This document provides guidance on job searching, applications, interviews, and follow-up. It discusses knowing your skills and interests, researching companies and positions, networking, applying with tailored resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews by practicing responses and questions, and following up with thank you notes. References for additional resources on career exploration, resume building, and job search techniques are also included.
2. In This Lesson
Knowing yourself
Job Searching
Job Applications/Resumés
Interview Preparation
Interviews and Follow-up
3. References: (Write these down!)
Slideshare (All slides/books located here):
www.slideshare.net/FortJacksonRHU
O*NET (Occupational Information Network)
www.onetonline.org
Fort Jackson MWR Employment Readiness Program
www.fortjacksonmwr.com/acs_emp/index.html
(Click: “Job Search Links”)
Virtual Career Library
www.virtualcareerlibrary.com/jackson
4. Before the Job Search:
Before beginning a job search, it’s important to know
which of the following?
A. What companies you want to work for
B. What kind of job you want and how you can help an
employer
C. Opportunities for growth that companies have to
offer
5. The Job Searching Process
Find the field/industry which you are willing to work
Search for openings
1.
2.
a.
b.
Networking
Job Postings
Adjust your profile for the job
3.
1.
2.
3.
Application
Cover Letters
Résumé
4. Interview
5. Follow-up
1.
Thank you letter
6. Knowing Yourself
What kind of work do I like to do?
What am I best at?
What kind of work environment do I prefer?
What are my financial goals?
Am I willing to relocate?
Holland’s Hexagon
of
Personality Types
7. What Job is For You?
Think of:
Your skills/qualifications
What you can provide to
a company
What criteria most of
your selected jobs
require
O*Net Interest Profiler:
http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
8. The Job Searching Process
Find the field/industry which you are willing to work
Search for openings
1.
2.
a.
b.
Networking
Job Postings
Adjust your profile for the job
3.
1.
2.
3.
Application
Cover Letters
Résumé
4. Interview
5. Follow-up
1.
Thank you letter
9. Truths About the Job Market
There are always jobs out there
Whether you can find them depends
on your methods of job-hunting
10. Job Finding Techniques
Best Ways
Worst Ways
Ask for job leads (33% success) Mail out resumés at random
Knocking on door of
prospective employer (47%)
Creative Approach to JobHunting (86%)
(7% success)
Answering ads in professional
or trade journals (7%)
Answering non-local
newspaper ads (10%)
Answering local newspaper
ads (5-24%)
Going to private employment
agencies (5-24%)
11. The Creative Approach
Do thorough homework and explore upon yourself. Know
in what kinds of fields you want to use those skills.
Talk to people who are in those kinds of jobs.
Choose organizations and do research on those
organizations.
Seek out the person who actually has the power to hire you
for the job you want. Use your personal contacts to get to
him or her.
Show how you can help your prospective employer solve
their problems.
12. Getting Organized
• Treat Finding a Job as a Job.
• Create Sample Applications
• Create Several Résumés
• Create Several Cover Letters
• Set Goals
• Weekly Job Search Schedule
13. Networking
Why Network?
• Find the hidden jobs
• Get direct referrals
• Expand the number of
people you now in the
industry you target
Build relationships
Listen and Ask Questions
Support and Maintain
Connections
“It’s all about who you know”
-Dale Doback
14. Job Postings
Hundreds of job searching websites
Newspapers
Government Offices/Employment Agencies
Internet Ads
Bulletin boards
Schools
15. The Job Searching Process
1.
2.
Find the field/industry which you are willing to work
Search for openings
a.
b.
3.
Networking
Job Postings
Adjust your profile for the job
a.
b.
c.
Application
Cover Letters
Résumé
4. Interview
5. Follow-up
a. Thank you letter
16. Applications
Most applications are ran through the Applicant
Tracking System (ATS) prior to being seen by a person
Print Legibly (Black or Blue Pen)
Be Honest
Follow Instructions
Tailor Answers to the Job
Only Give Salary Range if Requested
Provide Valid References
Double Check for Mistakes
Use a Master Application Form (Provided from the
Virtual Career Library)
17. Cover Letters
Cover Letters are a written introduction; short elevator
speech on why you want the job and why they should
hire you
The purpose is for the employer to clarify how your
skills match the requirements and to motivate the
employer to read your résumé
Three to four brief paragraphs to address a specific
purpose
*Ensure you keep copies of all your applications, cover letters and résumés.
