WRT333

Job Application Materials
given Sep. 9 | due Sep. 23

Syllabus | Assignments | Table of Pages

There are three parts to this assignment. Part I requires you to obtain a detailed job description. Parts II & III develop an actual job application resume and letter.

Part I—The Job Description

Your assignment is to find an actual job description (job, fellowship, post-doc) that really interests you. Visit the URI Career Services office, search Monster.com or other web job postings, or visit human relations pages of places where you actually want to work. Use real internship opportunities, or apply to a graduate program of your choice. Copy the most detailed job description that you can find (not a short description but the full listing) that matches your aspirations for future employment.

Review the job technical skills, and make a brief outline of those that match you, and those for which you will need more preparation or training. Also pay attention to those personal qualities (e.g., statements about ability to communicate, ability to work well as part of a team, etc.) that are typical in descriptions. Write a brief explanation (2 paragraphs) stating why this is a good job for you to pursue, and a short statement of any drawbacks (location, demands) or shortcomings (disciplinary background) that you recognize that may make this a challenging or less than perfect job for you. Note: DO NOT OVERLOOK this part of the assignment!

Part II—The Resume

Now apply for this position. Review the class handout on job application letters and resumes. Create a professional resume for yourself, following the suggestions in the handout. Be certain to tailor your statement of professional goals to match the job description to which you are applying. Although you may lack depth in job experience, be sure to list former jobs that indicate your initiative, responsibility, independence (or ability to work with a team, depending on the job description), as well as experience relevant to your ideal job. List internships, part time work, voluntary work, etc., that indicates experience needed for your job. If you have none of the above, refer to your educational experiences and even to individual classes or training that prepare you for the job. If you can develop none of these, you need to search for a position that will let you accumulate experience: go back to Part I and start over with a new goal in mind!

The resume must be perfect. Not a single typing error, grammatical clumsiness, or readability flaw is tolerable. Polish and repolish this document. If you are able, try to develop this document on a page layout program such as PageMaker or InDesign, taking advantage of drawing and precise typography features of these programs. It is all about selling yourself! Allow plenty of white space, making the resume easy to read an pleasant to look at. Style counts! If necessary, spill over onto a second or more pages.

Part III—The Application Letter

Resume complete, now write your actual application for the position. Keep it concise. Make certain that you address the position description, covering both the minimum application requirements, and highlighting the "preferred" elements that will get you to the interview. Your qualities as a writer will be a critical part of how the employer views you. Strive to be lucid, concise, and easy to read. List three actual references at the end of the letter. (Normally,, you contact these references and get permission before listing.)

Again, this letter must be perfect. Proofread it, review it, refine it, put it away and refine it again tomorrow and the next day until it represents you at your very best.

How will this assignment be graded? This assignment is worth 10% of your final grade, as follows:

  1. Part 1—Job Description: Job description that includes required and preferred qualifications. (1%)
  2. Outline of job skills and critique of why this is a good job and a statement of any drawbacks (1%)
  3. Part II—Resume: The resume will be reviewed for completeness (see lecture notes), precision and accuracy (no errors), and overall appearance (4%)
  4. Part III—Application Letter: The letter will be reviewed for conciseness, care in addressing and highlighting requirements, effectiveness in presenting preferred and additional strengths that will get you to the interview. (4%)