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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Part II: Chapter-by-Chapter Lecture Notes & Exercises
Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Teaching Suggestions
The teaching techniques for this chapter are the same as the preceding chapters. Some instructors will
tackle this chapter early in the semester as a way to get to know their students. Others may want to
wait until students have had more practice writing business documents. Either way, before students
write their employment documents, they should review the stages of the writing process.
Though the chapter provides several hypothetical employment prompts to which students may
respond, we believe the best assignments for this chapter involve real-life situations. That is, students
should be encouraged to apply for internships and other positions that actually exist and for which they
are currently qualified. Students do not necessarily need to send their letters and résumés to these
companies, but the authenticity of the assignment is more obvious to students when they are applying
for positions they could potentially hold.
To practice interviewing skills, students may want to participate in informational interviews with
people in their fields and have the interviewee rate their (the students’) performance. In addition,
schools’ career services offices may offer in-person or virtual interview opportunities where students
can get feedback on their skills. Incorporating these activities in teaching the chapter will be useful.
Connect provides instructors with a variety of ways to customize courses, create assignments,
determine grading policies, and receive student work. One of the tools Connect offers is the ability to
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
http://createwp.customer.mheducation.com/wordpress-mu/success-academy/create-writing-
assignments/.
Learning Objectives
LO 15-1 Develop and use a network of contacts in your job search.
LO 15-2 Assemble and evaluate information that will help you identify appropriate jobs.
LO 15-3 Identify the sources that can lead you to an employer.
LO 15-4 Compile résumés for print and electronic environments that are strong, complete, and
organized.
LO 15-5 Write targeted cover messages that skillfully sell your abilities.
LO 15-6 Explain how you can participate effectively in an interview.
LO 15-7 Write application follow-up messages that are appropriate, friendly, and positive.
LO 15-8 Maintain your job-search activities.
Key Terms
network of contacts
internships
cooperative learning experiences
personality tests
interest inventory
career fairs
executive search consultants
employment agencies
statement of your objective
action-oriented, past tense verbs
simple present tense verbs
reference sheet
reverse chronological organizational layout
functional or skills layout
accomplishments/achievements layout
unformatted (plain-text) version
applicant tracking system (ATS)
cover message
solicited (invited)
unsolicited (prospecting)
behavioral interview style
thank-you message
follow-up message
job acceptances
messages refusing a job
resignation messages
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Text Summary, Lecture Outline
Conducting the Job Search
Slide 15-1
The job search is probably one of the most important tasks you will ever complete. The job you
choose is directly related to your success and happiness.
Your employment documents require the same level of planning you’ve used to create the other
documents in this course. In fact, they are some of the most important documents you’ll ever write, as
Slides 15-2, 15-3
Several logical steps are involved in the job search process, from building a network of contacts and
identifying appropriate jobs to finding those who offer the jobs and preparing the application
documents. We also include a continuing step of keeping abreast of job opportunities and new job
competencies needed.
Problem-Solving Challenge
Have students create a to-do list of items they need to complete before acquiring a new job. Ask
students to pick one item on that to-do list and draft a strategy or write up a draft form of the required
document. Then revisit these lists and items at the end of the course and see how students have
progressed.
Slide 15-4
Build a Network of Contacts
Building a network of contacts with classmates, professors, and business people often begins long
before you begin a formal job search.
Your classmates may have contacts who can help you, and in the future, they may be in positions to
help you in making career changes.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Finally, the places you frequent in your community can provide opportunities to meet people. Try
volunteering for organizations that are either related to jobs you might be interested in or that might
have connections to volunteer groups from companies you would like to work for.
Slide 15-5
Obtain an Internship
Internships are a must. Many schools’ career services centers can help students find internships, but if
students want to work in a particular job, field, or industry, they should not wait for the job posting.
They should call, send a prospecting cover letter, or otherwise contact potential companies to inquire
Slide 15-6
How to Identify Appropriate Jobs
Identifying appropriate jobs begins with analyzing both yourself and outside factors. This knowledge
will help you effectively match yourself with an appropriate job.
In addition to analyzing your education and work experience, you should analyze your personal
qualities and special qualifications. Education is usually your strongest quality coming directly out of
school, but you should look carefully at the knowledge and skills you have acquired, not just courses
and grades. Determine your strongest points so you can emphasize them.
