Whether you’re planning on getting a job in your field for the first time after graduation, or you’ve been in your field for several years, you may find yourself seeking a new job. The job search process can involve a lot of research and patience, and even some luck. But no matter what field you are in or what kind of job you’re after, you need to be able to present yourself professionally in documents such as letters and résumés, and in face-to-face communication situations. This project asks you to compose a few documents related to finding a job. You will need to find a real job listing which you will use as the basis for your project. Ideally, this job listing is one that you could legitimately apply for directly after graduation. All of the documents you write will be geared toward getting this job. Hopefully, once this project is done, you will have documents you can reuse or use as templates to generate professional job documents in the future.
Your job search portfolio will include the following:
A note about the summary: The purpose of the research summary is to demonstrate that you’ve done some reading about and inquiry into your career field before you embark on a job search. For that reason, it should be an honest “summary,” meaning that you do some reading on your field, and then sit down and write up a summary of what you discovered. DO NOT provide direct quotes or cite/document sources. DO NOT cut and paste direct phrases or sentences from any source or simply paraphrase someone else’s sentences. Please write your summary in your own words.
Resources at: http://www.rhetoricandwriting.com/3213/resources.htm
Print all documents, organize them according to the order above, and place them in a paper pocket folder. Bring to our regular class room at 4pm on Monday, December 6th.
If you want to submit your documents electronically, you MUST scan all resume drafts/peer review sheets (fronts and backs) and include them with your project. Uploads must be by 4pm on Monday, Dec 6th.
As part of your job portfolio project, answer all six questions as if you were asked them as if they were asked during an interview for the job listing you have found. Of course, prepare your answers professionally (use tenants of good professional writing and information from the Locker textbook, plan your response, and proofread/edit). If you are asked a behavioral question, answer using the STAR method. If appropriate, show your knowledge of the company/organization in your response.
• What makes you think you’re qualified for this position at this company?
• Tell me about a time that you had a lot of work to do in a short time. How did you manage the situation?
• Describe a work or school situation where you had to interact with an irate person (customer, supervisor, group member) and describe how you handled it.
• What do you see yourself doing in 5 or 10 years?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• How has college prepared you for this career?
The Research Summary will be considered above average (A/B) if it
- Includes overview of field
- Includes thorough description of ideal job
- Identifies common career requirements and recommendations
- Identifies possible professional organizations, includes a description, and states what might be gained from membership
The Traditional Resume will be considered above average (A/B) if it
- Is clearly chronological or skills based
- Is obviously targeted towards a particular career field, industry, or particular position. In other words, it includes a well-written objective statement, summary of qualifications, OR a skill section clearly tailored towards a particular job advertisement or description. • Includes descriptive action verb statements that effectively describe duties, successes, and outcomes
- Is formatted professionally. It should be aesthetically pleasing, easy to read, and not based on a template
- Fulfills guidelines on the “Checklist for Resumes” (Locker page 477)
The Scannable/In Line Resume will be considered above average (A/B) if it
- Is free of formatting and may be clearly scanned, in 12 or 14 point standard font, and left aligned (unjustified)
- Includes “keywords” with common search terms and synonyms
- Includes lots of nouns in place of verbs, when possible
- Fulfills guidelines on the “Checklist for Resumes” (Locker page 477)
The Cover and Thank-You Letter will be considered above average (A/B) if they
- Are professionally written
- Employ good planning (purpose, audience, organization)
- Are targeted towards included job listing
- Employ good professional style (goodwill tone, focus on positive, reader focused)
The Interview Responses will be considered above average (A/B) if they
- Employ STAR response method on behavioral questions
- Show knowledge of company/position when applicable
- Are professional and contribute to good ethos
Overall, projects will be considered above average (A/B) if they
- Must be professionally written and proofread
- Must be complete
- Must include all requirements as stated on project outline
NOTE: A project will not be accepted if it is incomplete. Please be sure to follow all guidelines listed on this P4 Information Sheet. If any document submitted for Project 4 is found to be plagiarized, in whole or in part, you will receive a 0% F for the project. At the instructor’s discretion, plagiarism can result in a 0% F for the semester grade and a permanent note on the student’s transcript. Repeated cases of plagiarism may result in expulsion from the university. Please refer to the University Honor Code in the University Catalogue for more information.