Question

Using a job site such as Indeed or Monster, locate three job ads for people in your academic major. In each ad, identify references to writing and communication skills, and then identify references to professional attitudes and work habits. Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

Answer 1

Engineering job ads on Indeed and Monster emphasize the need for strong communication skills and professional attitudes. Candidates should customize their application materials and use professional tools to prepare for interviews. Employers value specific examples that demonstrate a candidate's skills and professionalism.

Step-by-step explanation:

When searching for engineering jobs on platforms like Indeed or Monster, it is evident that communication skills are a crucial requirement. Job ads typically highlight the need for candidates to articulate complex information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Additionally, professional attitudes and work habits are also highly valued, which may be presented as the ability to work collaboratively, exhibit problem-solving skills, and show initiative.

For example, an ad might specify the expectation for a candidate to 'work independently and as part of a team to meet project deadlines'. This suggests the importance of being self-driven yet team-oriented. Another common phrase might be 'excellent verbal and written communication skills', emphasizing the dual facets of interpersonal and documentation abilities expected in professional engineering roles.

Candidates are advised to craft targeted application documents like resumes and cover letters, and to develop networking skills both in-person and online to increase their job prospects. Tools like LinkedIn or Big Interview can provide significant assistance in building a professional portfolio and preparing for interviews. It's also recommended that job seekers customize their resume for each application to surpass screening technologies such as applicant tracking systems.

Finally, employers seek tangible proof of skills over general statements, which means it is advantageous for candidates to offer specific examples of how they have effectively utilized their communication skills and demonstrated a professional attitude in past experiences when applying for a new engineering position.

Answer 2

The first job ad I found was a vacancy for a professor of literature at a high school in rural Georgia. The vacancy description showed that the teacher should have a wide range of communication skills, as literary discussions were required to be developed among students as a way to encourage reading. The job description also reinforced the importance of encouraging students to write essays, thereby improving their academic experience. In addition, it was necessary for the teacher to be charismatic, patient and polite, as every teacher should be.

The second job vacancy I found was to be a tutor, also in the interior of Georgia. Communication skills were essential in this case, since the student in question would only have contact with the teacher and efficient communication between them was necessary. As a private teacher, it is essential that the teacher had a good command of writing and maintain the relationship with the student in a completely professional manner.

The last job I found was to be a literary editor at a book publisher. This position was the one that interested me the most and required that effective communication with the authors be maintained, so that the publications had a high level of editing. However, it was to be a good editor, it is necessary to have a good command of writing, otherwise it will be impossible to assume that position.