Develop Communication Skills For Employment: Job Interview Stages + Strategies To Appy

DEVELOP COMMUNICATION CHAPTER
SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT

4
COLLECTING
INFORMATION ON
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Your
Learning 4 resume
Journey qualifications
skills
Chapter 4 experience
social
temping/
networking newspapers
freelancing
sites
Next personal direct mail professional

ORGANISE networks campaigns publications
CH5 WORKPLACE
INFORMATION ATS
r Applicant
Tracking
System
4
Job interview stages + strategies to appy 4
POST-INTERVIEW
CLOSING OPENING PREPARE
Evaluate
Thank interviewer First impressions Practice Q + A
Follow up
Asking: Confidence Dress appropriately
Letter of
acceptance “When will the Eye contact Have resume copies
decision be Handshake Memory jogger
made?” notes
Sitting / no
fidgeting
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Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-
202
THE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION HANDBOOK
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
4.1 search for a job using a variety of job search strategies and methods
4.2 write the type of resume and cover letter that best show how your qualifications, skills
and experiences match the requirements of the recruiter and the position
4.3 use standard resume sections and keywords to optimise a resume for selection by an
online applicant tracking system (ATS)
4.4 identify the stages in a job interview as well as strategies to use in the different stages.
4.1 SEARCHING FOR A JOB

Today, job searching is more than applying for a position and hoping to be called for an interview. A
combination of strategies such as establishing an online social presence, targeting companies and
creating a resume and cover letter that showcases your qualifications, skills, experiences and strengths
improves the chance of success. A successful job search depends on your ability to market yourself
using networks, contacts, your own initiative and seeking advice and guidance through established
employment and recruitment agencies.
Whether you are looking for a first job, a change in career or a promotion, you are making a job search.
Try several different
ways to find a job. Most job search websites provide a wide variety of career resources: for instance, information on job
seeking, sample resumes, career networking, training and skills, company research and employment
news.
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
Apply through
employment Instead of advertising, many employers use the services of an employment agency that matches
agencies as you the skills and qualifications of people on its register with the requirements of the position. If your
search for a qualifications are suitable, the agency will arrange an interview. In this way, countless jobs are filled
position.
without being advertised in newspapers or online job search engines.
Employment agencies help job seekers to find a job, and assist employers to match job seekers
to the requirements of a job. When a job seeker gets work, they are usually paid by the
employment agency and the agency receives a percentage of the annual salary for permanent staff or
a percentage of the hourly rate paid by the employer.
jobactive is the Australian Government employment services system that supports job seekers and
employers. jobactive can be accessed through https://jobsearch.gov.au/, which lists a variety of services
as well as all the job vacancies offered by jobactive. You can search the vacancies according to the
region of Australia that you live or seek work in.
Job Seeker is another large online job board that lists jobs available in the community, health, not-
for-profit, welfare and government sectors across Australia. Job Seeker helps organisations find the right
staff and job seekers find the right role, and also offers job seekers resources to help them write a job
application and prepare for an interview. As well as matching people to jobs, Job Seeker assists
young people facing barriers to get a job, disadvantaged community members to access the internet
and keep in touch with others, and homeless people to find things like housing, a hot meal and
health and wellbeing services.
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Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-
CHAPTER 4 / Develop communication skills for employment
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
Recruitment agencies are contacted by organisations that wish to find suitable candidates for a vacant
position. Recruiters gather the employment brief, job description and specifications from the employer
and then search the employment market to find a pool of candidates who ‘fit’ the position.
The internet lets anyone with a desktop, tablet or mobile phone search for vacant positions listed
on recruitment agency websites such as those listed below. Entering the words ‘recruitment agencies’
into a search engine will give you links to other agency websites.
Among the most popular recruitment agencies are:
• http://www.seek.com.au
• http://www.careerone.com.au
• http://www.positionsvacant.com.au
• http://www.adzuna.com.au
Search for vacancies by filters such as location (including international, national, state, region
or capital city), occupation, industry or salary band. The jobs published in many newspapers are
also available through job search websites.
The use of automatic matching and scraping systems, which extract data from targeted websites and
are prevalent in large agencies, results in broad but less specific candidate pools. Matching and
scraping gathers and downloads online resumes, typically into the recruiter’s central database, for later
retrieval and analysis.
Employers looking for specialist and non-generic candidates, or employers looking to recruit
locally often look to boutique (small, specialist) agencies to find suitable candidates. Boutique
recruitment agencies exist by fulfilling needs not met by an organisation’s internal recruitment function
or by larger external agencies. These needs include locating candidates with specialised training and
experience, including those not actively looking to change employers.
Often, you can register and store your profile and resume with an agency. The agency not only lists
Search for positions
positions vacant but may also email you suitable job vacancies on a daily basis, provide potential
through online job
employers with your details, and make your resume available on their website for recruiters and search sites to widen
employers to access. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their resume is the range of
adapted to the different positions sought by the employer and the recruiter. opportunities.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Joining a business-oriented social networking site such as LinkedIn or GooglePlus enables job seekers
to increase their online presence. Members are able to establish their professional profile online, locate
experts and ideas, stay in touch with colleagues and explore new career opportunities. In 2018, LinkedIn
had over 500 million users.
Recruiters and employers seek and evaluate job applicants on merits and contributions as identified
in their resumes and cover letters. They may also search LinkedIn profiles, Twitter, GooglePlus and
Facebook to identify potential candidates from users who have updated their bios lately or often. For a
comprehensive list of social networking websites, refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
List_of_social_networking_websites.
Jeanne Meister reports:
Big data recruiting firms … find new talent before the prospective
employees even know they are in the job market. Companies such as
Entelo, Gild, TalentBin and the U.K.’s thesocial CV analyze not just a job
candidate’s LinkedIn profile, Twitter feed and Facebook postings, but
also
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their activity on specialty sites specific to their professions, such as the

