Transcript Chapter 13 Finding and Obtaining Employment

Chapter 13
Finding and Obtaining
Employment
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
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Preparing for the Job Search
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Gather Information
‣ Through the library, Internet, or placement
center research
‣ Through interviews
‣ Through professional organizations,
meetings, e-mail lists, and electronic bulletin
boards
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Apply For Work-Study, Internship,
or Volunteer Programs
‣ To gain valuable experience related to your field
‣ Through on-campus job, service-learning, nonprofit or community-service organizations
‣ To set yourself apart from other candidates
applying for the same job
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Begin a Résumé or
Personal Data File
‣ To keep track of employment-related names,
dates, experiences, and qualifications
‣ To update and record details at least once a year
‣ To see gaps in your training or experience
‣ To help those who might recommend you
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Request References
‣ In two forms: letters of recommendation and
verbal references
‣ From professors, supervisors, or other
community and business leaders
‣ In person, not via email or over the phone
‣ By giving your reference a list of facts and
important details you’d like them to mention
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Compile a Dossier or
Portfolio
‣ Containing the basic credentials and materials
needed for most job searches and applications
‣ Through a service, like your college’s placement
center or a dossier service
‣ To distribute materials in a secure, organized,
professional manner
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Begin Your Job Search
‣ By applying directly to employers
‣ By networking
‣ By searching online
‣ By searching newspapers and journal listings
‣ By searching journals and catalogs
‣ By using your college’s placement service
‣ By using a professional placement service
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
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Creating EmploymentRelated Documents
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Your ability to communicate
effectively in job related
documents might determine
whether you get interviewed for
a job
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Recommendation Request Letters
‣ Are written to each person solicited to write a
recommendation
‣ Should begin with the specific request
‣ Should specify whether the recommendation
is for a specific job or for a broad job search
‣ Should include as many pertinent details in
your request as possible
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Should mention if the letter is needed by a
certain time
‣ Should provide pertinent contact information
such as your phone number and email address
‣ Should propose to meet with the recommender
to discuss this recommendation in further
detail, if necessary
‣ Should thank the individual for considering
your request, but should not assume they will
write the letter
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Letters of Inquiry
‣ Are sent to specific organizations that do not currently
have jobs available in your field
‣ Gives companies a chance to learn about potential
employees, promote their company, and add you to a
list of future prospects
‣ Request an informal interview in the opening line of
the letter
‣ Mention your qualifications for a future position in
their firm
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Suggest your reasons for contacting their
particular organization
‣ Offer to bring a copy of your résumé to an
informal interview or send it to them beforehand
‣ Provide pertinent contact information such as
your phone number and email address
‣ Propose to meet with them at their convenience,
and thank the individual for considering your
request for an informal interview
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Your Résumé
‣ Contains key information about your experiences
and training
‣ Functions as the main tool for getting a job
interview
‣ Can be a chronological résumé
‣ Emphasizing degrees, job titles, and dates
‣ Can be a skills résumé
‣ Emphasizing experience and skills
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Contact Information
‣ Career Objective
‣ Education
‣ Experience
‣ Honors and Awards
‣ Activities
‣ References
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
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Résumés May Contain
Contact Information
‣ Includes the author’s full name followed by that
person’s address directly below it
‣ Includes your complete phone number with the
area code
‣ Includes your professional email address and
homepage
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Career Objective
‣ Might be included for those beginning a career
or switching to a new one
‣ Informs readers about your goals during the
next 5-10 years
‣ Should be kept short and realistic
‣ Should be specifically written for the job for
which you are applying
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Education
‣ Should be listed first if your degree specifically
applies to the job you are seeking
‣ Lists the degree you received, the date you
graduated (or will graduate), the complete name
of the school, and the city and state in which the
school is located
‣ Lists all schools from which you have earned
degrees in higher education
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Experience
‣ Lists any employment experience since high
school, including part-time jobs, summer
employment, military training or experience, and
work study, internship, or volunteer positions
‣ Includes the job title (in bold text), the name of
the employer, the city and state in which the
employer is located, and the dates you worked for
them
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Honors and Awards
‣ Emphasizes accomplishments in school, work, and
service
‣ Include information like
‣ Scholarships and Fellowships
‣ Academic or service awards
‣ Nominations for awards