18. •Don’t write your entire resume
•Note when you are available for
employment
•Use good quality paper
19. Types of Résumés
Resume Format Advantages
Widely Used Format
Logical Flow, easy to read
Chronological
Disadvantages
Emphasizes gaps in
employment
Not suitable if you have no
work history
Combination
Highlights frequent job changes
Easy to Prepare
Functional
Showcase growth in skills and
responsibility
Best Used By
Individuals with steady work
record
Emphasizes employment but
not skill development
Emphasizes skills rather than
employment
Organizes a variety of experience
(paid and unpaid work, other
activities)
Disguises gaps in work record or a
series of short term jobs
Highlights most relevant skills and
accomplishments
De-emphasizes employment history
in less relevant jobs
Combines skills developed in a
variety of jobs or other activities
Minimizes drawbacks such as
employment gaps and absence of
directly related experience
Viewed with suspicion by
employers due to lack of
information about specific
employers and dates
Individuals with no previous or
gaps in employment
Individuals with gaps in
employment
Frequent job changers
Confusing if not well organized
De-emphasizes job tasks,
responsibilities
requires more effort and
creativity to prepare
Career changers or those in
transition
Individuals reentering the job
market after some absence
Individuals who have grown in
skills and responsibility
Individuals pursuing the same
or similar work as they've had
in the past
20. Résumés
Parts of the Resume
Header
Summary of Qualifications/Skills
Experience
Education
Tips:
Action verbs
Achievement Statements
Keywords
PROOFREAD
Interchangeable
depending on the
type of résumé
21. “Education” goes
at the top only if
your degree
relates to the job
List as
many skills
as possible
Experience in
each job relates
to the job you’re
applying for
28. Building Upon Your Résumé
Volunteer Work
Certification Classes
Internships/Apprenticeships
Internships.com
Experience.com
Goabroad.com
Typing Courses
Typingweb.com
Goodtyping.com
Sense-lang.org/typing
29. The Job Searching Process
Find the field/industry which you are willing to work
Search for openings
1.
2.
a.
b.
Networking
Job Postings
Adjust your profile for the job
3.
1.
2.
3.
Application
Cover Letters
Résumé
4. Interview
5. Follow-up
1.
Thank you letter
30. Before the Interview
Get directions to the interview site
Determine what time you need to leave to get there
EARLY
Build/gather your portfolio
Appropriate attire
Researching the company
Rehearsing your “Elevator Speech” (Selling yourself)
31. Appropriate Attire
Women
Men
Tailored Shirt/Blouse or
Conservative collared shirt/polo
Knitted Sweater/sets
Non-denim pants or kneelength skirt
Pantyhose with skirts
Closed toed shoes/heels
Neatly Groomed Hair
Manicured/polished nails
Conservative make-up and
jewelry
Solid tee/turtleneck
Sports Coats
Non-denim, tailored slacks
Belt matches the shoes
Mid-calf socks, matches the
pants
Polished shoes
Groomed hair; shaven
Conservative watches
32. Inappropriate Attire
Wrinkled or un-tucked clothing
T-shirts with words
Jeans, sweatpants, shorts, baggy pants, exposed
undergarments
Huge belt buckles
Gym socks
Worn out shoes, sandals, flip-flops or athletic shoes
Perfume/cologne
Visible body piercings/tattoos
37. Interview Preparation
RESEARCH THE COMPANY!
Contact References
Gather materials you may need (Résumé, transcripts/
certificates, references list, pen and paper)
Know your strengths
Know your weaknesses
AND how you’re working on improving them
PRACTICE!
Be on time and dress appropriately
38. Rehearsals
Positive First Impressions
Communicating your skills
Answering problem questions
Asking key questions
Helping Employers know why they should hire you
Closing the interview properly
39. Interviewing: Selling yourself
“Tell me about yourself”
SEE
SKILLS
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Interviewers will ask trick questions
Do not open the door to:
Marital/Family Status, Sexual
Orientation, Religion, Race, Political Views
40. Interviewing: Selling yourself
Relax!
Be Honest
Show Interest
Take Brief Notes
Listen
Ask Questions (Do not ask how much the position pays)
Make Your Points Politely
Be Positive
State Your Interest
Ask When to Expect Contact (If no position is available,
ask if you can check back periodically)
41. The Job Searching Process
Find the field/industry which you are willing to work
Search for openings
1.
2.
a.
b.
Networking
Job Postings
Adjust your profile for the job
3.
1.
2.
3.
Application
Cover Letters
Résumé
4. Interview
5. Follow-up
1.
Thank you letter
42. Follow-Up
Thank you notes:
Send a follow-up or thank you note to everyone who
interviewed you. Notes may be hand written. Formal
Letters should be typed.
Ask additional questions, supply more
information, underline an important point or just to
remind the person who interviewed you that you’re still
interested.
Keep it short. Send it quick.
43. Follow-Up
Make inquiries
If you haven’t heard from an organization after the set
time, try calling or sending e-mail to ask if the position
has been filled
If you don’t get the job, don’t be discouraged!
