The application letter, as the first phase of employment-seeking, is an opportunity for a job applicant to make a favorable impression on a potential employer. In the current study, the author used a mixed-method approach to empirically explore strategies for self-presentation in job application letters and determine the methods used in the…

The number of transgender college students continues to increase every year. These students face unique challenges that many college and university career centers are not prepared to handle. This article describes some of the challenges facing transgender students and college career centers. A professional development design is proposed to assist…

Faculty members completed the Job Resume Questionnaire. An experimental group was given data on faculty opinion and asked to construct a resume. A positive relationship existed between faculty responses to the questionnaire and actual items appearing on the resumes constructed by the experimental group. (Author)

Summarizes the background, development, content, and validation of the Employability Inventory, an instrument designed to assess knowledge of job seeking, job retention, and job success. Discusses usefulness of the inventory in both counseling and education. (ABL)

Results indicate that success occurs in from three to five contacts and failure occurs beyond seven contacts. Reevaluation of service plans for applicants carried beyond five contacts is suggested. (Author)

The letter most likely to bring forth a positive response is short, error-free, and grammatically correct. The "hard sell" approach is viewed negatively. Attempts at sophistication through the use of metaphor, simile, and quotations are not well received. (Author)

Examines methods used to search for entry-level managerial positions and assesses how human resource and personnel directors in Georgia perceive these methods. Findings indicate that few of the directors use electronic technology to fill such positions, but they view positively those applicants who use electronic job searching methods. (RJM)

Identifies entry-level employment trends in technology, interpersonal, and basic communication job skills over time using classified newspaper advertisements from standard metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. These skills were selected from a set of workplace know-hows listed in two editions of a U.S. Department of Labor report,…

Reviewed literature on determining employment referents. Administered employment referent trait rating scale to undergraduate students (N=139). Found students rated referent willing to provide favorable information as most important criteria distantly followed by personal relationship between candidate and referent. Recommends future research…

Examined 13 errors commonly made by students in hiring interviews and the frequency of occurrence of these errors. Discusses the implications for interview training programs. Urges planners to offer programs that teach students research and investigative skills and the ability to communicate their job related skills verbally and in writing.…

Predicted job acquisition success would be positively related to the level of job search behavior; the degree of vocational self-concept crystallization; and most strongly, the combined effects (interaction) of the two. Data from two samples supported the first prediction, but not the latter two. (JBJ)

This study surveyed a sample of nationally certified executive search recruiters (N=114), with the use of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Chi-square test analyses revealed that this sample differed significantly from adult norms on four of the five NEO-FFI scales: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness. Implications of…

Examined program components of professional outplacement relative to client satisfaction using a sample (N=68) of former executives seeking jobs. Survey results suggest outplacement content components and process components were better predictors of client satisfaction when compared with contextual components. Self-efficacy may make a key…