CD 227: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & ETHICS IN

THE WORKPLACE

LECTURE 5

JOB SEARCH SKILLS.

Presenter: Mrs. Maino

17 th August , 2021
 LECTURE OUTLINE 2

1. Stages of Job Search.

A) Identifying Your Important Selling Points.
B) Analyzing Job Advertisements.
C) Creating Your Sales Tools.
(i) Writing a Curriculum Vitae /Resume.
(ii) Writing a Letter of Application for a Job.
2. Going for a Job Interview
3. Negotiating Salary and other Conditions of
Employment.
 3
1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH

A) IDENTIFYING YOUR IMPORTANT SELLING POINTS

(i) What are your selling points?
1. Relevant Qualifications.
2. Relevant Experiences.
3. Personal Traits and Tendencies.
(ii) How would you rank these on a scale of 1 to 10?
(iii)Why should you be considered, above the others, for the
job?
Therefore , take stock of:
1. Strongest skills.
2. Greatest achievement.
3. Personal strengths.
4. Your greatest weakness.
 4
SKILLS OTHER SKILLS
Planning Good driver/driving skills
Problem solving
Table 23.1 Working with others
Job skills Supervising
checklist Delegating
Receiving feedback
Managing time
Following through
Reporting
Using computers &
technology
Operating machinery
Organizing
Selling ideas
Directing
Coaching
Assessing
Giving feedback
Working under pressure
Setting priorities
Writing
Dealing with customers
Building or constructing

Adopted from Dwyer, 2006

1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.) 5

B) ANALYSING JOB ADVERTISEMENTS

(i) Read and analyze job advertisements: Which ones interest
you? (newspapers, employment agencies, networking,
publications, direct mail campaign)

(ii) Rank jobs advertised in some ranking order:

1. Those that interest you most.
2. Those that suit you most.

(iii) Do your qualifications, experiences and personality relate to

the requirements of the job advertised?
1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.) 6

B) CREATING YOUR SALES TOOLS

(I) There are Two Sales Tools Available

1. The Curriculum Vitae/Resume.

2. The Letter of Application for a Job.

(a) The Solicited Letter (invited letter e.g. advertised vacant
position).
(b) The Prospecting(unsolicited) Letter.
 1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.) 7

B) CREATING
What is the Difference YOUR SALES
between TOOLS Vitae and a
Curriculum
Resume? Difference_CV Vs Resume
Curriculum Vita (CV): “Course of Life” in Latin
• What is it? A summary of your educational and academic
backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience,
career history, publications, presentations, awards, honors and
affiliations.
• How long should it be? There is no page limit.
• What is it used for? Typically for graduate school and
academic positions including faculty openings, assistantships,
and internships; also grant, scholarship and fellowship
applications.
Resume 8

• What is it? A synopsis of the most relevant professional

experiences you have for the particular job for which you are
applying.
• How long should it be? One to two pages in length.
• What is it used for? Typically, you will use a resume when you
apply for business, industry, governmental, and non-profit
jobs. The main purpose of the resume is to help you get an
interview. A polished resume is your chance to make a good
first impression with potential employers.

Retrieved on Friday 22nd August, 2020from: http://www.bates.edu/career/students/advanced-studies-graduate-and-

professional-school-advising/graduate-school/what-is-the-difference-between-a-curriculum-vitae-and-a-resume/
 CURRICULUM VITAE 9
I) 1. THE CURRICULUM VITAE
Position Applied for:
Personal Details
1. Surname:
First Name:
2. Date of Birth: PHOTO
3. Place of Birth:
4. Nationality:
5. Gender:
6. Marital Status:
7. Number of dependents:
Full Address
1. Current Official Address

2. Permanent Address

E-mail:

SCHOOL ATTENDED
Education History PLACE YEAR QUALIFICATION RECEIVED
 i) 1. THE CURRICULUM VITAE (Cont.) 10

Work Experience

JOB TITLE RESPONSIBILITIES PLACE YEAR

Skills, Interests, Achievements/Awards, Research & Publications, Professional Memberships and Personality.

Skills

Interests

Achievements/Awards

Research & Publications

Professional Memberships

Personality Traits

Reference

NAME POSITION ADDRESS PHONE/EMAIL

Signed: …………………….......

Dated: ……………………………
 ii) LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A JOB 11

2. Two Types of Letters

(a) The Solicited Letter (invited Letter).
(b) The Prospecting(unsolicited) Letter.
* Use the full-block layout format.
 ii) LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A JOB (cont.) 12

1. The Solicited Letter (Invited Letter)

(a) Preliminary Matters as in a Formal Letter (Formal Block Layout)
(b) Body has:
i) Address & Salutation (Name & Title: Start with, “Dear Mr…
or Dear Sir/Madam if no name is given.
ii) Subject Line (Re: and NOT Ref/Subject).
iii) Highlight Position, refer to advertisement, state your interest.
iv) State Significant Qualifications attained/Institutions.
v) Significant Work Experiences/Major Tasks performed.
vi) Refer to Documents Enclosed for further/complete details.
vii) Indicate desire to discuss your credentials further.
viii) Close by thanking them for the opportunity to present your
credentials.
(c) End Matter same as for a Formal Letter
Yours faithfully if salutation begins with Dear Sir/Madam, Yours sincerely if salutation
begins with Dear Mrs. Brown/Dear John, Yours truly if there is some acquaintance to
the receiver.
(d) Length: 1 page (A4)
 ii) LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A JOB (cont.) 13

