Employment Communication Assignment
Job Search, Letter of Application, Resumé, Interview Questions, Follow – Up
Letter
The red is the summary for the overview—the green link in box (on overview page) is what is
below not highlighted Many people will submit their resumés in hopes of being chosen to interview for a particular
position; however, those few individuals who are invited to interview are picked primarily on the
basis of the content and quality of their letter of application, their resumé, and their professional
references.
When you realize the competitive nature of a job search in the United States, the quality of your
communication with the employer acquires added importance. Your resumé, cover letter, and
thank you letter should be personalized, concise and error free documents that you have
designed to reflect your particular accomplishments and academic and professional credentials.
This assignment consists of five related tasks:
• Locate an existing, advertised full – time, part – time, or internship that is commensurate
with your current skills.
• Write a persuasive letter of application.
• Format and write a professional resumé that includes a professional reference page.
• Answer behavioral and situational employment interviews.
• Follow – up an interview with a properly drafted thank you letter. Task 1: Job Search and Position Announcement
Begin this first task as a new document in MSWord.
Your first task is to find a position that is suitable with your current education and experience
level. This may be a full – time position, part – time position, or an internship; however, this
position must actually exist and be verifiable.
Once you find a suitable position, copy and paste this advertisement / job description into an
MSWord file and underline or highlight the specific job qualifications.
Tip 1: Review your Textbook
Tip 2: You may use any search engine you prefer; however, you should also explore FIU’s
Career Services Pantherlink.
•
• FIU’s Career Services
FIU’s Career Management Services Sample Advertisement And How to Highlight or Underline Job
Qualifications
Administrative Assistant
Disability Care Links requires and Administrative Assistant to work in its central London office.
The organization is a specialist in the field of disability care services. The successful candidate
will enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, with the added satisfaction of working for an
organization committed to the care and support of disabled people.
The job involves a variety of administrative duties. These will include filing, letter writing, sorting
post, obtaining information from a computer, photocopying and maintaining records. Training
will be provided, if necessary, to equip the job – holder with computer skills to enable them to
use the organization’s computer system.
Applicants are required to have completed at least 30 college credits at grade C or above.
This position is available on a full – time or part – time basis.
Please write for an application form to:
Personnel Department
123 Main Street
Miami, FL 33333
For further information contact Ms. Edna Smith at smith@emailaddress.com Task 2: Employment Letter of Application
Begin this task on a separate page in the same MSWord file. You can do this by using the Insert / Break /
Page Break function in MSWord. Now that you have found a suitable position, it's time to apply by writing a one page, properly organized
and formatted letter of application.
Tip 1: Review Your Textbook and Sample Letters For Ideas
Tip 2: Select The Correct Letter Format
•
• • Be sure to include your email address, return address, and signature block.
Avoid addressing your letter to “Whom It May Concern," Dear Prospective Employer," or "Dear
Sir/Madame." I realize your book has an example of a letter addressed to Dear Hiring
Manager; however, the American Management Association recommends writers use
the simplified letter format (Simplified Letter Format can be found in Module 9) if you are
uncertain of a recipient's name. If the name of the recipient is provided in the advertisement or if
you know the name of the recipient, you may use the modified block format (The Modified Block
Format can be found in Module 7).
If your job posting does not list an address or a name, it is permissible to incorporate one of the
addressees listed above, such as “To Whom it May Concern,” “Dear Sir/Madam”, etc. • Similarly, if there is no physical address to mail an application, and you are left with no choice but
to send an application via email, search for the main address of the company headquarters in a
search engine and include it in your cover letter. Tip 3: Use Appropriate Language
Avoid repeated use of "I" and abstract language such as "think", "feel", "wish", or "hope" in your letter.
•
•
• I think I would make a great candidate...
I hope you like my resumé....
I wish I had more skills, but..... Rather, adopt the you view (write from the reader's point of view), indicate how your skills and
qualifications will benefit the organization and its customers. and use courteous language.
•
•
• Your position advertised on your company's website is an excellent fit with my qualifications.
My background includes a bachelor’s degree in marketing and three years of administrative
experience that could be used to benefit your organization.
