged by dates) Functional (arranged by skills) Combination

3. You are putting together a résumé 3. You are putting together a résumé. What format do recruiters generally prefer? Chronological (arranged by dates) Functional (arranged by skills) Combination

4. Many experts in the field of recruiting think that the surest way for a college graduate to find a job today is by Searching the Internet Sending out hundreds of résumés Networking Reading the classified ads

5. You begin your job search the way most people do by looking through newspaper ads. What percentage of available opportunities can you find in those ads? 10 to 19 percent 20 to 29 percent 30 to 49 percent 50 percent or more

5. You begin your job search the way most people do by looking through the newspaper ads. What percentage of available opportunities can you find in those ads? 10 to 19 percent 20 to 29 percent 30 to 49 percent 50 percent or more

6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job 6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job. Who should be on your list of people to contact? Potential employers and professional organizations Family members, friends, neighbours, associates School alumni and former instructors Your dentist, your doctor, other service providers. All of the above

6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job 6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good way to find a job. Who should be on your list of people to contact? Potential employers and professional organizations Family members, friends, neighbours, associates School alumni and former instructors Your dentist, your doctor, other service providers. All of the above

7. You’ve landed a job interview with a company that has a casual dress code. What should you do? Dress in campus casual attire Dress professionally in a suit Hit a happy medium Call to ask interviewer

7. You’ve landed a job interview with a company that has a casual dress code. What should you do? Dress in campus casual attire Dress professionally in a suit or Hit a happy medium Call to ask interviewer

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Preparation Research the job market. Use newspapers, the Web, and other resources to learn about jobs, qualifications, and employers. Analyze your strengths. What will sell you for the job you want? Study other résumés as models. Experiment with formatting.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Heading and Objective List your name, address, telephone number. Include a career objective for a targeted job. Education Name your degree/diploma/certificate, date of graduation, and institution. List your major and GPA if applicable. Give information about your studies, but don’t inventory all your courses.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Work Experience List your previous jobs Start with the most recent jobs. Include employer’s name and city, dates of employment (month, year), and most significant title. Salesperson, Kmart, Winnipeg, MB. 4/99 to 5/00. Manager, Fleet Equipment, Kettering, ON. 6/00 to present. Tax Preparer, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. March, 2000, to present. Sinclair College, Saskatoon, SK.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Work Experience Describe your experience Use action verbs to summarize achievements and skills relevant to your targeted job. Prepared tax returns for individuals with incomes under $30,000. Conducted interviews with over 50 individuals to determine required tax information. Determined legitimate tax deductions and recorded them accurately.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Work Experience Include 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.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Special Skills, Achievements, Awards Highlight your computer skills. All employers seek employees proficient with word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Show that you are well-rounded. List awards and extracurricular activities, especially if they demonstrate leadership, teamwork, reliability, loyalty, initiative, efficiency, and self-sufficiency.

Writing a Persuasive Résumé Additional Tips Omit references (unless specifically required). Look for ways to condense your data. Double-check for parallel phrasing. Project professionalism and quality. Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24- pound paper and a quality printer. Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé. Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

Poor Résumé [Continued on next slide.] RÉSUMÉ OF JENNIE JENKINS 3320 Lawrence Street Swift Current, SK (306) 781-5592 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 University of Saskatchewan. Business Administration major. Bachelor of arts. 3.2 in major. [Continued on next slide.]

Improved Résumé [Continued on next slide.] Jennifer Marie Jenkins 3320 Lawrence Street Swift Current, SK (306) 781-5592 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 the Internet [Continued on next slide.]

Poor Résumé [Continued on next slide.] EXPERIENCE Apprentice CQFA - 94.1 in Moose Jaw, SK. Duties included scheduling studios. Also recruited staff. Some paperwork. Often given responsibility to act asproduction manager. 10/00 to present. Shelter House Position for financial manager. Duties included payroll and benefits for employees of shelter. Was responsible for the books, also for cash transactions. Took care of some donations. Expected to help raise funds. I prepared all payroll reports. Also petty cash. Chaotic environment, underfunded. [Continued on next slide.]

Improved Résumé [Continued on next slide.] • Can be counted on to follow through on every detail, until a task is successfully ..completed • B.A. degree, University of Saskatchewan, Business Administration major RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 10/00 to Apprentice, Radio Production, CQFA - 94.1, present Moose Jaw, SK • As production manager, schedule studios, recruit support staff. • Process scripts, permissions, and logs involved in weekly productions. 1999-00 Financial Manager, The Shelter House, Moose Jaw, SK. • Used computer to manage payroll and employee benefits for a staff of 26. • Completed all projects on time, despite chronically chaotic environment. [Continued on next slide.]