Special qualifications can set you apart from others. For example, you might get an edge from
speaking another language; using a particular computer or software program; or engaging in sports,
hobbies, and other interests.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Analyzing external factors such as current and projected job markets, economic needs, location
preferences, family needs, and other limiting external factors is necessary in order to be realistic in
your decision.
Slide 15-7
How to Find Your Employer
Finding your employer is the next step in the job search process. The sources best for you are usually
determined by your career path as well as where you live.
Career Centers: Most schools have career centers or offices that serve both their graduates and the
Online Sources: Databases are being used more than ever as a source for job information. Large
companies will post position announcements on company portals. Some will advertise positions on
company Internet sites, too. And, of course, some databases containing job information can be
accessed on special websites, including Monster.com and Craigslist.
Benefits of LinkedIn: From the Volunteer Experiences and Causes section to blogging opportunities,
LinkedIn gives students the opportunity to network on every level with serious professionals. Because
Use Facebook status reports as a mini blog to highlight your professional accomplishments. These can
act as mini blog posts, helping establish your expertise in a field.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Employment Agencies: Recruiters and agencies specializing in helping you find jobs vary widely in
the services they provide and the way they operate. Fees can be charged to the company, the job
seeker, or both. Temping can lead to permanent employment with a good fit.
15-2a
Learning Objectives: 15-01, 15-02, 15-03
Difficulty: Easy
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Blooms: Analyze
15-2b
Learning Objectives: 15-01, 15-02, 15-03
Difficulty: Medium
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Blooms: Analyze
15-2c, 15-2d, 15-2e
Learning Objectives: 15-01, 15-02, 15-03
Difficulty: Medium
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Blooms: Understand
Follow-Up Activity: Students can create letters to inquire about internship possibilities at their dream
places of employment.
Slide 15-8
Constructing the Résumé
Slide 15-8
Once you have identified a job opportunity, you will need to prepare documents to help you in the job
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
You will need to determine whether to prepare the traditional print résumé, the scannable print résumé,
or a digital résumé. If your interview is exclusively face-to-face, the traditional résumé format is
usually preferred for its aesthetic help to create a favorable impression. But if you know your résumé
will be scanned, the scannable format should be used. When in doubt, the hybrid format can be used.
If you are submitting a résumé online, you will need to submit your résumé in a format the employer
requests or one that is easily used by the employer.
Arranging the facts into groups shows the employer your ability to organize and be logical. Most
people group their facts into Education, Experience, Personal Qualities, and sometimes References.
Constructing the headings helps the reader know what follows. Your résumé needs a main heading as
well as subheads. Subheads should be parallel in form. Also, they should be consistent in placement
and in size and style of type.
Including contact information is critical. Not only does the potential employer need to be able to reach
you, but the easier you can make it the better. Today, most people include address and telephone
numbers (cell or land line), fax, numbers, and email addresses. However, some applicants are limiting
contact information for privacy reasons to an email address or phone number. Sometimes students will
Including a statement of objective helps the potential employer understand what kind of work you
want to do. However, authorities disagree on whether or not one is essential and what should be
included in it. Generally, we recommend including the objective, as it is helpful for letting your
audience know where to direct your résumé, especially if the audience is a human resources specialist
Slide 15-10
Traditional Print Résumé
Presenting the information depends highly on the requirements of the position. As with any business
document, a résumé must be audience centered. Present yourself in the best possible light. Think about
the job requirements and then tailor your résumé to show how you meet the reader’s need. Consider
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
the résumé an advertisement for you.
Take care in ordering your information and using strong action verbs to describe your experiences.
Simple present and simple past tense verbs are the standard.
References may be listed on the résumé or on a separate reference sheet, but including references may
not be necessary. Regardless, using “References available upon request” is considered outdated and
Slide 15-11
Traditional Print Résumé
Students should remember that their font, paper, and layout should reflect the corporate cultures of the
jobs they apply for. Accountants will want a more conservative look than, say, an event planner or
marketer.
Writing impersonally and consistently is desirable on résumés. Most résumés avoid the use of personal
Slides 15-12, 15-13, 15-14, 15-15
Reverse Chronological Format
Scannable Print Résumé
Slide 15-16
Scannable print résumés require a few other considerations. When you know your résumé will likely
be read by a scanner or will be handled electronically, you may want to be sure to make your résumé
easily readable in that form.
Choosing these keywords carefully means choosing words that are usually nouns, especially job titles,
as well as jargon, buzzwords, and acronyms appropriate to work you want to do.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Presenting the information in a format that can easily be read by a scanner improves your chances of
having your résumé retrieved when needed. Using scannable fonts and avoiding graphics, italics, and
underlining helps, as well as using white paper with black ink to increase contrast.