open-source community forums StackOverflow and GitHub (for coders)
Proformative (for accountants), and Dribbble (for designers.) This approach
to recruitment is creating a new technical world order where job
applicants are found and evaluated by their merits and contributions,
rather than by how well they sell themselves in an interview.
Source: From The Future Of Work: Why Social HR Matters by Jeanne Meister.
Published by Forbes.com, ª 2014.
Their goal is to find talent invisible on widely popular social platforms before their competitors. The
Conduct a social
media cleanse to extensive use of the internet and mobile technologies for recruitment purposes means employers now
present a positive expect you to have an online presence and message. Online candidates are more accessible than
persona for ever, and things have evolved to the point at which recruiters and employers expect you to have an
recruiters and
employers, who
online profile that is up to date. Profiles with suitable and relevant keywords are easily found by online
select a resume recruiters’ applicant tracking systems (ATS).
and then search Conduct a social media cleanse to ensure your online image is positive. Google yourself, and
the potential
use other search engines as well to find out what an employer will uncover from a simple search
candidate online.
of your Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. Clean up as many inappropriate photos and
status updates as possible and change the privacy settings on your sites to help your private life
stay private.
TEMPING AND FREELANCING

Temping is a growing part of the job market, and you can register your availability as a temp worker
Seek freelancing
positions to work by contacting recruitment agencies directly or via their websites. Temporary work can range from jobs
from your home lasting a few hours up to several months, and can even lead to being offered extended contracts or
office. full-time positions.
Freelance telecommuting from home is another growing sector of the job market. People
working from home save the employer floor space, equipment and overhead costs. Most of
their communication is done by telephone, email, SMS, social media channels and other tools
on the Web.
Professional freelancing, sometimes referred to as the digital nomad lifestyle, requires a portfolio of
past work, professional contacts and application through job sites such as Freelance Australia, SEEK
(Freelance Jobs in All Australia), LinkedIn and Upwork Australia. If you want to freelance, as well as
searching on the internet you can apply directly to an organisation either by email or by letter, offering
your services and requesting an interview.
NETWORKING
Many vacant positions are never advertised. Employers fill the position through their own networks of
Let people in your
professional and business contacts, or social and family contacts. Thus, it is important to create your own
network know that
you are in the network of friends, neighbours, sporting and social clubs, and contacts at work. Networking assists in
market for a job or gaining a position. One way to do this is to ask someone to be your personal or professional referee. If they
change of
agree, tell them about the kind of work and position you are looking for. This way, people in your network
employment.
can pass on this information to coworkers and associates. They may even recommend you for a position.
Attend job fairs to network with employers who are hiring. As well as meeting with potential
employers you are able to meet other job seekers and learn about other employment opportunities.
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Bring your resume and arrive professionally dressed and prepared to research the organisations suited
to your qualifications, skills and experience.
While at the fair, take the time to look up on your smartphone what organisations have recently
posted on social media to give you something to discuss with the representative of an organisation.
As you speak with the representatives of the organisations involved in the job fair, ask questions about
possible positions and the names and contact details of the organisation’s human resources and
recruiting manager.
DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN (COLD CANVASSING)

