Advanced Business Communications
COMM 252
Cover Letters
Characteristics
1 page
Grammar/spelling
Combo of 3rd and first
Purpose
Use to explain gaps
Sell yourself
What you can offer
Expand on key qualities
Show what you know about company
Shows something thats not in resume
Parts
Beginning
Middle
End
Approaches
Solicited
Employer is seeking applications
Job posting
Unsolicited
No Job posting
Employer not actively seeking applications
Characteristics
Brief
Private
Professional
Topic
Relevance
Would a in-person convo be better?
Clear & to-the-point
Concise
Fast & Easy
Organized
Action Specific
Components
Subject Line
To
CC
Body
Opening
Body/Middle
Closing
Bcc
Types
Follow-up
Reply
Request
Tips
Don't Write Angry
Address the reader
Double check email address
Confidentiality, think of content
Difference btw reply & reply all
Consider audience
Interviews
Before
Dress appropirately
Do Research
During
real life examples of skills
STAR
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Skills
Non-verbal matters
Avoid fillers
Ask questions...
Mirroring
Show interest in the company
Objective
to get the job
Find a good fit
After
send thank you note
Tips
Make sure your calm/collected and avoid looking nervous
Tell the truth
Make sure you have a resume, references, portfolio on hand
Questions
Ask about company culture
Behavioural/situational
STAR
Strengths/weaknesses
honestly and something youre working on
Also give a weakness that doesn't disqualify you, make it something like public speaking for an accounting job
why are you interested
research on the company
Where do you see yourself in X years?
Here - and better than ever
Tell me about yourself
Elevator Pitch
Summarize your interests/skills that would be useful to the company
Expected Salary
im sure pay similar to the market value
Do you have any questions for me?
always ask 2-3
what does success in this position look like
Always ask about the company
Example of a regular day
Career Goals
Personalities
16 Personalities Quiz
Job Hunting
Hidden job market
Ads & postings
Relevance to your qualifications
Pay Attention
Using social media to promote oneself
Goals
Short-term
Long-term
Interests
Align with job posting
Skills
Hard
Education
Experience
Certificate
Soft
Time Management
Interpersonal Skills
Agreeableness
Leadership
Work Ethic
Flexibility
Values
organizations culture= personal values
Social Media
Networking
Professional
Referrals
Professional photo
Impacts
Connecting to employers
Connecting to your social
Can significantly impact ability to get job
digital permanency
Show you are an expert
Cross-Cultural Communication
understanding differences
Manners
non-verbal comm
Iceberg
True self hidden
what you can see v values
10% visible 90% below the surface
individual even in similar cultures
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
Power Distance
Individualism v Collectivism
Uncertainty Avoidance
Short-term/long-term orientation
Important considerations
Tone
Respectful
Error Free
Purpose
Audience
Appropriateness
Memos
2 Part Structure
Header
SUBJECT
TO
FROM
DATE
Message
Opening
Body
Closing
Formal
Informal
Characteristics
Short/to the point
Simple/one topic
Clear
Organize list:
Bullets
Internal Comm
Channel
Paper
Resumes
Styles
Chronological
Functional
Combination
Characteristics
Personal marketing tool
Persuasive
Honest
Who you are in words
Convey job qualities
Sell yourself
foot in the door
Interview
Gain Attention
Organized
Pleasing to eye
Perfecting your resume
Andrew Lacavita
Top Center - Prime Real esate
Professional/Profile Summary
Reverse chronological order
Focus on benefits you provide
Quantify
Tips
don't use box tables , computer programs can't use it
Use keywords from posting
Customize each resume for each posting
Cover letter: use peron's name
Competition number or specific job title, get name of HR person too
Use the company name throughout your resume or cover letter
Work Experience Section
Action verbs in right tense
Use language used in posting
reverse chronological
Clear Point form/bullets
Parts
References
experience
Action statements
Action Verbs
Education
Skills
Volunteer work
Contact Info
Summary
Awards/accomplishments
Objective
Tips
Tell the truth
Find out the HR name
Master Resume
Pg #'s
Fit job posting/key words
Name Visible
no I