UNIT 2 – COMMUNICATION FOR WORK PURPOSES

Are you thinking of having a full-time or part-time job? You may want to
augment the income of your family or to financially support your studies at these
difficult and challenging times. You may even feel that you have the legal, and
physical capacities for a job, not to mention the competencies and skills you have
acquired in your senior high school.

Employment communication is the key to get a job now or in the future.

Employment communication includes a resume and a letter of application (Smith-
Worthington & Jefferson, 2005). These two important components of employment
communication, along with job interview will be presented in the following modules.

This Unit enables you to effectively communicate with your prospective

employer and to help you find success especially in your job search online.

After working on the modules, you should be able to:

1. Format, organize, and write an effective resume specific to the job

descriptions and expectations of your employer.
2. Compose a persuasive cover letter/application letter.
3. Post/Submit job application online or through email.
4. Prepare for an employment interview.

LESSON 1: Online Job Application

With computers, mobile phones, and

Internet, online job application has become the trend and is gaining more popularity
especially among the younger members of the digital society. Unlike the
conventional way, online application gives you opportunity to communicate with
your employer without leaving the comfort of your homes. If done with careful
preparations, online job application can highlight your most attractive qualities that
will most likely result to a job interview, and eventually the job position you applied
for.

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Familiarize yourself with best-known job sites, and search engines. 2.

Describe the procedure in online and traditional methods of job
application.
 3. Develop awareness on safety of personal information online.

Before you start working through this module, get ready with your laptop,
tablet, or mobile phone. You may also use a notebook, pencil or ball pen for some
notes. Make sure you have Internet access for video clips, and other learning
resources.

Remember that online job application is a process. It involves a number of steps.

Online job application relies on technology channel for its completion.

Typically, the transaction is done digitally, usually with the use of a computer or
mobile device, and is completed on the job site or on the company’s website.
Always remember to protect your safety online. Job sites usually provide guidelines
and tips on safety of the applicant’s personal and confidential information.

Online job application does not only need Internet connection but also requires
knowledge about how this is being done with the use of job boards, job search
engines, or company websites.

The following links provide information on requirements and preparations on

how to apply for jobs online.

A) www.thebalancecarreers.com/how-to-apply-jobs-online
B) http://www.daviesgenealogy.com/advantages-of-online-job-applications/
C) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2f5UKQdJ0&feature=emb_logo

For those with connectivity issues, a PowerPoint presentation on “How to

apply jobs online” will be uploaded in your FB Groups. Hard copies or
handouts on Online Job Application may be made available through your
class officers. For more information, contact your instructor or log on to
your FB Groups.
 Whether you are using online or traditional techniques for your job search, time
and determined effort are necessary. An early start and preparations can lead you
to your dream or most perfect job. With traditional method, Guffey (2007) shared
some techniques that continue to be critical in landing jobs:
• Check classified ads in local and national newspapers.
• Check announcements in publications of professional organizations.
• Contact companies in which you are interested, even if you know of no
current opening.
• Sign up for campus interviews with visiting company representatives.
• Ask for advice from your professors.
• Develop your own network of contacts

Getting Ready for Online Job Application

1. With Internet, make a list of at least three best-known job sites where you could
possibly post your resume.
2. Find out how keywords work for online job search on job sites you have listed
earlier.
3. Prepare your professional email account, and/or username for use of job sites
/search engines (e.g. carlitoflores@gmail.com).
4. Practice filling-out online application forms available on some job sites (Sample
application form can be downloaded from job sites or may be posted on your FB
Groups.)
Read and honestly answer the following questions:

1. Can I explain the following phrases in my own words?

• Job search
• Job board/site
• Job search engine
• Company website
• Online safety
• Applicant tracking system

2. Can I describe the procedure involve in each of the following?

• Online job application
• Traditional method of job application

3. Did I make myself ready for online job application?

• Created professional e-mail account
• Filled-out sample application form/s
• Reviewed specific job descriptions suited to my qualifications

If you think you have perfectly understood the concepts presented in this lesson,
then you can move on to the next lesson. In most cases, your job application will
not be completed without a resume and cover letter.

LESSON 2: Writing a Resume

Job application, either done online or using the traditional technique, involves
designing a resume. A resume is a one or two-page document that presents the
summary of your qualifications (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2005). This helps
you assess yourself and decide on information that will highlight your most
impressive qualifications. Finding information about the employer and the job
descriptions are also important in preparing your resume.