When looking for a job, you may decide to go one step further and seek opportunities by
writing directly to companies. This is known as cold canvassing, or a direct mail campaign. Widen your job
search by using a
Applying for unadvertised positions widens your opportunities. direct mail
The first step of your campaign is to determine the skills you have and the type of position suited campaign.
to them. Then decide which companies might offer employment that matches your qualifications and
aspirations. Start by searching for your targets online and in the index of directories such as Yellow
Pages online to choose the areas of work that may interest you, and note what employment
agencies are listed there.
If your resume is ready, the next step is to prepare an unsolicited letter of application. Resumes and
letters of application are discussed later in this chapter.
NEWSPAPERS
One of the less common ways of finding a position now is to check the ‘Positions Vacant’ section in
newspapers. The national papers advertise professional positions throughout their pages as well as in
their ‘Positions Vacant’ section. Government organisations advertise as early as August or September for
the general intake of employees for the next year. Some private employers advertise in newspapers and
online around October or November. School leavers and TAFE and university graduates apply for
many of these positions.
PUBLICATIONS
Most professional associations publish journals, usually online, and many of these carry advertisements
for positions. Use the computer facilities at the library to find online journals published by companies Access
advertisements for
and potential employers. The library also files online government gazettes. positions in journals
Information about organisations – all of which are potential contacts for employment – can be found of professional
in: associations.
• the business news section of local and national newspapers
• the Yellow Pages telephone directory
• industry publications, which also report on current developments and trends in industry
• company brochures and annual reports, which outline the company’s history, size and activities
• employer directories such as The Business Who’s Who and Kompass.
SELF-INVENTORY Determine your

Self-assess before your job search to create an inventory of your strengths (qualifications, skills skills, interests,
values and attitudes.
and experiences) as well as your interests, values and attitudes towards different sorts of work.
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A self-inventory reveals your major strengths and weaknesses and any talents or skills you may have
overlooked or considered unimportant.
People who feel they have little or no work experience relevant to an advertised position, or
who have been out of the workforce for some time, may underrate their skills and abilities – for
example, those returning to employment after a few years out of the workforce for parenting duties
have developed skills in stock control, budget management, organisation, planning and getting along
with others. Many school leavers have developed their planning skills by organising school
functions or by leadership and teamwork in sporting activities. School leavers also know how
to manage time, set goals and work under pressure. In voluntary social and welfare work, even though
the work is unpaid, people gain valuable contacts, experience and skills that can be useful in other
positions.
Research yourself and create an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses, experiences and
interests. Reflect on your personality traits in general, such as positive, assertive, flexible, adaptable and
motivated. Also consider work-related personality traits such as being goal- and team-oriented, a good
communicator, approachable, working well with others, organised and responsible. Think about the
types of job you want and what an employer might be looking for in a candidate.
Analyse the essential and desirable skills and qualities the job requires. Consider these as
you prepare your resume and the covering letter. Summarise all relevant work experiences along
with any other skills, qualities, responsibilities, initiatives and achievements. Reflect on your
competence across a range of areas – for example, the personal skills necessary to work as part
of a team, your skill at dealing with information, or even handling activities such as driving a car
or being a first-aid officer. Consider how you can demonstrate these skills to the interviewer or the
interview panel and let the interviewer know how your strengths will suit a position and benefit
a potential employer.
CHECKPOINT 4.1 1. Identify six different ways you can find out about vacant positions.
2. Networks and employers:
a. Identify and list your own professional, business, and social or sporting networks.
b. What can you find out about prospective employers when you attend a job fair?
3. Online profile:
a. Identify the benefits for a job seeker of having an online profile.
b. Why should you conduct a social media cleanse?
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Is your social media content stopping you from getting a job?
4. Self-inventory:
a. Briefly
A survey discuss three
undertaken strategies
in 2018, youpoll
by Harris canfor
useCareerBuilder
to create a self-inventory.
in the USA, found that 70% of
b. What are the advantages gained from undertaking
employers check job candidates’ social media profiles, 48% a self-inventory?
check the social media accounts
>
of current employees and 34% have fired or disciplined a worker because of social media
content. 57% of employers found content that resulted in them not hiring someone.
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> The news isn’t all bad though. 58% of employers reported looking on social media for
information that supported a candidate’s job application, 50% checked to see if the candidate
had a professional online presence and only 22% were looking for a reason not to hire the
candidate.
Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-half-of-employers-have-found-content-on-social-
media-that-caused-them-not-to-hire-a-candidate-according-to-recent-careerbuilder-survey-300694437.html,
viewed
2 November 2018.
ASK YOURSELF: What can be seen on your Facebook page that might hinder and/or help
4.2 TYPES OF RESUME