2. The Prospecting Letter

(a) Preliminary Matter as in a Formal Letter.
- your address must centered, listing your mailing address, as
well as your email and phone contacts.
(b) Body has:
i) Subject Line (Use “Re:” and NOT Ref/Subject.
ii) State clearly your are prospecting and not responding and your
reasons for choosing that firm.
iii) State Significant Qualifications attained/Institutions.
iv) Significant Work Experiences/Major Tasks performed.
v) Refer to documents enclosed for further/complete details.
vi) Request that your application be filed.
vii) Close by requesting contact if an opportunity arises.
(c) End Matter same as for a Formal Letter (Yours faithfully/sincerely/truly).
- write ‘Attached:’ and then list the documents attached.
(d) Length: 1 page (A4)
 Application cont… 14

Emailing Applications
• Compile all your documents (EOI letter, CV, transcripts, etc..)
together as you would post them, but have them all scanned
(soft copies).
• Some organizations have restrictions of the volume of data they
receive (e.g. 4 Mb). Ensure that all your documents get sent,
even if it means sending them in parts.
• Write a short introductory email stating the position (as subject
and quoting position no. )
• Ask for confirmation of the receipt of your email contents.
 2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW 15

A) Types of Interviews (interpersonal or through phone/skype)

(i) Structured
Members of the panel are tasked to dwell on specific areas such as formal
qualifications, technical skills, work experiences, personality and character,
etc. Questions are prepared and used. It is thorough and comprehensive…
(ii) Unstructured
Members not assigned any specific tasks. No set or prepared questions. Uses
the documents enclosed as the basis to frame questions and elicit responses.
(iii) One to One
One interviewer takes the candidate through clearly defined issues relating to
the suitability or otherwise of the candidate
(iv) Group
Used to determine how the candidate will react to the probes from a panel of
interviewers and how he or she responds to different personalities, different
problem solving situations and different solutions.
 2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.) 16

Types of Interviews (cont.)

(v) Stress
The candidate is deliberately put under stress so that the panel can
observe how he performs under such a situation. It may hinder fruitful
discussions.

(vi) Situational
A situation (simulated or real) similar to what the candidate will
encounter on the job is selected/created and the candidate is worked
through the process/problem and his/her resourcefulness, organizational
ability, communication skills, mental processes and personal traits are
observed and assessed by the interview panel.
 17
Phone/Skype Interviews
• Note that Some interviews may be conducted through mediated
channels like phones and Skype or even video conferencing
facilities.
• You must be audibly clear in speaking, avoiding unnecessary
pauses.
• Ask politely if you do not understand or hear properly..e.g.
could you please repeat what you said, or can you come again
please?
• Maintain politeness at all times.
 2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.) 18

STATE OF PREPARATION FOR INTERVIEW

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

A) Research the Organization

(i) Background/History.
(ii) Organizational/Management Structure.
(iii) Mission/Vision/Objectives.
(iv) Contextualize the Job You are applying for.
 2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.) 19

DURING THE INTERVIEW

a) Be at the appointed venue in good time.

b) Dress appropriately.
c) Be cool and confident.
d) Enter, stand and only sit when invited.
e) Survey the panel and identify the Chair.
f) Take, understand the questions and respond appropriately. Say
enough.
g) If given an opportunity to ask questions, ask about how you can
give and not get from the organization.
 2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.) 20

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

a) Thank the panel, addressing the Chair, for the opportunity.

b) Ask when you can expect a feedback.
c) Leave an up-dated contact address and phone/facsimile
numbers and where applicable, an e-mail address.
d) After 2-3 weeks of no response, call the employer to check
outcome of your interview/job application.
 3. NEGOTIATING SALARY AND OTHER CONDITONS 21

a) The new position you are applying for should be at a

promotional level compared to your previous job.
b) Know well your former conditions of employment and where
possible, negotiate a higher package.
c) Do not over-sell. Likewise, do not under-sell yourself.
d) Often it is advisable to secure the job and then negotiate the
package after and while on the job through performance-based
outcomes.
 22
CONCLUSION
Remember this point:
The job is NOT yours but you have a career to secure and so you MUST have
the competitive advantage to be able to market yourself well, amongst other
professionals!

Your professionalism is determined by:

1. Knowledge, 2. Skills and 3. Attitude

All the BEST in your pursuit to secure a job!

 REFERENCES 23

Career Guide.(2020). Curriculum Vitae (CV) Format Guide: Examples and Tips.
Retrieved on 14 th May, 2020 from: https://www.indeed.com/career-
advice/resumes-cover-letters/cv-format-guide

Kehatsin, J.(2010).Communication in the Workplace: Job Search

Skills.PNGUOT: Language & Communication Studies
Department.

Sengi, S.(2011). LA 204 Job Search Skills Lecture.PNGUOT.Communication

& Development Studies Department.

Wiavi, A.(2017). LA 204 Job Search. Skills

Lecture.PNGUOT.Communication & Development Studies
Department