Essential Business Skills Discussion, writing homework help
You are on a search committee. Your goal...to choose the best possible candidate for the job! After carefully reviewing the applicants' resumes and cover letters (Module 7 - go to the dropdown menu and then to "self assessment"), return to the discussion. Use the following questions to structure your discussion with the other members of the search committee.1. Of these three candidates, who do you think should be first in line for an interview? Second? Third? Why?2. What specific revisions would make each candidates' résumé and cover letter more effective?3. For all candidates, are there stages in the communication process that you think the candidate should have paid more attention to? What are they? What would you suggest the candidate do when applying for a job the next time?Applicant 1 cover letter: 40 Peachtree Place
Altanta, Georgia 40392
February 20, 2015
Ms. Jane Smith, Managing Director
Mental Health Association of New York State
01-234 Broadway
New York, NY 10011
Dear Ms. Smith:
I was interested in your recent ad as I have been trying to relocate to New York State
where I attended school. I have a bachelor's degree from SUNY Fredonia in Early
Childhood Education and, more recently, have been working for the past two years in a
care facility for young children with chronic illnesses in the Atlanta area. There, I am
responsible for developing a curriculum that meets their needs and includes reading
readiness exercises, exercises to develop small and large motor skills, and socialization
exercises, all designed with their health limitations in mind. As you can see, I have
substantial experience in developing curriculum for certain groups of clients, experience
which will transfer well to the job at hand.
I also—along with all of the other staff at the facility—have worked with small
businesses in the Atlanta area to get them to subscribe to our fund-raising efforts and
have developed a good phone and in-person manner when dealing with other
organizations.
Finally, I have been cited in my current job for my ability to work independently on
projects and to follow through, especially good skills in the nonprofit sector, where there
is not usually much staff support! I would be very happy to arrange a phone or an inperson
interview (I have family in New Jersey, nearby New York City, and am planning
a spring trip north). I am available at your convenience. I look forward to meeting you
and discussing the possibility of my working for your organization.
Very truly yours,
Samantha Sarventin
Samantha Sarventin Applicant 1 Resume: Education:
B.S., Early Childhood Education, SUNY Fredonia
A.S., General Studies, Hudson Valley Community College
Relevant Coursework/Training:
- curriculum development
- working with clients with special needs
- entrepreneurship
- creating effective presentations (Xerox Corporation training)
Work Experience:
2013 - present Curriculum Specialist, The Growing Place, 4429 Olde Conifer Highway, Atlanta, GA
40394
- assess clients' developmental abilities and needs and create appropriate curricula
- deliver/teach the curricula I develop
- supervise other teachers in delivery of curricula
- develop tools to assess effectiveness of curricula and teaching methods
- use word processing, spreadsheet skills to maintain correspondence and files
- liaison with state child care agencies
- fund raising activities with local businesses; successfully ran last year's $100,000 campaign
2009 - 2011 Community Liaison, Greater Atlanta BOCES, 707 Current Ave., Atlanta, GA 40377
- worked with high school BOCES in the greater Atlanta area to find work placements for students
- created promotional material to get business owners interested in BOCES program
- led information meetings for business owners, managers
- responsible for innovative rewards program for business participants where they could trade student
placements for local community college tuition
- did follow-through tracking of student placements
- correspondence, computer skills
2008 - 209 Administrative Assistant, Representative Lincoln's Office, 10 Quta St., Red Hook, NY
11467
- assisted local Labor Board Official assigned to Representative's Office
- keyboarding (70 words/min.), phone skills, written communication
- reviewed, edited, and word processed manual on Employment Policy in Dutchess County
References: Available upon request. Applicant 2 Cover letter: January 10, 2015
Dear Jane Smith:
I would like to apply for the Director of Consumer/Business Outreach position advertised
in the January 4, 2015, New York Times. As you can see from the enclosed resume, I
have good qualifications for this position. Moreover, I have an interest and a personal
commitment to helping those with mental health problems as well as an understanding of
business operations.
Please feel free to call me at 212-344-9502 from 8-5 on Mondays through Fridays, or at
212-567-1003 evenings or weekends. I look forward to talking with you further about my
qualifications for this position.
Sincerely,
Eric Bloor
Eric Bloor Applicant 2 Resume: Eric Bloor
1492 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Employment Goal: To have a responsible position with a helping agency.