The written application is often the only source of information a potential employer can assess when it
comes to deciding whether you should be invited to an interview. Therefore, it is important to make it as
interesting, informative and persuasive as possible. A job application has two parts:
1. the resume
2. the covering letter.
The covering letter introduces your qualifications for the job and sets out to persuade the
employer to invite you to an interview.
A resume is the summary of your personal data: education, skills, qualifications, work experience,
references, hobbies and interests. It may also be referred to as a curriculum vitae or CV.
The resume is the document that contains all your relevant qualifications, experience and
achievements. A well-designed resume presents the information in sections with headings. Choose a
structure that suits your particular qualifications and experience and makes the resume informative and
interesting. The two most common types of structure for a resume are:
• basic (general)
• functional.
Exhibit 4.1 describes these two types of resume. Remember to use white space to make your resume
easier for the potential employer to read and keywords to match the requirements of the position and
the recruiter. The function and layout of each part of a basic resume is shown in Exhibit 4.2. The layout
of a functional resume is shown in Exhibit 4.3.
EXHIBIT 4.1 Types of resume

Type Description
Basic resume Includes all the usual parts of a resume with appropriate headings, but is simpler and shorter than the functional
resume. The basic resume suits those who have just left school, TAFE or university or have little work
experience. The headings shown in Exhibit 4.2 will help you to organise it.
Functional resume Uses a different order of presentation from the basic resume to make the most of a wide range of skills and
work experience (see Exhibit 4.3). As most employers are interested in seeing how your most recent experience
matches their needs, present your work experience first, starting with the most recent, and put the rest in
reverse chronological order. Develop subheadings that highlight the job functions in which you have
demonstrated expertise – for example, supervisory, marketing or training skills – and responsibility. Use
the advertisement as a guide for highlighting specific functions and choosing keywords for use in headings
and resume content.
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EXHIBIT 4.2 Layout and function of each part of a basic resume

Christopher Brown
212 Seymour Street MILLSVILLE VIC XXXX (0X) XXXX XXXX
LinkedIn address (optional)
Career objective
Open with two to four lines that show you have something to offer the potential employer. Write with a clear and confident style.
ducationalList all your certificates, the subjects they cover, the year each was
ualificationscompleted, and the name of the institution that awarded each one. Attach copies of subject transcripts to support your application, with the most recent one on top and the rest in rev
Work experienceMention all work experience, including voluntary, part-time and student vacation work. Highlight your particular strengths.
Achievements, awardsIdentify any special achievements from school or other organisations – for
r commendationsexample, school captain, prefect or local club leader. Highlight any awards and special communication skills (such as public speaking or debating), as these are essential to m
Activities and interests Present your most recent activities first, with the rest following in reverse order. The employer likes to know about your interests and special skills.
RefereesNominate people who have agreed to recommend your skills and recent work.
EXHIBIT 4.3 Layout of a functional resume

