1. WRITING APPLICATION MATERIALS
Getting hired always involves writing
Chapter 10. Preparing Job-Application Materials

2. According to the U.S. Department of Labor
(2006), the typical American worker holds more than 10 different jobs while he or she is between the ages of 18 and 38.
Every time you apply for a job you will need to change your resume and your other job-application materials.
Chapter 10. Preparing Job-Application

3. Focus on the Process Planning Drafting
Learn as much as you can about the organizations to which you will be applying.
Drafting
Decide whether to write a chronological or skills resume, and use traditional sections and headings.
Revising, editing, and proofreading
You want these documents to be PERFECT!
Ask several people to review them.
Chapter 10. Preparing Job-Application

4. Create An Attractive Résumé
A resume communicates in two ways: through its appearance and through its content.
generous margins
clear type
balanced appearance
clear organization
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 4

5. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials
Résumé Standards
It must provide clear, specific information, without generalizations or self-congratulation.
It must be free of errors.
It must be honest.
Your resume is your sales document, but you are both the salesperson and the product.
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 5

6. A Chronological Résumé
identifying information
objectives or summary of qualifications
education
employment history
interests and activities
references
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 6

7. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials
A Skills Resume
Lists previous jobs
Includes a skills section which describes talents and achievements
Recent graduates usually use the chronological resume because in most cases they lack the record of skills and accomplishments needed for a skills resume. However, if you have a lot of professional work experience, consider the skills style.
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 7

8. Drafting a Statement of Objectives:
State only the goals or duties explicitly mentioned, or clearly implied, in the job advertisement.
Focus on the reader’s needs, not on your goals.
Be specific.
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 8

9. Focus on the Education Section:
the degree and grade-point average
the institution and location
the date of graduation
Special accomplishments, honors and awards
information about other schools you attended
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 9

10. Include information about your interests and activities:
participation in community-service organizations
hobbies related to your career
sports, especially those that might be socially useful in your professional career
university-sanctioned activities
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 10

11. contain additional information:
Some résumés
contain additional information:
computer skills
military experience
language ability
willingness to relocate
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 11

12. Drafting an Application Letter:
Principles for
Drafting an Application Letter:
Selectivity.
Select two or three points of greatest interest to the potential employer.
Development Develop those points into paragraphs emphasizing results.
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 12

13. The Introductory Paragraph
It identifies your source of information.
It identifies the position you are interested in.
It states that you wish to be considered for the position.
It forecasts the rest of the letter.
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 13

14. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials
Concluding Paragraph
In the preceding paragraphs, you provided the information that you hope has convinced the reader to give you another look. In the last paragraph, you want to make it easy for him or her to do so.
a reference to your résumé/qualifications
a polite but confident request [for an interview]
your phone number and address
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials 14

15. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 15 15

16. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 16 16

17. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 17 17

18. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 18 18

19. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 19 19

20. Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St
Chapter 10. Writing Job-Application Materials © 2013 by Bedford/St. Martin's 20 20