Designed to acquaint high school students with the common competencies related to all public service jobs, this manual is intended for use (along with its accompanying teacher's manual, CE 013 654) in a one-quarter course, "Preparing for Public Service." (The course is the second in a series of three developed as a comprehensive approach to vocational skill development in public service for Georgia high schools.) Contents of the manual are divided into several units of readings followed by related activities, some designed for completion independently, some by groups. Topics are (1) introduction to communication, (2) written communication (the business letter, the application form, the memorandum, captions and telegrams, the short report), (2) oral communications and getting along with other people (speaking fluently and indicating emphasis, listening and responding skills, identification and use of basic skills in getting along with others--personalizing skills, good grooming), (3) basic recordkeeping (filing systems and data processing), and (4) interviewing skills and application for a public service job. (Student guides and teacher's manuals for the other courses and a guide to the total program, CE 013 652, are available separately.) (JT)