The Electronic Résumé
Slide 15-21
The electronic résumé is one that is submitted online. It ranges from simple, low-end formats to
complex, high-end formats.
Electronic résumés can also be displayed online on social networking sites such as LinkedIn, where
members can create a profile page to showcase their qualifications, education, skills and so forth.
Slides 15-22, 15-23
Electronic Résumé Example. Ask students to talk about when/why they would use this type of résumé.
Ask them to identify differences between an electronic résumé and a scannable or traditional print
résumé.
Slide 15-24
As a homework assignment, ask students to evaluate their online profiles or other information that
may exist about themselves online. They can perform an online search for their own names and make
a brief report about their findings.
Connect Assignment 15-4 (a-g): Writing Jean’s Résumé
Summary: Students will analyze a case to make good choices about constructing a résumé.
15-4a, 15-4f
Learning Objective: 15-04
Difficulty: Easy
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Blooms: Analyze
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
15-4b, 15-4d, 15-4e, 15-4g
15-4c
Follow-Up Activity: Students can construct an email cover letter to go with Jean’s application.
The Reference Sheet
Slides 15-25, 15-26
Include references that will provide information that supports those qualities the employer is seeking.
Checking with the employer first is a good idea.
Reference Sheet: Example
Remind students to ask their references for permission before giving names to potential employers.
Even if you know the person will be glad to give a reference, it is courteous to let people know when
you know they might be getting asked soon to provide a reference for you.
Writing the Cover Message
Slide 15-27
Writing a cover letter is similar to writing a persuasive sales message; in this case, the writer is selling
him or herself as the product or service. Revisiting the chapter on persuasive writing may be helpful to
discuss what kinds of persuasive strategies may be useful.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
If you are prospecting, you will need to use your own best judgment to access what that one
company’s needs are and include content which addresses those needs.
Email cover messages take different forms depending on the document type they introduce. Their
primary job is to highlight the applicant’s strengths and get the reader to review the résumé.
Examples of good and bad cover messages follow. Students can examine these and point out what
areas could be improved.
15-3a
Learning Objective: 15-05
Difficulty: Medium
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Blooms: Evaluate
15-3b
Learning Objective: 15-05
Difficulty: Hard
AACSB: Communication
Blooms: Evaluate
15-3c, 15-3e, 15-3f
15-3d
Learning Objective: 15-05
Difficulty: Medium
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Blooms: Analyze
15-3g
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
Follow-Up Activity: Students can revise Rico’s cover email message to make it stronger and submit a
new letter.
Slides 15-28, 15-29, 15-30, 15-31, 15-32
Handling the Interview
Slide 15-33
Most successful résumés and letters of application result in an interview. Generally these are face-to–
face, but some use videoconferencing technology, too. While the written documents helped you get
Present a professional appearance because your dress sends a message to the interviews. Pay attention
to all aspects of good grooming.
Put yourself at ease so that the interviewer sees you as a calm, collected prospective employee.
Use whatever approach works best for you to keep control of your emotions.
Slide 15-34
Preparing Your Answers
Preparing answers before the interview can help put the interviewee at ease and help the interviewee
present a polished, professional image. Several online opportunities also exist to practice and prepare
for interviews. A school’s career services office would have access to these tools.
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Chapter 15: Communicating in the Job Search
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No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Following Up and Ending the Application
Slide 15-35
Following up and ending the application includes such things as a brief thank-you message or
telephone call. If you have not heard from a company and need to make a job decision, it is perfectly
fair to inquire about the status of your application.
Writing a message refusing a job requires the form of a refusal. Be sure to present the refusal clearly
yet positively. Strive to maintain goodwill.
Writing a resignation message should be done with care. It should be as positive as possible.
Examples of all of these follow-up communications can be found in the textbook.
Slide 15-36
Direct students to the Communication Matters feature titled “What’s the Number One Interviewing
Mistake?” to show students how important following up after an interview can be.
Thank-you message example: The thank-you message gives writers a chance to set themselves apart
by showing good business etiquette. It also gives writers a chance to show their continued interest in
the position as well as add confirming or new information.
Sending a thank-you note is something many applicants fail to do, and yet a simple thank-you note can
impress an interviewer and perhaps give an applicant a professional edge over others. A thank-you