Please contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview. Additional Examples of Appropriate Language
Tip 4: Proofread Your Letter
Check for format, content, grammar, and punctuation "mis-steaks." Organization of The Letter of Application For This Assignment
• Heading/Date/Inside Address: If you are writing a traditional (not email) letter, select a standard
business-letter format such as block style, modified block, or simplified. Your letter's design
should match your resumé (See example below). • Salutation: It's best to address your letter to a specific person (e.g., "Dear Ms. Jones:"). Avoid
stale salutations such as "Dear Sir/Madam:" and "To Whom it May Concern:" • Opening (One Paragraph): Hiring managers are busy and do not care to wade through fluff. Your
opening paragraph should clearly state the position for which you're applying. Include a reference
code if requested and the referral source (e.g., recommendation from a current employee,
Monster, etc.). Your opening may also include a synopsis of why you are a top candidate for the
position:
Your position advertised on Monster is an excellent fit with my qualifications, as the enclosed
resumé will attest. My background includes 10 years of success managing international sales
programs, top-ranked regions and Fortune 500 accounts. I offer particular expertise in the
high tech sector, with in-depth knowledge of networking technology… • Body (One or Two Paragraphs): Your letter's body contains your sales pitch. In one or two
paragraphs, this is your chance to outline the top reasons why you're worthy of an interview. Before deciding what to include in the body of this letter, review the job advertisement and the
qualifications you highlighted and/or underlined. Weave these qualifications into the body of your letter,
perhaps as a bulleted list.
Back up achievements with specific examples of how your performance benefited current and former
employers. Precede your bulleted list with a statement such as "Highlights of my credentials include:" or
"Key strengths I offer include:."
When writing the body text, keep in mind that hiring managers are self-centered --they want to know what
you can do for them, not learn about your life story. Demonstrate how your credentials, motivation and
track record would benefit their operation.
Keep your letter positive and upbeat. This is not the place to write a sob story about your employment
situation. Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes -- would you call yourself in for an interview?
• Closing (One Paragraph): Your final paragraph should generate a call for action, so express your
strong interest in an interview and request an interview. Do not establish parameters for when
and how you can be contacted such as. "Please contact me after 5:00pm but before 9:00pm on
June 3." Would you hire this person? • Signature Block: Depending on the format of the letter you have selected (block, modified, or
simplified), create the signature block appropriately. Task 3: Professional Resumé And Reference Page
Begin each task on a separate page in the same MSWord file you used to complete Task 1 and 2. You
can do this by using the Insert / Break / Page Break function in MSWord.
Now that you have found a suitable position and written a letter of application, it's time to properly
organize and format your resumé and your professional reference page.
Tip 1: Select the Correct Resumé Format
Depending on your current skills and qualifications, you will need select the appropriate resumé type: Chronological Resumé (Preferred By Most Employers)
The chronological approach is the most common way to organize a resumé, and many employers prefer
it. This approach has three key advantages:
(1) Employers are familiar with it and can easily find the information;
(2) It highlights growth and career progression; and
(3) It highlights employment continuity and stability.
The work experience section of the resumé dominates and is placed at the most prominent slot.,
immediately after the name and address and optional objective statement. You develop this section by
listing your jobs sequentially in reverse order, beginning with the most recent position and working your
way backward toward earlier jobs. Under each listing, describe your responsibilities and
accomplishments, giving the most space to the most recent positions.
If you're near graduation from college with limited work experience, you can vary this chronological
approach by putting your educational qualifications before your experience, thereby focusing attention on
your academic credentials. Functional Resumé
Sometimes called a skills resumé, the functional resumé emphasizes your skills and capabilities, and
identifies your employers and academic experience in subordinate sections. This pattern stresses
individual areas of competence, so it's useful for people who are just entering the job market, want to
redirect their careers, or have little continuous career related experience.
The functional approach also has three advantages:
(1) Without having to read through job descriptions, employers can see what you can do for them;
(2) You can emphasize early job experience; and
(3) You can de-emphasize any lack of career progress or lengthy employment.
