Rentz/Lentz, M: Business Communication, 3/e
Chapter 11
Communicating in the Job Search
Problem-Solving Cases
1. You have successfully prepared yourself for the career of your choice, but the recruiters visiting
your school have not yet offered you a job. Now you must look on your own. So by searching
newspapers, online job databases, and company website announcements, find the best job for
which you believe you are qualified. Write two cover messages that you might use to present
your qualifications for this job: one for print presentation and one for email. Attach a copy of the
job description to the messages. Write the résumé and reference sheet to accompany the message.
2. Project yourself three years past your graduation date. During those years, you have had good
experience working for the company of your choice in the field of your choice. (Use your
imagination to supply this information.) Unfortunately, your progress hasn’t been what you had
expected. You think that you must look around for a better opportunity. Your search through the
classified advertisements in your area newspapers, online, and in The Wall Street Journal, and
you turn up one promising possibility (you find it). Write a cover message that skillfully presents
your qualifications for this job. (You may make logical assumptions about your experience over
the three-year period.) For class purposes, attach the advertisement to your message. Write the
résumé and reference sheet to accompany the message.
3. Assume you are in your last term of school, and graduation is just around the corner. Your
greatest interest is in finding work that you like and that would enable you to support yourself
now and to support a family as you win promotions.
No job of your choice is revealed in the want ads of newspapers and trade magazines. No career
center has provided anything to your liking. So you decide to do what any good salesperson does:
survey the product (yourself) and the market (companies that could use a person who can do what
you are prepared to do) and then advertise (send each of these companies a résumé with a cover
message). This procedure sometimes creates a job where none existed before, and sometimes it
establishes a basis for negotiations for the “big job” two, three, or five years after graduation. And
very frequently, it puts you on the list for the good job that is not filled through advertising or
from the company staff. Write the cover message. Write the résumé and reference sheet to
accompany the message.
4. Graduation is fast approaching, and you are now ready to sell your working ability in the job
market. Besides canvassing likely firms with the help of prospecting messages and diligently
following up family contacts, you have decided to look into anything that appears especially good
in the ads of newspapers, online sources, and magazines. The latest available issues of large city
publications and online services yield the jobs listed below.
Concentrate on the ad describing the job you would like most or could do best—and then write a
cover message that will get you that job. Your message will first have to survive the filtering that
eliminates dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applicants who lack the expected qualifications.
Toward the end you will be getting into strong competition in which small details give you the
superiority that will get you an interview.
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Study your chosen ad for what it says and even more for what it implies. Weigh your own
preparation even more thoroughly than you weigh the ad. You may imagine far enough ahead to
assume completion of all the courses that are planned for your degree. You may build up your
case a bit beyond what you actually have. Sort the qualifications for the job, organize them
strategically, and then present them in a cover letter. Write a résumé and reference sheet to
accompany your message.
a. Office manager. Currently seeking an office manager with initiative and flexibility for
work in a fast-paced environment. Must have an outgoing personality and excellent
communication skills and be a team player. Must be a “power user” of Word and Excel
and have excellent Internet search skills. Knowledge of PowerPoint a plus. Some
overtime expected during crunch periods. Send application materials to Chris Eveland at
ceveland@qconline.com.
b. Assistant webmaster. Outstanding information technology, organizational, and
interpersonal skills are needed for work on a company portal. Mastery of HTML and
PHP, experience with website design including graphic design, and knowledge of client/
server technology are vital. Candidates should be able to communicate with international
audiences.
Candidates also must possess excellent writing skills and the ability to effectively manage
multiple projects while interfacing with company employees. A bachelor’s degree with a
background in information systems, marketing, or communications is required. Please
send résumé to Megan Adami in Human Resources, 7165 North Main Street, (your city),
or fax it to 1-888-444-5047, or email it to megan_adami@ cnet.com.
c. Management trainee. Named by Fortune magazine as one of the best places to work, this
constantly expanding international company uses shared decision making and clear career
paths so that employees can be productive and well rewarded. The challenging
management training program requires candidates with good communications skills and
high energy levels to be successful. Applicants must be computer literate and possess
good interpersonal skills. Fax résumé to Don Zatyko at 1-888-399-2569.
