CH 5 - Starting Your Career

Question 1

Do you need an application letter with your resume?

Answer 1

Yes. Minimal career materials include a resume and application letter.

Question 2

What’s the typical length for a resume?

Answer 2

One page for entry-level, two pages for higher level positions.

Question 3

What’s the typical organizational pattern for a resume?

Answer 3

Header
Career objective/summary
Education
Related work experience
Other work experience
Skills
Awards and activities
References

Question 4

What’s the typical organizational pattern for an application letter?

Answer 4

Addresses and greeting
Introduction
Description of educational background
Description of work experience
Description of skills or talents
Conclusion
Salutation & signature

Question 5

What are the two organizational approaches for resumes?

Answer 5

Chronological - time order (most common)

Functional - skill/ability order (for more experience seekers)

Question 6

Why do some resume experts recommend not using space for Career objective/summary on resumes?

Answer 6

They basically describe the job being applied for or they repeat information that can be found elsewhere.

Question 7

How do you handle unrelated work experience?

Answer 7

List them, but no paragraph descriptions are required, especially for self-explanatory positions (server, dj, etc.)

Question 8

List five design principles to consider when designing a resume.

Answer 8

Balance - vertical and horizontal
Alignment - create two or three levels of alignment to allow for easier scanning
Grouping - Use white space to frame groups of information
Consistency - font types, bullets, etc
Contrast - make titles and headings stand out

Question 9

What’s typical length for an application letter?

Answer 9

One page - two max.

Question 10

What is an application letter’s purpose?

Answer 10

Show that you are Uniquely qualified for the position
Show excitement for the work
Show personal qualities

Question 11

What comprises the introduction of an application letter?

Answer 11

Identify subject
State purpose
State main point
Stress importance
Offer background information

Question 12

The body of an application letter details education, experience, and skills. How should they be presented?

Answer 12

They should make an argument - NOT repeat your resume. Start each paragraph with a claim. The rest of the paragraph should support that claim.

Use facts, examples, details, and reasoning. Tell stories about yourself.

Question 13

What comprises the conclusion of an application letter?

Answer 13

Thank the reader
Offer contact information
Look to the future

Question 14

How does the style of an application differ from that of a resume?

Answer 14

“You Attitude” - made your achievements about how they benefit the employer
Active voice - show that you did something
Non-bureaucratic tone - avoid stuffy words and phrases
Themes - point out what makes you different or attractive

Question 15

What comprises a professional portfolio?

Answer 15

Resume
Samples of written work
Examples of presentations
Descriptions and evidence of projects
Diplomas and certificates
Awards
Letters of reference

Question 16

What’s the typical organization of a portfolio?

Answer 16

Bio or personal statement - one page overview
Educational background - diplomas, workshops, transcripts, etc
Related work experience - performance reviews, news articles, photographs, brochures about projects, etc
Specialized skills - certifications, non-collegiate coursework
Writing samples and publications
Awards - certificates, letters of congratulations
Other interests - volunteer work, sports, hobbies - preferably relevant to the kinds of jobs seeking
References - letters of reference and list of contacts

Question 17

Describe how to set goals and make a plan for finding a career position.

Answer 17

Setting goals - ask big questions, write down the answers, be specific about issues like location, salary, vacation, etc.
Making a plan - Use employment websites, social networking, professional networking, college placement, targeting, classified ads

Question 18

Name the suggestions for an interview.

Answer 18

Dress appropriately
Greet people with confidence
Answer questions
Use your portfolio 
Ask questions
Leave with confidence

Question 19

What’s protocol for thank you letters?

Answer 19

Email is good immediately following the interview
A letter may get more attention for followup, since fairly rare

Show appreciation for interviewer’s time
Express continued interest
Reinforce an important point that came up during interview

Question 20

Name some strategies for creating good bios/personal statements.

Answer 20

Be concise - as little as 100 words, max 500
Hook the readers - highlight what makes you different
Write in the third person for a bio, first person for a personal statement
Identify 3-5 major achievements
Be specific about accomplishments - numbers, facts, dates
Offer personal information
Include contact information where appropriate