CAREER RESOURCES: CHP 7 (Set I)

If you can start work right away, enter:

"Immediately" for Data Available

On a more practical note:

Unsigned applications cannot be processed

They use the forms to collect the following (1):

•Consistent information from every applicant so that they can compare applicants accurately and objectively

Bc salary is such an influential factor in employment, use:

"Negotiable" as the salary desired

They use the forms to collect the following (3):

Info needed to judge the type of employee the applicant would be, such as the reason for leaving each job

You will be asked for info that protects the employer if you are hired:

You must indicate that you are a U.S. citizen or have the legal right to work in the U.S., and you must indicate whether you are willing to take a drug test

Employers are not impressed with applicants who list:

"Anything" as the position desired; this hints of desperation, lack of confidence, or a lack of focus or direction

Most important of all, you answer the all-important questions in the mind of every person who reads a cover letter:

"how will this person help us?" and "Should I take the time to look at the resume?"

Not every job application requires a cover letter and resume:

A preprinted application form by itself may be all you need to apply to an organization where many people have the same job (a discount retailer or a national restaurant chain for example)

They use the forms to collect the following (4):

Background and legal info needed to make a job offer, such as SSN and proof of citizenship or proof of legal right to work in the U.S.

Following directions is important to employers:

Be sure to demonstrate this ability when you apply for a job

Do not leave any section of a form:

Blank; either enter NA or N/A if a question does not apply to you

Never visit an employer's place of business without dressing conservatively and looking professional:

Business casual is fine; you could be invited to meet with manager and even interview on teh spot

Some applications specify that references be people other than former employers or supervisors:

Consider teachers, members of volunteer orgs, and members of your network who know your skills and capabilities

Submitting your resume without a cover letter could:

Cost you further consideration for employment

Filling in applications by hand includes:

DECIDING HOW TO SUMMARIZE THE INFORMATION IN YOUR RESUME TO FIT IN THE space provided

Before you fill in the application:

Decide which information to put in the education section and which to put in the employment section

Note that you can only be asked about convictions:

Employers are not permitted to ask if you have been arrested

Ask for two copies of an application or photocopy the app and:

Fill in a practice form so taht you can do your best work

If you apply in person at a small business, you will probably be given a blank application to fill in by hand:

Fill in the application at home and return the completed form with a customized version of our print resume and, optionally a cover letter

A safe answer to "why do you want to work here":

I looked at your website and was impressed by (be sure you have looked at the site, of course)

Any misrepresentation on your part would be:

Identified, and you would be eliminated from consideration for the job

Search the employer's website for an application you can print and use as a practice version:

If you can't get an application ahead of time, get one from a competitor or a related organization

Call or visit if you haven't heard from the org within a week:

If you really want the job, go in person and leave a copy of your resume

Applications are searched for information (education, work, experience, etc), if you omit:

Important info, your application may be passed over

Create a filing system for all of your apps:

Include a sheet of paper with the manager's name and contact info and any notes about the application process

They use the forms to collect the following (2):

Info needed to evaluate an applicant's qualifications and match with the job, such as the starting and ending salary for previous jobs

If the form asks for a second phone number:

List a phone number where messages can be left; provide a working email address that you check regularly

If the position is advertised at a set, nonnegotiable salary:

List that figure

If you attended more than one post-secondary educational institution:

List the most recent one first and work back to the first one you attended

Employers judge:

Neatness, completeness, and the quality of the answers; it usually takes more than one try to achieve the wording and effect you want

Don't risk eliminating yourself before you have a chance to:

Present your qualifications at an interview; save any discussion of salary until the employer has expressed a definite interest in you

Your letter demonstrates the type of:

Professionalism and initiative they want employees to have and shows that you take assignments seriously and do them well

An effective cover letter highlights your most important:

Qualifications and emphasizes how those qualifications can meet the employer's needs

On an application, read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly, before you pick up a pen:

Read the entire application to see how sections are related and which sections require more or less detailed answers; this will help you avoid duplicating information, ensure that you enter info in the right places and learn what other information you may need

If the application asks for a current address and a permanent address:

Repeat your current address in the permanent address section rather than leave it blank

If you are applying at a small business:

Return the app with a copy of your resume

Many employers require online applications, others:

Scan paper applications and file the information electronically

If necessary, attach a:

Separate keyed list of additional schools attended

You may be asked to take a survey or an employment test:

So allow plenty of time for your visit; you do not want to miss out on an opportunity bc you have to rush to another obligation

Some applications have questions that require detailed answers:

Some organizations ask questions tht test applicant's knowledge of the job or career field.