With this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

1. Evaluate your qualifications for employment.

2. Organize important information to be included in your resume.
3. Design your resume appropriate to the job descriptions/qualifications.

Activity 1: Preparing for Resume

To learn some samples and writing tips for your resume, find time to study the
following links:

A) https://careerwise.minnstate,edu/jobs/resume/html
B) https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/career-services/pdfs/resume-
samples.pdf
C) https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/resumes

Did you notice how the sample resumes were designed? Did you see that they
were prepared with page design using special features, basic headings, and
organizational schemes? Resumes should be done with much preparation to make
them look outstanding.

From your reading, you should learn that you can use a format appropriate to
your situation. You can decide whether to use functional, chronological, or
combination format for your resume.
 Notes and samples of resumes in different formats will be uploaded in
your FB Groups. Hard copies of the same may be made available
through your class officers. Your teacher will give you further
instructions on schedule of availability.

Activity 1: Evaluating Your Qualifications for Employment

1. Think of your employment package; finding out about yourself, your

qualifications, aptitude, special talents and skills, education, honors or
awards received, interests, and work experiences, if there are any.

2. Write the information about yourself. You may use a table or matrix to
figure out your skills, talents, education, honors or awards received,
interests, and work experiences.

Activity 2: Formatting/Writing a Resume

1. Prepare a resume that is “fit” or “match” with the job descriptions provided
by the employer in job posting.

2. Choose the design strategy that will be suited to your situation:

functional, chronological, or combination format.

3. Observe acceptable standards and guidelines for formatting a resume.

(See the samples provided in your FB Groups or from the references
provided in this module.)

4. Save your resume as a document using Microsoft Word or PDF.

 5. Use your name as file name for your resume (e.g.
janelyngarciaresume.doc) and submit to your teacher through email or your
FB Groups.

6. For those with connectivity issues, you can print out your resume in a short
sized bond paper and submit the hard copy to your teacher or use the drop
box found at the Language Department.

Reminders:
1. Some job sites want you to follow their own resume formats.
2. Some companies may allow you to upload your existing resume (either in
Microsoft Word or PDF) to their websites.
3. Always be ready with your resume in three versions: traditional printbased
resume, scannable resume, and embedded resume for emailing.

The questions below are related to designing and formatting of your resume.
Honestly answer the following questions:

1. Did I carefully assess my strengths and qualifications for the job

descriptions?
2. Did I choose the most effective type of resume for my situation: functional,
chronological, combination, or electronic resume?
3. Did I use phrases and lists in parallel structure my qualifications rather
than sentences and paragraphs?
4. Did I assign a file name or use appropriate document for my resume?
5. Did I make my resume stand-out with the use of the following:
• Symmetrical balance or format
• Ample use of white space
• Easy-to-read font
• Special features such as boldface and bulleted lists

If you think your resume is not good enough for job application, you can always
do the revision and redesigning. Remember there is always room for improvement.
LESSON 3: The Cover Letter

Apart from resume, most employers

require a cover letter. Cover letter or letter of application lends support to your
resume. It is persuasive in tone, and basically a sales letter that sells you as the
product or service (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2005). The application letter
and the resume are equally important because they help you in getting ready for
work.

After working on this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Compose an application letter to support your resume.

2. Check/edit the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in your
application letter.

Read the following links on cover letter/application letter.

A) https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/jobs/coverletters.html
B) https://mn.gov/deed/assets/invited-cover-letter_tcm1045-131487.pdf
C) https://mn.gov/deed/assets/invited-cover-letter-no-paid_tcm1045-
131486.pdf
D) https://alison.com/course/751/resource/file/example_cover_letter.pdf
 Cover letter is composed of three parts: the opening, the summary of
qualifications, and the request for an interview. The opening paragraph should
always get the attention of your employer. It should include your interest in the job,
and your explanation how you learn about the job. The second part, usually in one
or two paragraphs, provides the summary of your qualifications describing your
education, related skills, appropriate work experiences, and references when
necessary. The last paragraph should motivate your reader to action by asking for
an interview, referring to your resume, and providing your contact information
(Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2005).

Notes and samples of application letter will be uploaded on your FB

Groups. Hard copies of these notes may be made available through your
class officers. Your teacher will give you further instructions on schedule
of availability.

