大学英语（3）教学：教参3第4课Final.docVIP

Unit 4 Career Planning Useful Information Finding a job is like any other competitive activity. You would not play a game of basketball without practicing and warming up for the game. You would practice your shots, your dribbling, your passing, and even your free throws for a long time before the game. Then on the day of the game you would practice them again. Every time you practiced, you’d hope to improve. The job market is more competitive than that. So you should practice harder, and have a good game plan. In basketball you can fall behind in the first quarter and still win, but that’s unlikely in the competition for jobs, where unpreparedness is rarely rewarded. The first step is a good résumé (or curriculum vitae, CV for short). It should be clear and concise, with the most important items on the first page. It should include your name, address, phone，and your fax, email, mobile phone if you have them. The worst thing would be if someone wanted to interview or hire you but did not know how to find you. The key items in a résumé include your job objective, your education, your work experience, your honors, awards, your affiliations and any offices held, and anything else you think will help you get the job. Some candidates include hobbies, interests, personal information, references, etc. Others do not. Such items come at the end of the résumé, with references as the last. The second step is a good cover letter. This should be no more than a page. If it’s any longer the reader may not notice your signature at the bottom. Like the résumé, the cover letter should go through several careful drafts, with advice from an instructor or some other experienced people. Other documents such as personal statements and application forms may be required. These should be prepared just as thoroughly and conscientiously as the letter and the résumé. Now you are almost ready for the bottom line of the job-hunting process: the interview. The job may be gained or lost in t