I. Form

Is it attractive to the eye in terms of printing, organization of information, and neatness?

Is it easy to read?

Is it free from errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, typing, and spacing?

II. Content

Is the job objective clear?

Does the experience match the job being requested? Are there gaps in employment?

Is there any irrelevant information (i.e., information that is not related to the job requested)?

Is all the necessary information about education (dates and degrees), employment history (names, locations, dates), and references presented?

Activity 3. Resume

By yourself

Read the following paragraph and change all the verbs in parentheses to the past tense.

Alexander's Story

When I (come) here eleven years ago, I (know) only three words: "No speak Eng­lish." So I (start) washing dishes. 1 (take) any job to survive, and everybody (say) to me, "You were an engineer? Forget about it. You'll never get a job as an engineer." Well, you have to know one thing. If you (are) a good engineer where you came from, you'll be a good engineer here, if you know what you want, and if you know the right way to get to your position. Unfortunately, I (suffer) terribly, because I (not, have) any­one to show me how. I (work) very hard on my English, and finally I (get) a job as an assistant engineer in Connecticut. Can you imagine a field engineer who (can't) speak English? I (am) the first one in the United States.

At the beginning I (send) out thousands of resume, and I (not, get) an answer. You know why? Because I (not; know) how to write a resume. You know, in America there is a 'marketplace'. If you don't fit into what they need, they don't take you. In Ukraine we (have) to do everything — low-voltage, high voltage, electric, mechanical. So I (put) in my resume everything that I really did. But in America if they see eve­rything in the resume, they throw it in the garbage because they want you to special­ize in one thing. Then I (get) smart. I started to write three resumes. I (write) resume number one, in which I (swear), that all my life I did electrical engineering, resume number two, in which I (swear) that all my life I did electronic engineering, and resume number three, in which I (swear) that all my life I did drilling engineering. And each one (is) true! I (keep) a list, because I (not, want) to send two different resume's to the same company. Resumes are a catastrophe.

With a partner

Check your answers.

Correct mistakes if any.

With the whole class

Discuss the story.

Why did Alexander write "Resumes are a catastrophe"?

Activity 4. The Employment Agency

By yourself

Read the following information.

A traditional job search also consists of:

Newspaper Classified Ads:

Reading and responding to local and regional newspaper classified employment or "help wanted" ads is easier now with online searches. You can search multiple newspapers and geographical markets online all at once.

Industry Publications:

Reading and responding to employment ads, related to your field of interest, in indus­try publications such as directories, trade journals, and newsletters. Besides job ads, it is helpful to keep informed of valuable information related to your field that will come in handy for identifying companies, contacting decision makers using Hidden Job Mar­ket Strategies, and for interviewing.

Recruiters:

Contacting recruiters (executive search firms, also known as "headhunters," and em­ployment agencies). Many recruiting firms are now online and can be contacted via the Web.

Walk-in:

Dropping off your resume in person can sometimes be effective, particularly with small companies and start-ups.

With a partner

Use the "Personnel Information Form" below to interview a classmate.

Write your class­mate's answers in the form.

Your partner's book should be closed during the interview.

How much education do you have?

What languages do you speak?

What date can you start work?

What hours can you work?

9:00 - 5:00?

at night?

on Saturday?

Can you type?

Use a computer?

Drive?

What other skills do you have?

Do you like children?

Old people?

Do you want to work outdoors?

Are you good at sports?

Are you free to travel?

What is the lowest salary you will accept?

an hour OR a year

Do you want a full-time or a part-time job?

When you finish interviewing your partner, close your book. Now your partner will interview you.

With the same partner

Look at the Help Wanted Ads (below) together.

Circle the jobs you are qualified for.

Help Wanted BOOKKEEPER. 2+ yrs. expr. $375/wk. Non-smoker. BANK TELLER. Good math skills. No expr. nec. Full/part-time. $3.50/hr. AIRLINE TICKET AGENT. Must have own car. Good salary. Work nights and weekends. TAXI DRIVER. $8/hour. Work nights and afternoons. Some Saturdays. Must have driver's license.		Help Wanted GENERAL OFFICE WORK. Some typ­ing. With or without expr. Music Publish­er. $4/hour. HAIRSTYLIST. Full/Part Time. Good sal­ary. Expr. nec. SINGERS. Male and Female. Night work (6: 00 pm-1: 00 am). No expr. but good voice nec. LANGUAGE TEACHERS. Private lan­guage school. Need native speakers with col­lege background. No expr. nec. $10 /hour.
Help Wanted BABYSITTER. Four-year-old child. Live in. Own room with bath and TV. $55/ wk. Sundays off. TEACHER. Physical education. Coach soc­cer team. Degree reqd. $20,000/yr. SECRETARY. Good typing & shorthand nec. English or French helpful. $16,000/ year. COMPUTER PROGRAMMER. Know DELPHI, VISUAL BASIC, C++. Micro­soft Office Applications. $25,000-$35,000/ year.		Help Wanted TOUR GUIDE. Good with older people. Speak 2 or 3 languages. Free to travel. BODYGUARD. Karate expert. Over 6 feet. Strong. Willing to travel. Irreg. hours. $30,OOO/year plus expenses. PHOTOGRAPHER. Take photos of jewel­lery samples. Own camera. No expr. nec. Part-time mornings. ARTIST. Draw fashion ads. Start immedi­ately. $15,000/year.
expr. = experience irreg. = irregular	nec. = necessary ads = advertisements		reqd. = required

With the whole class

Take turns.

