06.2 - Rio Rancho Public Schools

Read to Learn How to prepare for and complete a job application

How to write an effective résumé and cover letter.

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Main Idea Making a good first impression on potential employers is essential to securing a job.

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Key Concepts Preparing to Apply Job Applications

Preparing a Résumé Writing Cover Letters

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Key Terms Social Security number work permit

standard English job application personal fact sheet references

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Key Terms résumé cover letter

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Preparing to Apply Employers are Looking for the Best Person to Fill the Job

 Do you have the ability to do the work?  How do you present yourself?  How do you dress?  How well do you communicate?

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Be Confident Do your best to project confidence and a positive, professional image every time you communicate with an employer.

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Be Prepared The first step in applying for a job is having a Social Security number.

Social Security number a unique nine-digit number issued by the federal government that is required for all workers

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Be Prepared If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may need a work permit.

work permit a document that shows you are allowed to work in the United States

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Be Prepared Some states require work permits if you are under the age of 16 or 18.

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Communicate Effectively When you communicate with an employer, use standard English.

standard English the form of English you are taught in school

Avoid using filler words like um, like, and you know. 12

Job Applications The job application is one way an employer can screen job applicants.

job application a form that asks questions about a job applicant’s skills, work experience, education, and interests

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Job Applications Creating a personal fact sheet will help you complete accurate job applications.

personal fact sheet a list of all the information about yourself that you will need for a job application form

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Job Applications Information for Your Personal Fact Sheet            

Name Phone number Address Social Security number (SSN) The date you can start work The days and hours you can work The pay you want Schools you have attended Places you have lived Awards or accomplishments Past jobs with contact information and dates Reasons for leaving past jobs

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Job Applications Completing the Job Application  Fill out the form completely, neatly, and accurately.  Read and follow directions exactly.  Use standard English and check your spelling with a dictionary.  Answer every question.  Make your statements positive.  Keep your options open.

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Job Applications Employers do not have a right to ask about the following: Age Disability status

Race National origin

Gender 17

References Teachers, counselors, and former employers make good references.

references people who will recommend you to an employer

Ask permission before using someone as a reference. 18

Practice To get practice completing job applications, obtain a real-world application form from a local company or find one online.

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Taking Tests When you apply for a job, you may have to take one or more of the following tests:

Performance or skills test Drug test Polygraph test 20

Preparing a Résumé A good résumé may get you an interview.

Résumés are submitted by regular mail, e-mail, or fax.

résumé a brief summary of a job applicant’s personal information, education, skills, work experience, activities, and interests

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Preparing a Résumé If you do not have work experiences on your résumé, focus on the skills, education, and training you have. You can list your references or indicate that you will provide them on request.

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Preparing a Résumé Tips for Writing Your Résumé Avoid negative information. Keep it brief (one page). It should be typed or word-processed. Check spelling, grammar, and usage. Evaluate it as though it belonged to someone else. Make sure it is well-written and organized.

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Organizing Your Résumé A chronological résumé presents your experience in reverse time order.

This type of résumé shows your growth in experience.

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Figure 6.2

Chronological Résumé

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Organizing Your Résumé A skills résumé is organized around skills or strengths.

This type of résumé allows you to highlight your strengths and accomplishments.

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Figure 6.3

Chronological Résumé

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Scannable and Electronic Résumés Some companies only use e-mailed or electronically submitted résumés.

Other companies scan paper résumés, copying and storing them electronically.

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Scannable and Electronic Résumés Making Your Résumé Easy to Scan Keep the résumé clean. Use crisp, dark type. Avoid italics, underscores, and other formatted type.

Use white paper. Use keywords.

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Writing Cover Letters When writing a cover letter, emphasize facts that make you especially well qualified for the job.

cover letter a brief letter that introduces you to the employer and explains why you are sending your résumé

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Figure 6.4

Chronological Résumé

Opening Paragraph

Body

Closing Paragraph

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Writing Cover Letters Opening Paragraph

Explains why you are writing

Body

Persuades someone to hire you

Closing Paragraph

Tells how you will follow up

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Writing Cover Letters Your cover letter should be free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ask someone to proofread your cover letter.

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When the game is finished, close the Quick Quiz window and click here for the next slide >>

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Section 6.2 After You Read

1. Name three documents you may need when you apply for a job. Documents often legally required to apply for a job include a Social Security card, a work permit, and photo identification. You may also need to submit a list of references, a completed job application, a résumé, and a cover letter. 35

Section 6.2 After You Read

2. Explain why it is important to use standard English on a job application. Using standard English shows your writing skills, and standard English is the language of the professional workplace.

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Section 6.2 After You Read

3. Distinguish between a skills résumé and a chronological résumé, and explain when it is best to use each format. The answer is on the next slide.

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Section 6.2 After You Read

In a skills résumé, achievements and experience are grouped by skill (such as communication skills, computer skills, etc.). In a chronological résumé, achievements and experiences are listed in reverse order (most recent first) and job titles, company names, and date ranges are specified.

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