d. Staff accountant—payroll specialist. We are looking for an accountant who desires to
grow and move up the ladder. One should be motivated and willing to work in a fastpaced, multitasking environment. An associate’s degree in accounting or finance is
required. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and able to meet
deadlines. The job involves coordinating transfers of time worked data from time
collection systems to payroll systems. Must have extended knowledge of Excel to
compute withholdings and deductions, and must stay up-to-date on multiple state laws
regarding payroll. Excellent compensation package and benefits. Apply to Carolynn
Workman, accounting director, at carolynn_workman@adelphia.net.
e. Staff accountant. Successful candidate should have a BS in accounting and be proficient
in QuickBooks and/or Excel. Would be responsible for performing account analysis for
corporate accounts, assisting in consolidation of subsidiaries, and assisting in the
preparation of annual and quarterly financial statements and financial reports for certain
subsidiaries. Experience in the local environment of small business is desirable. If you
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are concerned with order, quality, and accuracy, please contact us by mail at
Administrative Partner, Winship and Acord, P.C., 3013 Stonybrook Drive, (your city), or
by email at CWA@msn.com, or by fax at 1-217-399-2569.
f.
Network specialist. We seek someone who can help deliver reliable, secure, and
integrated networks. Must be able to bring together data and voice, WAN and LAN, fiber
optics and wireless. Opportunity to learn newest technologies. Must have network
certification such as MCP, MCSE, CNA, or CNE as well as a college degree or the
equivalent experience. Requires excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Experience with multiplatform computing is preferred. Will be expected to develop
technical documentation and help establish network policies, procedures, and standards to
ensure conformance with information systems and client objectives and strategy.
Qualified applicants should send application documents to Robert Edwards at
redwards@tyt.com.
g. Technology analyst/consultant. A fast-growing, highly regarded information technology
assessment/consulting firm has a position for someone with expertise in client/ server
technology and Access. Must have excellent written communication and interpersonal
skills. Vendor or user organization experience is highly desirable. Position is in the Bay
Area. Send or fax your résumé to director of human resources at 500 Airport Road, Suite
100, (your city), or 415-579-1022.
h. Financial analyst. An eastern-based investment firm is seeking an analyst to help with
the evaluation of potential private equity investments and marketing of an existing and a
new leveraged buyout fund. Should have a bachelor’s degree from a good school and
some experience in banking. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical capabilities and
excellent computer skills, particularly spreadsheet, statistics, and database. Please email
your résumé to andrew-winston@fidelity.com.
i.
Trade show exhibits coordinator. Position reports to the national sales manager and
requires an individual who can work independently as well as part of a team. Professional
telephone and computer skills are essential. Coordinator will maintain exhibitor contact
databases, serve as an internal liaison to accounting and as an external liaison to vendors,
and assist the on-site floor managers with various exhibitor-related responsibilities. Also
must create exhibitor and attendee pre- and post-show surveys, collect data, and compile
results. Trade show, association, or convention services experience is a plus. Some
limited travel is expected. Send your résumé to lmiller@aol.com.
j.
Sales representative. Major pharmaceutical company is expanding and looking for a sales
representative in your area. Ideal candidate will have a successful record of sales
experience, preferably in a business-to-business environment. Candidate must be well
versed in science and willing to continually learn about new products. Good knowledge
of your area is highly desirable. Send your résumé to Jane_Adami@pfizer.com.
k. Internet programmer. Seeking a professional individual with experience in complex
HTML/DHTML, strong web development, and a thorough understanding of ajax and
PHP. Will design, write, modify, test, and maintain programs and scripts for a suite of
server applications. Must be comfortable in a UNIX environment and possess some
competency in SQL. Any experience with data warehousing would be a plus.
Additionally, a qualified candidate should be a team player and self-motivated and
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possess excellent speaking and writing skills. Send all application documents to
James.Andrews@menshealth.com.
l.
