Resumes and Other Written Materials for a Job Search

Part 5 of our book begins with a very important disclaimer in regards to resumes and other written materials for a job search. Kevin J. Harty asserts, "there is no one way to write a resume or a cover letter" and "guides offer advice, not commandments" (p. 275). This message is very important because opinions on these types of documents differ depending upon the applicant, job, and interviewer or recruitment manager. For example, many opinions vary on the length and format of a resume. I think the message that is most often mixed is whether your resume should be restricted to one page. You'll hear people say "Managers won't look at your resume if it is longer than a page," or "It's okay to extend your resume to two or three pages since you've had so much experience." Who does one listen to? The opinion that truly matters is the opinion of the future employer or recruitment manager. However, is it proper etiquette to contact them and say, "Hi, I'm interested in applying for a job at your firm, do you prefer a one-page resume, or are two- to three-page resumes acceptable?"

John L. Munschauer describes a functional resume as one that "allows you to develop a different message for each job or type of job you wish to apply for" (p. 298). He recommends that every resume have something of the functional resume about it. I think it is very important to tailor a resume to each applicable job posting. If you do it for cover letters, why shouldn't you do it for your resume? Obviously, this approach is more time intensive, but it is more beneficial in the long run!

Munschauer also notes it's important to "test your message before you send it to employers" (p. 305). After reading this article I decided to stop by the Michelin Career Center to let them read my resume and give me their opinions. Their advice was extremely helpful, and very much in line with Munschauer's assertions. The career center is an excellent place to test your message, and they provide an influx of recommendations.

Wiki Update: Thanks a lot, Herby!

Since last Thursday's class, I've been working on information for Southern Proper's Wikipedia blurb. My bosses were excited about the idea of having a company profile up on Wikipedia. I quickly realized the process was not going to be an easy one as each copy revision I made had to be submitted to my bosses. The blurb underwent various revisions and after the seventh draft was ready to be uploaded to Wikipedia... or at least that's what I thought!

After reading information about creating a page on Wikipedia, I decided the best place for me to start was a user page. This was a place that would allow me to paste my copy, edit the copy, add internal and external links, and work on formatting issues before making it live on the Wikipedia Web site. However, minutes after I finished all of the copy editing, formatting, and linking my user page was deleted and I received the following message:

Herbythyme deleted Snwunc:user page-- G11: blatant advertising
Advertisements masquerading as articles

See also: Wikipedia:NOTADVERTISING#ADVERTISING.

Articles considered advertisements include those that are solicitations for a business, product or service, or are public relations pieces designed to promote a company or individual. Wikispam articles are usually noted for sales-oriented language and external links to a commercial website. However, a differentiation should be made between spam articles and legitimate articles about commercial entities.

Blatant examples of advertising masquerading as articles can be speedily deleted by tagging the articles with {{db-spam}}. Other advertisements posted on Wikipedia can be dealt with by either proposed deletion or listing them on Wikipedia:Articles for deletion. On some occasions, the content can be removed temporarily on the basis of a suspected copyright violation, since the text is often copied from another website and posted anonymously.

When an article on an otherwise encyclopedic topic has the tone of an advertisement, the article can often be salvaged by rewriting it in a neutral point of view. Elements of articles about products or services with brand names can also be combined under a common topic or category to facilitate unbiased and collaborative information by including information about the competition and about different alternatives.

My neutral point of view was apparently not so neutral after all. The information about Southern Proper was written like a timeline and did not persuade Wiki users to buy the products. Instead, it was an overview of the company and how it had progressed over the past few years. Literally, the user page did not last more than 2 minutes! My good friend Herbythyme deleted my post in no time. Very disappointing! I'll be sure to show my "deletion log" in class during our discussion. It appears Herby considers himself a Wikipedia sheriff and makes it his goal to delete anything that HE deems "blatant advertising."

Multimedia Component Update

Now that I have completed my Belles for Beaus handbook, I've turned my attention to the multimedia component of the project. I will create a brief movie to accompany the Belles for Beaus handbook on Southern Proper's Intranet Web site. I have mapped out two different ideas for the video. I have considered my primary audience, the Belles, and they type of video I think would benefit them the most. I plan to use imovie software to edit the video and create something acceptable for an Intranet site. I am a novice when it comes to audio/video editing, but I think this will be a great experience for me. I have watched numerous tutorials and I would recommend the following for anyone else interested in imovie tutorials:

iMovie tutorial
iMovie tutorial 2
iMovie tutorial 3

As I mentioned earlier, I have two ideas for my video. The first idea is the easy way out, but it may not be a bad idea considering this is all so new to me. Many corporate Web sites have videos of CEOs or other employees giving a company's overview, community involvement, and accolades. I think this video would be beneficial to the Belles because it would help them understand the history of Southern Proper and the company's mission. This type of video would also allow me to highlight expectations of the program and inform Belles about their role within the company. Take a look at the following video as an example of what I am referring to:

Chic-fil-a CEO video

My second idea would involve a longer more detailed video including footage from Belle events, Belle interviews, and trunk shows. Although this video would be very informative, it would take a lot of editing to make it look professional. This video would allow the Belles to see examples of events and hear from past Belles who've planned and executed events. A video of this nature could also be used for training sessions in the future.