Christopher Brown
212 Seymour Street
MILLSVILLE VIC XXXX
(0X) XXXX XXXX
chrisbrown@telemail.com.au LinkedIn address (optional)
Career objective
Write a compelling short (two to four lines) paragraph that shows why the recruiter or employer should
employ you for the position.
Employment experience Present your employment history, starting with the most recent position,
proceeding in reverse order to your first position. Your most recent job
functions and achievements are of the greatest interest to the employer.
GiVe the title of each position, then briefly describe each job function,
particularly those relevant to the position you are applying for. Indicate any
specific achievements or initiatiVes you accomplished in your previous
positions.
Educational Fully identify your qualifications, the institutions where they were
qualifications gained, and the details of course subjects. Again, present these in reverse
chronological order, starting with the most recent. Emphasise any that
are particularly important to your potential employer.
Awards or If you have three or more awards or commendations, include a separate
>
commendations heading; otherwise, include these with actiVities and interests
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> Activities and interestsOffer potential employers evidence of your ability to mix with others and mention any special skills that may be relevant – for example, commun
ProfessionalList any memberships of professional associations as these indicate that you
membershipsare keeping up with the latest developments in your industry or occupation.
RefereesPresent at least one who is professional and work-related, and one who will provide a character reference. An academic reference could also be useful.
Career objective
The purpose of the career objective is to catch the attention of the recruiter or employer. Rather than
saying what you want from the company the career objective should tell the recruiter or employer what
skills, knowledge and abilities you have that will help the company achieve its goals.
An effective career objective is short (two to four lines). It should be engaging and complement your
experience and skills and offer the prospective employer an indication of your work-related ambitions.
The example in Exhibit 4.4 is short and to the point. A useful career objective is not vague and lacking
in detail. In a resume it will be positioned after the applicant’s name and personal details.
EXHIBIT 4.4 Career objective example for an event planner

I have experience interacting in high-pressure situations with vendors who supply catering, entertainment or decorations. Last year, my skills in problem s
By contrast, an employment objective is a short statement telling the recruiter or employer what you
want from the company and how it will help your own career. An employment objective, for example, To
obtain a position as a legal secretary within a law firm, is bland and typically focuses on what the
candidate wants instead of engaging with what the employer wants. While a career objective requires
more thought than an employment objective, it has the advantage of making an impact and helping
your resume stand out from others in the candidate pool.
Headings
The resume is organised into sections, each with a heading. The main sections could be headed as follows:
• personal details – place your name at the top so it is easy to find
• career objectives
• education
• work experience
• achievements, awards or commendations
• interests
• referees.
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Order the headings

You may want to vary the order of these headings, or change them to suit a specific application or to
highlight your particular strengths. For an online application through an online resume site, use
keywords in the headings and body of your resume to match the requirements of the job
description and the recruiters’ ATS.
In Australia, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate on the basis of marital status. Remember to
include the names of referees or people prepared to recommend your professional competence and
experience.
Save your resume as a Word document file because there are some applicant tracking
systems that discard resumes in formats they still cannot convert such as PDF, HTML, Open
Office or Apple Pages. In practice, the advent of mobile computing has caused a change in the
online
tool design used by employers and agencies, with much less impact on end users; however, the
remaining hurdles are online sites that require documents (sometimes including supporting documents)
to be uploaded in Word or PDF format. Some of these sites have a ‘dropbox’ feature to make this
easier for mobile device users.
RESEARCH THE POSITION

When a job advertisement provides a contact telephone number, use it to find out more about
the position before you prepare your resume. Even if a contact number is not provided, you
could
telephone the organisation and ask for more details, or research online or in business magazines in
the library.
Make it easy for the selection panel or person to identify your strengths. Interviewers eliminate
those people considered unsuitable on the basis of their job application. In your resume, use
keywords to concentrate on the attributes that are essential and desirable for the job.
It is also worth considering the length of your resume. If it is too long, it may not be read carefully.
If it is too short, check to see whether you have left out any important information. Bullet points and
short
Show how your
qualifications match
the job
requirements.
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phrases may suit
some parts of the COVER LETTER
resume better The letter of application is the covering letter for your job application. The letter is not the place to list
than sentences.
your work experience. Its role is to draw attention to the qualifications and experiences listed in the
A
resume that equip you for the job. The writing style (your ‘tone of voice’) should be courteous and
fter
confident, but not over-confident. Sound as though you are keen, have the right attributes, are willing to
pre
learn, are able to adapt to changing circumstances and are open to direction.
pari
ng
a
suit
abl
e
res
um
e,
you
sho
uld
the
n
writ
ea
cov
erin
g
lett
er
tha
t
will
per
sua
de
the
rea
der
to
tak
e
par
ticu
lar
not
e
of
you
r
app
lica
tio
n.
The letter should be written in Plain English because clear language helps the reader to understand
your letter easily and quickly. Avoid using lengthy words, praising yourself too much or being too
effusive. Positive words and phrases create a positive first impression. Refer to Exhibit 4.18 for examples
of useful action words. The covering letter should be brief (about one page).
Exhibit 4.5 is an example of a letter of application for the Administrative Assistant position advertised
Plan your
in Exhibit 4.6. covering letter
carefully.
EXHIBIT 4.5 Example of a letter of application or cover letter
Kim Flanagan
3 Burnside Court
STOCKBRIDGE VIC XXXX
3 October 2020
Mr Cale Kapalos
Kapalos MacroTech
76 Parker Street
MILLSVILLE VIC XXXX
kim.flanagan@gmail.com
Dear Mr Kapalos,
Position: AdministratiVe Assistant
I am applying for the position of AdministratiVe Assistant advertised in the Millsville Examiner on
2 October 2020.
I have a Certificate IV in Business and I am currently studying for my Certificate III in Information
Technology. I am experienced in working with both Mac and PC systems, and my present position
as AdministratiVe Assistant in a software company requires excellent organisational skills, and a
high level of written and verbal communication skills.
The key responsibilities of my current role are answering customer inquiries, performing basic
accounting functions, working closely with other staff, and proViding administratiVe support.
OVer the past fiVe years I have also developed my administratiVe and communication skills through two
other similar positions as an office assistant. This experience is supported by the enclosed references.
I am Very keen to secure the advertised position with your company. The rest of my qualifications and
experience are outlined in the accompanying resume.
I look forward to discussing my application at an interView. I can be contacted at the aboVe address,
by email or by telephone on (0X) XXXX XXXX.
Yours sincerely
Kim Flanagan
Kim Flanagan
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EXHIBIT 4.6 ‘Positions Vacant’ advertisement

