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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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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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.
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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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