This chapter taken from Technical Communications Today, entitled Starting Your Career, focuses on the varying aspects of finding and landing the ideal job. According to the text, the most important step in this process begins before the actual search, and involves setting one’s goals via the “Five W and How Questions”. These questions, initially introduced in the previous chapter, work to clearly pinpoint a job seeker’s ambitions and point him or her in the proper direction.
In the actual construction of a resume, the text presents two possible layouts. The first, and most common, is a simple archival resume. In this instance, information on the applicant is provided in several sections, covering topics from educational background to related work experience. The other construction is called a functional resume, and is more suited for individuals with significant experience and expertise in their work field. In either case, significant emphasis is placed on the personal nature of each resume, and the fact that it should best reflect the individual’s strong points, as well as create a solid initial impression with a potential employer.
According to the text, this personal touch is only further demonstrated and elaborated on in the creation of an application, or cover, letter. This letter serves the purpose of making an individual connection between the reader and the applicant, and also provides for an opportunity to discuss contributions that the job seeker has to offer the company. Via the construction of such a letter, the applicant is better able to present a more personal and complete picture of his or herself and also develop a distinct connection with the potential employer. This process should emphasis the employer’s needs first and mark the applicant as a strong addition to the team.
In formulating a strong application letter and resume, it’s necessary that the applicant also keep in mind the various target audiences, as reviewed in chapter 3. This can be significant in certain situations, such as when constructing a cover letter for a potential boss, which might also be reviewed by an individual in HR. This would be a simple example of formulating a document appropriate for a primary audience, the boss, as well as a gatekeeper, the HR employee.
Response
In your summary you wrote about the two different kinds of resumes; archival, and functional. In the reading I believe it said companies tend to lead more towards the archival type. This can make it hard for us as college students to create such a resume. The problem with archival resumes is that in my case I do not have hardly any experience in the field I have chosen. Currently I have one summer internship to put on such resume, so I believe the other kind would benefit me better. The functional type would be better because one can show the difficult classes they have finished and other feats they may have accomplished.
Bobby
Audiences
I will agree keeping the target audiences in mind while writing your resume. For the last interview I was in, I had five different interviewers each in different sessions. Every interviewer interpreted my resume differently and they each had derived questions. So once you get passed the computer scan and you are having people analyze your resume, you have to remember that people will view your resume with different perspectives. This is where it helps to have multiple people to review your resume to make sure that they all can understand what you are trying to convey. Also if you are writing a cover letter it is important that be reviewed as well.
Zebulon Rouse