Title: Employment Experts Forum
Course: SkillsCom WR 227 14.0

This week you are going to talk to an employer or employment specialist and ask that person for advice on employment writing. The following people are acceptable experts:

Anyone who actively participates in hiring decisions who is NOT your friend or family member.

Any local agency (such as the unemployment office) that specializes in helping people get back to work.

Next, complete the to-do list below.

Develop a list of five open ended (i.e. not "yes" or "no") questions about the traits this person looks for in an employee. Make sure that at least one of the questions focuses specifically on writing skills. For sample questions see below.
Interview your expert.
Post your questions and your expert's answers in the Employment Experts forum. Please include the name, position, and place of employment of your expert.
Comment on at least two classmates posts. Comments should be at least 50 words each.

Sample Questions

- When you are hiring a new employee, how important are writing skills? How about other communication skills?
- Can you describe some of the worst cover letters and resumes you have read?
- Can you describe the ideal cover letter and the ideal resume? What would they contain? How would they be written?
- What advice would you give to someone who was transitioning to a new career field or someone who lacked work history? How could that person succeed in the contemporary job market?
- What kind of writing to do people in your field?