Poor Résumé [Continued on next slide.] Spring, 1998 Worked for one spring with Renaissance Rainbow, which is a performing arts troupe operating out of Saskatoon. My duties included scheduling interviews with print and broadcast journalists. Was responsible for volunteers and publicity. Other temporary positions Manpower, Inc. Winnipeg. Worked at many different places as a temp. 1996-98. Dorhring Company. File clerk, receptionist, general duties. Other places. Good Earth Restaurant - server 1995-1996. [Continued on next slide.]

Improved Résumé [Continued on next slide.] • 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, 1998 Publicity coordinator, Renaissance Rainbow (performance arts troupe), Saskatoon, SK • Scheduled all media interviews and supervised volunteers. • Coordinated publicity mailings for Performance Arts Festival. 1996-98 Temp positions, Manpower Temporary Services, Winnipeg, MB • Developed customer service skills as telephone interviewer for Dorhring ..Company. [Continued on next slide.]

Poor Résumé Personal Self-starter, can finish jobs without supervision. Marital status: single Birth: 6/15/77 Health: Excellent Hobbies: Knitting, singing, like to read Anglican Church of Canada Awards: Spirit Award, Oak Park High School Dean’s List, college, 2 semesters

Improved Résumé • Maintained files, routed incoming telephone calls, input employee progress ..journals, prepared interoffice memos, recorded accounts payable cheques, ..keyboarded accounts payable correspondence, learned E-mail systems in various ..assignments. EDUCATION B.A. in Business Administration, University of Saskatchewan, 1999. GPA in major: 3.2 Dean's list, 2 terms

Preparing a Computer-Friendly Résumé Emphasize keywords–nouns that describe traits, skills, and characteristics from job description. Avoid unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics. Use 10 to 14-point type.

Preparing a Computer-Friendly Résumé Use smooth white paper, black ink, and quality printing. Be sure that your name is on the first line. Provide plenty of white space. Avoid double columns. Don’t fold or staple your résumé.

Preparing a Computer-Friendly Résumé Use abbreviations carefully. Include all your addresses and telephone numbers. Be prepared to send your résumé in ASCII. Note: Unlike a paper résumé, one that will be scanned by a computer may be as long as you think necessary.

What Turns Recruiters Off When Reading a Résumé? A focus group of nine expert recruiters gave these individual responses: “Personal data. That’s a major ‘red flag.’ Also typos, inconsistent punctuation, and huge paragraphs that look like job descriptions.” “Odd-sized résumés from services saying ‘Presenting the candidacy of . . .’ I don't even read them anymore. They’re a major rip-off.”

What Turns Recruiters Off When Reading a Résumé? A focus group of nine expert recruiters gave these individual responses: “Résumés that show no research; not looking at the employer’s needs.” “Omission of dates. And misspellings!” “Long cover letters and résumés over two pages.”

What Turns Recruiters Off When Reading a Résumé? A focus group of nine expert recruiters gave these individual responses: “Excess cosmetics, substituting form for content. A résumé should look nice but not go overboard.” “A photo. I remove them because they are not applicable.” “Not sending the résumé to the right place.”

What Do Recruiters Consider Most Important in a Résumé? “The objective, plus dates when things happened and accomplishments.” “Information about skills that apply to the job; less about job history and past duties.” “Valid information in an easy-to-read, attractive style.”

What Do Recruiters Consider Most Important in a Résumé? “The candidate’s address and phone number. Lots of people put them only in the cover letter!” “Realizing that the employer is looking for ‘red flags’ and making sure there aren’t any. If you have an employment gap, include a clear statement explaining it.”

What Do Recruiters Consider Most Important in a Résumé? “Meeting the qualifications for the job.” “The presentation and the objective.” “A clear objective, backed up with qualifying experience and continuity in the work history.”

Writing a Persuasive Job Application 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. Show that your qualifications fit the job specifications, show your knowledge of the reader’s business, or show that your special talents will be assets to the company.

Writing a Persuasive Job Application Letter Body Demonstrate that your background and training meet the job requirements. Summarize your principal assets from education, experience, and special skills. Avoid repeating specific data from your résumé. Refer to your résumé.

Writing a Persuasive Job Application Letter Closing Ask for an interview. Consider connecting the request to a statement reviewing your strongest points. Make it easy to respond. Tell when and where you can be reached (during office hours). Some recruiters prefer that you call them.