Job Search

Résumés
Job Application Letter
Job Interviews
1. To prepare you for employment by helping
you
 identify your interests
 evaluate your assets
 recognize the changing nature of jobs
2. To compare and contrast chronological and
functional résumés
3. To organize and format the parts of a résumé
to produce a persuasive product

4. To write a persuasive job application letter

(cover letter) to accompany your résumé
5. To prepare for job interview
 Introspection
 Do I enjoy working with people, data or
things?

 How important are salary, benefits,

technology support and job stability?

 Would I rather work for a large or small

company?
 Must I work in a specific city, geographical
area or climate?
 Am I looking for security, travel
opportunities, money, power, or prestige?
 How would I describe the perfect job , boss
and coworkers?
 What computer skills can I offer?

 What other skills have I acquired in school, on the job, or

through activities?

 Do I work well with people? What proof can I offer?

 Do I speak, write or understand another language?

 Do I communicate well in speech and in writing?

 Job Shift by William Bridges
 Flexible work arrangements
 No specific job description-Flexible job
assignments
 Team projects
 New technologies are springing up overnight,
making today’s skills obsolete
 Employers are less willing to hire people into
jobs with narrow descriptions.
 You should no longer think in terms of a life
long career with one company.
 You will strive for career durability rather than
job security.
 For maximum durability, you should be
prepared for constant retraining to update
your skills.
If your résumé isn’t a winner, it’s a killer.
(J. L. Kennedy)
1. Chronological ------most popular with recruiters
2. Employers typically prefer this type of résumé because
it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you
have worked at them.
3. It lists work history job by job, starting with the most
recent position
4. It reveals a candidate’s education and experience record
5. This type of resume works well for job seekers with a
strong, solid work history.
 A functional résumé focuses on your skills and
experience, rather than on your chronological
work history.
 It is used most often by people who are
changing careers or who have gaps in their
employment history.
 A functional résumé is also preferred for
applications to jobs that require a very specific
skill set.
 One of the most important aspects of the résumé is
the career objectives that are inserted by the
professional.
 Location
In many resumes, the career objectives paragraph is in
a prominent place, either at the beginning of the
resume or at the end.
 This gives the reader a quick idea as to what the
professional is seeking. With this, the employer can
make a quick decision as to whether the company can
really provide what the professional is seeking.
 Working for a company has become a give
and take relationship.

 Professional as well as the company are open

about what they expect from the working
relationship from the very beginning
Due to these reasons, if a career objective is
not listed, the reader may well think that the
professional does not know what he or she
wants and is undecided, or is generally not
knowledgeable about the professional world.
 Style and language should comply with the
rest of the resume.

 Sometimes career objective is written in a

hurry. Therefore, the connection between the
resume and the career objectives paragraph
is lost.
Pursue a Career in Your Profession
The first aspect of the right career objective is that it should be in
line with the job that you have applied for.
 For example, if you have applied for a job in an IT company, you
should make sure that your career objectives reflect that you have
taken academic degrees and have always wanted to pursue a
career in the IT field.
 In the same manner, if you are trying to pursue marketing or even
a creative field, you should make sure that your career objective
summary reflects the same.
“To build a long-term career in IT field with opportunities for career
growth”
Modern Technologies
 Career objective may speak about the
technologies/ skills that candidate would like to
have a chance to learn about.
 Learning new technologies would be beneficial
for the individual as well as the company.
“To keep up with the cutting edge of
technologies”
 Job stability

 “To enhance my professional skills in a

dynamic and stable workplace”
New Joiner in an IT Company:
 To gain employment with a company or institution
that offers me a consistently positive atmosphere
to learn new technologies and implement them for
the betterment of the business.
 Web developer resume objective sample:
Interested in furthering a career with a web
development firm that will utilize management
skills in the field of web technologies.
 Senior Level
 If you are trying to join a company at a senior level, you
would do well to write in your career objectives something
to the effect of looking for a company that offers you the
perfect environment for employing your abilities and
experience for the betterment of the business, the
company, and therefore your own career goals.
 “To use my skills in the best possible way for achieving
the company’s goals”
 “Aspiring to obtain a position of the software specialist
where my seven years experience can increase the
bottom line.”
 Solving Problems In A Creative Manner

