building careers and writing résumés pitaloka, se.me
TRANSCRIPT
Building Careers and Writing Résumés
PITALOKA, SE.ME
Securing Employment in Today’s Job Market
Understanding the employer’s approach Organizing your approach
Employment Search Process
1. Build toward a career
2. Prepare a résumé
3. Understand the interview process
4. Prepare for interview
5. Take the interview
6. Follow up and accept the offer
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 3
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Employer’s Approach to the Recruiting Process
Look inside the company
Networking and personal references
Employment agency or search firm
Unsolicited résumés
Newspaper want ads
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 4
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Organizing Your Approach
Track business news
Monitor financial news
Research specific firms
Build a network
Seek career counseling
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 5
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Three-Step Résumé Process
Planning
Writing
Completing
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 6
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Planning Your Résumé
Identify audience and purpose
Include pertinent information
Determine the best medium
Build on your strengths
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 7
© Prentice Hall, 2008
What Employers Seek
Results orientation Workplace achievements Versatility Signs of progress Standards of excellence Flexibility Communication skills
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 8
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Areas of Concern
Frequent job changes Gaps in work history Level of experience Long-term with one company For-cause job termination Criminal or arrest record
Organizing Your Résumé
Chronological
Functional
Combination
Writing Your Résumé
Respect your résumé
Take your time
Review good models
Minimize frustration
Keep the Résumé Honest
Workplace references
Background checks
Credit histories
Adapting to the Audience
Consider the employer’s perspectiveConsider the employer’s perspective
Build on past accomplishmentsBuild on past accomplishments
Stress your future potentialStress your future potential
Translate skills and experienceTranslate skills and experience
Clarify educational achievementsClarify educational achievements
Composing Your Résumé
Name and address Career objective or summary Academic credentials Employment history Activities and achievements Relevant personal data
Completing Your Résumé
Revising Producing Proofreading
Common Résumé Problems
Wrong length
Hard to read
Wordy
Too slick
Poorly reproduced
Amateurish
Boastful
Generic
Gimmicky
Carelessly written
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Producing Your Résumé
Printed traditional résumé
Printed scannable résumé
Electronic plain-text file
MS Word file
HTML format
PDF file
Printing a Traditional Résumé
High-quality paper Crisp, clear image
Printing a Scannable Résumé
Use sans-serif fontsSeparate charactersAvoid columnsAvoid special charactersSeparate phone and emailUse plain white paperIdentify all pagesInclude a keyword summary
Digital Résumé Formats
Plain-text file
MS Word file
HTML version
PDF format
Proofreading Your Résumé
Headings and lists
Grammar and punctuation
Spelling and word choice
Paper and digital formats
Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 18 - 21
© Prentice Hall, 2008
Distributing Your Résumé
Postal mail
Fax machine
Online
Personal website
Index service or job site