Tell the class the job you like best and why you like it.

Activity 5. Help Wanted

By yourself

Read the Help Advertisements given below.

Answer the questions on the right about each ad by writing out the abbreviated word.

FASHION $17,000 Secy Profl assistant needed by Vice Pres of classic retail operation. Asst in New Product Division. Exposure to all areas of merchandising, deal with buyers, vendors, etc. TYPE 60.	What is the actual title of the position? What kind of assistant is needed?
BANKING COLLEGE $20,000 VP. of int'l bank seeks admin asst with flexibility to handle numerous projects. 3+ yrs exp in a corporate environment reqd. Oppty to learn word processing. TYPE 70 + STEN.	What is the actual title of the position? What kind of bank is it? What is "3+ yrs exp"?
WORD PROC $16,300 Use your knowl of IBM Text Pak equipment to get involved at company that deals with the medical	What is "WORD PROC"? What is "equip"?
Coll Grad never a fee $13K MATH MAJOR Work as stat asst at mdtn mktg firm. No typg. Excel bnfts. Career oppty. Carter Agency, 976-8012	What is a stat asst? Where is it located? What kind of firm is it? What is not required?
PART TIME BOOKKEEPER Approx 8 hr/wk. Liberal pay. Reply F5489 Retail co. TIMES 25903		How much time is involved on this job?
P/T GAL/G FRI 10-3, 5 days a week. $6Hr. Resume to Mitchell- Avon Co. 2105 New Country Road, Rm. 2020		What is "P/T"? What is "GAL/G FRI"?

Activity 6. Letter of Application (Cover Letter)

Read the following information about letters of Application.

A letter of application is necessary in the following situations: (a) when answering a specific ad from the newspaper, (b) when writing to a specific person whose name you got from someone else, and (c) when writing to a specific company that you feel is a good place for you to get a job.

The letter has one main objective: to interest the employer in your qualifications so you will get an interview. It should accompany either a resume or a completed applica­tion form.

A letter of application should be prepared very carefully. It can decide whether an employer will pass it on to the personnel department with the note, "This looks worth a follow-up," or will quietly drop it into the nearest wastebasket. Employers receive many letters and cannot pay attention to all of them; if you want yours to "set you apart," or to attract attention, observe the following rules.

• Whenever possible, address your letter by name to the appropriate person in the company.

• Use standard-size (A4 210x297mm), good-quality white bond paper.

• Type the letter or have it typed. Make sure there are no errors!

• Be very careful with spelling and punctuation. If you are not sure of the spelling or precise meaning of a word, consult a dictionary, or a friend, or use a word you feel sure about.

• Be brief — your letter should take up no more than a page. Businesslike letters will receive more attention. Three paragraphs is an ideal length.

• In your first paragraph, mention the job you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. If you are not applying for a specific job, identify yourself, mention who referred you, if anyone, and why you are applying to this company.

• In the second paragraph, state (a) why you think you are qualified for this job; (b) what contribution you can make to this company; and (c) any related work experi­ence. If in the past you have worked for a good company, it is important to mention that. Tell how many years of experience you have. Then, write one statement to show that you understand what the company you are writing to does (example: Fischer-Price is one of the largest manufacturers of quality creative toys in the U.S.) and add that you are enclosing a resume. Mention your most outstanding qualifica­tion as stated in the enclosed resume.

• The closing paragraph should ask for an interview and say where and when you can be reached. You may suggest that you will phone for an interview. Make sure you telephone the company within a week after mailing the letter.

• Keep a copy of every letter you send.

Sample Openings and Closings to Letters of Application

Openings

I'm looking for a position as ...

I am responding to your ad in the Sunday newspaper for the position of ...

At the suggestion of Mr. (or Ms.)_, I'm enclosing my resume for the position of ...

Attached you will find my resume.

Closings

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

I will be in touch in the near future to discuss...

I would very much appreciate an interview at your convenience.

I will call next week to set up an appointment.

With a partner

Discuss: How does competition in the job market affect the employer's attitude toward your letter?

By yourself

1. Read this letter of application for a job at Keynold's Department Store.

2. Use the words and expressions in the box to improve the parts of the letter that are un­derlined.

(enclosed) look forward to hearing

Sir or Madam would like to apply for

a new challenge reached retirement age