Flatley/Rentz/Lentz, M: Business Communication, 2/e

Chapter 11

Communicating in the Job Search

Critical Thinking Questions

1.  “Building a network of contacts to help one find jobs appears to be selfish. It involves acquiring friendships just to use them for one’s personal benefit.” Discuss this view. (LO1)

2.  Maryann Brennan followed a broad program of study in college and received a degree in general studies. She did her best work in English, especially in the writing courses. She also did well in history, sociology, and psychology. As much as she could, she avoided math and computer courses.

Her overall grade point average of 3.7 (4.0 basis) placed her in the top 10 percent of her class. What advice would you give her as she begins her search for a career job?(LO1)(LO2)(LO3)

3.  Discuss the value of each of the sources for finding employers for a finance major (a) right after graduation and (b) after 20 years of work in his or her specialty. (LO1)(LO2)(LO3)

4.  Assume that in an interview for the job you want, you are asked the questions listed in the text under the heading “Anticipating Questions and Preparing Answers.” Answer these questions. (LO6)

5.  The most popular arrangement of résumé information is the three-part grouping: education, experience, and personal details. Describe two other arrangements. When would each be used?(LO4)

6.  Distinguish between the print résumé and the digitalrésumé. When would each be most appropriate? (LO4)

7.  What is meant by parallelism of headings?(LO4)

8.  Describe the cover message and résumé you would write (a) immediately after graduation, (b) 10 years later, and (c) 25 years later. Point out similarities and differences, and defend your decisions. (LO2)(LO4)(LO5)

9.  What differences would you suggest in writing cover messages for jobs in (a) accounting, (b) banking, (c) advertising copy writing, (d) management, (e) sales, (f) consulting, and (g) information technology?(LO5)

10.  Discuss the logic of beginning a cover message with these words: “This is to apply for . . .” and “Please consider this my application for the position of . . .” (LO5)

11.  “In writing cover messages, just present the facts clearly and without analysis and interpretation. The facts alone will tell the employer whether he or she wants you.” Discuss this viewpoint. (LO5)

12.  When should the drive for action in a cover message (a) request the job, (b) request an interview, and (c) request a reference check?(LO5)

13.  Discuss some of the advantages that writing a thank-you note to the interviewer gives the writer.(LO8)

14.  Identify some of the benefits one gains from continuing to read professional journals for job information after one is employed.(LO8)

15. Identify some of the benefits of maintaining a resume using LinkedIn or other similar cloud-based service or tool. (LO8)

Critical Thinking Exercises

1.  Criticize the following résumé parts. (They are not from the same résumé.) (LO4)

  1. Work Experience

2008-2011 Employed as sales rep for Lloyd-Shanks Tool Company.

2005-2008 Office Manager, Drago Plumbing Supply, Toronto.

2002-2005 Matson’s Super Stores. I worked part time as sales clerk while attending college.

  1. References

Mr. DonZatyko

Sunrise Insurance, Inc.

317 Forrest Lane

Dover, DE19901-6452

Patricia Cullen

Cullen and Cullen Realtors

2001 Bowman

Dr. Wilmington, DE19804

Rev. Troy A. Graham

AsburyMethodistChurch

Hyattsville, MD20783

D.W. Boozer

Boozer Industries

Baltimore, MD21202

  1. Education

2007 Graduated from Tippen H.S. (I was in top 10 percent of

my class.)

2011 B.S. from Bradley University with major in marketing

2011 to Enrolled part time in M.B.A program at the University of

present Phoenix

  1. Qualifications

Know how to motivate a sales force. I have done it.

Experienced in screening applicants and selecting salespeople.

Know the pharmaceutical business from 11 years of experience.

Knowledgeable of realistic quota setting and incentives.

Proven leadership ability.

Comfortable and competent with all technologies.

2.  Criticize these sentences from a cover message.(LO5)

Beginning Sentences

  1. Please consider this my application for any position for which my training and experience qualify me.
  2. Mr. Jerry Bono of your staff has told me about a vacancy in your loan department for which I would like to apply.
  3. I am that accountant you described in your job announcement posted on your company’s website.
  4. I want to work for you!

Sentences Presenting Selling Points

  1. From 2007 to 2011 I attended Bradley University where I took courses leading to a B.S. degree with a major in finance.
  2. I am highly skilled in trading corporate bonds as a result of three years spent in the New York office of Collins, Bragg, and Weaver.
  3. For three years (2008-2011), I was in the loan department at Wells Fargo.
  4. My two strongest qualifications for this job are my personality and gift of conversation.

Sentences from Action Endings

  1. I will call you on the 12th to arrange an interview.
  2. If my qualifications meet your requirements, it would be greatly appreciated if you would schedule an interview with me.
  3. Please call to set up an interview. Do it now – while it is on your mind.

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Chapter 11: Communicating in the Job Search