Marketing professional. An international, rapidly growing consumer and trade publisher
is seeking a self-motivated individual to help us reach our goal of doubling revenues by
the year 2015. Ideal candidate will be an innovative, results-oriented professional willing
to take the challenge of developing new markets in Central and South America. Should
be good at packaging and repackaging information products for a large and expanding
customer base. We are looking for those with some experience, creative writing talent,
leadership skills, good communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills. Sell yourself
through your cover message and résumé. Send a rich media text to Thomas McLaughlin,
corporate vice president, Blackhawk Publishing at tjmclaughlin@blackhawk.com.
m. Executive administrative assistant. Vice president of a Fortune 500 manufacturing
company seeks a highly competent, personable, organized, and dependable executive
assistant. College degree desired. Must have excellent communication skills and thorough
command of Internet navigation as well as word processing and presentation programs.
In addition to basic business knowledge in accounting, economics, computer systems,
finance, marketing, and management, an understanding of manufacturing in a global
market would be desirable. Apply to director of human resources, P.O. Box 3733, (your
city).
n. Graphic artist. An employee-owned systems integration firm has an immediate need for
a graphic artist. A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree with some experience
desired. Must be proficient in PhotoShop and Illustrator, preferably in a Windows
environment. Will prepare presentation and curriculum support graphics for government
customer. Knowledge of project management software is a plus. Must have a work
portfolio. Send résumé to the attention of KML, P.O. Box 900, (your city).
o. MIS specialist. A local medical clinic is seeking an individual to manage a multisite,
multiplatform computer system. Will be responsible for troubleshooting and coordinating
problems in a Windows Vista environment and writing reports for management. A
background in the healthcare/medical field combined with a good knowledge of
computing is highly desirable. Send résumé to (your city’s name) Community
Clinic,1113 Henderson, (your city), or fax to 888-316-1026.
p. Financial manager. Multispecialty medical group (60 doctors) needs dedicated
professional to work in providing financial planning and control in a growing
organization. Join a team of financial specialists who bear responsibility for budgeting,
general accounting, reimbursement, billing processes, and external reporting. Also
responsible for development of long and short-range financial goals and evaluation of
their impact on strategic objectives and service mission. Degree in accounting/finance.
Technical and team skills needed. Competitive salary and benefits package. Send letter
and résumé to Mount Renault Medical Group, Box 14871, New York, NY 00146.
q. Accountant. A major real estate developer and property management company seeks an
accountant. Must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Will assist in financial
reporting, tax preparation, cash flow projections, and year-end audit work and paper
preparation. Mastery of Excel is required as are good communication skills. Some work
experience in accounting is desirable; internship experience in an accounting or real
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estate environment is also desirable. Send your résumé and cover letter to TPL, P.O. Box
613, (your city) or email it to tpl@hotmail.com.
r.
Accounting majors. Multinational consumer electronics firm seeks entry-level accountant
for work in its controller’s division. This person must be knowledgeable in financial and
managerial accounting, internal auditing, budgeting, and capital investments. A
multinational orientation, degree in accounting, and progress toward completion of CPA
or CMA are a plus. Good communication skills (written and oral) and computer
applications are required. Interested applicants should send letter and résumé to
hrdirector@circuitcity.com.
s. Bank examiner. Federal Reserve Bank (nearest to your location) seeks career-oriented
individuals. Persons hired will conduct on-site examinations of foreign banks operating in
the U.S. in their lending activities, derivative products, bank operations, and financial
information. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or
economics. Evidence of cross-cultural sensitivity and foreign language proficiency is
preferred. Travel 30–50 percent of the time. Excellent oral/written skills and U.S.
citizenship required. Apply with letter, résumé, and reference sheets to Federal Reserve
Board, Human Resources Department, (your region).
t.
Proposal writer. Global leader in high-technology asset management needs individual to
prepare proposals for clients. Person selected must be a team player, thrive on high-tech
challenges in fast-paced environment, and possess a state-of-the-art solution orientation.
