Job

Advertisement

After comparing three different job applications I decided to apply for a role as a
Turnover Administrator at Costco Wholesale.

Rational

Referring back to the Purdue OWL resource I made sure to print out the job
description and highlight all the key phrases. From this point, I found these phrases
to be the most important.

An understanding of Turnover Applications, Projects, work lists and
other core package components
Proficient in interactive SQL
A year of analyzing, designing and writing code specifications
Proficient in writing test plans and test scripts
Experience in both new development and production support
Must have excellent analytical and problem solving skills
Must have excellent communication skills.

All of the key phrase that I found in the job description fit with my knowledge and
training. Some of my qualifications will include a BS degree in Management
Information Systems that will be completed by the end of the semester. During my
time obtaining this degree I have had multiple years of analyzing, designing, and
writing scripts in different languages (most proficient in SQL). I am also familiar
with the .NET framework and script in Visual Basic and PowerShell.

With that said, I have presented in front of management at my previous internships.
This proves my ability to communicate effectively in front of multiple people. During
my time at the Wave Carwash I showed leadership by taking charge when
equipment broke down. By analyzing and creating an Excel spread sheets I learned
the best way to reduce the cost-per-car and save the company money. Considering
these qualifications, this job would fit my skills perfectly.

Research

After searching on Google, I was unable to find my ideal job. I logged into Couglink
and saw that Costco was hiring for IT. Although this was not appealing to me, I
wanted a job in information systems working on servers.

Although visiting Costcos website and reading their mission statement changed my
mind. It was easy to point out the companys values and I decided this was the right

company. Costco's culture is something they seem to focused on, making sure that
each and every employee is happy with their current position. By glancing through
other open positions it was easy to notice that Costco promotes from within or
allows horizontal movement. This was apparent because the applications were built
in house (by Costco) and required 5 years experience prior to obtaining the job.

While navigating through their website another thing that stood out were the
benefits for salary employees. Some of the things covered were health, dental, a
pharmacy program and even vision. They had an amazing 401k plan as well,
offering to match up to $1000 dollars a year. They have world-class learning and
professional development opportunities for employees to invest in themselves. I
knew a culture built on collaboration and innovation was right place for me.

Audience Profile

Readers Name: Ian Duggan

Readers Job Title: HR Manager

Kind of Reader: Primary

Education: Bachelors Degree, Strategic Management at the University of Washington

Attitude to Writer: Positive

Expectations of document: None

Reading Skill: Good

Professional Experience: Ian has been with Costco for 6 years and has been in IT/IS
recruiting for 10 years.

Job Responsibilities: Ian is in charge of recruiting all the IT/IS staff at the Issaquah
branch in Washington. He manages 4 other recruiters that overlook resumes and
current employee concerns.

Personal Preferences: Ian is good at determining the need for new or replacement
positions. He is able to think creatively about how to accomplish the work without
adding staff. Therefore Ian develops and prioritizes the key requirements needed
from the position and the special qualifications, traits, characteristics, and
experiences.

