Resumes, Cover-Letters, Networking, and Interviewing

by Eischen, Clifford W.; Eischen, Lynn A.

• ISBN13: 9780324312201
• ISBN10: 0324312202
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-15
• Publisher: South-Western College Pub

Summary

Maximize your two year degree and land the job you want with RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, NETWORKING, AND INTERVIEWING.Build the resume that best suits your professional goals using today's business technologies, including electronic resume formatting. You'll also learn a simple approach to the entire employment process through coverage of the interview process, cover letters, networking, and job applications.

Table of Contents

Preface	iv
Getting the Interview	2	(6)
The Screening Process---Making the Cut	2	(1)
Exercise 1.1 Review of Resume	3	(1)
An Employer's Perspective on Resumes	4	(1)
Appearance Is Critical	4	(1)
What You Must Do in Preparing a Resume	5	(1)
Resume Examples	5	(3)
Figure 1.1: Professional Appearance	6	(1)
Figure 1.2: Poor Appearance	7	(1)
Develop a Qualifications Summary	8	(8)
Your Strengths	8	(1)
Education	8	(1)
Employment	8	(1)
Special Projects	8	(1)
Honors / Awards	9	(1)
Professional and Community Organizations	9	(1)
Computer Literacy	9	(1)
Languages and Culture	10	(1)
Government and Military Service	10	(1)
Exercise 2.1: List Your Qualifications	11	(5)
Key Sections of a Resume	16	(8)
Resume Format	16	(1)
Objective / Focus / Power Statement	16	(1)
Qualifications Summary	17	(3)
Exercise 3.1: Qualifications	20	(1)
Education	21	(1)
Special Skills	21	(1)
Professional Licenses and Certifications	22	(1)
Employment	22	(1)
Miscellaneous Resume Sections	23	(1)
Organizations and Activities	23	(1)
Military, Job / Peace Corps	23	(1)
References	23	(1)
Essentials and Examples in Resume Presentation	24	(18)
Attractive Appearance and Format	24	(1)
Well Organized	25	(1)
Word Processed and Laser / Inkjet Printed	26	(1)
Error Free	26	(1)
Brief---One Page	26	(1)
Specific Statements Regarding Accomplishments / Skills	27	(1)
Style	27	(1)
Sample Resumes---Eischen's Simplified Format	28	(8)
Figure 4.1: System Network Technician	29	(1)
Figure 4.2: Medical Assistant---Front Office	30	(1)
Figure 4.3: Marketing Assistant	31	(1)
Figure 4.4: Dental Hygienist	32	(1)
Figure 4.5: Brake / Front End Specialist	33	(1)
Figure 4.6: Paralegal	34	(1)
Figure 4.7: Bookkeeper / Accounting Clerk	35	(1)
Exercise 4.1: Your Initial Draft	36	(6)
Resume Formats, Styles and Applications	42	(6)
Introduction	42	(1)
Scannable Resumes	42	(1)
Faxing Resumes	43	(1)
Resumes Sent as Attachments	43	(1)
Posting Resumes on Job Boards or Company Sites	44	(1)
Converting Your Resume to ASCII Format	44	(3)
Figure 5.1: ASCII / Email Resume	46	(1)
Chronological / Functional Style Resumes	47	(1)
Researching Prospective Employers and Writing Cover Letters	48	(12)
Researching Employment Opportunities Online	48	(1)
Examples of Job Listings on the Internet	48	(2)
Cover Letters	50	(8)
Write to a Specific Individual	51	(1)
Company and Job Knowledge	51	(1)
Include Your Best Qualifications	51	(1)
Request an Interview	52	(1)
Sample Cover Letters	52	(1)
Figure 6.1: Administrative Assistant Cover Letter	53	(1)
Figure 6.2: Accounts Payable Cover Letter	54	(1)
Figure 6.3: Production Mechanic Cover Letter	55	(1)
Figure 6.4: Medical Records Analyst Cover Letter	56	(1)
Figure 6.5: Cabinet Maker Cover Letter	57	(1)
Exercise 6.1: Writing a Cover Letter	58	(2)
References, Attachments, and Employment Applications	60	(8)
