This document discusses key aspects of job hunting and career communications. It emphasizes maintaining a positive attitude during the job search and outlines various forms of communication used, including cover letters, resumes, interviews, thank you letters, salary histories, and acceptance letters. Guidance is provided on customizing resumes, writing compelling cover letters, preparing for interviews, sending follow-up thank you emails, negotiating salary, and accepting job offers professionally. Building a functional resume for those with limited work experience is also addressed.

1. BUS 305
Career Communications

2. Job Hunting
• All about
communicatin
g
• Forms of
communicatio
n during the
job search

3. Attitude is key!
• Positive
• Optimistic
• Able to deal with
rejection
• Avoid desperation
• Don’t appear
frustrated or fearful!

4. Job search communications
• Cover letter/application
letter/statement of interest
• Resume
• Interviews
• Thank you letters
• Salary negotiation/history
letter
• Acceptance letter
• ABC always be
communicating when job
hunting

5. Resumes
• Chronological
• Functional
• Must be flawless!
• Ideally customized
• Optimized for
search

6. Cover letter
• OABC
• Chance to reinforce the
resume
• Demonstrate
communications skills
• Demonstrate
professionalism
• Never more than a page!
• Create a nice letterhead in
word

7. The Interview
• Go in with talking points
about your
qualifications
• Understand the
company and industry
• ‘Expect’ certain kinds of
questions

8. Thank you letters
• For practical reasons
almost always via email
and SHORT
• When interviewing get
email addresses!
• Brief, to the point while
summarizing main
qualifications and
introducing one
additional thing that
makes you attractive as
a candidate

9. Salary history
• Some employers might request
a salary history or salary
requirements
• Do not panic!
• Check out Bureau of Labor
Statistic (bls.gov) if you don’t
have a salary history (adjust for
cost of living in LA)
• Ask mentors (people like me!)
for someone you know who
works in the field
• Glassdoor.com

10. Acceptance letters
• Again, brief and to the point
• Reiterate terms (title, start
date, salary, period of
probation, review schedule)
• Express gratitude
• No mistakes! Want to make a
good impression

11. Building a Functional Resume
• Functional resumes are ideal for when you have
limited or no work experience
• List skills you’ve acquired include everything from
research to time management to analytical thinking!
• Have an objective that is employer focused (not all
about you)
• Include a summary of your background

12. Writing Assignment #2
• A thank you email post interview
• A salary history letter
• A job offer acceptance letter
• Each should be no more than a paragraph or two…