Job Skills Checklist

administering programs

planning
agendas/meetings

updating files

advising people

planning organizational
needs

setting up demonstrations

analyzing data

predicting futures

sketching charts or diagrams

assembling apparatus

rehabilitating people

writing reports

auditing financial reports

organizing tasks

writing for publication

budgeting expenses

prioritizing work

expressing feelings

calculating numerical data

creating new ideas

checking for accuracy

finding information

meeting people

classifying records

handling complaints

evaluating programs

coaching individuals

handling detail work

editing work

collecting money

imagining new solutions

tolerating interruptions

compiling statistics

interpreting languages

confronting other people inventing new ideas

dispensing information

constructing buildings

proposing ideas

adapting new procedures

coping with deadlines

investigating problems

negotiating/arbitrating conflicts

promoting events

locating missing information

speaking to the public

raising funds

dramatizing ideas

writing letters/papers/proposals

questioning others

estimating physical space

reading volumes of material

being thorough

organizing files

remembering information

coordinating
schedules/times

managing people

interviewing prospective employees

running meetings

selling products

listening to others

supervising employees

teaching/instructing/training
individuals

relating to the public

enduring long hours

inspecting physical objects

entertaining people

displaying artistic ideas

distributing products

deciding uses of money

managing an
organization

delegating responsibility

measuring boundaries

serving individuals

mediating between people

counseling/consulting people

motivating others

persuading others

operating equipment

reporting information

summarizing information

supporting others

encouraging others

delegating responsibilities

determining a problem

defining a problem

comparing results

screening telephone calls

maintaining accurate
records

drafting reports

collaborating ideas

administering
medication

comprehending ideas

overseeing operations

motivating others

generating accounts

teaching/instructing/training

thinking in a logical

making decisions

individuals

manner

becoming actively involved

defining performance
standards

resolving conflicts

analyzing problems

recommending courses
of action

selling ideas

preparing written communications

expressing ideas orally

to individuals or groups

conducting interviews

performing numeric analysis

conducting meetings

setting priorities

setting work/committee goals

developing plans for

projects

gathering information

taking personal responsibility

thinking of creative
ideas

providing discipline when

necessary

maintaining a high level of activity

enforcing rules and

regulations

meeting new people

developing a climate of enthusiasm, interacting with people

teamwork, and cooperation
at different levels

picking out important

information

creating meaningful and challenging taking independent

work
action

skillfully applying professional

knowledge

maintaining emotional control under knowledge of concepts

stress
and principles

providing customers with

service

knowledge of
community/government affairs

Here is a list of all the different jobs Ive had over the years. I have also included a
brief summery of the jobs and the responsibilities. This will cover all of the skills I
have highlighted, please feel free to give me feedback. Thank you!

iSoftStone: is a leading technology services provider, serving clients
worldwide. While at iSoftStone I performed project management functions
while working on a two-month project to enhance a voice recognition
system. In this role I was able to actively and effectively market the project to
participants while meeting or exceeding the daily participant quota. This
allowed me to network with professionals to determine a target market of
participants that met the requirements.
The Wave Carwash: offers a state of the art and environmentally sound car
wash. Reclaiming over 75% of the water used in the car wash process. During
my time here I assisted with management and supervised 12 employees, and
lead in sales with the best ticket average on site. Using Excel I was able to
collect quantitative data on inventory levels and decreased the cost-per-car
expenses.
Expeditors: is a global logistics company that specializes in freight
forwarding. They are a fortune 500 company with their global headquarters
in downtown Seattle. While working in there IS department I participated in
system setup while following the correct standards and processes to backup,
recover, and maintain the systems in use. I was responsive to customer
service requests while documenting problems that arose. By doing this I was

able to apply a variety of troubleshooting techniques to the complex

problems that arose on the various applications in use.
The Olympia Country & Golf Club: is a Golf Course with Food and
waterfront access. While working here I oversaw warehouse staffing to
insure inventory levels were adequate. I also facilitated outdoor member
service and managed daily golf course tasks and operations as a team leader.
At the end of very week I would wake up at 5 in the morning to instructed
children in junior golf clinics to encourage future generations to come back to
the OGCC.
Management Information Systems Club: While at Washington State
University, I served on the finance board for the Club of the Management
Information Systems and Entrepreneurship. With a board of one other peer,
we served our club in running meetings, coordinating events, and
supervising the well being of other members internally and externally.
Serving in this position gave me invaluable experience in collaborating,
communicating, and decision-making in a professional atmosphere. I am now
serving as the Vice President of Finance and closing up my final semester at
Washington Sate University.
Sigma Phi Epsilon: While at Washington State University, I volunteered on the
finance board as well as membership development for the Washington Alpha
Chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. With seven other peers, we served
our fraternity in coordinating events, and supervising the well being of our
chapter. Serving in these positions gave me invaluable experience and allowed me
to network with some of the finest Greek ambassadors at this University.