chapter 14 finding and obtaining employment

Dobrin / Weisser / Keller: Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century. © 2010 Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 14Chapter 14

Finding and Obtaining Finding and Obtaining EmploymentEmployment


Gather Textual InformationGather Textual Information

Begin Now

Use resources from the library, Internet, or school's placement center

Get a sense of the jobs available in your field, and the requirements they entail


Interview ExpertsInterview Experts Begin Now

Be clear that you're looking for information, not a job interview

Prepare by developing questions to ask

Be conversational, and remember that this is a way to cultivate relationships


Interact with ProfessionalsInteract with Professionals

Begin Now

Browse online networking sites like LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook

Join professional organizations

Attend conferences and meetings, which often welcome new members


Apply for Training orApply for Training orVolunteer ProgramsVolunteer Programs

Begin Now

Gain valuable experience related to your field

Set yourself apart from other candidates applying for the same job

Make sure you volunteer for the right ethical reasons


Begin a Working RésuméBegin a Working Résuméor Personal Data Fileor Personal Data File

Begin Now

To keep track of employment-related names, dates, experiences, and qualifications

To see gaps in your training or experience

To have information available for those who might recommend you


Request ReferencesRequest References One Year before Graduation

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 providing a recommendation request letter


Compile a Dossier orCompile a Dossier orPortfolioPortfolio

One Year before Graduation

Dossiers contain the basic credentials and materials needed for job searches Dossier services can maintain the dossier for you,

eliminating the danger of losing documents

Portfolios contain documents and visuals that represent your best work Design the portfolio to suit the job being applied

for Offer to send it, or bring it to an interview


Begin Your Job SearchBegin Your Job Search Six Months Before Your Graduation

By applying directly to employers By contacting your personal network By searching online By searching newspapers and journal listings By searching professional journals and

catalogs By using your college’s placement service By using a professional placement service


Your ability to communicate Your ability to communicate effectively in job related effectively in job related documents might determine documents might determine whether you get interviewed whether you get interviewed for a job.for a job.


RecommendationRecommendationRequest LettersRequest 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


RecommendationRecommendationRequest LettersRequest Letters

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

Should thank the individual for considering your request, but should not assume they will write the letter


Letters of InquiryLetters of Inquiry Are sent to organizations that do not

currently have jobs available in your field

Give companies a chance to learn about potential employees and future prospects

Should request an informal interview with someone who is both highly-ranked and knowledgeable

Should mention the writer’s qualifications


Letters of InquiryLetters of Inquiry Should suggest why you contacted the

organization

Should include a résumé

Should provide pertinent contact information

Should propose to meet with them at their convenience

Should thank the individual for considering your request for an interview


Your RésuméYour Résumé Contains key information about your

experience and training

Is the main tool for getting a job interview

Can be a “chronological résumé” to highlight experience Emphasizing degrees, job titles, and dates

Can be a “skills résumé” Emphasizing experience and skills


Résumés May ContainRésumés May Contain Contact Information Career Objective Education Experience Honors and Awards Activities References


Contact InformationContact 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


Career ObjectivesCareer Objectives Might be included for those beginning a

career or switching to a new one

Informs readers about your 5-10 year goals

Should be kept short and realistic

Should be specifically written for the job for which you are applying


EducationEducation 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


ExperienceExperience Lists any employment since high school:

part-time jobs summer employment military training or experience 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 the dates you worked for them


Honors and AwardsHonors and Awards Emphasizes accomplishments in school,

work, and service

Can include: Scholarships and Fellowships Academic or service awards Nominations for awards Publications Academic honor societies


ActivitiesActivities 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 Activities that highlight special skills, abilities,

or responsibility, such as school band or scout leader


ReferencesReferences May be included in the résumé, included on a

separate page, or made “available upon request”

Are listed on your résumé, usually including three references and their contact information

Includes the referees’ full names and titles

Includes their full mailing addresses, work phone numbers, and email addresses


Design ElementsDesign Elements Should make the information clear, accessible,

and easy to locate

Should arrange elements 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


Online RésumésOnline Résumés Online résumés give a “high-tech”

impression of you and your information.

Each should incorporate: An email link Keywords so it is friendly for search engines Internal links to allow readers to easily

navigate from one part of the résumé A downloadable, print-based versions of your

résumé


Online RésumésOnline Résumés Design elements to consider:

A front page containing links to various sections of your résumé

A few simple and professional graphics or perhaps a photo of yourself

A short quote about you from one of your referees

Do not include: Your mailing address & phone number


Scannable RésumésScannable 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


Scannable RésumésScannable Résumés Avoid underlining, italics, or boldface text Use specific keywords and terms common in

your profession Avoid indented text or columns Use a ragged right margin (left-justification) Delete any graphics List each phone number on a separate line Save as plain text or ASCII


Curriculum VitaeCurriculum Vitae A particular type of résumé that outlines your

credentials for an academic position, graduate school application, fellowship, or grant

CVs include: Educational institutions attended Degrees received Positions held Presentations delivered Publications authored Professional affiliations Languages spoken


Transnational RésumésTransnational Résumés Some audiences may expect much more

detail, including personal details.

Details like education and job experiences may not translate exactly.

Consult with experts to know what is required for particular audiences.


Ethics and RésumésEthics 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.


Cover LettersCover Letters Provide interesting and useful details

about the writer

Emphasize the most important qualities that make you attractive to the employer

Highlight qualifications and experiences that set you apart from other candidates


Cover Letters Cover Letters ContainContain

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 that refers to the résumé and any other documents included in the application


Preparing for InterviewsPreparing 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 Take care of grooming and clothing in

advance


When Participating When Participating in Interviewsin 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



Beginning of Interview Expect casual questions and answer them

without being flippant or too casual

Middle of Interview Answer questions in ways that highlight your

strengths Be specific with your responses, but not effusive Remain calm and cool, even if asked questions

that seem unfair, confusing, or unanswerable



Conclusion of Interview Ask two or three questions that demonstrate

your abilities and your genuine interest in working for the company

Thank them for considering you for the position


Follow-Up LettersFollow-Up Letters Should be sent 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

Encourage the interviewer to remember you when making the hiring decision


Negotiating andNegotiating andAccepting Job OffersAccepting Job Offers

Focus on the positive Ask for 24 hours to decide Be patient if the negotiations take some time Be firm but flexible on salary or benefits Call other companies that might be

interested Look at the big picture when deciding

between two offers Don’t haggle over minor details


Job Acceptance LettersJob Acceptance Letters State your acceptance in the first

sentence

Express your appreciation and enthusiasm

Briefly describe the terms of your employment

Limit to one page


Job Rejection LettersJob Rejection Letters Be brief and clear, declining the offer in the

first paragraph

Provide one or two sentences explaining why you are declining the offer, if appropriate

Avoid saying anything negative

Conclude by thanking the employer for the offer

chapter 14 finding and obtaining employment

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