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FULL TIME
d to perform basic accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, assist our busy sales team with administrative duties, and be the first point of contact for incoming te
Please email your resume to Cale Kapalos at
The covering letter, or letter of application, has three main parts:

1. The introduction expresses your interest in the job.
2. The body points out specific qualities, qualifications and experience mentioned in your resume,
and states your interest in the organisation.
3. The conclusion indicates where and how you can be reached for interview.
The AIDA formula is a helpful strategy to use for writing the application (see Exhibit 4.7). A well-
Write your letter
planned letter is more likely to arouse a potential employer’s interest in your application – enough to call
using the AIDA
formula. you for an interview.
EXHIBIT 4.7 Applying the AIDA formula to a covering letter

AIDA formula Purpose
Attention Introduce yourself (your name)
(Introductory paragraph) Say why you are writing (the position). Aim to catch the reader’s attention
Interest Say, in the body of the letter, where you heard about the position (advertised or
(Paragraphs in the body) word of mouth)
State why you are a good match for the company and the role (draw on relevant
experience as proof)
Desire Point the reader towards your formal work or education experience document
(Paragraphs in the body) (your resume)
Refer them to the specific parts of your resume that support your claim of
suitability to this position and refer to any awards to back up your claims.
Aim to have the reader to recognise your value, and to want to call you for an
interview
Action Invite the reader to take action
(Concluding paragraph) Close by stating again that you are interested in the position and prompt
the reader to contact you for an interview
The advertisement in Exhibit 4.6 is for the position of an Administrative Assistant to join the head
office of an information technology company. The likely keywords in the advertisement in Exhibit 4.6 are
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in bold typeface. If you applied for this job, you could include some of the keywords in the
advertisement in your covering letter, then refer the reader to your resume for more information. (Exhibit
4.5 is an example of the application letter for this position.) In a covering letter, take care to
present information that is relevant to the position you want.
Exhibit 4.8 lists the characteristics of a poor covering letter.
EXHIBIT 4.8 Characteristics of a poor covering letter
Unclear, rambling sentences
Superior, discourteous or pushy tone

Messy appearance
Exaggeration of the applicant’s abilities
Incorrect spelling
Characteristics of a poor covering letter

Incorrect punctuation Not enough details
Ambiguous words or ‘buzzwords’ More than one page in length
Poor layout Apologetic tone

Photocopy rather than a signed
original letter
About two weeks after you have sent a job application, it is appropriate to make an inquiry about it,
by letter or telephone. State again, courteously and clearly, your interest in the organisation and the fact
that you are available and would like an interview.
Unsolicited letter of application