If you pick up an application in person and plan to fill it in by hand:

Take the form home with you: do not fill it in on the spt

Application cover letter:

The applicant responds to an advertised opening and states his or her interest in and qualifications for that job

Prospecting cover letter:

The applicant writes to a prospective employer to ask about possible job openings when none have been advertised

Employers design application forms to get:

The info they consider most important to making hiring decisions

our signature certifies that:

The information in your app is true and correct

List a definite position objective, title, or number. If you submit your application online:

The scanning software will use this information to match your application to the job you are applying for

Remember that you must talk to your references in advance and get:

Their permission to list them on an application

Job seekers use three types of letters depending on:

Their purpose and the type of job they seek

List three professional or personal references; whenever possible:

Tie your references directly to your work experience

If you are currently employed, think about the amount of notice you will give:

Typically two weeks; you may be asked about your available days, hours, or shifts and your willingness to relocate

Additional information section:

Which is sometimes at the beginning of an application, collects information the employer needs to have on file before offering you a job, such as alternative names you used in the past and info about any felony and misdemeanor convictions

Be prepared to answer the question:

Why do you want to work here; this question may be tricky to answer if the job is not your ideal choice

Many job seekers think of the application as something to get through quickly so that they can get on with the interview:

Wrong - employers carefully consider employment application forms, cover letters, and resumes

The cover letter also indicates that:

You are serious about this particular job opening

Because an employment application is a legal document, when you sign the form:

You literally take an oath that the information you provided is true and accurate (or in an online form, when you check the box indicating that the information is correct

Answer these questions truthfully and indicate "will discuss at interview":

Your best option is to explain any negative history in person, where you must be prepared to take responsibility for your actions, and explain what you learned

If so, the investigative report could include info about:

Your criminal record, education, credit history and driving record

A cover letter is:

a letter of inquiry or introduction that introduces you to a prospective employer

Create a plain text application "data sheet" with:

all the info you will need

The application will probably inform you that the employer may procure:

an investigative consumer report on you as apart of considering your application

They use these documents to select interviewees and to weed out people who do not look to be qualified on paper:

applications, cover letters and resumes

In a cover letter - You state your interest in the advertised position or:

ask about openings in the organization

Ask if you can give your application to the manager:

be gracious if the answer is no and ask for the manager's name and the name of the person who takes the app

The sole purpose of the data sheet is:

for your own use when filling in job applications

See the feature "Respect Your References" for:

important information about safeguarding your references' telephone numbers

If the application does not have a separate section for military service:

list it in your employment history

List your most recent job first:

most forms ask for the month and year you started and stopped each job

You may be able to fill in a preprinted application:

or you may need to apply online through the company website or at an application kiosk

If you attended more than one high school, list the most recent one you attended and indicate:

the year you received your diploma; list your GPA only if it is requested or if it is high

your cover letter must be an excellent first impression; it must be:

well written, be designed to get the reader's attention and interest, and provide info that convinces the reader to read your resume and offer you an interview

Because the data sheet is a plain text file:

you can paste text from it into an online application form

Personal information section:

you provide name, address, contact info, SSN and info about any history with the organization

Even if a job listing does not mention a cover letter:

your employers expect you to include one

List all schools/colleges attended:

your major, your degree/diploma, and your graduation dates

Follow these tips to make the best impression when you apply for job in person with a preprinted paper job application:

•Look the part and be ready to interview •Bring your driver's license or other proof of identification •Come alone and do not conduct any business during your visit •Proofread the app carefully •Sign and date the application •Keep a copy of the application •Ask to meet the manager when you return the application •Check back in a week if you don't hear from anyone

It is acceptable to write:

"upon hiring" in the field for your SSN

An employment application or job application is:

A form with a set of questions used to collect info about a job applicant's skills, qualifications, and experience

Networking letter:

A job seeker contacts member of his or her network to request info or assistance with the job search

Every resume you submit should have:

A matching cover letter

Do not order food or come to the:

Customer service desk carrying a bag of purchases

This is just one reason it is important to read:

Every word of an application carefully

If the form has a space to list additional info:

include items such as subjects of study, research, special skills (such as a foreign language), or other activities

If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, you will be asked:

About the nature of the crime, when and where you were convicted, and the disposition of the case

If an application asks permission to contact your current employer:

Answer yes only if your employer is aware of your job search and approves; otherwise, protect your current job by answering no

Treat every question seriously and answer it completely:

Applicants who submit incomplete applications with mistakes are the first to be eliminated

The application is your "ambassador"; make sure it represents you well:

Check it for accuracy, neatness, completeness and quality of your answers

Most prospective employers value good references form:

Former reputable employers bc former employers know firsthand how you performed at work

Employers use a variety of application formats, the length and complexity of forms vary greatly:

From preprinted paper forms to sophisticated online forms

Be sure to get the manager's:

Full name; prepare by studying the interview chapters in this book

You may lose valuable time - and face - if the organization:

Has to take the extra step of asking you to sign your application

Also give examples of your capabilities and activities that relate to your objective:

Summarize the info and use abbreviations if space is tight