 “To solve problems in an effective/creative

manner in a challenging position”

 “Seeking a responsible job with an opportunity

for professional challenges”
 Experts do not agree on how long a resume
should be.
 Conventional wisdom----recruiters prefer one-
page resume.
 However, the recruiters actually chose to
interview the applicants with two-page resumes.
 Recruiters who are serious about candidates
often prefer a full picture with the kind of details
that can be provided in two-page resume.
 Though resumes have standard parts, their
arrangement and content should be
strategically planned.
 Persuasive resumes emphasize skills and
achievements aimed at particular job or
company.
 Try to create as few headings as possible.
 Begin with your name, address, cell or land
phone numbers, and e-mail address, if
available.
 Avoid to show both permanent and
temporary addresses. Choose one address to
use.
 Keep the main heading as uncluttered and
simple as possible.
 Don’t include the word résumé.
 If applying for a specific job, it should be
targeted on a specific position.

“To work in the health care industry as a human

resource trainee with exposure to recruiting,
training and benefits administration.”

 Include a general statement if preparing all

purpose resume.”Challenging position in urban
planning.”
 Name and location of your institutions, date of attendance, major fields
of study, and degrees received.
 GPA , grades or division is important for your prospective employers.
 One way to enhance your GPA is to calculate it in your major courses only
e.g 3.6/4.0 in major.
 Don’t list all courses you took.
 Refer to courses only if they are related to the position sought.
 If education is incomplete--------B.S. degree expected 06/13 or 80 units
completed in 120 – unit program.
 Mention marks or CGPA of Graduation, Intermediate/ A-Levels and
Matriculation/O-Levels
 Entitle this section Education, Academic Preparation or Professional
Training.
 Include only those jobs that will help you win
the targeted position.

 For each position, show the following:

 Name of the organization, city, and state.

 Dates of employment
 Most important job title
 Significant duties, activities,
accomplishments, and promotions
 If possible quantify your achievements, such
as “Keyed all the production models for a
250-page employee procedures manual” or
“Assisted editor in layout, design, and news
writing for twelve issues of division
newsletter”.
 In addition to technical skills, employers seek
individuals with communication and
interpersonal capabilities.
 Select work experiences and achievements that
illustrate your leadership, organizational/
management skills.
 “Headed student government team that
conducted most successful voter registration in
campus history. ”
 Recruiters want to know specifically what you can do
for their companies.

 List your special skills, such as “Proficient in preparing

correspondence and reports using Word”.

 Include your ability to use computer programs and

languages etc.

 Proficiencies acquired through training and

experience, such as trained in computer accounting
etc.
 Use expressions such as trained in, skilled in,
proficient with and ability to etc.

 Working well under stress and learning

computer programs quickly.

 Mastered photoshop in 25 hours with little

instructions.
 Three or more awards--- list them under a
separate heading
 Include awards, scholarships (financial and
other), fellowships, honors, recognition,
commendations and certificates.
 Recipient of Star award VS Recipient of Star
Award given by Pepperdine University to
outstanding graduates who combine academic
excellence with extracurricular activities.
 References must be included even though
refrees are rarely consulted

 Whether or not you include references in your

resume, you should have their names
available.

 Instructors or previous employers

 Avoid unusual typefaces, underlining and italics
 Use 10 to 14 point type
 Use smooth white paper , black ink and quality printing
 Be sure that your name is the first line on the page
 Provide white space
 Avoid double columns
 Don’t fold your resume
 Use abbreviations carefully
 Inflated education, grades or honors--- cause
of dismissal when discovered.

 Enhanced job title

 Puffed-up accomplishments--- suspection of

dubious claims on resume---- specific and
embarrassing questions during interview.

 Altered employment dates.

Resume--- what you have done
Job Letter--- what you can do
 To accompany your resume, you’ll need a persuasive job
application letter (cover letter).
Job letter has three purposes:
 Introducing the resume
 Highlighting your strengths in terms of benefits to the
reader
 Gaining an interview
Full Block Format
 An opening that gains attention

 A body that builds interest and reduces

resistance

 Closing that motivates action

 Opening for Solicited jobs:
 Address your employer by name

 Refer to the source of your information and job title

precisely and describe how your qualifications fit the
requirements e.g.,
I am interested in applying for the position of
accounting administrator advertised in The News on
June 1, 2013. With my accounting training and
computer experience, I believe I could serve Quad
Graphics well.
 Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of
the reader’s business e.g.

