Applying for a Job

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Section 6.2
Applying for a Job
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WHAT YOULL LEARN

• How to prepare for your job search
• Procedures for creating effective résumés and
  cover letters

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WHY ITS IMPORTANT
Making a good first impression on potential
employers is essential to securing employment.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Communicating Effectively
Standard English is the form of writing and
speaking youve learned in school. If you have
trouble with grammar and usage, now is the time
to polish those skills.
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Filling Out the Job Application
The job application form asks questions about
your skills, work experience, education, and
interests.
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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.

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Filling Out the Job Application
References are people who will recommend you to
an employer. Employers trust teachers and former
employers most.
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Filling Out the Job Application
Get permission to use people as references.
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Filling Out the Job Application
Employers do not have the right to ask you about
your

• race,
• religion,
• sex,
• children, or
• marital status.

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Filling Out the Job Application
You dont have to tell if youve been
arrested. You are required to tell if youve
been convicted of a felony.
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Preparing a Résumé
A résumé is a brief summary of your

• personal information,
• education,
• skills,
• work experience,
• activities, and
• interests.

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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!
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Preparing a Résumé
In your résumé, focus on your skills, education,
and training. Dont hesitate to include awards,
hobbies, or activities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Electronic Résumés
Increasingly, companies copy and store résumés
electronically. When companies need to hire
someone, they do an electronic search of their
stored résumés.
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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
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Electronic Résumés

• Use white paper.
• Use keywords in describing your experience.

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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 youre sending your
résumé.
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Writing Cover Letters
Your cover letter should reflect your
understanding of the company and how you are able
to meet its needs.
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Writing Cover Letters
The opening paragraph of your cover letter should
explain why you are writing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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End of Section 6.2
Applying for a Job