44. If You are Offered the Job
Before you accept, think about the position in terms of:
Job responsibility
Working hours (part-time and overtime)
Pace of Work
Salary Range
Benefits
Location
Transportation
Working conditions
Advancement Opportunities
If you accept, send a letter of acceptance, even if you have confirmed
verbally. Confirm the starting date and time. Keep a copy of the letter!
45. Keeping Your Job
Be realistic
Be patient
If the job isn’t right for you
– don’t lose hope!
Show initiative
Be cooperative
Be conscientious
Be professional
Keep learning!
Start your search over
again. Consider additional
training.
Move on and move up!
46. Conclusion
Do what it takes to get the job you want!
Evaluate: you personal needs, goals, skills and
achievements
Research: careers to determine the fields that are most
suitable to you – keep an open mind
Network: to find specific job openings talk with your
contacts and potential employers
Sell Yourself: to potential employers, through a
thoughtfully composed résumé, cover letter & interview
47. References: (Write these down!)
Slideshare (All slides/books located here):
www.slideshare.net/FortJacksonRHU
O*NET (Occupational Information Network)
www.onetonline.org
Fort Jackson MWR Employment Readiness Program
www.fortjacksonmwr.com/acs_emp/index.html
(Click: “Job Search Links”)
Virtual Career Library
www.virtualcareerlibrary.com/jackson
Notas del editor
Why Network? The Purpose and Value While the Internet is an important part of your job search, don’t forget the power of talking to people face-to-face and over the phone! Networking can enhance your other job search activities by: Helping you find the so-called hidden jobs. Some sources say up to 80 percent of jobs never get advertised. Networking may be your only way to learn where these jobs are. Networking can help you get direct referrals to individuals who are hiring. And networking can help you expand the number of people you know in the industries you are targeting, thus increasing your chances of finding a job. Cables and Plugs Needed? How to Network So how do you network? Networking is about increasing the number of people you know. It’s about talking, listening and following up. It’s not a high-pressure sales pitch; it’s a series of get-to-know-you conversations with a variety of people. You have as much to offer others as they might have to offer you, so don’t be afraid to take that first step! Build Relationships Networks are relationships built on mutual needs or interests. Building a career network is about building relationships. Because the vast majority of job openings never are advertised, job seekers need to have a network of contacts - a career network - that can provide support, information and job leads. More jobs are found through networking than all the other job-search methods combined. Listen and Ask Questions Networking is about learning things about other people. You already know about yourself, so you are doing yourself a disservice if you do all the talking. Networking involves more listening than speaking. It involves showing concern and interest and asking questions. Informational interviews are a great way to learn about the industry, company and hidden jobs. They are also an easy way to get to talk to people in a company or industry you are interested in. You prepare a list of questions for each interview so you'll sound polished and professional. Support and Maintain Connections Developing a strong network means more than introducing yourself to people. It involves making connections and providing the support to maintain them. An initial meeting or contact with someone does not establish a connection unless there is follow-up of some kind. That follow-up must suggest a genuine interest in developing a mutually supportive relationship. Just making a contact with no follow-up will lead to a lot of worthless business cards. Tips for Networking Before you start making networking contacts, develop your "Elevator Speech." An elevator speech is a short, intriguing speech about who you are, what you do, what you are looking for and contains something unique about yourself. It is designed to quickly introduce yourself to contacts and give them enough information to encourage them to learn more about how wonderful you are. Sample 30 Second CommercialA sample 30 second commercial is available on the Additional Resources section. Click here to view the information.Individuals Start with people you know and let them know exactly what you are looking for. Ask them for contacts or information. Ask contacts for contacts, and so on. Contact each person. Let them know why you are contacting them, how you got their name, give them your elevator speech and ask them a few specific questions they can help you with. Avoid being too much of a burden; respect their time. Document who you contacted, when and what was said. Follow up as appropriate, in a timely manner. Send thank you notes to people who took time to help you. Organizations Look for local chapters of national industry organizations. Join local industry organizations; many allow guests to attend functions. Participate in as many functions as you can afford to attend. Become a familiar face. Offer to volunteer or even serve on a Board of Directors. Meet people by consciously speaking to as many people as possible at the event. Exchange business cards. Social Networking Tools The proliferation of social networking tools such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn and others has revolutionized networking. While they frequently are used for purely social reasons, some are specifically reserved for professional networking, and even sites that are more social in nature can help you find contacts and jobs. However, social networking tools have a flip side, too: Employers can also use what you’ve posted online (and what others have posted online about you) to rule you out as a candidate. Use them, but use them wisely! Choose the Right Tool If you have not already done so, sign up with a social networking site designed for professional networking, such as LinkedIn. Summarize your previous experience and skills in the appropriate places of your online profile, in case someone wants to see your skill set/experience. Post your resume if there is a place on the site to do so. Indicate you are looking for a job, and be clear about what kind of job you are looking for. Ask people to complete online referrals for you for sites like LinkedIn. Use It Wisely If you already have an online presence, look at it from an employer’s perspective: Does it represent you fairly, accurately and professionally? A recent study by Microsoft found that 70 percent of recruiters and hiring managers in the U.S. have rejected an applicant based on information they found online. 79 percent of U.S. hiring managers have used the Internet to better assess applicants. Clean up and "professionalize" your online presence - this includes your profile, what you say, how you say it, the pictures of you (posted by you and others), and so on. Assume that whatever you say online can be seen by potential employers.
