Lecture 9

Conducting a Winning Job Campaign

Shafquat Rafiul Alam

BUS 251

1
Learning Objectives
Learn how to:

1. Build a network of contacts.

2. Identify appropriate jobs.

3. Find the right employer.

4. Produce application documents.

5. Handle the interview.

6. Write follow-up messages that impress.

7. Continue job search activities.

2
How to Build a Network of Contacts

Family

Internships Friends

NETWORK

Community Professors

Executives

3
How to Find Your Employer
• Career Centres
• Network of personal contacts
• Classified advertisements
• Online sources
• Employment agencies
• Personal search agents
• Webpage profiles
• Prospecting
4
How to Construct the Résumé
• Select the background facts.
• Arrange the facts into groups.
• Construct the headings. (Fig. 10-1)
• Include contact information.
• Include a statement of objective.

5
How to Construct the Résumé
• Your main objective is to gain the attention of your reader.
• Focus on your best features.
• Downplay disadvantages.

6
Traditional Print Résumé
• Present the information.
 Name and Contact information.
 Summary of qualifications.
 Education
 Work experience (Duties: Action oriented verbs- Fig 10-2)
 Achievements
 Other relevant facts: foreign languages, computer literacy
 References
• Organize for strength.
 Reverse chronological order (Fig. 10-5)
 Functional/ Skills Layout (Fig. 10-7)
 Accomplishments/ Achievements (Fig. 10-8)

7
Traditional Print Résumé
• Write impersonally and consistently.
 No personal pronouns
 Action-oriented verbs
 Parallel lists
• Make the form attractive.
 Balance text and white space.
 Choose a professional font.
 Avoid margins that are too narrow or too wide.
 Keep headings at 14 pt. and body text at 12 pt.
 Use a maximum of two fonts.
 Use high-quality paper. 8
Electronic Résumé
• Create an Unformatted Résumé
 Unformatted (Plain text) version
 File > Save as > Save as Type dropdown list > “Plain Text”
• Sending Your Résumé by email
 If there are specific directions, follow that.
 If not: you can place the résumé text in the body of the email; attach your
formatted résumé to the email; or do both.
• Submitting a Database or Online Job Application
• Using a Webpage or Social Networking Site
9
Reverse Chronological Format (1 of 4)
MANNY KONEDENG
5602 Montezuma Road, Apt. 413
San Diego, California 92115
mkonedeng@yahoo.com
(619) 578-8508

OBJECTIVE:
A financial analyst internship with a brokerage firm
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, May 2013
San Diego State University, Finance Major
Dean’s List
Current GPA: 3.32/4.00

10
Reverse Chronological Format (2 of 4)
Accomplishments:
•Published in Fast Company Magazine and the San Diego Union Tribune
•Won Greek Scholarship
•Finished in top five in mathematics competition

Related Courses:
•Business Communication
•Investments
•Tax Planning
•Estate Planning
•Risk Management
•Business Law
Computer Skills….(see Ch. 10 example)

11
Reverse Chronological Format (3 of 4)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Sales and Front Desk, Powerhouse Gym,
Modesto, CA 95355
Summer 2012
•Sold memberships and facilitated tours for the fitness center
•Listened to, analyzed, and answered customers’ inquires
•Accounted for membership payments and constructed sales reports
•Trained new employees to understand company procedures and safety policies

12
 Reverse Chronological Format (4 of 4)
UNIVERSITY INVOLVEMENT
Communications Tutor, San Diego State University,
San Diego, CA 92182
Spring 2013
•Critiqued and evaluated the written work for a business communication course
•Set up and maintained blog for business communication research

13
Writing the Cover Letter

• Gain attention in the opening.

• Select content.
• Organize for conviction.
• Drive for action in the close.

14
 Writing the Cover Letter
• Beginning:
 Capture the attention of the reader
 How you found out about the opening
• Body: Cover Letter Samples:
Fig- 10-10 to 10-13
 Relevant qualifications
 Accomplishments
 Personal qualities
 Refer to your resume
• Closing:
 Ask for an interview and give them information on how that can be arranged.

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/sample-cover-letter
15
Handling the Interview
• Investigating the Company
 Products or Services, Personnel, business practices, current activities, management
etc.

• Making a good appearance

 Conservative business colours, well groomed, limited jewellery, Subtle perfume
and makeup (for women) etc.

• Anticipating Questions and Preparing Answers

 Education, Experience, interests, career, goals, location preference, and activities in
organizations.
16
Handling the Interview

• Putting yourself at ease

 The first impression is crucial, Be calm, talking in a clear and strong voice,
controlling facial expressions and body movements

• Helping to control the dialogue

 Only answering questions is not enough. Not only are you being evaluated
but you are evaluating others as well.

17
Understanding the Interviewing Process
• Structured interview: the interviewer asks a series of questions
in a predetermined order.
• Open-ended interview: the interviewer adapts his or her line of
questioning based on the answers you give and any questions
you ask.
• Panel interview: you meet with several interviewer at once.
• Group interview: you and several other candidates meet with
one or more interviewers at once.
18
Understanding the Interviewing Process
• Behavioural interview: you are asked to describe how you
handled a situations from your past.
• Situational interview: you are asked to explain how you would
handle various hypothetical situations.
• Working interview: you actually perform work-related tasks.
• Stress interview: you might be asked questions designed to
unsettle you, or you might be subjected to long periods of
silence, criticisms, interruptions.
19
Preparing for a Job Interview
• 5 most common Interview questions (Forbes, 2014):
1. Tell me about your experience at Company X.
2. What is your biggest professional accomplishment to date?
3. How would people you have worked with describe you?
4. What is your greatest weakness?
5. Why are you the best person for this position?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2014/02/18/how-to-
answer-the-five-most-common-interview-questions/
20
Following up and Ending the Application
Other Job Search Messages
 Write a Thank-You Message
 More than a professional courtesy; it’s another chance to promote yourself to an
employer.
 Construct a Follow-up to an application
 When a prospective employer is late in responding or you receive another offer
with a deadline, Routine Inquiry
 Planning the Job Acceptance
 Written acceptance of a job offer can be considered a legally binding contract.

21
Following up and Ending the Application
 Writing a message refusing a job
 Tactfully, using the model for negative messages.
 Writing a resignation
 In a avoids criticism of your employer or your colleagues. gracious and
professional style that

Continuing Job search activities

 Maintaining your Résumé
 Update as changes occur
 Reading Job Ads/ Professional Journals
22
THANK YOU

23