Additional Materials to Supplement the Resume	60	(1)
References	60	(2)
Figure 7.1: References	61	(1)
Special Attachments	62	(1)
Salary History	62	(1)
Completing Employment Applications	62	(2)
Figure 7.2: Salary History	63	(1)
Dos and Don'ts of Completing an Application	64	(1)
City of Fresno Application Form	64	(3)
Figure 7.3: Application for the City of Fresno	65	(2)
Exercise 7.1: References	67	(1)
Resume Submission and Follow-Up	68	(6)
Submitting Additional Materials	68	(1)
By Mail	68	(1)
In Person	68	(1)
Letters of Recommendation	69	(2)
Figure 8.1: Letter of Recommendation	70	(1)
Resume Follow-Up	71	(3)
Figure 8.2: Follow-Up Letter	72	(2)
Networking---The Hidden Job Market	74	(8)
What Is Networking?	74	(1)
It's Who You Know---Trust Us!	74	(2)
Principles of Networking	76	(2)
Figure 9.1: Networking Contacts	77	(1)
Become a Joiner	78	(1)
Networking Online	79	(1)
Exercise 9.1: Networking List	80	(1)
Exercise 9.2: Online Employment Opportunities	80	(1)
Exercise 9.3: Tools to Improve Networking Skills	80	(2)
The Interview	82
Tell Me about Yourself	82	(1)
Telephone Recordings	82	(1)
Wardrobe and Hygiene	82	(2)
Planning for the Interview	84	(1)
Prior to the Interview	84	(1)
Preparing for the Interview Questions	85	(1)
Typical Questions Regarding Your Qualifications	85	(6)
Questions Regarding Character	87	(1)
Questions Regarding Career Goals	88	(2)
Difficult or Stress Questions	90	(1)
Questions for You to Ask	91	(1)
After the Interview	91	(1)
Follow-Up Letters to the Interviewer	91	(2)
Figure 10.1: Interview Follow-up Letter	92	(1)
Exercise 10.1: Personalizing Answers to Typical Interview Questions	93	(1)
Appendix A
Resumes for Four-Year Graduates	94	(1)
Professional Assistance	94	(1)
Examples of Resumes for Young Professionals	94
Appendix A.1: Account Coordinator---Marketing	96	(1)
Appendix A.2: Marketing, Public / Media Relations	97	(1)
Appendix A.3: Staff Accountant---Public Accounting	98	(1)
Appendix A.4: Elementary Education	99	(1)
Appendix A.5: Project Coordinator	100	(1)
Appendix A.6: Community Activist	101	(1)
Appendix A.7: Business Systems Analyst	102
LISTING OF RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND OTHER EXAMPLES
Resumes
Administrative Assistant (Figure 1.1)	6	(23)
System Network Technician (Figure 4.1)	29	(1)
Medical Assistant---Front Office (Figure 4.2)	30	(1)
Marketing Assistant (Figure 4.3)	31	(1)
Dental Hygienist (Figure 4.4)	32	(1)
Brake / Front End Specialist (Figure 4.5)	33	(1)
Paralegal (Figure 4.6)	34	(1)
Bookkeeper / Accounting Clerk (Figure 4.7)	35	(61)
Account Coordinator---Marketing (Figure A.1)	96	(1)
Marketing, Public / Media Relations (Figure A.2)	97	(1)
Staff Accountant---Public Accounting (Figure A.3)	98	(1)
Elementary Education (Figure A.4)	99	(1)
Project Coordinator (Figure A.5)	100	(1)
Community Activist (Figure A.6)	101	(1)
Business Systems Analyst (Figure A.7)	102
Cover Letters, Letter of Recommendation, and Follow-up Letter Samples
Administrative Assistant (Figure 6.1)	53	(1)
Accounts Payable (Figure 6.2)	54	(1)
Production Mechanic (Figure 6.3)	55	(1)
Medical Records Analyst (Figure 6.4)	56	(1)
Cabinet Maker (Figure 6.5)	57	(13)
Letter of Recommendation (Figure 8.1)	70	(2)
Follow-up Letter (Figure 8.2)	72	(20)
Follow-up Letter to the Interview (Figure 10.1)	92
References, Salary History, Application Form, and Networking Samples
References (Figure 7.1)	61	(2)
Salary History (Figure 7.2)	63	(2)
Employment Application (Figure 7.3)	65	(12)
Networking Contacts (Figure 9.1)	77