You should be aware that not all employers like the functional resumé, perhaps partly because it can
obscure your work history and partly because it's less common. In fact, Monster.com lists the functional
resumé as one of employers' Top 10 Pet Peeves. Combination Resumé
The combination resumé is simply a functional resumé with a brief employment history added. Skills and
accomplishments are still listed first; the employment history follows. You need to reveal where you
worked, when you worked, and what your job position was. This will allay an employer's worries about
your experience, and it still allows you to emphasize your talents and how you would use them for the job
you are applying for.
While most employers might still prefer a chronological resumé, this is a good alternative to the
functional...... Tip 2: Review Your Textbook For Samples and Guidelines
Tip 3: Pay Attention To Details
Contact Information: Include your full legal name, complete mailing address, a working email address,
and no more than two telephone numbers.
Job Objective: A good job objective statement is much like a thesis sentence in a paper; it ties the
resumé together, giving it focus and direction. Avoid vague, generic phrases such as "challenging,
responsible position," "management training," "position dealing with people." It is usually a good idea to
indicate the position you consider yourself best qualified for, and also tie in related skills you can bring to
bear on that position. Well written, effective job objective statements should include several of the
following:
(1) The type of position (Management Trainee, Retail Buyer, Sales Representative, Nurse, Credit Analyst,
Teacher)
(2) The type of field (Public Affairs, Arts, Operations, Public Administration, Engineering, Finance, Health,
Higher Education);
(3) The type of Industry (Communications, Electronics); (4) The type of organization (small vs. large; urban vs. rural, public vs. private; local vs. international),
and
(5) Your functional skills (public speaking, leadership, organization, research, supervisory, computer). Employment History: A listing in reverse chronological order (most recent first) of your employment
experience, including name and location of employers, dates, job titles, and perhaps brief descriptions of
your accomplishments..
Educational Record: In this section list schools in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Make
sure you spell out the degree(s) you received indicating dates, and the university where they were
earned, your grade point average, however, is optional. If you don't include your GPA, be prepared to
explain why in your interview.
Relevant Course Work: Considered optional, it lists classes in your field of concentration or course work
relevant to your job objective.
Honors and Awards: Although usually considered an optional section, it includes all scholastic or
outside recognition received (generally beginning with your college career).
Skills/Experiences Related to Job Objective: This section is usually found only on a functional resumé.
Here you relate your experience, whether it be through summer employment, activities, or special projects
that helps you qualify as the best candidate for the job.
Activities and Interests: A section that can be included in all resumé types that provides the opportunity
to set yourself apart from the other applicants and to show you are a well-rounded and accomplishmentoriented individual. Be cautious of including religious, social, political affiliations
References: On a separate page of your resumé titled Personal References, include the names,
addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references that you have asked and have
agreed to serve as a reference. Attempt to find three people from different areas of your life, who can
professionally comment on your education, work history, and/or personal character.
Tip 4: Proofread Your Resumé
Check for format, content, grammar, and punctuation. Resume “Musts” For This Assignment
Include Your Email
Address and Phone
Number As Part Of Your
Contact Information Include at least one telephone number in the contact information of your
resumé; however, you should avoid more than two telephone numbers. In
most cases, an employer isn’t going to track your down by making several
phone calls to different numbers. Obviously, don’t place a phone number
on your resumé that won’t be answered in a professional manner.
Demonstrate your technological skills by linking your email address in your
contact information at the top of your resumé. Use Reverse
Chronological
Order At All Times When
Listing Education and
Work History
Indicate City and State
For Employers and
Educational
Institutions When listing your work experience and education on your resumé, begin
with the most recent dates and work backwards in time. For example,
• May 2005 – present
• June 2000 – April 2005
• March 1995 – May 2000
It isn’t necessary to provide a complete mailing address; however, you
should include the city and state for employers and education institutions.
If you worked or attended school outside of the United States, include the
city and the country rather than the city and the state.