Employment Background: I have worked as a Case Worker/Employment Specialist with VESID in New York
City for the past 8 years. For the past 4 years, I have counseled persons with physical handicaps to ready them
for re-entry into the workforce, and I have done employment training (job hunting, interview skills, working
with a disability, interacting with co-workers and employers, EEOA guidelines). Previous to this position with
VESID, I worked as a physical therapist at St. Vincent's Hopsital. There, I was drawn to not only the physical
side of my clients' rehabilitation but also to the emotional side, one portion of which dealt with gaining
meaningful employment, which is why I was drawn into my current position. Previous to this, I worked as a
bank teller, department supervisor at Macy's, and sales associate, all of which gave me good experience in
working wiht the public and working with numbers. I have been in the workforce for almost 10 years and feel as
though all my work has led toward the consumer/outreach field. As you can see, I have an appropriate
employment background with appropriate skills for your position. To recap my special skills:
Special Skills:
• Business Skills: (dealing with the public, supervision, marketing and display, benefits & compensation)
• Training Skills: Hiring & training of new employees; training for entry into job market
• Communication Skills: created handbook of guidelines for new employees; VESID liaison to business
association
• Assessment Skills: track and evaluate effectiness of job placements for clients
• Specialized Knowledge: Employee Assistance Program, OSHA Guidelines, NYS Fair Hiring Practices
Education:
2016 Master's of Social Work anticipated, City University of New York (currently 4more courses to go)
2010 Bachelor's of Science degree, dual major: Marketing & Journalism, Pace University
References:
Ms. Stephanie Clark, Director
VESID
1000 Canal St.
New York, NY 10003
212-467-0987 x567
Mr. Lloyd Crane
VESID
1000 Canal St.
New York, NY 10003
212-467-0987 x 321
Dr. Roger Chillingworth
St. Vincent's Hospital
292 4th St.
New York, NY 10021
Ms. Anika Jones
Macy's
1 Herald Square
New York, NY 10234Applicant 3 Cover Letter: 5 Greenshade Lane
Dover Plains, NY 14345
January 12, 2015
Ms. Jane Smith
Director
MHANYS
01-234 Broadway
New York, NY 10011
Dear Director Smith:
I enclose my resume in application for the job opening you advertised
in the New York Times recently, Director of Consumer/Business
Outreach. I feel that I have many skills that would benefit your
organization if I were to work in this position.
I worked for nine years for the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Department
of Mental Health in the position of Case Manager. In that position, I
trained and supervised clients who were entering the workforce, did
site visits and evaluations of how things were going at our placement
sites, and worked with business owners to educate them as to how to
most successfully bring new workers into the workforce. For example,
many of my clients were employed at a local ski area. I was
responsible for delivering prepared training on dealing with others,
expectations of the work environment, etc. While on site visits, I was
able to arrange meetings with the owners and, through them, create a
network of new businesses to approach. I also handled complaints and
problems, as I have been trained in negotiation techniques. All in all, I
found this experience to be very rewarding, as it allowed me to use my
communication, training, business, networking, and advocacy skills,
skills which I bring to your position.
I would be happy to come to an interview and provide further
information, at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Amanda Heath
Amanda Heath Applicant 3 Resume: Amanda Heath
5 Greenshade Lane
Dover Plains, NY 14345
RELEVANT SKILLS
• Good communication with co-workers, supervisors, and clients. Good phone
manner & written communication skills. Word Processing (Word 7) and Windows
2000, including Microsoft Access.
• Good training/teaching skills. Delivered training material effectively.
• Good evaluation skills. Able to design, administer, and evaluate results of surveys.
Good phone and in-person interviewing skills.
• Ability to involve others and network with business community.
• Ability to work independently. Self-starter and follow-through. Created an
evaluation instrument that my former workplace still uses with business owners.
WORK BACKGROUND
• Owned & operated small cafe business, The Hungry Muffin, in Pittsfield, MA, 2001-
2011
• Case Manager for Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health, Pittsfield and Great
Barrington areas, 2011-2013
• Volunteer, Dover Plains Suicide Hotline, 2012-2015
EDUCATION
• A.S., Human Services, Berkshire Community College, 2012
• B.S. in progress, Social Work, University of Danbury, expected in 2018
• Training in Negotiation, Crisis Intervention
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
• Married, 2 children (ages 11 and 13)
• Hobbies include skiing, reading, swimming
• Volunteer coordinator of local Red Cross Blood Drive
REFERENCES
• Dr. Prathima Lhan, Ph.D., Berkshire Community College (430) 581-2220
• Mr. Paul Jenkins, Director, Pittsfield Office Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health
(430) 567-8080
• Ms. Carol Crestwood, Supervisor, Pittsfield Office Massachusetts Dept. of Mental
Health (430) 567-8080
• Mr. John Kelley, Owner & Manager, Broudy Mountain Ski Area (434) 678-9032