Activity 1: Composing a Cover Letter

1. In three or more paragraphs, write your application/cover letter in three parts: the
opening that is supposed to be attention-getter, a summary of your
qualifications, and a request for an interview.
2. Save your cover letter as a document using Microsoft Word or PDF.
3. Use your name as file name for your cover letter (e.g.
janelyngarciacoverletter.doc) and submit to your teacher through email or post
on your FB Groups.
4. For those with connectivity issues, you can print out your cover letter in a short
sized bond paper and submit the hard copy to your teacher or use the drop box
found at the Language Department.

Activity 2: Posting/Submission of Online Job Application

1. Post your job application by using the professional account/username you have
created earlier.
2. Make sure your resume and cover letter specifically addressed the job
descriptions and requirements as posted in the job site.
3. If possible, submit the screenshot (picture) of your online job application to your
teacher through e-mail.
4. In case posting of job application online is not applicable, you may send your
cover letter and resume through email or post on your FB groups.
5. For those with connectivity issues, you can print out your cover letter and
resume in short sized bond paper and submit the hard copies to your teacher or
use the drop box found at the Language Department.

Reminders
1. Use your name as file name for your cover letter and resume (e.g.
janelyngarciacoverletter.doc, janelyngarciaresume.doc). The file
name will be useful in uploading your documents through email or
online job posting.
2. Wait for your teacher to provide you (via FB Groups) with further and
final instructions regarding online job posting/submission.
3. The rubrics for evaluating your job applications will be posted on you
FB Groups.

Put a check mark (√) if you observed the standards and guidelines in
preparation for your job application and put an (X) if otherwise. Use the space
provided before each item for your answer.

_____1. I considered my prospective employer or reader in preparing and writing

my cover letter.
_____2. I addressed the qualifications required of me as an applicant as posted on
online job site.
_____3. I organized my writing to reflect my strengths.
_____4. I made sure the beginning paragraph of my letter is attention-getter.
_____5. My letter of application consists of three basic parts: the opening, summary
of my qualifications, and request for interview.
_____6. I provide enough information for my contact details.
_____7. I carefully chose my character references when necessary.
_____8. I used the job search keywords for my application online.
_____9. I checked and edited the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in my
letter and resume before posting/submission.
_____10. I was aware that one’s safety in online transaction is a matter of concern.

LESSON 4: Job Interviews

Do you think you are ready for job

interview? Do you see yourself in this situation? After posting job applications online
or handing them in personally to the company or human resource office, you are
undoubtedly expecting a call, a message, or an email for employment interview.

Job interview may put you in a nerve-racking situation. You may feel
intimidated with the idea of being interrogated for a job position. The feeling of
being turned-down will also make you feel nervous and uneasy. But, don’t worry,
it is always normal to experience a certain degree of fear for interview. Rest
assured that you can always overcome the challenges of job interview with
thorough preparations.

After working on this module, you should be able to do the following:

1. Describe the different forms of job interview.
2. Give suggestions and tips for a job interview.
3. Engage in mock/simulated job interview.

Find time to visit the website below and watch the interview example.

Video Clip on How to Interview for a Job in American English, part 5 from https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTdFPlXfFj4

From the video clip, observe the interviewee’s facial expressions, posture, or
body movements.
 Job interview is a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order
to find out if they are suitable for a post of employment (Collins English Dictionary,
2020). Job interviews may come in different forms: one-on-one, panel, sequential,
phone, and video interviews. One-on-one interview is the most common type in
which you sit down with the representative of the company to talk about your
qualifications. Panel interview is also known as team interview in which you direct
your answers to a team of two or more members. Sequential interview allows you
to talk one-on-one with two or more company representatives over a course of
several hours or days (Guffey, 2007).

Your employer may also conduct an interview over the phone or ask you for a
video interview. Video interview is done with the use of digital communication
platforms such as Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts. As an applicant, it is always
important to know what to expect for each type of interview.

To gain confidence for your interview, it is always a must to prepare and

practice for interview questions. According to Guffey (2007), questions can be
about your interests, work experiences and accomplishments, money or salary.
Some questions may be behavioral, brainteaser, challenging, situational, and
possibly illegal or inappropriate. You can always anticipate the questions and
prepare to answer them before the actual interview.

For some tips and suggestions on how to prepare for some types of
job interviews, please find the following websites:

A) https://www.roberthalf.com.au/career-advice/interview
B) https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/boost-your-interview-iq
C) https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/Interview-Cheat-Sheet
D) https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/what-to-bring-to-interview
E) https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/video-interview-guide

For those with connectivity issues, notes will be posted on FB Groups or hard
copies may be made available through your class officers.