get the job you want your résumé: your first contact employers use résumés to choose a short...

Get the Job You WantGet the Job You Want

Your Résumé: Your First ContactEmployers use résumés to choose a short list of applicants to invite to a job interview.

What Makes a Résumé Effective? When creating your résumé, you should: Limit it to one page

Make sure the information that is most relevant to the job is easy to find

Keep sentences short

Use bullet points whenever possible

Proofread for spelling, grammatical, or formatting mistakes

résumé A summary of your skills, abilities, education, work history, and achievements.

job interview A formal meeting between an employer and a job applicant.


pg. 470-47815.1 Write Your Résumé

Two Résumé FormatsThe two most common résumé formats are: Chronological résumé

Skills résumé

Electronic RésumésA résumé submitted by e-mail should: Use simple formatting

Include key words that will catch your prospective employer’s attention


pg. 470-47815.1 Write Your Résumé

Cover LettersYour cover letter should: Include your contact information

Introduce you in one sentence

Specify the job for which you are applying

Highlight specific skills or accomplishments you feel make you a good candidate for the job

Include a final paragraph that asks for an interview

E-mail Cover LettersFormatting may be lost when you send your cover letter and résumé in the body of an e-mail, so it is best to also send both as attachments.

cover letter A short letter you send along with a résumé, specifying the job you are interested in and highlighting specific skills or accomplishments you feel make you a good candidate for the job.


pg. 47821st CENTURY CONNECTION

Résumé Dos and Don’ts

DosTo create an effective résumé, do: Match your experience and capabilities with the job’s

requirements as much as possible Keep sentences, paragraphs, and bullets short Start sentences with a verb Use a plain 10- or 12-point font for the body of the

résumé Use bold or italic formatting sparingly Include a cover letter Proofread your résumé and cover letter carefully Print any hard copies of your résumé on good quality,

opaque white bond paper Examine any hard copies to ensure that they have

printed clearly



Résumé Dos and Don’ts

Don’tsWhen writing your résumé, do not: Lie Include anything negative or critical about yourself or a

previous employer Include irrelevant personal interests or hobbies Include references Use pronouns in your descriptions Include family information Include jokes, humor, or slang Include anything about salary, either previous or desired


pg. 479-48115.2 Find Job Openings

Help Wanted!Some common Help Wanted categories you might find in newspapers are: General

Professional

Education

Technical

Job BanksA local employment office’s job bank lists: Local, state, and federal government positions

Jobs from private industry employers



Job FairsAt a job fair, you can: Meet representatives of many different companies

Talk to company representatives face to face about employment opportunities

Job RecruitersJob recruiters seek future employees for large companies by: Visiting community colleges, universities, and local job

fairs

Matching a person’s skills to the needs of open positions



Jobs OnlineYou can use the Internet to: Search for jobs

Fill out a preliminary screening application

Post your résumé online

Find out about jobs in other parts of the country or world


pg. 482-48415.3 Fill Out Job Application Forms

Job Application FormsWhen you apply for a job, you will need at least three references, usually adults such as your: Teacher

Coach

Internship supervisor

reference The name of a person an employer can contact to find out about a job applicant.


pg. 482-48415.3 Fill Out Job Application Forms

Legal Information on the Application FormA job application may include: Work rules

A request for proof of identity and legal work authorization

Notification about pre-employment drug screening

Disclaimers

Employment-at-will statement

Statement of confidentiality

employment-at-will Employment that can be terminated with or without cause by the employer.



Job Application Essentials

Basic Guidelines Some guidelines for filling out a job application include: Reading through the entire application carefully before

filling it out Asking questions if needed Either typing your information onto the form or using

blue or black ink Bringing your driver’s license, Social Security card,

reference information, and a copy of your résumé Being honest on your application Including any relevant activities or occasional jobs you

have had Listing any academic honors, awards, or community

service



Job Application Essentials

Final Steps Before handing in your job application, be sure to: Proofread carefully

Make a copy of the completed application for your personal files

Mail the application in a large envelope so it does not get creased or folded


pg. 485-48615.4 Manage Your Job Search

Organizing Your Job SearchSet up a job lead tracking system using: Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

Database software

Address Book and To Do applications of your PDA

You can also use this system to track: Referrals

Networking contacts

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