Using the tools you will have learned throughout this course, you will construct an Employment Portfolio which will include five items: an application letter, a recommendation request letter, a thank you letter, a job offer acceptance letter, and a current job-interview-ready résumé. You should only include your best work, so before you begin, please make sure you read and re-read the material related to these five items. Also, be certain to review these questions before you begin creating your résumé.
Employment Portfolio Instructions:
The Employment Portfolio will consist of four letters and one résumé.
Letter 1 is a solicited application letter following the AIDA model found in the textbook. The first paragraph should clearly state why you are writing and give the recipient a reason to continue reading. Identify the specific job for which you’re applying. Show understanding of the company, and the job’s role in positioning the company within its marketplace. The second paragraph presents your strongest selling points, demonstrating how you can benefit the firm. This creates interest in your candidacy and the desire to interview you to learn more. For the solicited letter, ensure your second paragraph addresses each major requirement in the job announcement or ad. Show the reader how some of your key personal characteristics fit the job. The third paragraph asks for a specific action (usually an interview) and a reply to your letter. You can offer to come to the interviewer’s office, at his or her convenience or suggest a telephone interview. Include an email address that you check every day and a working mobile telephone number. Today, everyone is expected to have a mobile telephone; ensure you have one.
Letter 2 is a request for a recommendation. It consists of three parts: an opening, a body, and a closing. In the opening (Paragraph 1), clearly state the request, being polite and respectful. Assume the reader will comply with your request, but specifically ask for a recommendation. In the body (probably a couple of brief paragraphs), ask the reader to comment on your character, job skills, relevant personal characteristics, etc. In the closing, indicate to whom and to where the letter should be sent by including both a postal and e-mail address. Ask the reader to send the recommendation by a specific date but give the reader sufficient time to respond to your request. Thank the reader for his or her time and effort.
Letter 3 thanks the interviewer. The first paragraph reminds the interviewer about the interview and expresses appreciation for the time spent and consideration shown. The second paragraph briefly and subtly reminds the interviewer that the candidate’s knowledge and skills will benefit the organization. The third paragraph emphasizes the cultural fit between the candidate and the organization by briefly and subtly reminding the interviewer of the candidate’s relevant work ethic and personality attributes; close with the request for decision time frame.
Letter 4 is the job offer acceptance letter. In the first paragraph, explicitly state you are delighted to accept the position, naming the department and salary. If you negotiated additional benefits outside those usually offered by the firm, confirm those as well. Confirm your start date. In the second paragraph, address any relevant miscellaneous details. In the third paragraph, thank the firm for the job offer, and indicate you are looking forward to making a productive contribution to the firm.
The résumé is a job-interview-ready document. Your résumé will be no more than 1-2 typed pages in length. Use the chorological-style when creating your résumé. The focus of the résumé must be on a career objective of your choosing (e.g., a position you are seeking, an internship opportunity, or an entry-level position related to your major).
Before creating your resume, review the following questions:
Have I included all standard information that is expected in the résumé?
Have I categorized information logically, named the categories clearly, and made those category headings grammatically and stylistically parallel?
Have I used action words whenever possible, and are all the action words within a group parallel?
Have I used reverse chronological order as appropriate?
Have I used just one or two margins so that the information has a clear, easy-to-follow design?
How do I apply the three-step process
