Employment Communication

In this assignment, you will read about, "skill gaps," (the skills people have as opposed to the skills that employers need to fill available jobs), writing a resume and cover letter, find a job opening that looks interesting, and then write a resume and cover letter for that job. Start by reading the following scholarly articles in ProQuest and below. The readings explain how to write an effective resume and cover letter that includes your abilities to acquire new skills.

News abounds about a "skill gap," or the difference between the skills people have as opposed to the skills that employers need to fill available jobs. The job resource website Quintessential Careers offers this advice to help close an individual's skill gap.

Look at certification or technical training programs as ways to acquire new skills. Professional associations or community colleges are excellent resources for building competencies.

Become an apprentice. Some professions such as electronics, plumbing, or machining offer paid apprenticeship programs.

Volunteer at a nonprofit. It's a great way to gain knowledge about how to use databases, build websites, and learn accounting procedures that you can transfer to a paying position.

Freelance. Expand your skills on the Internet as a freelancer, a contractor, or a "micropreneur."

Remember that old saying: Anything that's worth having is worth fighting for. Be ready to fight to land that job.

Critical thinking and discussion: How can you leverage your current talents to earn money while you look for a job in your chosen field? Besides learning new skills at an unpaid position, what else can you gain from volunteering? Why is it important to constantly update your skills?

Case Assignment

After reading the information about "skilling up," go to an employment website (such as Monster.com, usajobs.gov, etc.) and find a job opening that interests you. Following the guidelines from the above readings, write a resume and a cover letter applying for the job. Hand in the job ad, the resume and the cover letter. Remember and apply what you've learned so far on persuasion and writing letters. Your resume and cover letter will be graded on how much and how well you apply ideas from the readings.