For one quarter/semester undergraduate courses in Career Development and Self Explorations in departments of business, and professional and technical studies, in post-secondary two- and four-year institutions. This concise, well-organized text focuses on the self-analysis and communication needs of business professional/technical students who are searching for employment and want to be successful once they have obtained employment. Through the many hands-on exercises, the reader is given ample opportunity for self-analysis and pre-interview preparation. The sample resumes, letters, and interviewing skills included in the text make this an essential reference book for any job-seeker, while the sections on workplace communication skills make the text essential for anyone new to the job or working in teams.

Table of Contents:
(NOTE: Each chapter begins with “Learning Objectives” and concludes with “Stress Less,” “Case Study,” “Chapter Project,” “Discussion Questions,” and “Summary.”)PART I. 1. Analyzing Yourself and the Trends of the Job Market. Types of Attitudes. Developing a Positive Attitude. Improving Attitudes. Job Skills Assessment. Reviewing the Past. Communication Styles. What Do Employers Expect? Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: Ten Little Things You Enjoy. Employer's Survey. 2. Preparing a Report on Yourself: Resumes and Portfolios. Organizing Resume Information. Guidelines for Constructing Resumes. Types of Resumes. Choosing Your Resume Format. Grading Resumes. Building Portfolios. Creating a Web Page. Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: The One-Minute Vacation. 3. Creating Interest in Yourself. Create Interest in Yourself by Thoroughly Knowing about a Company Before You Write to Them. General Format for Cover Letters. Write Cover Letters That Will Get You an Interview. Solicited Cover Letters. Create Interest in Yourself by Completing Application Forms Efficiently. Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: A Paperwork Project. PART II. 4. What Was That You Said? Telephoning and Listening. Using the Telephone During Employment Searches. Is Poor Listening a Problem? Overcoming Poor Listening Habits. Rewording: A Communication Feedback Tool. Communication Barriers. Communication Rules. What Is the Communication Circuit? Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: Get Healthy by Eating Healthful Foods. 5. The Interview: Preparing Well and Doing Your Best. Preparing for the Interview: Review Your Self-Analysis. The Preinterview Process. Interview Do's and Don'ts. Types of Interviews. Interview Structure. Answering Interview Questions Effectively. Asking Productive Questions. Finishing with Flair and Following Up. Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: Learning to Say No. PART III. 6. Communicating Effectively with External Customers. What Do Customers Want? Perception. Customers on the Telephone. Responding to Critical Customers. Understanding Cultural Differences. Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: Relaxation Technique. 7. Teamwork: Communicating Productively with Co-Workers. What Are Other Trends in the Future? Building a Positive Communication Climate. Nondefensive Communication. Giving Instructions. Leadership Skills. Giving Orders. Synergy. Applying the Concepts. Stress Less: Ideas for Team Leaders. References. Index.