Chapter 7
Applying for a Job
Lesson 7.1
Presenting Yourself
Presenting Yourself
Discover
How to organize information
about yourself in a résumé
What a cover letter is and why it
is important
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
2
Presenting Yourself
Discover
Tips for filling out job
applications
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
3
Presenting Yourself
Why It’s Important
One day, you’ll apply for a job.
Whether or not you get the job
may depend on how you
present yourself to the
employer.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
4
Presenting Yourself
Key Terms
résumé
format
personal fact sheet
cover letter
personal career portfolio
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
5
Presenting Yourself
Key Terms
job application
references
letter of recommendation
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
6
Presenting Yourself
Putting a Résumé
Together
In the world of work, a summary of
personal information is known as
a résumé.
A résumé describes your
education, skills, work experience,
activities, and interests.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
7
Presenting Yourself
Résumé Formats
There are two basic formats of
résumés.
The format is the arrangement of
information in a résumé.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
8
Presenting Yourself
Résumé Formats
Chronological
Résumé
Information is
presented in reverse
time order
People who’ve had a
series of jobs in one
career field use this
format
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
Skills
Résumé
Highlights skills and
accomplishments
A good choice for firsttimers in the job
market
Focuses on strengths
instead of experience
9
Presenting Yourself
Which Format Is Better?
The kind of résumé you choose
may depend on the job you want.
It can also depend on what you
want to emphasize: work
experience or skills.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
10
Presenting Yourself
Graphic Organizer
Résumé Tips
Keep your résumé
short. One page is
usually plenty.
Your résumé should be
neat and easy to read.
Résumé
Tips
Check for errors in
spelling and grammar.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
11
Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Develop a
Personal Fact
Sheet
Take steps now to create a personal
fact sheet with the information you will
need to create a résumé.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
12
Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Develop a
Personal Fact
Sheet
A personal fact sheet contains basic
information about you and your
education, experience, qualifications,
and skills.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
13
Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Develop a
Personal Fact
Sheet
Make a List List your education and
experience in chronological order. Then list
your other qualifications for employment,
including your skills and how you have used
them.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
14
Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Develop a
Personal Fact
Sheet
Develop a Résumé Use your personal
fact sheet to develop your résumé for an
employment opportunity in your career
interest area.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
15
Presenting Yourself
Electronic Résumés
A popular way to send résumés
to employers is via the Internet.
It is a good idea to have an
electronic résumé ready.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Electronic Résumés
An electronic résumé is a résumé
that is created on a computer and
formatted so it can be sent
electronically.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Electronic Résumés
Here are some tips for creating a
computer-friendly résumé:
Use black and white paper.
Avoid boldface, italic, and other
formatting.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Electronic Résumés
Type headings in capital letters.
Include keywords that describe
your skills and experience.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
19
Presenting Yourself
Writing Cover Letters
No résumé should go anywhere
without a cover letter.
A cover letter is a one-page
letter telling who you are and why
you’re sending a résumé.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Q and A
I’m applying for a job I saw on the
Internet. The ad says to e-mail
résumés. Do I need to send a cover
letter?
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Q and A
You don’t need to mail a paper cover
letter, but you need to send a cover
e-mail with your résumé.
Include the same information you
would in a regular cover letter.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Marketing Yourself With a
Personal Career Portfolio
A great way to showcase your
accomplishments and personal
growth is to create a personal
career portfolio.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
23
Presenting Yourself
Marketing Yourself With a
Personal Career Portfolio
A personal career portfolio is a
collection of information about you.
You can use a personal career
portfolio to market yourself and to
set you apart from other job
applicants.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Filling Out Job
Applications
Many businesses will have you fill
out a job application.
A job application is a form that
asks questions about your skills,
work experience, education, and
interests.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Complete a Job
Application
Complete a job application form for a
job in your career interest area.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Try This Activity
Complete a Job
Application
Check Your Work Read the entire
application before you begin filling it out.
Follow directions. Double-check all of
your answers when you are finished.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Supplying References
You should be prepared to
supply references on a job
application.
References are people who will
recommend you to an employer.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Supplying References
Some references will supply you
with a written letter of
recommendation.
A letter of recommendation is a
letter in support of you from a
reference.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Critical Thinking Review
Critical Thinking
Q Why should you always send a cover letter
with a résumé when applying for a job?
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Critical Thinking Review
Critical Thinking
A You should include a cover letter because,
in a cover letter, you identify the job for
which you’re applying. Including a cover
letter is standard business practice, and
you may give an employer a bad
impression if you do not provide one.
continued
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
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Presenting Yourself
Critical Thinking Review
Critical Thinking
Q What can an employer learn about someone
from the look of his or her job application?
A An employer can learn how neat and
thorough someone is, and whether he or
she can follow directions and pay attention
to details.
Chapter 7 Applying for a Job
32
End of Chapter 7
Applying for a Job
Lesson 7.1
Presenting Yourself