Excellent writing skills essential, along with BBA degree and experience with various
hardware/software technologies. Job includes coordinating appropriate persons to define
solutions and preparing program plans with cost estimation for clients. Send letter,
résumé, and writing sample to Department SAS, (your city).
u. Assistant to operations manager. Proven leader in the insurance industry seeks a highly
motivated assistant to the operations manager of regional service center. Technical skills
include proficiency in Internet use and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and
other database applications. College training preferred with good people skills. Person
selected must be able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with
internal and external customers. Apply to HR Department, Box 7438, (your city) or email
to hrdirector@statefarm.com.
v. Environmental safety and health assistant. World leader in battery manufacturing is
looking for an individual to work in safety and health area of production plant and
distribution center. The successful candidate will need to have a business or
environmental engineering degree and possess excellent organizational and people skills.
Job duties involve administering health/safety programs, conducting training, and
working with governmental agencies and regulatory personnel. Excellent opportunity for
results-oriented individual seeking to work for a safe, attractive, and sanitary
environment. Send cover message and résumé to Box SH, (your city).
w. Account executive for display advertising. State business journal invites applications for
career-oriented individuals. Qualified candidates must be college graduates (business
preferred) and have work background to demonstrate reliability and commitment. Job
scope involves selling display advertising in creative ways for specialized business print
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and online publications. Applicants should be of high energy, aggressive, and creative.
Send applications to Drawer HBD, (your city), or salesmgr@busjrnl.com.
x. Financial consultant. Large communications services company needs qualified person to
provide communication-based utility automation consulting to electric utilities. Must
have comprehensive financial management knowledge. Perform economic analyses on
current and proposed projects; assist in development of budgets; evaluate budget to actual
performance; prepare monthly reports. Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning,
valuation techniques, accounting principles, and economic forecasts. Must communicate
well orally and in writing. Email letter, résumé, and references to applications@alc.com.
y. SEO Blogger. New website is seeking a writer/intern for its search engine optimization
(SEO) blog. This new site, which has free SEO tools, is attracting a growing worldwide
interest. We are seeking two writers for three to five posts per week. Must have a
background in SEO and be abreast of the field in order to write on current topics.
Telecommuting is OK. Please send samples of your work or links to it along with your
SEO credentials to jobs@nonbot.com.
z. Corporate trainer. Exciting opportunity is available for a professional with strong
presentation skills, good organizational skills, and excellent written and oral
communication skills. Successful trainer will be able to effectively communicate
technical information to both technical and nontechnical users. Should be able to design
classroom training modules and measure their effectiveness. Good time management and
use of Outlook are required. Some travel to clients’ sites may be required. Application
documents including a sample PowerPoint presentation should be sent to Sharon Garbett,
President, Sedona Training, P.O. Box 1308, Moline, Illinois 61266.
5. You are looking ahead to your graduation soon. You’ve decided to begin to look for jobs online.
Tap into a system that you know posts jobs in your major or a corporate website that posts job
openings. (See the textbook website for links to some of these sites.) Browse through the jobs
until you see one that appeals to you and for which you will be qualified when you graduate. Print
(or save) a copy of the ad so you will have it handy when you write your résumé and cover
messages. Address the points covered in the ad and explain that you learned about the position
from a particular online system. Plan to send your résumé electronically via email. Plan to send
both a formatted and a scannable version of your résumé.
6. Using a tool of your choice such as LinkedIn, Weebly, or Yola, create a webpage profile
complete with links that provide supporting details. Take care that your online portfolio is easy to
navigate as well as pleasing to view.
7. You are seeking an internship in your field. Using your school’s career services office, online
internship sites, personal contacts, or other sources, find an internship in your field that you are
currently qualified to hold. Write a résumé, references list, and cover letter for the position. Print
a copy of the position description for your instructor. If you find the information through a
personal contact or have no official job posting to print, write a brief paragraph describing the
position. Be sure the description includes your personal contact’s name, job title, company name,
and contact information as well as a list of job duties and qualifications.
8. You are seeking an internship but have not yet found a job posting that fits your interests and
abilities. However, you have always wanted to work for (pick a real company), and even though
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the company has no positions advertised, you decide to send an unsolicited cover letter, résumé,
and references to this company. Before you write the letter and résumé, though, you will want to
analyze your purpose and goals; your audience; and the skills, experience, and qualifications you
could bring to an internship with this company. Submit this analysis in a short memo to your
instructor. Then prepare a résumé and cover letter targeted to the internship.
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