‣ Publications
‣ Academic honor societies
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Activities
‣ Lets employers know what activities you have
participated in on a regular basis
‣ Include activities that showcase skills and ability
to work with others, like
‣ Membership in professional organizations
‣ Volunteer work
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
References
‣ Are listed on your résumé, usually including
three references and their contact information
‣ Includes the referees’ full names and titles if
they have them
‣ Includes their full mailing addresses, work
phone numbers, and email addresses
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Design Elements
‣ Should make the information clear, accessible, and easy
to locate
‣ Should arrange information to emphasize strengths
‣ Should fit the overall “image” of the company to which
you’re applying
‣ Should be consistent throughout
‣ Should make use of white space, bullets, indentations,
italics, and bold type for clarity
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Online Résumé
‣ Gives a “high-tech” impression of you and
your information
‣ Should include an email link
‣ Should use keywords so it is friendly for
search engines
‣ Should omit your mailing address, phone
number, page numbers, and headers
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Should use internal links to allow readers to easily
navigate from one part of the résumé
‣ Should include hyperlinked URLS
‣ Should include links to downloadable, print-based
versions of your résumé
‣ May include a front page containing links to various
sections of your résumé
‣ May include a few simple and professional graphics
or perhaps a photo of yourself
‣ May include a short quote about you from one of
your referees
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Scannable Résumés
‣ Facilitate scanning directly into a database of
potential and current employees
‣ Are categorized according to specialization,
geographic region, keywords, and other
classifications
‣ Should use a standard typeface that will not
jumble together when scanned
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Should not contain underlining, italics, or
boldface text
‣ Should use specific keywords and terms common
in your profession
‣ Should not contain indented text or columns
‣ Should use a ragged right margin
‣ Should be free of any graphics
‣ Should list each phone number on a separate line
‣ Should be saved as plain text or ASCII
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Ethics and Résumés
‣ How you represent yourself in your résumé is
not only a matter of rhetorical choice, but of
ethical choice as well
‣ Exaggerating or fabricating résumé information
is a serious ethical and professional breach
‣ It is in your own best interest to represent your
experience and training accurately
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Cover Letters
‣ Address the specific job for which you are
applying
‣ Emphasize the most important qualities that
make you attractive to the employer
‣ Highlight qualifications and experiences that set
you apart from other candidates
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Cover Letters Contain
‣ An introductory paragraph that identifies the
particular job for which you are applying
‣ Body paragraphs that provide further details
about your qualifications for the position
‣ A concluding paragraph the refers to the résumé
and any other documents included in the
application
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Preparing for Interviews
‣ Be sure you can be easily contacted
‣ Gather information about the company and the
interviewers
‣ Anticipate questions you will be asked and write out
specific answers
‣ Practice with a mock interview
‣ Gather documents that might help during the
interview
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
When Participating in
Interviews
‣ Portray yourself as a confident, energetic, and
intelligent person in everything you do
‣ Enter with a confident smile, make eye contact, and
repeat everyone’s names as you say hello
‣ Try to interact with the interviewers rather than
simply answering the questions as they are delivered
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
‣ Ask questions of your own during the interview, but
do so only after you respond to their questions
‣ Be specific with your responses, but not effusive
‣ Remain calm and cool, even if asked questions that
seem unfair, confusing, or unanswerable
‣ Ask two or three questions that demonstrate your
ability to do the job well and your genuine interest
in working for the company
‣ Thank them for considering you for the position
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Follow Up Letters
‣ Send a follow-up response to the individual who
led the interview within 24 hours
‣ Reinforce positives from the interview
‣ Make you appear highly interested in the job and
motivated to get it
‣ Encourages the interviewer to remember you
when making the hiring decision
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Negotiating and Accepting
Job Offers
‣ Focus on the positive
‣ Ask for 24 hours to decide
‣ Be patient if the negotiations take some time
‣ Be firm but flexible when negotiating for salary or benefits
‣ Call other companies that might be interested
‣ Look at the big pictures when deciding between two offers
‣ Don’t haggle over minor details
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Job Acceptance Letter
‣ Begins by stating your acceptance of the job in
the first sentence
‣ Expresses your appreciation for and enthusiasm
about the job
‣ May briefly describe the terms of your
employment
‣ Is usually limited to one page
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.
Job Rejection Letter
‣ Should be brief and clear, declining the offer in
the first paragraph
‣ Provides one or two sentences explaining why
you are declining the offer, if appropriate
‣ Avoids saying anything negative
‣ Concludes by thanking the employer for the
offer
Dobrin / Keller / Weisser : Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century.
© 2008 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.