Applying for a Job
6.2
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
INSERT BOOK COVER ART
Section 6.2
Applying for a Job
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to prepare for your job
search
Procedures for creating effective
résumés and cover letters
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Making a good first impression
on potential employers is
essential to securing
employment.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Be Confident and Be Prepared
You should display confidence and be
positive every time you communicate
with an employer by phone, in writing,
or in person.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Be Prepared
An employer will require you have
certain documents.
A Social Security number is a number
issued by the federal government that is
required for all workers.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Be Prepared
A work permit shows that you have
been advised of laws restricting the
hours young people can work and the
kinds of jobs they can hold.
If you are under 16 (or 18 in some
states), you will need a work permit.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Be Prepared
A résumé lists your experience,
education, and skills in a formal manner.
Employers will see your résumé as a
reflection of you, so make sure it is well
written and polished.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Communicating Effectively
Standard English is the form of writing
and speaking you’ve learned in school.
If you have trouble with grammar and
usage, now is the time to polish those
skills.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
The job application form asks questions
about your skills, work experience,
education, and interests.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
Read and follow directions exactly.
Keep the application neat and clean.
Make your statements positive.
Keep your opinions open.
Prepare any lists of information in
advance.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
References are people who will
recommend you to an employer.
Employers trust teachers and former
employers most.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
Get permission to use people as
references.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
Employers do not have the right to ask
you about your:
race,
religion,
sex,
children, or
marital status.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Filling Out the Job Application
You don’t have to tell if you’ve been
arrested.
You are required to tell if you’ve been
convicted of a felony.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
A résumé is a brief summary of your:
personal information,
education,
skills,
work experience,
activities, and
interests.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
A good résumé can get you an interview.
A bad résumé can kill your chance for a
job.
Make yourself look good!
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
In your résumé, focus on your skills,
education, and training.
Don’t hesitate to include awards,
hobbies, or activities.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
A résumé should usually not be longer
than one page.
It must be neatly printed, and there
should be no errors in spelling,
grammar, or usage.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
A chronological résumé gives your
experience in time order, listing your
most recent experience first.
You organize your education and other
information in the same reverse order.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
The advantage of a chronological
résumé is that is shows your growth
in experience.
It works best for a person with
continuous work experience.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Preparing a Résumé
A skills résumé is organized around your
skills and accomplishments.
The advantage of this résumé format is
that you can emphasize your strengths.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Electronic Résumés
Increasingly, companies copy and store
résumés electronically.
When companies need to hire someone,
they do an electronic search of their
stored résumés.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Electronic Résumés
Here are some tips for making your
résumé scannable:
Keep the résumé clean.
Use crisp, dark type.
Avoid italics, underscores, and fancy
type.
continued
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Electronic Résumés
Use white paper.
Use keywords in describing your
experience.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
Always send a cover letter with your
résumé.
A cover letter is a one-page letter telling
the employer who you are and why
you’re sending your résumé.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
Your cover letter should reflect your
understanding of the company and how
you are able to meet its needs.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
The opening paragraph of your cover
letter should explain why you are writing.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
The body of your cover letter should be
your sales pitch.
Highlight personal qualities, skills, and
experiences that make you a good
candidate for the job opening.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
The closing paragraph should tell how
you will follow up.
Always include your telephone number
in this paragraph so that the employer
can contact you.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Writing Cover Letters
Your cover letter should be free of errors
in spelling and punctuation.
If possible, ask someone else to
proofread your cover letter.
Try to personalize your cover letter.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
Taking Tests
A performance test evaluates how well
you can do a particular task.
A drug test is a blood or urine test for
illegal drugs.
A polygraph test is a lie detector test.
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work
Applying for a Job
6.2
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
INSERT BOOK COVER ART
End of Section 6.2
Applying for a Job
Chapter 6 • Finding and Applying for a Job
Succeeding in the World of Work