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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
message can be sent over email or sent via regular mail. If the interviewee knows a hiring decision will
be made before a thank-you note could arrive via regular mail, an email may be the best
Learning Objective: 15-07
Difficulty: Medium
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Blooms: Apply
Continuing Job Search Activities
Slide 15-37
Students should understand that the résumé and cover letter are dynamic, not static, documents. The
résumé and cover letter they write for this class should look different next semester (and the semester
professional organizations relevant to their desired career choices.
As you progress through your career, you will write a variety of messages. Being able to tailor your
messages to the audience and purpose will serve you well.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Power Charge Your Professionalism: Editing Exercise
Ready, Set, Edit!
As your instructor directs,
1. Punctuate the message correctly using commas, colons, and semicolons. Cite the
correctness standard from Reference Chapter A that you applied.
2. Applying what you learned in Chapter 9, indicate how you would revise the message to
3. Retype the message to reflect the revisions you indicated in Steps 1 and 2.
July 1, 2019
Ms. Elizabeth Sampson
10586 California Avenue
Hayward, WI 54843
Dear Ms. Sampson:
This letter is to inform you that, as per your request, <Cma 4–3>I have completed a review of
those documents.
My review of this matter has came come to the same conclusion as Carl’s. Unfortunately, we simply
cannot honor your claim;<SC 1> the current survey of your property and Mr. Dodge’s property
Sincerely,
Ryan Bayes, CPCU, AIC, AIS
Nelson Insurance: Field Claims Manager
Phone: 715-432-4321, ext. 4
Email: rbayes@nelsoninsurance.com
Suggested revision:
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Thank you for your recent claim and the detailed information you provided regarding the unfortunate
damage to your property, which occurred during the recent storm.
Nelson Insurance has looked into the matter, and we were able to secure a copy of the most recent
property survey. This survey confirms the findings of our field claims representative, Carl Anderson:
has used in the past—you can be sure that the contacts on this list are trustworthy and reliable, and will
be able to help you with the repairs to your home, should you choose to contact them.
Please feel free to call me at the number listed below if you have any questions about the survey or our
findings; I’ll be glad to help you if I can.
If you need additional practice, be sure to visit the grammar, mechanics, and punctuation exercises in
LearnSmart Achieve.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Critical-Thinking Questions
1. “Building a network of contacts to find jobs seems selfish. It involves acquiring
friendships just to use them for one’s personal benefit.” Discuss this view. (LO1)
This argument can be supported, for you can “use” people in building a network of contacts. A
counterargument is that you don’t have to “use” people in these efforts. In fact, you can form
2. Do employers who offer unpaid internships take unfair advantage of students’
knowledge and skills? Under what circumstances might it be a good idea to take an
unpaid internship? When might it not be a good idea? (LO1)
The argument that some employers who offer unpaid internships take advantage of students
can be supported. Some less ethical organizations will justify hiring students for free labor
under the guise of an internship, asking them to do menial tasks without giving them any
3. Maryann Brennan followed a broad program of study in college and received a degree in
general management.
She did her best work in English, especially in the writing courses. She also did well in
history, managerial leadership, organizational behavior, and psychology. As much as she
could, she avoided math and computer courses.
Her overall grade point average of 3.7 (4.0 basis) placed her in the top 10 percent of her
class. What advice would you give her as she begins her search for a career job? (LO1–
LO3)
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
apply for work that requires these abilities—for example, general management, sales, or work
for which the employer provides a training program for beginning employees. In fact, she
could apply for any work other than in specialized fields such as finance, accounting, or
computer science. Even so, she would be advised to overcome her limitations in these areas in
the coming years.
4. Discuss the value of each of the sources for finding jobs (a) before an internship, (b) right
after graduation, and (c) after 20 years of work in a specialty. (LO1–LO3)
A university career center would be a very good source before an internship or right after
graduation. In most cases, after 20 years, it would not. However, some universities are
beginning to initiate services for their alumni.
Online databases are useful before internships, immediately after graduation and after working
20 years. They can be searched to filter the most appropriate jobs in the candidate’s area of
interest and expertise. Also, they are an easy way to stay abreast of the current openings and
skills needed for various types of jobs. These databases can be used to locate openings either
within the candidate’s current firm or location as well as openings across the country.
