Chapter 15: Applying for a job

The process for preparing job-application materials includes several steps

1.study the organizations to which you're applying 2.determine what type of resume to prepare, and elaborate on key points from your resume in your job-application letter 3.Revise, edit, and proofread your documents, and ask several people to review them

some resumes contain additional information

computer skills military experience language ability willingness to relocate

6 guidelines in presenting your professional brand

create a strong online presence participate on LinkedIn participate on Faceboook participate on Twitter create a business card practice an "elevator pitch" about your credentials

Present these details about your employment history in a chronological resume

dates of employment each organization's name and location your position or title a two-or-three description of each position list your job in reverse chronological order

Present these details about your employment history in a chronological resume

dates of employment each organization's name and location your positions or title a two- or three line description of each position list your jobs in reverse chronological order

Three suggestions when preparing references

decide whether and how you want to present references carefully give the potential reference writer and opportunity to decline gracefully

In planning a job search, carry out these four tasks

do a self-inventory learn about potential employers prepare a resume and (perhaps) a job-application letter put your portfolio items online

7 seven questions before a job interview

how long should your answers be? How do you know when the interviewer wishes to end the interview? How can you get the interview's contact information so you can write a follow-up letter

A chronological resume has 6 elements

identifying information summary statement education employment history interests and activities references

A plain-text resume has these characteristics

it has no special characters it has a line length of 65 or fewer characters it uses a non proportional typeface such as Courier most of the information is left justified it uses all uppercase or repeated characters for emphasis

Experts agree that job-application letters are important

job application letters serve as a space where candidates can describe how their skills match the position address issues such as employment gaps and note professional relationship with current employees demonstrate their writing skills

Writer one or more of these four follow-up letters after in the interview

letter of appreciation after an interview letter accepting a job offer letter rejecting a job offer letter acknowledging a rejection

4 guidelines when elaborating on your education

list your grade-point average if it is above the median for your graduating class compile a list of courses describe a special accomplishment list honors and awards you received

include information about your interests and activities

participation in community-service organizations hobbies related to your career sports, especially those that might be socially useful in your professional career university-sanctioned activities

5 guidelines in developing your professional brand

research what others have done tell the truth communicate professionally describe your job skills focus on problem-solving and accomplishments

Discuss these details about particularly relevant or important jobs

skills equipment money documents personnel clients emphasize accomplishments use strong verbs in the active voice

6 guidelines when preparing for a job interview

study job interviews study the organization to which you applied think about what you can offer the organization study lists of common interview questions compile a list of questions you wish to ask rehearse for the interview

4 major ways to find a job

through an organization's website through a job board on the Internet through your network through a college or university placement office or professional placement bureau

Applying for a Job

understanding the job-application process establishing your professional brand finding the right resumes writing job-application letter preparing for a job interview following up after an interview

5 guidelines when building a LinkedIn profile

use the profile section fully include a picture post updates write unique invitation requests write unique invitations to connect

7 questions before a job interview (1 of 2)

when should you arrive for the interview? what should you wear? how might interviewers interpret your body language? what questions are you likely to be asked

4 questions before posting to a job board

who has access to your resume how will you know if an employer requests your resume can you current employer see your resume can you update you resume at no cost

3 reasons to write your own resume

you know yourself better than anyone else does employment officers know the style of the local agencies if you write your own resume, you will be more likely to adapt it to different situations

5 elements in the education section of a chronological resume

your degree the institution the location of the institution your date of graduation information about other schools you attended list the institutions in reverse chronological order

another type of resume is a skills resume

a skills resume contains a separate section enumerating job skills and knowledge this employment section in a skills resume contains a brief list of information about your employment history: companies, dates of employment, and positions