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GE1206Accelerating Professional

Growth on the Web

Week 8Job Application Strategy &

Application Letters

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Learning Outcomes

• Name the different strategies for job hunting.

• Understand the importance of pursuing active job hunting strategies.

• Describe the essential elements of a cover letter.

• Know how to write a proper cover letter.

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Discussion

• Think of 5 different ways to hunt for a job apart from going to job posting sites.

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Job Search Strategy

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The (researched) Ways of Job Hunt

Source: CAIO

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Common Ways for Employers to Look for Employees?

1. From within: promote FT or convert part-time or former interns

2. Use of referral: a trusted friend or business colleague or employee

3. Having someone daring to approach with proof of their work potential

4. Use of an employment agency5. Use of job ad (online or paper)6. Use the previously collected resume (in their

databank)

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The Breakdown

• From the applicant pool (~25%)– To fill an open position– Organization goes through the recruitment process

• A created position (<5%)– A hiring manager and job seeker discuss the need. The job creates

around the job seeker’s skills.

• From the known and impressive candidate (~70%)– The hiring manager knows several qualified people and has them

in mind as a position opens up.– Most often, he/she hires the known candidate.

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Another Survey

• By National Business Employment Weekly in US on 1500 successful job applicants– 67% got their jobs through networking– 11% by answering an ad– 2% by sending out resumes and filling out applications

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How to Make Yourself Known?

• Go to seminar and events• Go to career fairs, company visits• Join professional societies – student membership• Through mentoring schemes, e.g. alumni mentoring• Volunteering• Interning• Part-time jobs• Social network – through friends and relatives

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Strategy

• The message??• Make sure you possess “2As”• Build your contacts and relationships –

Networking– Friends, family, relatives, professors, friends of friends– People you meet and exchanged names in functions,

events, seminars, internships, exchange, trips etc.

Active rather than passive !

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Overcome the Fear of Networking

• Many people truly enjoy talking about themselves and their profession and the difficulties they had in pursuing a career – especially to those who are enthusiastic about the profession.

• Many like to talk to motivated young people – because they are not that common nowadays.

• Prepare yourself first.• One useful soft skill you need to develop.• Send an email after the first meeting.

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Cover Letter Basics

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Cover Letters

• What is a cover letter for?

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Sample Letter

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Basic Components

• Sender’s address• Date• Receiver’s address• Salutation• Body• Complimentary Close• Enclosures• Sample from CAIO

– http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/caio/images/LetterResume/Letter_Sample.pdf

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Date

• Use the US date format if it’s a US organization, e.g. August 20, 2012

• Can simply left justify the date

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Receiver’s Address

• Name, title, followed by the address• Left justified

Janet YuHuman Resource ManagerABC Company Ltd.123 Tat Chee AvenueKowloon

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Salutation

• Dear Ms Yu:• Dear Sir or Madam:• Dear Mr Chan:• Follow by colon or comma• Don’t use the first name in your salutation

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Body

• It’s clearer to have a subject at the beginning.Application for xxxx (Ref xxx)• Start with

– With reference to your advertisement ….– In response to your advertisement ….– I am writing to …

• Refer to the sample– http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletterwriting/a/cover-letter-bod

y.htm

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Body (cont’d)

• Focus on what you can do for them rather than why you want the position.

• Highlight your most significant accomplishments, abilities, and experiences that are specifically relevant to the employer and job requirements.

• Sell your credentials - your mission is to prove you should be invited to an interview. Make reference to enclosures.

• Do not simply repeat your resume but point out important experiences and key assets - show some of this to demonstrate to the employer your personal qualities that cannot be indicated on a resume.

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Complimentary Close

• Yours sincerely for Dear Ms. xxx• Yours faithfully for Dear Sir/Madam• Left-justify

Yours sincerelyLeave room for your signatureYour name

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Formatting

• Margins around one inch• Spacing between different sections and

paragraphs• Font size no less than 11• Use an ordinary font

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Sending Cover Letter by Email

• Can include it in the email message• Follow the instruction by the employer (As a

separate document, or put the cover letter and the resume in the same document )

• Have a clear subject – include the job reference number

• Include contact information after your name

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Sample Cover Letter -Layout & Content

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Tips for Cover Letter

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What is the Cover Letter for?

• Gain the attention of the recruiter and persuade them to invite you for an interview.

• Outline the main ways in which you meet the requirements of the job and can contribute to the company's business.

• Draw attention to "something extra", making you stand out from the other applicants.

And,• Demonstrate that you understand the job and the

company's business. • Express your interest and energy.

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Tips for Cover Letter

• Need to be customized– Targeted for the job– Address the requirements; focus on employer’s needs

• Don’t repeat your resume too much, be selective and rephrase and elaborate if necessary.

• Include the job reference.• Have it in one page.• Free of typos and grammatical errors.• Not too many “I”s self-centered.

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Addressing the Requirements - Examples

• Requirement: Communication skills – Five years of public speaking experience and an extensive

background in executive-level report.

• Requirement: The need for a strong computer background– Proficiency in all MS Office applications with additional expertise

in Web site development and design acquired through my internship at xxx.

• Requirement: Leadership skills– My leadership experience includes serving as a backpacking trip

leader for an on-campus club that coordinated outdoor adventures. I also designed and implemented ropes programs for community groups of up to 100 participants.

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Sample - Opening• Enclosed please find my resume in response to your recent advertisement for a

_______________ (position). This position is of great interest to me, since your requirements and my background are very similar.

• I am writing in response to your advertisement to present my credentials for the position of _______________, a position for which I feel I am extremely well qualified.

• I saw, with interest, your ad in the _______________ for the position of _______________. I am enclosing my resume for your review and hope to meet with you to discuss this exciting opportunity.

• In response to your ad in the _______________, regarding the _______________ position, I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your review and consideration.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as my __________ experience, qualify me as a candidate for your _______________ position, as advertised in __________ on _______________.

• I would like to apply for the _______________ position listed in the _______________. Enclosed is my resume, which clearly demonstrates my diverse _______________ experience.

• While browsing the job listings at _______________ (web site), I found your opening for the a/an _______________. I am submitting my resume to apply for this position.

Source: Resume Maker

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Sample - Body

• The position of _______________ requires experience with _______________, _______________, and _______________. In my _______________ years with _______________ (company), I was responsible for _______________. My work reflects a high level of motivation, efficiency, and ability to meet objectives.

• I will receive my _______________ degree from _______________ (school) on _______________ (date). My studies have been focused in the area of _______________, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning and expanding my skills.

• I am known to be attentive to detail, strong-willed, self-correcting, perceptive, and industrious. I can bring enthusiasm to team projects and encourage others to develop workable ideas.

• I feel that I have the qualifications you are looking for. Some of my past successes include _______________ (examples).

Source: Resume Maker

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Sample - Closing

• I would welcome the opportunity to meet you and to further discuss your requirements. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

• If you need someone who has both the technical and people skills to succeed as a/an _______________, I am that person. I am requesting a personal interview with you at your earliest convenience. Hopefully this can be arranged so that a beneficial and mutually rewarding relationship can be established. Thank you for your time and consideration.

• I will call you next week to confirm your receipt of my resume and to determine whether I am the type of candidate you are seeking. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Source: Resume Maker

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Writing a Cover Letter

• Test your knowledge on cover letter writing in Blackboard.

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References

• Jobsearch.about.com• Monster.com.hk

– Lots of tips in its Career Centre

• www.cityu.edu.hk/caio