If a cover letter is simply a written introduction, why is there all the fuss about it? The truth is that cover letters are critically important to the job seeker. A good resume is one of the most important documents you will create when it comes to your employment search; however, it may never receive the attention it is due without a strong cover letter. A good cover letter will compel the reader to learn more about you, and a poor cover letter will get the letter and the accompanying resume tossed into the trash. A cover letter has several purposes. For you, the purpose is to get the interview. For an employer, the purpose is to clarify how the candidate’s skills match the position requirements and motivate them to read your resume and invite you to an interview. Cover letters should consist of three to four brief paragraphs that address a specific purpose
Cover Letter: SHARPYour letter should follow a standard business format, which typically is block-style formatting aligned to the left-hand side of the page. Your cover letter is a business communication and should be typed and printed using a quality printer. S = Standard business format Format your cover letter to match your resume (same font, design elements and so forth). If printing it out, use the same type of paper you used for your resume. H = Highlight important skills You probably will have many skills listed on your resume and hopefully have the most applicable skills in a qualification summary at the beginning of your resume. Your cover letter offers you yet another opportunity to explain and expand upon those critical skills needed for your desired job. It is a place where you can put your skills into context, connect them to an employer’s specific need, explain transferable skills, or otherwise mention keywords that will get your resume noticed. A = Appropriate length Your cover letter should be brief, consisting of three or four paragraphs with one to three sentences each. It should not exceed one page without a compelling reason. If your letter is being e-mailed, it should fit within one computer screen without the reviewer having to scroll through the letter. R = Reviewed for accuracy Like your resume, there is no excuse for spelling or grammatical errors on your cover letter. Take the time to have it reviewed by someone else for typos or misspellings. One error could result in your resume never receiving the attention it deserves. P = Proper salutation and signature If possible, you should address your letter to a specific person, even if that means you will need to perform a little investigative research. Addressing a letter to a person, with the correct spelling of their name, is much more effective than addressing it to "Dear Sir/Madam" or "Dear Employment Manager." It also helps ensure that your letter will get to the person you intend it to reach. Equally important is your signature, so make sure your letter has one. In their haste to get a resume in the mail, many job seekers forget to sign their cover letter, which draws immediate attention to a careless mistake. Now that you’ve had a chance to review the basics of creating winning cover letters, it is time to put that knowledge to work!
So, how do you start writing your resume? It can seem overwhelming at first, but like other writing, it is an interactive process. Job seekers may revise their resume dozens of times before they are satisfied with it, so don’t expect perfection the first time. This section will explore the steps in the resume writing process. Purpose Start by deciding what you want your resume to do for you. What is the desired goal you want? How can your resume help you reach that goal? Decide what you want to say and how you want to say it. Format Decide on a format for your resume. Will a chronological, functional, or combination format work best for you? Template Consult/view several different resume samples and templates to get an idea of what you think would work best for you. Use them as a model when drafting your own resume.Tips for Effective Resumes: Action Verbs Try to start most sentences/phrases with strong action verbs that describe your accomplishments. Click here to view a list of resume action verbs.Achievement Statements Don’t tell employers just what you did; tell them what you accomplished that made you an outstanding employee and one they can’t afford to pass up. Show the results of what you did, and quantify those results whenever possible. Keywords Inundated by resumes from job seekers, employers have increasingly relied on placing those resumes in keyword-searchable databases, and using software to search for specific keywords that relate to job vacancies. Use the employer’s keywords in your resume. You can get these keywords from the position description, job posting and other recruiting/advertising material. Keywords should be used strategically in your qualification summary, resume content or keyword section. Proofread Typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and so on are the kiss of death in a resume! Take the time to review your resume carefully, and ask others to proofread it for you as well. Don’t rely on spell check to do it all! There is some debate about how long a resume should be. There are valid arguments on each side, but in general, resumes should be one to two pages, depending on the amount of content you have to cover. Somewhere between the chronological and functional resume lies the combination resume. Combination resumes have a mostly functional format, but also include a bare-bones chronological work history. The work history section need only include job title, name and location of employer, and dates of employment. Skills and accomplishments are listed in the functional sections.