Resume and Job Applications

Prospecting for JobsEvaluating your skills and aptitudes Learning about the job marketPreparing your job application letterPreparing your resumePreparing for an interview

Evaluating your skillsWhat skills have you acquired in school?Do you have skills in leadership?Do you have communication skills?Do you perform well under pressure?What other talents do you have?

Learning about the job marketApply directly to employerAsk friends about jobs where they workAsk friends about jobs elsewhereAsk relatives about jobs where they workAsk relatives about jobs elsewhereAnswer local newspaper adCheck employment agency (DOLE)Visit college placement service (CARE/SAO)Seek advice from professors in your major

Preparing your application letterApplication/employment letter- It is a document sent which provides information on why you are qualified for the job you are applying for.

- It informs the employer what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.

Format

Title

Use standard business letter style, with senders address and other information, recipients contact number, and date sent

Format Introduction

States the specific position desired, and should be designed to catch the employers interest

Use the pronoun You

Body

Highlights or amplifies personal qualities and qualifications Explains why the job seeker is interested in the jobDiscusses skills, qualifications, and past experience

Closing

-Sums up the letter-Indicates the next step the applicant expects to take ( saying that the applicant will look forward to hearing from or speaking with the employer- After closing is the valediction (Sincerely), then a signature

Kinds of applicationSolicited a response to and advertisement Ex: Your advertisement for a computer programmer in the Sun Star , February 8 caught my interest. My academic and personal qualifications make me a competitive candidate for that position.

Unsolicited /Prospecting directed to an establishment that does not advertise a vacancyEx: Does your company have a place for a fresh graduate with a degree in tourism, commitment to quality service and customer relations experience that extends beyond textbooks?

Preparing a resumeResume a summary of your experience and qualifications - provides background information to support your letter - ideally one page but may reach two pages

Categories -Name ,address, contact numbers- Job and career objectives- Educational background- Work experience- Personal data- Interests, activities, awards, and skills- References

Kinds of ResumesFunctional used if applicant has limited experience

Chronological- used if applicant has extensive experience

Combination of Functional and Chronological

Objectives Have a clear idea of the specific job for which you qualifyState your immediate and long range goals Ex: Use and develop clerical,organizational, and planning experience

Educational BackgroundBegin with your most recent school, degree, schools attended beyond high school unless your high school achievements warrant its inclusion, class rank and grade point average if in the upper thirty percent, schools or specialized training. If you finance part of your education, say so.

Work Experience-List work experience starting from the most recent and work backwardProvide dates and names of employerIndicate if full- time, part- time jobDescribe your exact duties in each jobIndicate promotionsComplete sentences are unnecessary; use action verbs

Personal DataYour photograph is not a requirement but by all means include it.

It includes gender, age, civil status, religion, etc.

Personal Interest hobbies, sports, and other pastimes

Memberships in teams, organizations, offices held, recognitions received, volunteer work,

ReferencesThree names of people who have agreed to give strong , positive assessment of your qualifications and personal qualities

Name, title, position held, company, address, contact number

Preparing for the InterviewKnow your qualifications Know the job - talk with employees in that field - visit the office /plant - read about the products manufactured or services or goods sold people - know the people who own or operate the company

Conducting yourself during the Interview1. Your appearance -Make your appearance speak favorably for you -observe dress code - be well groomed

2. Your Manners - Be on time - Meet the unexpected with poise and tact - Follow the lead of the interviewer - shake hands only if he offers to do so - wait for the invitation before seating yourself

- Exhibit tact and graciousness in your conversation- listen carefully, dont interrupt, follow his conversation leads, dont give long overly detailed answers, avoid plain yes/no reply, and dont contradict him - Show appreciation for the interviewers time and interest

Why fail in interviews?- know little or nothing about the company- have inflated ideas about their worth - Have little idea of how their education prepares them for work- Dress inappropriately- Exhibit lack of self-confidence- Inquire about salary and benefits- Speak negatively of former employers or co-workers

Questions to Expect

Why do you wish to work here?What do you know about our company, goals, products?What do you know about the expectations and demands of the job?What do you see as your biggest weaknesses? Biggest strength?Can you describe an instance in which you came up with a new way of doing something?What would you like to be doing in ten years?