Chapter 9 Résumés and Other Employment Materials

1. Chapter 9Résumés and Other Employment Materials Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace Laura J. Gurak John M. Lannon

2. Prospecting for Jobs • Assess your skills and aptitudes. • Research the job market.

3. Parts of a Résumé • Contact information • Job and career objectives • Education • Work experience • Personal data • Personal interests, awards, and skills • References

4. Organizing a Résumé Organize your résumé to highlight your qualifications in the best possible way Reverse chronological order Functional Combination

5. Electronic Résumés • Most U.S. employers encourage candidates to submit online résumés • Electronic scanning of résumés searches for keywords to select interviewees

6. Strategies for Résumés • Begin the résumé well before your job search. • Tailor your résumé to each job. • Try to limit your resume to a single page. • Stick to relevant experience. • Use action verbs and key words. • Use bold, italic, underlining, colors, fonts, bullets, and other devices thoughtfully, for emphasis. • Use quality paper and envelopes. • Proofread, Proofread, Proofread.

7. Application Letters • Explain how credentials fit a particular job. • Convey an informed and likeable persona. • Highlight specific qualifications and skills. • Include two types: • Solicited • Unsolicited

8. Solicited Introduction State job you are applying for, where you saw it advertised, and a brief summary of yourself. Body Without simply repeating your resume, point out your best qualifications, using specific examples. Conclusion Restate your interest and request interview. Unsolicited Introduction Prepare an attention-grabbing opening and remember to address the letter to a specific person. Body Without simply repeating your resume, point out your best qualifications, using specific examples. Conclusion Restate your interest and request interview. Format of Cover Letters

9. Dossiers and Portfolios Dossier • Includes your official records, such as a college transcript, and scholarship letters Professional portfolio • Contains samples of your professional work

10. Interviews Interviews vary in format. They may be: • face-to-face • one-on-one • with a committee • with a group of candidates Interviews may: • be as short as an hour • occur over a period of several days • be pleasant chats • be grueling interrogations

11. Mastering the Interview Careful Preparation Is Key. • Research the company. • Plan for common interview questions. • Dress appropriately. • Prepare a list of well-researched questions about the job and the organization.

12. After the Interview The Follow-Up Letter. A thank you letter should be sent within a day of the interview. Be brief but personal and close with enthusiasm Letter of Acceptance. If you receive an offer that you would like to accept, send a letter of acceptance, which will serve as part of your contract. Letter of Refusal. If you receive an offer that you would like to refuse, send a letter of refusal that is polite, prompt, and allows for future opportunities

13. For additional help reviewing this chapter, please visit the Companion Website for your text at http://www.pearsonhighered.com/gurak. Any Questions?