JOB SEARCH PROJECT

The purpose of this project is to introduce basic rhetorical principles and writing skills involved in applying for a job. You will create a résumé, a letter of application, and a request for a letter of recommendation.

First, using Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, company websites, or a newspaper, find a position or an internship for which you are currently qualified. Be sure to make a copy of the job listing to turn in with your assignments.

Next, using the guidelines in the handbook and on Purdue's OWL, prepare a one-page résumé, a letter of application, and a request for a letter of recommendation from a employer, former employer, or professor.

Résumé | Application Letter (or Cover letter) | Request for a recommendation letter/reference letter | Evaluation of the assignment

Résumé

In preparing your résumé, be sure to:

• Read and follow the guidelines in the handbook on page 473 – 490 and on Purdue's OWL Resource for Workplace Writers

(Scroll down for info on résumés and cover letters.) We will view their PowerPoint presentation in class.

• Your résumé should be persuasive and user-centered: tailor your résumé to the specific organization and position for which you are applying.
• Choose the best organizational pattern based on your level of experience and for the position; for some of you, that means organization based on your education, like the one on p. 476.
• Use action verbs and highlight your accomplishments, rather than just listing the tasks you performed, whenever possible.
• List only skills and activities which demonstrate leadership or pertain to the position for which you are applying.
• Design your résumé carefully so it makes it past the initial screening.
• Format your résumé for printing, checking your margins, font size, and other design elements so that your résumé fits on one page. Please see this link, "When to Use Two Pages or More," for help deciding whether your resume should go over one page in length.
• You may print your documents on regular, white bond paper, but remember that you would use high quality résumé paper when sending the documents to a company.

Application (or cover) letter – based on a current job ad -- see pages 38 - 42. You'll include the ad when you submit the project.

In writing your letter of application, follow the paragraph by paragraph guidelines in your handbook under “Application Letter” and the general principles under “Correspondence,” keeping your specific audience in mind. Purdue's OWL also has great tips on cover letters under "Professional, Technical, and Job Search Writing."

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Your former employer or professor knows something of your abilities and would probably be willing to comment on your qualifications for the new job. However, if it’s been a while since you worked there, your former employer may know relatively little about your more recent accomplishments and aspirations, such as unique work or educational experiences. You will want to refresh his or her memory about you, pointing out your specific skills, good work habits and talents, and other job-related assets to ensure he or she will be sure to emphasize them in the letter for you. Mention any honors you have received as well as experience you have that could set you apart from other candidates.

Be sure to follow the organizational pattern from the handbook that you think is most appropriate and be prepared to explain your choices. Attach and refer to your résumé. Make sure your former employer has all the information needed to comply with your request, such as the date by which the letter is needed, the name and address of the person to whom it should be addressed, how to contact you with any questions, and any other specific details.

If your audience for this assignment is a friend, you still need to meet the requirements of the assignment, which is meant to reinforce your business letter writing skills. This will mean adopting a different approach and tone and including different details than you normally would when communicating with this person. (If you are good friends, you would not be corresponding via a business letter in the first place.)

See also "Applicant Request for a Letter" at Purdue's OWL under Professional, Technical, and Job Search Writing.

After you've drafted your letter, use the following prompts to evaluate it:

This is a letter of inquiry, so should it be organized following the direct or indirect pattern? (Is it neutral, good news, or bad news?) If you choose the direct pattern, your purpose for writing should be stated up front.

• Does the opening paragraph immediately explain that you are applying for a particular position and ask for a letter of recommendation? Is there anything you should add or clarify?

Does the letter ...

• Remind the recipient of your connection to him or her?
• Update the recipient on recent accomplishments?
• Refresh the recipient’s memory as to your strengths and special skills?
• Remind the recipient of other qualities that you hope the recommendation letter will emphasize by mentioning what sets you apart from other typical candidates for the job?
• Supply ALL the information the recipient will need in order to comply with the request, such as
• where to send the letter
• the date the recommendation letter is needed
• the name and address of the recipient
• other?
• Is there anything else that could be added to help the recipient prepare to write the letter?
• Does the letter close by giving contact information?
• Does it project the “you” attitude and effectively build goodwill?
• Is there anything that might be added to build goodwill more effectively?

Ask Dr. Kirk: How To Get A Great Letter Of Recommendation From Your Teacher by Dr. Delaney Kirk

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Evaluation of the letters:

• The peer review form for the letters lists other important criteria for the documents.