Job Search

DR. WILLIAM C. KURLINKUSTECHNICAL WRITING

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Beginning the Job Search: Locating & Analyzing Job

Ads

Professional Emails

It’s always better to be more formal than informal. Make sure you address the person by their formal title, Dr.,

Professor, etc. Start and end politely. Dear x, and Sincerely, x Include specific times—if you are requesting a meeting, it’s your job

to request 2-3 times when you might meet (this is only if you already have a relationship with the recipient).

Make sure there is a specific request in your email and that the request is not buried.

Use the scannability rules we’ve read about: bullet points, numbers, etc.—break up paragraphs that are about different topics/requests.

Enter the email address of the recipient right before you send it. Don’t assume I know who you are. Use an informative subject line. Emails are legal records—if you want privacy, want to complain,

etc., call on the phone or do so in person.

Professional Emails

Dr. Smarty-Pants,

I’m very interested in your work and would like to talk with you to discuss a paper I am writing.

Sincerely,

Excited Student

Hello Dr. Smarty-Pants,

I am interested in your seminar “Wonderful Research Topics.” I am a second year student in your department, and came across your syllabus from last fall on the department website. I am currently writing a paper on this topic and wish to discuss some ideas for additional resources and the direction of my paper if I wish to publish it. Are you available to meet with me for about 20 minutes next Tuesday after 3 PM or Wednesday anytime between 10 AM and 1 PM?

Thank you and I look forward to our meeting.

Sincerely,

Excited Student

INTRODUCTION TO THE PARTS

Assignment 1

Restricting Your Job Search

What specialty within your chosen career appeals to you most? Nurses, for instance, might work at a large teaching

hospital, for a hospice agency, or in a physician’s office.

What type of working conditions most appeal to you? Small groups, traveling, telecommunicating, living

overseas, near family?Which specific companies or organizations

have the best track record for promoting individuals in your field? For doing the most innovative work?

Enhancing Your Professional Image

Student organizations in your areaLarge national organizationsInternships and training programsGoing to trade shows and professional

conferencesFinding a mentorTalking to your advisor or a favorite professor

regularlyVolunteer work Job shadowing

Online Job Sites

Indeed: www.indeed.comCareer Builder: www.careerbuilder.comMonster: www.moster.comAfter College: www.aftercollege.comCollege Recruiter: www.collegerecruiter.comCollege Grad: www.collegegrad.comMonster College: www.college.moster.com

Social Networking

Twitter: Actually a strong job search engine. Search: “x,y, z [your career] needed.”

LinkedIn1. Allows you to perform a job search (by field, job title,

company, or zip code)2. Lets you research a company’s core values, mission

statement, etc., which can be used in cover letters3. Expand contacts: current and former instructors;

former bosses, managers, co-workers; other professional association members; community leaders; businesses you frequent; alumni

Keep information up-to-date

Letters of Recommendation

Make sure you know and talk to the person you are requesting a letter from: previous employers, teachers, other people you worked/volunteered below.

In your request for a letter of recommendation, give the writer a list of things you did together that they might write about. Be specific. Think about tailoring these examples to your job ad’s hard and soft skills.

Bonus points if you can get a letter of recommendation from someone with ties to the company you are applying for.

The example in the book is rather vague—you should provide info about the job—or at least type of job—you are applying to, that way the writer can tailor the letter to your job.

Flatter the recommendation writer. Give them at least a month to write it—remind them a week

before it is due. Give them a resume.

Analyzing a Job Ad

1. Find a job ad2. Determine the possibility of you getting this job3. Determine what the problem this company is trying to

solve by hiring4. Catalogue hard skills required5. Catalogue soft skills required6. Look for other buzzwords/keywords/search terms7. Research the company: recent projects; ethos; pathos8. Begin a list of how your prior experiences might be

spun towards the required skills and buzzwords9. Locate the name and title of the person who you are

applying to

Find a Job Ad: 10 minutes

1. DO THE READINGS2. FIND AND ANALYZE 1 JOB AD3. BEGIN YOUR CV4. BRING IN YOUR GRAMMAR HOMEWORK

Homework