A résumé is the second most important sales letter students will write in their lives. The most important sales letter is the letter of application (cover letter). Both letters project images of students and their abilities and talents. These images are snapshots which must make a good first impression because prospective employers may only spend a minute or two per resume as they look for qualified applicants. Unfortunately, many employers use their first impressions to look for flaws in résumés and application letters so they can eliminate job applicants before seriously considering the few applicants who pass this first, quick, and unfair test.
Some of the résumé's and application letter's appearances are obvious--type, quality, and color of paper; text placement (centered, highlighted, underlined, font, font size, and font color); headings; spelling and grammar; organization; key words; and the tone of both documents.
Sample résumés can be found on the Web, in textbooks, in the college placement office, and in software programs such as Microsoft Word. In Microsoft Word, students can click on "File," "New," and "Other Documents," and begin working.
A little comparative research will reveal that all résumés
include students' full names and addresses and all the phone numbers where they can be reached, education histories, work histories; and references. Other information, such as positions wanted, can be included as individual situations require. A résumé should never be more than one page long. Today, it is not uncommon for students to send application letters and Résumé should always be sent along with
America's Job BankCareerBuilder
Job ChoicesMonster BoardApplication Letter
A letter of application is an individual sales letter. It is never more than one page long .A
letter of application is a request for an interview. This letter elaborates upon the facts presented in the résumé, and brings to life the students' special employment skills. It makes a person an individual. Because of this individual element in the letter of application, students must never copy any text from any example letters of application. Just as there are some really great examples students may be tempted to lift and use as their
own, there are as many employers who have seen these great examples time after time. An employer only has to read the same line twice to understand that the prospective employee is a plagiarist, lazy, and without creativity. Since hiring good people is a constant job in most companies, hundreds, maybe thousands, of letters of application have been read and reread; therefore, the chances of reading a plagiarized letter are great.
A letter of application must contain an applicant's name, address, and phone number. Students should try to find out the name of the person who will be reading the letter and will be making the initial decisions. A letter of application is always upbeat and positive. The first paragraph of the letter should let the employer know where the student found out about the
job and the exact position she/he is applying for. The second paragraph of the letter should state the student's best qualifications for the job. The
The third paragraph proves that the student has gone to the trouble of doing some research about the company. Here a student can describes how his/her qualifications and work ethic will be an asset to the company, and what he/she can do for them.
In the last paragraph students request interviews and state that they will call the employer in a few days to make further arrangements for the interview.
Just as a résumé is perfect, so must be the letter of
application. A letter of application always includes a résumé as an enclosure. The two documents are always sent together. The following links provide more information about letters of application.
Colorado School to Career PartnershipHandout and TipsLetters Concerning Employment
Proven Résumés WorkshopWriting Résumés and Letters of Application Tutorial
Interview
Students invited to interviews know they are on a short list for employment. Now the work of getting work really begins. During the interview, a prospective employer will discover if a student has the education, skills, personality, and interest to do a particular job. However, before the date of the interview, a student needs to research and learn as much as possible about the company as possible.
First, students need to find out what the company's business is, and what they will probably be doing for the company. They need to be positive and convince the interviewer/s that they are not only knowledgeable, skilled, and well trained, but also that they have the vigor and enthusiasm the company needs. Students must go to the library, the Internet, faculty advisors, friends--anywhere or anyone who knows something about the company to learn as much as they can. Carrying a notebook and using it is a good idea.
Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge about a company students have , the better are their chances of landing jobs. An aspect of knowledge that is too often overlooked is the culture of the company. What is the company's attitude about working clothes, lunch and coffee breaks, the length of the day or week, company social activities, and interpersonal relationships?
Students dress for success by wearing the same clothing to the interview they would wear while working.
Every interviewee is nervous, but thorough preparation does much to alleviate this stress.
The following list of the ten of the most frequently asked questions is not meant to be exhaustive. A wise person would find more questions to rehearse and research before going to an interview.
1. Tell us about your strengths. To know their strengths, and weaknesses, students must do self-evaluations. It is always wise to talk about major accomplishments, communication, interpersonal relationships, team work, and particular skills. Brief answers provide little, if any information to an interviewer, so students must be prepared to relate, in detail, what or how well they communicate, collaborate as a team members, etc.
2. Tell us about your weaknesses. If at all possible, students should turn weaknesses into strengths. Saying nothing at all or answering vaguely reveals an unintended weakness. Students should choose a weakness and turn it into a characteristic of an executive--"I become upset if I see an associate treat a customer rudely or carelessly."
3. Tell us how your previous experience can be used here with us. This is where students' research into the company gives them the opportunity to show off their knowledge of both the company and the job.
4. Tell us why you left your last job. Ambition and self-improvement are not evils or vices. While this question can be very personal, students should never bad mouth their former employers, no matter what the circumstances their departure.
5. Tell us whom we can contact who knows you and your past work experiences. Students must always choose their references wisely and ask them if they will serve as a references.
6. Tell us where you see yourself in this company five or ten years from now. Students must never be a smart alecks and talk about sitting in someone else's chair. Rather, they should talk about advancement deserving of a loyal, hard working employees who has become one of the best at their job.
7. Tell us about your interests and hobbies outside of work. Employers are concerned about complete individuals and their characters. Also, many employers pride themselves on being good citizens in their communities and often expect employees to participate in communities activities and organizations.
8. Tell us what you want to be remembered for. A philosophical question like this requires students to balance their personal lives and their careers.
9. Tell us if you're applying at other companies. Students should always answer honestly, remembering that competition is good for both companies and individuals.
10. Tell us how much compensation you expect. Once again, research will pay off here. Students will never receive more money than they ask for.
The following links provide more information about job interviews and the job search.
Career Development ManualInterview Network Interviewing SuccessThe Job InterviewJob Search
Thanking the Interviewer
As soon as possible after the interview, students should send a letter thanking the interviewer for the interview. If other people were involved in the interview, students need to ask the interviewer to thank them also. In addition to thanking the interviewer and relaying their excitement and enthusiasm for the job, this letter also gives students the opportunity to expand upon questions they feel they may have flubbed. Students put their best feet forward during the interview and can once again put themselves forward in this follow-up letter. Writing another follow-up letter 10 to 14 days will once again bring the students back to the interviewer, reminding him/her of the students' enthusiasm and interest in the job.
Letter of Acceptance
If students decide to accept job offers, letters of acceptance should be sent right away. This an easy letter to write.
Letter of Refusal
If students are lucky enough to have more than one job offer, only one can be accepted. It is only common courtesy that non acceptance of a job be sent as soon as decisions about students' employment have been made. Believe it or not, employers are as anxious to get someone to fill positions as job applicants are to fill them.
Thanking One's References
Thanking students' references is one of the most overlooked employment letters. While many people are required by their positions to write letters of reference, they did expend time and effort describing students' abilities and vouching for their work ethic. Since these people played a rather significant role in the students' employment and careers, they deserve to be thanked.