• Florida International University, Miami, FL
• United States Postal Service, Pittsburgh, PA
• Sorbonne, Paris, France
Don’t forget to include your most recent education at Florida International
University. Even if you have only been attending FIU for a brief time, it’s
significant that you applied for admission and you were accepted. Indicate
the degrees you have completed (AA. AS, BA, BS, BBA) and the degree
you are currently pursuing (BBA, BA, BS, MA, MS, PHD) You should also
include your major or majors. Include University,
Degree(s), and
Major(s) If you are not sure of the name of the degree you are pursuing (Is it a BBA
or a BA?) please ask your academic advisor. This information is important
to your potential employers; you don’t want to appear as if you aren’t
aware of the degree you are pursuing. You certainly don’t want to provide
them with incorrect information or have your ethics questioned.
Eliminate References
To High School In most cases, it is advisable to eliminate all references to your high school
education, achievement and activities. If you are attending a prestigious
high school that has a large alumni base, you should consider placing this
information on your resumé.
However, by indicating your high school, your potential employer will be
able to determine your approximate age. Also, in most cases, what you did
in high school will have little impact on your employer’s perception of your
potential success in a professional occupation. Use Action Verbs
That Emphasize
Accomplishments
Rather Than Duties Enhance your resumé by describing your accomplishments powerfully
using action verbs and avoid weak statements.
Review page 445 of your text for a list of appropriate action verbs and
examples of results oriented statements.
• Generated 35 new accounts last month.
• Developed new accounting system that reduced paperwork by 50
percent. Eliminate All
Pronouns
Create Full
Pages
Rather
Than Partial Pages I, Me, My, He, His, She, Her, It, You, Your, We, They, Our, and Us do not
belong on your resumé.
It is advisable to limit your resumé to one full page or two full pages of text.
Don’t forget to include a heading on the second page. Include a
Separate
Reference
Page On a separate page titled, “Professional References,” list at least three
references. Select references who can speak about your education, work –
related skills, accomplishments, and personality traits. Avoid listing family
members, neighbors, and casual acquaintances. It is strongly
recommended you request permission to include a person on your list of
references.
Person’s Name
Name of Position and/or Title
Name of Organization
Mailing Address (If applicable)
Email Address
Phone Numbers This may require that you make decisions regarding the content and
format of your resumé. Task 4: Employment Interview Questions
Begin this task on a separate page in the same MSWord file you used to complete Task 1, 2, and 3. You
can do this by using the Insert / Break / Page Break function in MSWord.
Congratulations! Your potential employer liked your letter of application and your resume and is interested
in interviewing you for the position.
Pretend you are being interviewed by Ms. Rosemary Ferguson for the position you indicated in Task 1.
Write your honest response each question of the ten questions listed to the right. Tip 1: Create A Positive Impression
The initial impression you make on the others is, if not indelible, certainly a huge determinant in how they
will feel about you for quite some time. This judgment is only magnified at job interviews -- an activity
designed to make sure you fit within an organization both personally and professionally.
Tip 2: Review Your Textbook For Interviewing Tips
Tip 3: Proofread Your Answers
Check for format, content, grammar, and punctuation "mis-steaks." Employment Interview Questions For This Assignment
When answering these questions, be certain to refer to your relevant skills for the vacant position. Avoid
being arrogant, and don't criticize current or previous employers, bosses, or peers Rather, be confident,
well spoken and answer each question as it relates to the position.
1.Tell me about yourself.
It seems like an easy interview question. It’s open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth
canal forward. Right?
Wrong. What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are
and why you’re the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best
candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If
they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back
to an example when you have the opportunity.
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.
2. Why should I hire you?
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And don’t be afraid to say so. But then back it
up with what specifically differentiates you.
For example: “You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely
other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me
the best person for the job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly
world class results. For example . . .”
Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.
3. What is your long-range objective?
Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you.
The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on
staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully
prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example,
here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.
4. How has your education prepared you for your career?
This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational
background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career. An example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the
practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a
class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more
about the results . . .”
Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would
like to hear more examples.
5. Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide
behavioral examples to back up your answer.
A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my work, school
and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .”
Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk
about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in
to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.
6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you
behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been
disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully
understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to
work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.
7. What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I
just work and work and work.” Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is
deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have
had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just
started using a pocket planner . . .” then show them your planner and how you are using it.
Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it. Perhaps the fact you have not
completed yo...

 

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