One way to find a job

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• One way to find a job

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The most effective way to get the job you
wantWrite resumes and cover letters that are
impossible to refuse.
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This lecture will prepare you for your
homework assignment to write a resume and cover
letter and for the job market.(Refer to
Homework 1 handout)We will focus on 1.
Cover letter format and craft2. Resume
guidelines and craft
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Cover Letter Components(refer to Business
Letter handout)

• Letterhead with full contact information
• Date
• Recipients full name, title, and address
• Salutation
• Introductory paragraph
• Body paragraphs
• Summarizing paragraph
• Close
• Signature block
• Signature

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Cover Letter Formatting

• 1 11/4 margins all around
• Times New Roman 12 pt font
• (except for letterhead)
• One blank line between paragraphs
• Left justify only
• Signature in blue or black ink only

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Writing the cover letter

• According to Indiana School of Law, cover letters
  may best be organized into three paragraphs
• Par. 1 Explains why you are writing, names the
  position for which you are applying and where you
  found the opening Explains why you are
  interested.
• Par. 2 Explains how your experience qualifies
  you for the position.
• Par. 3 Paves the way for an interview
  indicates your willingness to interview and/or
  how you will follow up on your application.

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For this assignment, your cover letter will be
graded on the following criteria

• Format
• Whether the information you choose to provide
  matches the job ad
• The order in which you present information (most
  important first)
• Grammar and punctuation

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Lets work on an example together. Heres the
job ad

• Looking for a boxing teacher to work with
  at-risk youth in the Salt Lake Area. Applicant
  should have at least three years of boxing
  teaching experience and should be able to deal
  with conflict in a positive way. The job
  requires working with teenage boys who have
  histories with violence and acting out. This is
  a great opportunity for someone who is interested
  in making a difference for people who have had
  challenging upbringings. About 20 hours per
  week, mornings preferred. Applicant should have
  a Utah drivers license and pass a background
  check and drug tests. Please mail resume to Rick
  Smith at 115 Park Place, Sandy, UT 84123.

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You, the applicant, have this experience

• 5 years experience as a Taekwando teacher for
  children between the ages of 10 and 12
• 9 years experience as a boxing student
• 1 year experience as a volunteer for big brother
  / big sister charity
• (what are the challenges in terms of the job
  requirements?)

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Take a few minutes to write the second
paragraph of the cover letter in which you
explain how your experience will make you
successful at the job.
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Here are some common mistakes

• Bad Example 1 Emphasizing less important
  aspects first
• Dear Mr. Smith
• I have lived in Utah for seven years so I do
  have a Utahs drivers license. Also, I dont do
  drugs, so I will definitely pass the drug test.
  I should be able to teach in the mornings, so the
  schedule for this job is perfect for me and for
  you. Ive been a Taekwondo teacher for 5 years
  for little kids. This is a good reason for you
  to hire me.

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Bad example 2 Leaving out important
connections between experience and job
requirements.

• Dear Mr. Smith
• I have five years of experience as a Taekwondo
  teacher for children between the ages of 10 and
  12. It was a really wonderful experience to
  teach young children because they look up to you
  and learn very easily and quickly. Theres
  nothing like being a teacher. I was also a
  volunteer for big brother / big sister. My
  little brother really helped me to see that
  there are people out there who need my help and
  attention. I think I would be a good fit for
  your program. Ive attached a resume so you can
  see why.

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Good example Shows how even though
the applicant has never been a boxing teacher or
worked with teens, his cumulative experience
makes him the right candidate for the job.

• Dear Mr. Smith
• My extensive experience as a Taekwondo
  instructor along with my experience as a boxing
  student have prepared me for a job as a boxing
  instructor. Though my students were not at-risk
  teenagers, they did provide me with a lot of
  practice at resolving conflict and providing
  positive discipline. I am confident I could use
  these skills to be successful in this position,
  and Im excited for the chance to use boxing as a
  way to teach discipline and confidence to your
  students. Enclosed you will find my resume,
  which further describes my education and skills.

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Prepare for writing the resume. Take a few
minutes to write down your job / volunteer
experiences. What skills did you learn from
those experiences?
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If youre applying for a job that requires
managerial skills, which of the following
descriptions would you use for the following work
experience?

• Café Pierpont Server and Hostess, September
  2004 present, Salt Lake City, UT
• - Worked efficiently in a high-stress
  environment
• - Handled money as a cashier
• OR
• 2. Café Pierpont Server and Hostess, September
  2004 present, Salt Lake City, UT
• - trained 20 employees as Trainer and
  Supervisor
• - Interacted with the public regularly as a
  representative of the company

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Refer to handout, Resume Guidelines
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Re-cap Homework Assignment

• Questions?