When using a cold canvassing approach to search for a job, an unsolicited letter of application is
Inquire about an
the most important part of your direct mail campaign. The unsolicited letter of application is your unadvertised
initial contact with a potential employer. Its purpose is to find a position that has not been advertised. position with an
The covering letter for an unsolicited job application has four main parts: unsolicited letter of
application.
1. a paragraph introducing yourself
2. an explanation of the type of position you are looking for and are qualified for – clearly state
what you have to offer the employer
3. a paragraph saying why you are attracted to working for this particular organisation
4. a statement of where and how you can be contacted.
In this covering letter, you should emphasise your main strengths and write no more than one
page.
Portfolio website
Complementary attachments such as a portfolio website, LinkedIn profile, a specific Facebook page,
blog or creative portfolio site that demonstrate accomplishments, skill sets, academic achievements,
experience or talents can bring a resume to life. Attachments dedicated to promoting the skill and
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expertise of a candidate are suitable for specialty or niche candidates. They can be an excellent addition
to present at job interview. The website can be built on a platform or service that best presents the
candidate’s skills. Samples of previous work in video, audio, imagery or presentations can be made
available to bolster the job application and interview.
References
Work-related references are documents that highlight and recommend your skills and experience.
File work-related
references written A potential employer will check these references to establish your stability, loyalty, capabilities,
by your immediate personality and ability to accept and carry out instructions.
supervisor, manager
Before you offer someone’s name as referee, or present a written reference, it is business courtesy to
or employer for
future use. warn them in advance. This can also produce a more positive report from them when they receive a
telephone call about you. Prospective employers rarely accept a written reference. They prefer to check
by telephone with the named referees to establish the character and work history of a potential
employee.
You should list each reference in your resume as employers are often annoyed when a resume states
‘available on request’. Each reference should come from a credible source. Before you leave a position,
think about whom you will ask to be a referee. They should be willing to recommend you and able to
assess your abilities competently.
APPLICATION FORMS
Some employers prefer applicants to fill out a job application form, for the following reasons:
Complete forms
carefully and 1. The form uses standard questions, which makes it easier to compare the applicants.
accurately. 2. The potential employer can see whether an applicant can interpret and answer written questions.
3. The company orders the questions in a format that makes the answers easy to evaluate and
collate into records.
If you are asked to fill out an application form, read the whole form carefully, take time to think
about your answers and answer every question. Mention your resume on the form, referring the
reader to particular parts of it that support your answers. Then read back through the application form
and check for any spelling mistakes or incomplete answers.
Ensure you check back through the job advertisement to make sure you have addressed all
requests listed in the advertisement: for example, correct job title and correct company name. If the
advertisement asks for a cover letter, copies of any qualifications and a list of referees make sure you
attach them to your application. Once the application has been submitted, allow time for the employer
to contact you for interview because too many calls will become irritating.
CHECKPOINT 4.2 1. Job application and resume:

a. What are the two parts of a job application?
b. Consider your own situation in life and the work experience you have had. Which of the
two common types of resume should you use, and why?
c. What should you concentrate on when you prepare your resume?
>
2. Would you choose to use a career objective or an employment objective in your resume?
Briefly explain the reasons for your choice.
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Develop Communication Skills For Employment: Job Interview Stages + Strategies To Appy

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Develop Communication Skills For Employment: Job Interview Stages + Strategies To Appy

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DEVELOP COMMUNICATION CHAPTER

SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Next personal direct mail professional

4.1 SEARCHING FOR A JOB

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

their activity on specialty sites specific to their professions, such as the

TEMPING AND FREELANCING

DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN (COLD CANVASSING)

SELF-INVENTORY Determine your

4.2 TYPES OF RESUME

EXHIBIT 4.1 Types of resume

EXHIBIT 4.2 Layout and function of each part of a basic resume

EXHIBIT 4.3 Layout of a functional resume

EXHIBIT 4.4 Career objective example for an event planner

Order the headings

RESEARCH THE POSITION

EXHIBIT 4.5 Example of a letter of application or cover letter

Position: AdministratiVe Assistant

EXHIBIT 4.6 ‘Positions Vacant’ advertisement

Please email your resume to Cale Kapalos at

The covering letter, or letter of application, has three main parts:

EXHIBIT 4.7 Applying the AIDA formula to a covering letter

EXHIBIT 4.8 Characteristics of a poor covering letter

Unclear, rambling sentences

Superior, discourteous or pushy tone

Characteristics of a poor covering letter

Ambiguous words or ‘buzzwords’ More than one page in length

Poor layout Apologetic tone

Unsolicited letter of application

CHECKPOINT 4.2 1. Job application and resume:

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