Chapters 2, 9, 10 - 11.07.08

Chapter 2 is focused on taking a reader centered approach to resumes and job application letters. The first thing you need to do is identify who your potential employers are. You can accomplish this by making a list. Next you need to figure out your angle. Basically you need to tailor your resume based on the type of job you are applying for and figure out how best to describe your strengths to the reader. The chapter also points out that in most cases your resume only needs to be one page. Only if you have extensive qualifications should you prepare a second page. Job application letters can often be more important to a potential employer than your resume. If your letter can grab the attention of the person reading it than most likely they will look further. The process for creating a letter of this type includes planning, drafting, and revising. When writing a job application letter you need to be very conscious of who the reader will be in order to be effective.

Chapter 9 talks about perfecting the way you begin a communication. Mastering this step can go a very long way. If your opening can grab the readers attention you can be almost sure that they will continue reading. Eight guidelines are laid out in chapter 9. In my opinion guideline 2 is very important. I have said this a couple of times before in previous blogs but I will say it again. Don't waste peoples time. Get straight to the point and you save people a lot of time. You will also grab their attention and potentially they will keep reading. Guideline 3 is also important in this nature. "Tell your readers what to expect." If they know the scope of what they are reading, they save time once again and everyone is happy. The beginning of a communication is definitely the most important part.

Chapter 10 is the opposite of 8. Ten goes into how to finish a communication. Guideline 1 lays the foundation pretty well, " after you've made your last point, stop." This idea is especially important in proposals. Readers expect that after you have explained what you plan to do, the proposal is finished. Another good point that the chapter makes is how to tell your readers to get more information. It depends on the communication, but guiding the reader for more info is very beneficial. I have found the last guideline to be very useful in my professional life. Writers need to follow the standards of their particular profession.