CHAPTER 13
SOLUTIONS
The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages
Critical Thinking Discussion Guide
11. The way candidates search for jobs and the way they are hired has changed
dramatically in the digital age. Name some of the changes that have taken place. In
your opinion, have the changes had a positive or a negative effect? Why? (L.O. 1)
Job searching and hiring for candidates and hiring managers have changed dramatically in
the digital age. In the distant past, candidates checked classified ads primarily in
12. Why do you think some businesses avoid advertising job openings? If jobs are
unlisted, how can candidates locate them? (L.O. 3)
Companies avoid advertising because doing so brings a flood of applications, many of
which are from people who do not meet the qualifications. In addition, companies would
13. Some employment authors claim that the paper résumé is dead or dying. What‘s
behind this assertion, and how should current job candidates respond? (L.O. 4)
In this digital age, the résumé is evolving, but the paper résumé is not disappearing.
14. Why might it be more effective to apply for unsolicited jobs than for advertised jobs?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of letters that prospect for jobs. (L.O. 6)
15. Millennials are frequently criticized for job hopping, but some career experts believe
that changing one’s job every few years is now common and might even benefit a
young worker’s career. Are millennials getting a bad rap? How is changing jobs good
or bad for your career? (L.O. 1–3)
From the employee’s view, changing jobs can bring a higher salary, increased
responsibilities, new skills, and greater job fulfillment. From the employer’s view, job
Radical Rewrites
13.1 Radical Rewrite: Rescuing a Slapdash Résumé (L.O. 4)
Weaknesses
a. Fails to present the name so that it can be easily read by a scanner.
b. Omits the area code for the telephone number.
13.1 Radical Rewrite: Rescuing a Slapdash Résumé
Revision
Elliana E. Estrada
1340 East Phillips Avenue, Apartment D
Littleton, CO 80126
Phone: (303) 455-5182 E-mail: eestrada@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE
Position with an accounting firm where my accounting education and financial consulting
experience can help the firm achieve its goals.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Expect BA degree with accounting major/finance minor in June 2019
• AA degree/certificate of completion in accounting
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
EDUCATION
Colorado State University, Pueblo, CO
• BA to be conferred in June 2019
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
EXPERIENCE
Primerica Financial Services, Pueblo, CO
Financial Consultant, January 2018 to present
• Applied communication skills in assisting clients in obtaining mortgages, consolidating
mortgage loans, and assessing life insurance needs
• Praised by supervisor for reliability and painstaking work
Target, Littleton, CO
Line Manager, September 2012-March 2016
• Developed team and leadership skills in supervising 22 cashiers and front-end associates
Mr. K’s Floral Design of Denver
Teacher, August 2012-September 2013
• Developed leadership skills by teaching courses in flower design to classes with an average
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
ACTIVITIES
13.2 Radical Rewrite: Inadequate Cover Letter (L.O. 6)
Weaknesses
a. Fails to use the receiver’s name in the salutation.
b. Neglects to identify the position title and specifically where the announcement appeared.
1340 East Phillips Avenue, Apt. D
835 South Prairie Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81005
Dear Ms. Robinson:
Please accept my application for the accounting internship position that I saw listed on the
Felder & Associates website on May 3.
Activities and Cases
13.3 Performing Self-Analysis Before the Job Search (L.O. 1)
Although this assignment takes time, it is invaluable because it encourages the kind of
13.4 Examining Your Job Credentials (L.O. 1, 4)
Persuade students to prepare these worksheets. They may resist, but with your
13.5 Investigating Your Future Career (L.O. 1)
Unless they are actively in the job market, students may appear uninterested in this
13.6 What Are You Worth? Finding Salary Information (L.O. 1)
Students should save or print wage information for their chosen occupations in their
selected geographic locations. Discuss with them what the percentages mean: 10 percent
13.7 Seeking a Compatible Position (L.O. 1)
Students are to save or print a job advertisement or announcement from (a) a job board
13.8 Sharing a Résumé on the Internet (L.O. 2)
Many, many websites encourage the posting of résumés. In a class discussion or in team
meetings, you might wish to have students discuss those sites that seemed most
13.9 Creating and Polishing Your Résumé (L.O. 4)
Have students submit drafts until their résumés and lists of references are perfect. You
13.10 Writing a Unique, Personable Cover Message (L.O. 6)
Discuss with your students whether a cover letter or e-mail is appropriate for the job of
their choice. It might be wise to start with a cover letter that they can e-mail if necessary.
13.11 Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search (L.O. 2)
Encouraging students to join LinkedIn is among the most important advice you can give
them. It’s never too soon for them to start building a reputable digital presence. LinkedIn
13.12 Enlisting Twitter in Your Job Search (L.O. 5)
This task is designed to acquaint students with the latest trends in job-search technology
and to learn how the Twitter job search works. However, this assignment offers other
13.13 Preparing Professional E-Portfolios (L.O. 5)
The goal of this activity is to introduce students to e-portfolios by showing them samples.
COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP: Ethics
Padding the Résumé: No Harm, No Foul?