“Since Sigma HealthNet, Inc., is organizing a

new information management team for its
recently established group insurance division,
could you use the services of a well-trained
information systems graduate who seeks to
become a professional systems analyst?”
 Explain how your preparation and experience fill
the stated requirements
 Emphasize reader benefits – describe your
strong points in relation to the needs of the
employer.

Don’t say:

“I have completed courses in communication

skills, report writing and technical writing.”
Do say:
“Courses in communication skills, report writing and
technical writing have helped me develop the research
and writing skills required of your technical writers.”
 Choose your strongest qualification and show how they fit
the targeted job.
“ Because you seek an architect’s apprentice with proven
ability, I submit a drawing of mine that won second place
in the Sinclair College drafting contest last year.”
 Mention relevant personality traits
Patience, devotion, perseverance and honesty
etc.
 Refer the reader to the attached resume.

“Please refer to the attached resume for

additional information regarding my
education, experience and references.”
 Ask for an interview
 Never ask for the job
 Sound sincere and appreciative

“I hope this brief description of my qualifications

and the additional information on my resume
indicate to you my genuine desire to put my
skills in web developing to work for you. Please
call me at (405) 488-2291 before 10 a.m. or after
3 p.m. to arrange an interview.”
H#20-A, Kashmir Street
Fateh Abad, Lahore

December 10, 2013

Mr. Kashif Ali

Human Resource Manager
Horizon Software, Limited
30-A Model Town, Lahore

Dear Mr. Kashif Ali

Subject: Applying for the Position of Software Developer

I am writing with respect to your job advertisement on Learnist.org for an experienced Software
Developer. I feel confident that with my training and experience in software developing, I could
serve XYZ Company well.
During the past 2 years working amongst a small team of software developers, I
have gained extensive knowledge of installing, maintaining and troubleshooting
and this, together with the qualifications I have gained makes me an ideal
candidate.
I noted from your website that your company has recently achieved targets in
securing additional clients and I consider I would be a true asset to your company
with my excellent software development skills and ability to communicate well
with colleagues and clients. My greatest strengths are being able to write and code
programmes, investigate and analyse defects and perform well under pressure.
Please find enclosed a copy of my CV for your consideration. I would be delighted
to have the opportunity to meet with you to discuss further the job role and my
previous work history.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
Arshad Ahmad
Economist
Dear Ms. Smith:
Are you searching for a software engineer with a proven ability to develop high-performance
applications and technical innovations? If so, please consider my enclosed resume.
Since 2002, I have served as a software engineer for Action Company, where I have been
repeatedly recognized for developing innovative solutions for multimillion-dollar, globally
deployed software and systems. I am responsible for full lifecycle development of next-
generation software, from initial requirement gathering to design, coding, testing,
documentation and implementation.
Known for excellent client-facing skills, I have participated in proposals and presentations that
have landed six-figure contracts. I also excel in merging business and user needs into high-
quality, cost-effective design solutions while keeping within budgetary constraints.
My technical expertise includes cross-platform proficiency (Windows, Unix, Linux and
VxWorks); fluency in 13 scripting/programming languages (including C, C++, VB, Java, Perl and
SQL); and advanced knowledge of developer applications, tools, methodologies and best
practices (including OOD, client/server architecture and self-test automation).
My experience of developing user-friendly solutions on time and on budget would enable me
to step into a software engineering role at XYZ Company and hit the ground running. I will
follow up with you next week, and you may reach me at (215) 555-5555. I look forward to
speaking with you.
Job Title: Software Engineer
Job Responsibilities:
 Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or
specialized utility programs.
 Analyze user needs and develop software solutions.
 Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of
optimizing operational efficiency.
 Analyze and design databases within an application area, working
individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Qualification / Desired Skills:
 Computer science degree from HEC accredited university
 Excellent written and oral communication
 Ability to work in a team environment
 Project, perform and deliver under pressure and within tight deadlines