5. Assume that, in an interview for the job you want, you are asked the questions listed in
the text under the heading “Anticipating Questions and Preparing Answers.” Answer
6. The most popular arrangement of résumé information is the reverse chronological order
with a three-part grouping: education, experience, and personal details. Describe two
other arrangements. When would each be used? (LO4)
7. Distinguish between the print résumé and the electronic résumé. When would each be
most appropriate? (LO4)
The print résumé is used in situations where the candidate is face-to-face with an employer or
when applying by mail. The traditional and scannable print résumés differ in format, noun and
verb emphasis, and keyword sections. The traditional print résumé uses strong action verbs in
8. What is meant by parallelism of headings? (LO4)
9. Describe the cover message and résumé you would write (a) immediately after
graduation, (b) 10 years later, and (c) 25 years later. Point out similarities and
differences, and defend your decisions. (LO2, LO4, LO5)
Each student’s description should emphasize the changing emphasis in content over time.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
10. What differences would you suggest in writing cover messages for jobs in (a) accounting,
(b) banking, (c) advertising copy writing, (d) management, (e) sales, (f) consulting, and
(g) information systems? (LO5)
11. Discuss the appropriateness of beginning a cover message with these words: “This is to
apply for . . .” and “I would like to. . . . ” (LO5)
12. How should you end a cover message? (LO5)
13. Discuss some of the advantages that writing a thank-you note to the interviewer gives the
writer. (LO7)
14. Identify some of the benefits one gains from continuing to read professional journals for
job information after one is employed. (LO8)
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Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Skills-Building Exercises
1. Criticize the following excerpts from résumés. (They are not from the same résumé.)
(LO4)
a. Work Experience
2016–2019 Employed as sales rep for Lloyd-Shanks
Tool Company
2015–2016 Office manager, Drago Plumbing Supply, Toronto
2014–2015 Matson’s Super Stores. I worked part time as sales clerk while
attending college.
2) The third job shifts from first to third person.
3) Only the second one has the location of the employer.
b. References
Mr. Carl T. Whitesides
Sunrise Insurance, Inc.
317 Forrest Lane
Dover, DE 19901-6452
D. W. Boozer
Boozer Industries
Baltimore, MD 21202
2) Addresses not complete. Street information missing on two.
3) Email addresses and phone numbers would be useful to the employer.
c. Qualifications
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
2) Parallelism errors are present (he knows, he is experienced, I know, he is
knowledgeable, he has proven).
3) More powerful action-oriented verbs are needed (e.g., motivate salespeople,
screen applicants, select sales people).
d. Education
2018 Graduated from Tippen H.S. (I was in top 10 percent of class.)
2020 BS from Bradley University with major in marketing
2016 to present Enrolled part time in MBA program at present the University of
Phoenix
1) The first one is in first person. Also, it is questionable information, especially
if college work also is presented.
2. Criticize these sentences from cover messages. (LO5)
Beginning Sentences
a. Please consider this my application for any position for which my training and
experience qualify me.
b. Mr. Jerry Bono of your staff has told me about a vacancy in your loan
department for which I would like to apply.
c. I am that accountant you described in your advertisement in today’s Times–
Record.
d. I want to work for you!
Sentences Presenting Selling Points
a. From 2014–2018 I attended Bradley University where I took courses leading to a
BS degree with a major in finance.
b. I am highly skilled in trading corporate bonds as a result of three years spent in
the New York office of Collins, Bragg, and Weaver.
c. For three years (2015–2018) I was in the loan department at Bank One.
d. My two strongest qualifications for this job are my personality and gift of
conversation.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
a) The statement is too general. What courses were taken, and how do they
qualify the writer for the job?
Sentences from Action Endings
a. I will call you on the 12th to arrange an interview.
b. If my qualifications meet your requirements, it would be greatly appreciated if
you would schedule an interview for me.
c. Please call to set up an interview. I anticipate several interviews and offers but
would prefer to be with your company.
a) This statement is presumptuous and high pressure; it shows aggressiveness. This
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Sample Solutions to Problem-Solving Cases
Case #3
This case is an excellent opportunity for students to define their long-term career goals and become
more strategic in their job searches. It also generates material that can be transferred to web page
profiles, useful in students’ initial searches for employment.
Example
Dear Ms. O’Daniel:
In addition to my undergraduate degree in advertising, I have a digital marketing certificate from
MediaBistro that has given me extensive training in Facebook advertising and marketing. Class
projects included partnering with Fortune 500 company Joseph & Taylor to create social media
communities that were implemented within the company and helping two major beauty brands
generate six million new fans within a few months. As my portfolio samples show, I have
accomplished as much as some professionals do in their first year of employment. In addition to the
above accomplishments, I also designed websites and social media communities for three local
nonprofits on a volunteer basis, all while maintaining a GPA of 4.0.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Case #8
This case helps students take initiative in their searches for the right internships. Often, students have
specific types of experience in mind when seeking internships. A prospecting letter gives them some
control over the internship process and helps ensure that they get the experience they really want.
Example
This letter is adapted from the Chapter 15 example of a “Well-Written Cover Message.”
Dear Mr. Stark:
From time-consuming performance approvals to complex compensation packages, human resources
management involves so many details that almost every HR professional could use an intern to assist
with these duties.
Could you? A student in Wilmont University’s human resources program, I’m currently seeking an
internship where I can apply the specialized training I’ve had for the last three years in one of the
Sincerely,
Joyce Woodridge