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LA204:Communication in the
Workplace

JOB SEARCH SKILLS

Monday 31st August 2015
week 9: DH
Mr. A. WIAVI

Adapted from Mr. Simon SENGIs Lecture

Revised by Mr. A. WIAVI
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OUTLINE OF TODAYS LECTURE
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
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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
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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,

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1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.)

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?
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1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.)

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 Letter
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1. STAGES OF JOB SEARCH (cont.)

B) CREATING YOUR SALES TOOLS

What is the Difference between Curriculum Vitae and a

Resume?
Curriculum Vita (CV)
What is it? A summary of your educational and academic
backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience,
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.
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Resume
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 12th September, 2014 from: 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/
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I) 1. THE CURRICULUM VITAE
CURRICULUM VITAE

Position Applied for:

Personal Details
1. Surname:
First Name: PHOTO

2. Date of Birth:
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:

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

Work Experience

JOB RESPONSIBIL PLACE YEAR

TITLE ITIES

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

Personality.

Skills

Interests

Achievements/Awards

Research & Publications

Professional Memberships

Personality Traits

Reference
NAM POSITION ADDRESS PHONE/EMAIL
E

Signed: .......

Dated:
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II) LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A JOB

2. Two Types of Letters

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

a. 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
iii) Subject Line (Re: and NOT Ref/Subject)
ii) Highlight Position, refer to advertisement, state your interest
iii) State Significant Qualifications attained/Institutions
iv) Significant Work Experiences/Major Tasks performed
v) Refer to Documents Enclosed for further/complete details
vi) Indicate desire to discuss your credentials further
vii) Close by thanking them for the opportunity to present your
credentials.
(c) End Matter same as for a Formal Letter
- Yours truly is better than faithfully/sincerely
(d) Length: 1 page (A4)
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II) LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A JOB (cont.)

b. 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 truly)
- write Attached: and then list the documents attached
(d) Length: 1 page (A4)
 Application cont
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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.
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2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

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.
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2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.)

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.
 Phone/Skype Interviews
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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.
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2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.)

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
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2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.)

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
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2. GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW (cont.)

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.
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3. NEGOTIATING SALARY AND OTHER CONDITONS

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.
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Remember this point:

The job is NOT yours but you have a career
and so you MUST have the competitive
advantage to be able to market yourself
well, amongst other professionals!

All the BEST in your pursuit to secure a job!