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

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.

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.

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.

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 16-5

16-6 Identify your Key Selling Points  Abilities  skills and knowledge that can be applied to accomplishing work tasks.  Attributes  personal traits or characteristics

16-7 Abilities and Attributes that Establish Credibility in the Job Application Process 16-7

16-8 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

16-9 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

16-10 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?

16-11 References List 16-11

16-12 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

16-13 Most Serious Problems in the Job Application/Interview Process

16-14 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

16-15 Thank-You Note Following an Interview