Employment Correspondence

Employment CorrespondenceSpring 2015

Overview 21st Century Employment Outlook Prospecting for Jobs Resume Job Application Letters Electronic Submissions Portfolios Interviews

21st Century Employment Free Agent environment Average tenure at a job for workers under 55 in the U.S. is 4.7 years for

men, 4.6 for women (US Department of Labor, 2012) By age 50, you will (more than likely) have at least 15 different jobs (US

Department of Labor) Flexibility is the key to survival

You will have multiple employers You will have multiple careers You will need multiple skill sets TC Major/Minor at MSOE

Prospecting for Jobs Assess your skills

Minimum requirements for a job Skills that will set you apart

Study the Job Market Keep an eye on various government and other publications that track employment

statistics, including salary▪ Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook; Almanac of Jobs and Salaries▪ Fortune, Business Weekly, Forbes, WSJ

Help Wanted ads in local newspapers Major online search sites

▪ Career Builder; Career Path; Monster; College Grad Job Hunter▪ The Riley Guide; Job-Hunt

Prospecting for Jobs Networking

College placement services http://www.msoe.edu/community/explore-your-future/career-services/page/1497/career-services

Talk to other MSOE graduates

Interns or other summer jobs related to your field

Volunteer Work

Professional Organizations http://www.msoe.edu/community/campus-life/student-organizations/page/2137/professional-organizations

Resumes You’ve got 15-45 seconds to make an impression

Use keywords prominently

Keep your resume simple and easy to read

Organization

Spelling & Grammar

http://www.businessinsider.com/resume-for-job-seeker-with-no-experience-2014-7#ixzz36L7FF8CW

Resumes Personal Data Contact Information Objective Education History Work History Interests References

Resumes Don’t

Use a template

Use colorful paper

Attach a photo or include personal info

Turn it over without proofreading

Use personal pronouns

Pay a resume service

Resumes Reverse Chronological Functional or Skills Resume Modified Skills Resume Bad Examples

Application Letter A cover letter should go out with each resume you send out Use the cover letter to highlight things on your resume Use the cover letter to discuss education Proofread!

Application Letter Introduction

Identify the job you’re applying for

Where you saw or heard about the posting

Body Relate your experience to the job

Support all claims with evidence

Conclusion Restate interest

Relocation

Request an interview

Leave a phone number with times you’re available

Supply an email address

Unsolicited Applications Positions not advertised Difficult to tailor packet to the job

Electronic Resumes Keyword searches Email resume

Email attachment or PDF (preferred)

Use hard returns at ends of lines

ASCII resume Text only file

Offer a hard copy

Searchable resume On school or personal website

Hyperlinks

Privacy and Online Resumes Limit personal and contact information

Email and phone number

Set up a separate Email

Remember whatever you post online is fair game for future employers Google yourself

Dossiers, etc. Contains transcripts (college), letters of recommendation, scholarship

information, etc Portfolio includes dossier plus examples of your work (writing, visual, etc) Start gathering this type of information now!

Employment Interviews Face-to-Face, Telephone, Video Group or alone 20 minutes to several days Do your homework! Practice specific questions (a good list is on p. 417) Always have questions to ask them!

Follow-Up Letter Brief letter A day or two after interview Open with a genuine thank you, refer to some details from the interview,

close with genuine enthusiasm

Letters of Acceptance and Refusal You’ve received the job offer via phone or letter

Letter may be part of contract, spell out what you are accepting

If refusing, explain why courteously and honestly

The Assignment Due Friday of Week 5 Find a real job you can reasonably apply for now (or internship) Packet will contain

Resume

Cover Letter

Follow-up Letter

Letter of Refusal

Copy of the job you’re applying for

The End