Kostelnick and Petroski: Text Design

Imagine you're at the optometrist for your annual eye exam, "Which one is better... A or B?"

A) According to Charles Kostelnick, visual design is at the heart of the composing process. He purports text design is rhetorically active because the writer is affecting the reader's reception of the message. Kostelnick analyzes how contextual variables influence the meaning of visual language. He also examines structural and stylistic features of visual language and rhetorical implications for text design. Intratextual variations include bold, italics, and underlined words. Intertextual levels include headings, horizontal and vertical distribution, bullets, arrows, and lines on tables. Supratextual structures include stylistic functions by creating visual texture, tone, and mood.

B) According to Charles Kostelnick, visual design is at the heart of the composing process. He purports text design is rhetorically active because the writer is affecting the reader's reception of the message. Kostelnick analyzes how contextual variables influence the meaning of visual language. He also examines structural and stylistic features of visual language and rhetorical implications for text design.

Intratextual variations include:

• bold, italics, and underlined words.

Intertextual levels include:

• headings, horizontal and vertical distribution, bullets, arrows, and lines on tables.
  

Supratextual structures include:

• stylistic functions by creating visual texture, tone, and mood.

Personally, as a visual learner, B is the better option for me. I applaud writers who utilize visual design elements in their documents. I find them much more persuasive, appealing, logical, you name it! All three of the aforementioned elements are rhetorically independent and make a nice little packaged document. Just think, which articles or readings do you prefer... a 30-page article with no headings, no bold words or concepts, no tables or displays OR a 30-page article that uses intratextual, intertextual, and supratextual stylistic elements? The latter always seems less intimidating and much more interesting to read!

Petroski asserts in his article creative engineers are like great writers. He begins his article saying which innovation leads to a successful design and which to a failure is not completely predictable. Writers want words to take the reader from here to there in a way that is both original and familiar so the reader can picture in his or her own mind the scenes, action, examples, and arguments of the essay. He also discusses using others' designs as a springboard for new designs. There is a delicate balance between innovation and recreation. This article reminded me of points Myers made in his article about the two scientists who were trying to get their work published in high-stakes journals. He discussed the social construction of knowledge and how current work builds off of past work and literature reviews. Document design is also socially constructed in a way that articles are written.

Deliverable Draft

I have made a lot of progress on my deliverable: a handbook for the Belles for Beaus program. At this time, I have the majority of my Dreamweaver files completed. It is not possible to upload those files onto my blog; therefore, I am storing them on my USB drive as well as my U drive.

My next step will be to add a left-hand navigation bar and store pages under headings much like the ones on my outline. This navigation bar will be seen throughout the pages and ensure the best user experience (Garrett). Once the navigation is in place, I can then begin linking the pages and creating and testing the user experience.

Once this task is completed, I will work on creating a hard copy of the handbook that will be available in PDF format. My goal is to be completely finished with my draft by next Thursday, October 16.

Reports and Other Longer Documents: Part II

David W. Ewing asserts in his article there are 11 rules every persuader should know. They are as follows:

1. Consider whether your views will make problems for readers.
2. Don't offer new ideas, directives, or recommendations for change until your readers are ready.
3. Your credibility (two types: given or acquired) with readers affects your strategy.
4. If your audience disagrees with your ideas or is uncertain about them, present both sides of the argument.
   
5. Win respect by making your opinion or recommendation clear.
6. Put your strongest points last if the audience is very interested in the argument, first if the audience is not so interested. (*Different approach from previous readings*)
7. Don't count on changing attitudes by offering information alone.
8. Testimonials are most likely to be persuasive if drawn from people with whom readers associate.
9. Be wary of using extreme or "sensational" claims and facts.
10. Tailor your presentation to the reasons for readers' attitudes, if you know them.
    
11. Never mention other people without considering their possible effect on the reader.

Philip C. Kolin asserts in his article regarding proposals there are six guidelines for writing a successful proposal:

1. Approach writing a proposal as a problem-solving activity.
2. Regard your audience as skeptical readers.
3. Research your proposal carefully.
4. Prove that your proposal is workable.
5. Be sure that your proposal is financially realistic.
6. Package your proposal attractively.

Richard Johnson-Sheehan asserts in his article "Writing Proposals with Style" that there are three levels of style, aforementioned by classical rhetoricians like Cicero and Augustine. The three levels of style are plain, middle, and grand. Plain style is for instruction and demonstration, allowing the writer to lay out the facts or describe something in simple terms (p. 261). Middle style is for persuading people to take action (p. 261). Finally, grand style is for motivating people to do something they already know they should do. There is little opportunity to use grand style in proposals and proposals that use grand style seem fanatical and excessive. A proposal that properly combines the plain and persuasive style will be both informative and moving for the readers (p. 261).