Assignment

Find a specific job opening posted online within the last 9 months. You will develop a Job Application Cover Letter (as though you were applying to that position) that highlights and emphasizes why you are the most suitable candidate for this position. For the purposes of this assignment, you can present yourself as a recent graduate if needed.

Complete the cover letter on page 1 of the submission and then include a link to the job posting on page 2 (a copy and paste of the link is acceptable and the link must work). To compose the letter, use the general writing guidelines on pp. 277-278 in the text for structural and content guidance.

The message should take the form of a business letter; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The job letter / application message must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content

1. Highlight relevant background and job history information specific to the opening.
2. Emphasize significant qualifications and exclude nonessential ideas.

2. Format

1. Follow proper letter formatting techniques per business letter format.
2. Use an appropriate and professional greeting and closing.

3. Style

1. Use professional language.
2. Paragraphs effectively developed and efficient. Note: Six or seven lines when possible.

4. Mechanics

1. Make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors.
2. Eliminate wordiness and unclear sentence construction.

Your assignment must be typed, single-spaced within paragraphs and double spaced between the paragraphs, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

1. Plan, create, and evaluate professional documents.
2. Write clearly, coherently, and persuasively using proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting appropriate to the situation.
3. Deliver professional information to various audiences using appropriate tone, style, and format.
4. Develop presentation skills for use in the professional environment.

To download the assignment instructions provided above and assignment rubric, click here.

Summary

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Every job at the VA impacts the Veterans that we serve. You can be part of that team, helping to make sure that our Veterans receive the top-quality care they deserve.

VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.

For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This announcement may be used to fill more than one vacancy.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent is assigned to the Recruitment/Placement Section of Human Resources Management Service at the McGuire VA Medical Center. The Human Resources Specialist provides recruitment and placement services for an assigned block of Services utilizing USA Staffing for creating and advertising all medical center vacancy announcements. The Services have positions that are clinical, professional and administrative in nature, but also may include clerical and trades and crafts positions. The positions are in somewhat complex but relatively stable organizations, and have established career paths. The work processes of these positions are mental, judgmental, public contact, or coordinative in nature. Knowledge of USA Staffing recruiting strongly preferred.

Duties include:

• Processing a variety of requests for personnel action to fill such positions, career promote, reassign, or otherwise place employees.

• Identifying under-represented skills in the workforce, and determining how they can be addressed in the recruitment process.

• Coordinating local, VISN, VHA, VA and Office of Personnel Management priorities for positions to be filled and makes some involved qualification determinations.

• Ensuring that the personnel actions are appropriately input into automated programs as necessary.

• Extends job offers, establishes reporting dates, and coordinates with all responsible personnel to insure pre-employment requirements are met in a timely manner.

• Performs recruitment and placement, and affirmative employment advisory services.

• If particular jobs requiring specialized skills cannot be filled, assists in the planning of a solution by advising on availability of needed skills and previously overlooked sources of candidates, and achieving full utilization of available skills.

• Coordinating with supervisors, managers, and other Human Resources specialists on possible staffing repercussions of reorganizations, placement actions, or regulatory changes.

• Recommending strategies for overcoming employment and promotion barriers.

• Participating in special initiatives, studies and projects, and affirmative employment activities.

• Participating initiatives, studies and projects such as self-assessment reviews, pre-Reduction-In-Force exercises, the student and summer employment recruitment programs, application of draft qualification standards, etc.

• Working with other Human Resources specialists in identifying potential program initiatives or special projects that could improve the use of civilian human resources, solve problems, or enhance program effectiveness.

• Providing written reports and briefings outlining findings and recommendations, and coordinates results with activities both within and outside the HR Office.

• Preparing written correspondence and other documents. Writes a variety of documents to include responses to Congressional Inquiries, reports of special studies, scripts for briefings, letters responding to inquiries from employees and other customers, and supplements to regulations and directives.