locating and applying for a job: keys for success metcalfe county high school 2008-2009
TRANSCRIPT
Locating and Applying For A Job: Keys For Success
Metcalfe County High School
2008-2009
The Objective
• After high school, tech school or college most individuals have a goal to obtain employment. Not being prepared is the number one downfall of most job applicants.
A Real Life Job Application Example• Cindy Adams recently graduated from Western Kentucky
University with a degree in business administration. Cindy has always dreamed about working for a local bank and recently while reading the Sunday paper Cindy saw her opportunity : HELP WANTED AT MIDDLESTATE BANK. The next day Cindy arrives at the bank prepared to apply for the job. The ad asked for all interested parties to bring a cover letter, resume and references to the nearest bank location. Cindy didn’t know what a cover letter was; she used a resume that had been created four years ago; and failed to ask any of her references if it was alright to use them in her application process. Was Cindy prepared?
The Tools For Job Hunting Success
• A cover letter should be included when sending your resume for a possible job interview. This letter of application serves the purpose of introducing you and asking for an interview. Below is an outline to for a successful cover letter. Look for important notes concerning the layout of the letter signaled by a small
number (1-4).
Cover Letter Outline2520 Vista Avenue 1
Olympia, Washington 98501April 19, 2001
Mr. Bob Trimm, Personnel Manager 2
Ideas Inc.587 Lilly Road
Dear Mr. Trimm: 3
**Continued on the next slide**
Cover Letter OutlineOpening paragraph - Use one of the
following to bring yourself to the attention of the reader and make clear what job you are applying for:
A. Summarize the job opening(Inform the person what job you are interested in)
B. Name the job opening C. Request a job opening
D.Question the availability of a job opening
Cover Letter OutlineMiddle paragraph(s)- Use one of the
following in each of your middle paragraphs to provide the reader with plenty of reasons to invite you to an interview: A.Education B.Work experience C.Ability to work with others and/or
alone D.Interest in your field E.Interest in the company F.Responsibilities in previous positions
Cover Letter OutlineThe last paragraph needs to help ensure that
action is taken. You can ask for an interview appointment time, stating that you will be happy to come to the employer's office when convenient. Make it easy for the reader to follow-up by providing your telephone number and email address.
Sincerely, Kenneth Beare 4
Enclosure
Cover Letter Example
• Look at the letter on page 42 does it meet the qualifications of a cover letter?
• Make sure the letter has: return address(your address), complete title and address of the proposed recipient, letter is directed to a specific individual or committee in the salutation, an opening,middle and closing paragraph is used, the letter contains complementary closing and signature.
Resume
• What is a Resume?1. A brief account of one's professional or work
experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
• Why does a business request a resume?– To view an outline of ones training and
employment history– To verify if the person is qualified for the job
and possesses the needed skills required.
A Note About Resumes
• Resumes can be developed hundreds of different ways. A rule of thumb is to determine what area you feel most qualifies you for the job and list it first and continue down the list. Education could be the most important in one resume while work experience could be the most important in another.
• The next slide will showcase a sample resume with personal info first, then an objective, employment history, education, activities, honors and information about references.
OBJ ECTIVE Cooperative Education position related to manufacturing
EXPERIENCE Waiter, Boudreaux's, Blacksburg, VA Fall 2002 – present Work 20 hours per week to help fund college education.
Self-employed, Lawn care business, Frederick, MD Summer 2002 Solicited business through cold calls and visits. Increased customer base through referrals for quality work. Performed all necessary equipment maintenance and repairs. Covered all expenses and yielded net profit of $4000. Server, Family Restaurant, Frederick, MD, 1999 – 2001, High school & summers Trained on and used excellent customer service practices in fast-paced, work
environment. Participated in corporate program to increase sales; achieved all sales goals. Worked 40 or more hours per week in summers; worked 15 hours per week
during school year.
EDUCATION B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Expected graduation as a co-op: May 2004
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA GPA: 2.8/4.0 Earning and financing 50% of college education and expenses
ACTIVITIES Student Engineers Council (SEC), Membership Committee Chair, 2001-02 Symphonic Band, Virginia Tech, 2000-present Big Brother, Big Sister Program, 1999-2000 High School Varsity Baseball Team, 1998-2000 High School Symphonic Band, 1997-99
HONORS Maryland Distinguished Scholar, Honorable Mention, 2000 Scholar Athlete Award, 1999-2000 Merit Award, Honorable Mention, 1999 Media Festival, Photography Division
References Available on request
Frank Ian Lad 3833 Orange Blossom Road
Port Orange, FL 32129 386-555-0955
Parts of A Resume(Going from Top to the Bottom of a Resume)
• Personal Information(Your name, address, phone number and e-mail address) located at the top of the resume
• Objective: This states the position that you are applying for and can be omitted if the specific position is not known.
• Experience: List most recent job first, the title of your position and job duties, name of the company or person you worked for and location where the job duties were performed, and be sure to include the dates of when you were employed.
Parts of A Resume(In Order from Top To Bottom)
• Education: List your most recent education first(Include name of school, GPA, listed related classes that were taken)
• Personal Qualities: Could include accomplishments, additional skills(computer skills and interest)
• At the bottom of your resume include: References Available on Request.
References• What is a reference when discussing resumes
and the job application process?a. A person who is in a position to recommend another
or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job. b. A statement about a person's qualifications, character,
and dependability.
• Who would make a good resume reference?• 1) Past employers 2) Teachers 3) Community
Leaders
• Who would be a bad reference to list?• 1) Family members(most businesses ask that family
members not be included) 2) Anyone that you feel would not give a correct account of your abilities or character.
What to Include/Know About Your Reference
• Name• Title(Teacher, Vice President, Professor,
Mayor)• Name of the business/school/organization
in which your reference works• Address• Phone Number• E-Mail Address
How Many References & What Needs to be Included
• Usually it is best to list four references to allow the prospective employer several choices on who to contact.
• At the top of your reference page include all of the personal information from your resume.(Name, address, etc..)
• Below this include your references; you may want to insert a table to type in the information for each person (Remember to include all of the needed information so your reference can be contacted.) An example of a resume is on the next page.
Frank Ian Lad 3833 Orange Blossom Road
Port Orange, FL 32129 386-555-0955
Reference List
Ms. Mariah Fisch President National Steel Corporation 4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy. Mishawaka, IN 46545-3440 812-555-3200 [email protected]
Mr. Kevin O’Horn Vice President, Marketing The Quaker Oats Company Quaker Tower 321 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60610-4714 312-55-3930
Mr. C. Benjamin Riley Senior Project Manager Sprint Corporation 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Westwood, KS 66205 620-555-2903
Ms. Stephanie Thomas Quality Systems Director Sara Lee Corporation 3 First National Plaza Chicago, IL 60602-4260 312-555-2990
Dr. Scott Handy Professor of Marketing College of Business State University of New York Rochester, NY 14610 516-555-2029 [email protected]
Most Important Part Concerning References
• Rule #1: Ask your reference if it is alright for them to be contacted concerning your qualifications, character, and dependability
• Rule #2: Make sure to include correct contact information; if a question sheet is mailed to an incorrect address you may receive no reference information to back up your resume. For addresses and phone numbers use www.switchboard.com, www.whitepages.com or your local phone book/directory. Ensure that any information is correct by verifying it with your references.
Career Portfolio• Most people think that after obtaining a job they
should no longer worry about keeping current resumes, references, etc… On average most people experience 3-5 major career changes during their lifetime. In order to be better prepared a career portfolio should be built and maintained.