Skills development – Applying for a job.

6.1 Read the following newspaper ADVERTISEMENT:

‘PREFER A CAMPING TRIP TO A COCTAIL PARTY?’ PATAGONIA has a new position open: Public Relations Associate Job is based in Munich. Candidates must have substantial PR/press experience and strong writing skills. They must have proficiency in technical sports (skiing, kayaking) and outdoor experience. German mother tongue. Environmental background a plus. No glamour … It’s a hard job! Patagonia is a Californian company which designs and distributes functional outdoor clothing.   Send CV with picture to: Nathalie Baudoin Patagonia Gmbh Reitmorstrasse 50 8000 Munich – Germany   The interviews will be in Munich during the last week of February.

Answer the following questions about the advertisement:

1) What is the name of the company?

2) Is it an American or a German company?

3) What does the company specialize in?

4) What job/position does it advertise?

5) What does ‘Public Relations or PR’ mean?

6) Is the job advertised based in Germany or the United States?

6.2 Fiona Scott decides to apply for the job at Patagonia. Study her CURRICULUM VITAE carefully to see how she has presented the information about herself. Where do you think each of the following headings should be placed (1-6)?

References Education

Activities Skills

Personal Details Professional Experience

CURRICULUM VITAE

1 ____________   2 ____________ 1991-1992   1988-1991     1981-1988   3 ____________ 1995-present   1992-1995   Summers of 1990 and 1991   4 ____________ IT Languages Additional 5 ____________     6 ____________

Fiona Scott 52 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 SLM Scotland Phone: 0131 449 0237     London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Diploma   University of London BA (Honours) in journalism and Media Studies   Broadfield School, Brighton A levels in German (A), English (B), History (B) and Geography (C)     Public Relations Officer, Scottish Nature Trust Responsible for researching and writing articles on the Trust’s activities and ensuring their distribution to the press Editor of the Trust’s monthly journal In charge of relations with European environmental agencies   Press Officer, Highlands Tourist Board Preparation of promotional materials and brochures Co-ordination of media coverage   The Glasgow Tribune newspaper Two three-month training periods as assistant to the Sports Editor Arranging and conducting interviews Preparation of articles covering local community sports events   Office 2000 and Windows NT, Excel, Internet, PowerPoint Fluent German and proficient in French Driving license (car and motorcycle)     Cross-country skiing, rock climbing and swimming Ski Instructor (grade II) Secretary of the local branch of ‘Action’. (An association organizing sports activities for disabled children)   Geoffrey Williams Professor of journalism University of London   Brenda Denholm Sports Editor The Glasgow Tribune

It’s very well having a brilliant education. Now you must sell yourself on paper so they’ll be queuing up to interview you. Here are some tips to writing

The winning CV

– Gimmicks and flashy designs can act against you so do your best to keep your CV simple. Brightly colored paper won’t make any difference, except possibly by irritating the employer. Just stick to white and use good quality notepaper. Be concise, factual and neat. Keep your CV to one page, typed.

 

– As a student your work experience – particularly that which is relevant to your chosen field – is unlikely to be extensive. Rather than listing all your Saturday jobs, it is often better to outline your major achievements.

 

– Lay out your CV chronologically. Some employers prefer reverse chronology when looking at a candidate’s work history; this is up to you.

 

– Only name your school if you are applying for a local position where it might be of interest.

 

– Accentuate the positive, omit the negative. If your A-level grades were low, leave them out.

 

– Extra skills such as languages, computer literacy and secretarial skills are important but be honest. Don’t claim fluency in French if you only scraped through your elementary level.

 

– Don’t include out-of-date details; no one cares about the paper round you did when you were 11 years old.

 

– Be certain that the achievements and skills highlighted match the job ad to which you are responding.

 

– Try to show some personality. The key word here is USD – Unique Selling Point – and everyone has one. (In Fiona’s CV, it is her experience with disabled children.) Your objective is to make you stand out from hundreds of other applicants.

 

– Put your name in bold type so it stands out.

 

– Put dates and write all words in full, avoid abbreviations such as ‘Eng.L.’, ’Sci.’, even ‘etc.’, ‘e.g.’ and ‘i.e.’.

 

– Ask someone else to read your CV through carefully to check for mistakes and omissions. Just one is enough to produce a terrible impression.

 

– And be prepared to talk about everything you mention when you go for your interview.

6.3 Look at the outline of the LETTER OFAPPLICATION.

1 f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The letter of application normally contains four paragraphs (5-8) in which you should:

– confirm that you wish to apply and say where you learned about the job;

– say why you are interested in the position and relate your interests to those of the company;

– show that you can contribute to the job by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience;

– indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly say when you would be free to attend);