Searching for a Job or Internship: Assignment Guidelines
Description
An important part of business communication is being able to communicate effectively in the job search. After all, if you can’t get a job, you can’t conduct any business communication!
This project will require you to:
- Identify a type of job or internship for which you are qualified and would like to have
- Research and analyze advertisements for jobs or internships and discuss their common features
- Locate a specific job for which you will apply
- Create a resume tailored to the needs of your field and the needs of a specific position
- Research and write a cover letter applying for a specific position
You will submit drafts of each component of the project to the instructor and to the class, and receive oral and written feedback to help you revise. Then you’ll submit a portfolio which contains the final versions of your job ad analysis, resume, and cover letter.
Deliverables
This project will require you to create three documents.
Job Ad Analysis
You will write a 2-3 page (double spaced) analysis where you:
- compare and contrast two advertisements for jobs or internships for which you would be qualified
- explain how the advertisements use language or concepts specific to your field
- discuss possible meanings for any vague language in the advertisements (for example: what do you think they mean by “Excellent professional communication skills”?)
- explain what skills you have that qualify you for the positions
The first draft of the Job Ad Analysis will be due on September 12.
Resume
You will create a one page resume that:
- presents your work experience, educational experience, skills, and contact information in an appropriate resume format (functional, chronological, or mixed)
- is tailored to the requirements for a specific position and makes an argument for your suitability for that position
- is formatted according to appropriate conventions for your field of employment
- uses conventions of document design (such as headings and spacing) to present information effectively on one page
The first draft of the resume will be due on September 14.
Cover Letter
You will write a 1-2 page cover letter which:
- applies for a real position
- demonstrates that you have researched the company or organization and know your audience
- uses appropriate tone and style
- is formatted according to conventions for cover letters
The first draft of the cover letter will be due on September 21.
Portfolio
Finally, you’ll submit a portfolio which contains the revised versions of your job ad analysis, resume, and cover letter on October 3rd.
Grading Criteria
Each element in your portfolio will be graded separately, but you will also be graded on how well your resume and cover letter work together to make a persuasive case for your employment.
The portfolio will be graded on how well you:
- Research and analyze the job advertisements
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conventions for job ads, resumes, and cover letters
- Use research and course material to shape the content and format of your job documents
Grading rubrics will be returned with the portfolio which explain the specific criteria used to grade each assignment. You can earn a total of 200 points for this assignment.
Learning Objectives
This project will help you accomplish the following learning objectives for the course:
- Identify needs for information in business communication: Determine what information you need to find a job and what information your audience needs to know about you.
- Access information: Research job opportunities and companies to which you will apply.
- Evaluate information: Analyze job ads and evaluate the information they provide; provide feedback on how your peers use information.
- Use information: learn how your field presents information in job documents; plan, draft, revise, and edit an analysis, a resume and a cover letter; create effective document designs for your resume and cover letter.
Due Dates
First Draft of Job Ad Analysis: September 12
First Draft of Resume: September 19
First Draft of Cover Letter: September 21
Job Portfolio (Final Versions of Analysis, Resume, Cover Letter): October 3