Job Search Skills Workshop

Transcription

1

2 Today s Agenda Developing a Personal Marketing Plan Job Sources Job Search Techniques Writing Resumes and Cover Letters Interview Skills Resources Available to You

3 Objectives Understand the best way to find available job openings Learn how to write an effective resume & cover letter Develop successful interviewing techniques and understand the types of questions you may expect Use of on line tools during the job search process

4 Career Plan and Marketing Strategy What are you selling? Understand that your skills and abilities are the product in a job search BRAND the product!

5 Market Research Field /Market Research and understand current trends in your field Contact others in your profession Other Health care Other industries Companies / Organizations Learn about potential employers Determine if it is a place you may want to work

6 Marketing Mix The Product: YOU Uniqueness / Special Traits What is the one thing that makes you different than any other job seeker applying for the same job? What are your accomplishments? How viable a product are you right now? What will make you more attractive to employers? Can you say it in 15 words or less?

7 Marketing Mix Know what s out there about YOU Google your name Review your voice mail outgoing message (both at home and your cell phone) Social Networks: Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn Set the privacy setting to the highest level TODAY Is your address appropriate? What will show up in your background checks?: Credit Checks Drug Screening Criminal Record References

8 Marketing Mix Promotional Tools: anything you can use to get a job interview and ultimately a job offer: Cover letters Resumes Networking interviewing

9 Marketing Mix Place: Distribution Channels Job postings Cold calling Networking (CRITICAL!) Searching jobs on the web Career centers / alumni offices Headhunters / Recruiters / Executive Search Firms/ Employment Agencies

10 Know the PRODUCT: Self Assessment Why: To identify jobs / positions / organizations that will provide opportunities to utilize and enhance your skills and abilities To effectively communicate your abilities to potential employers To set goals for new skills to acquire and further develop

11 Accomplishments Key career or personal achievements Sells you to an employer Quantify

12 Job Search Techniques

13 Essentials Finding a job takes time and effort Key to job search success is to treat the entire process like a business. You are currently in the job hunting business. Have patience--your perseverance will eventually pay off. Make sure you have a support system of family or friends to help you when you are feeling discouraged. Some rejection will be a normal part of job-hunting and a new experience for you. Rather than letting rejections discourage you, let each one teach you a new way to improve your skills for your next opportunity.

14 Essentials In a tight job market with fierce competition for open positions, workers need to be proactive in their employment search. From the outset they need to know what kind of job they're looking for and ideally what companies they want to target. Do conduct research on all companies that interest you. Do follow-up all job leads. And do be persistent; there is truth to the "squeaky wheel" cliche.

15 Network! Network! Network! Networking / Personal contacts. Many jobs are never advertised. People get them by talking to friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, teachers, former coworkers, and others who know of an opening. Be sure to tell people that you are looking for a job because the people you know may be some of the most effective resources for your search. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations. Remember - everyone is a potential contact.

16 Use Multiple Sources Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that people who use many job search methods find jobs faster than people who use only one or two. Potential employers Informational Interviews Classified Ads Internet Resources Professional Associations State Employment Services Placement Agencies / Headhunters Social Networking

17 Employers Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting. Through library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Then call these employers and check their Web sites for job openings. Web sites and business directories can tell you how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer: You never know when a job might become available.

18 Employers Company web sites. If you have a specific set of companies you would most like to work for, the best solution might simply be to go the each company's Web site and review job postings. Many of these companies allow you to apply online, and they often list the contact person so you should be able to easily follow-up, as you would if you sent a cover letter and resume to an employer. Be temporarily flexible. Temp jobs are a great way to learn skills, gain experience, and earn money while looking for a permanent position. They are also a way to prove your worth and be first in line when a full-time position opens up.

19 Informational Interviews Consider asking for an informational interview with people working in the career you want to learn more about. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. In addition to giving you career information, they may be able to put you in contact with other employers who may be hiring, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up. Although the focus of information interviews is to find out more about a company or a career field, a hoped for byproduct is to also find out about specific openings and how the organization does its hiring.

20 Informational Interviews It can be intimidating to do this, but on the other hand the worst that could happen is that they say no. If they agree to the meeting which can be at their office, a coffee shop, anywhere that s convenient for them you have a golden opportunity to meet a decision maker and make yourself stand out from the applicant field.

21 Classified Ads The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers and the Internet list numerous jobs, and many people find work by responding to these ads. But when using classified ads, keep the following in mind: Follow all leads to find a job; do not rely solely on the classifieds. Answer ads promptly, because openings may be filled quickly, even before the ad stops appearing in the paper. Read the ads every day, particularly the Sunday edition, which usually includes the most listings. Keep a record of all ads to which you have responded, including the specific skills, educational background, and personal qualifications required for the position. You may want to follow up on your initial inquiry.

22 The Internet The Internet includes many job hunting Web sites with job listings. Some job boards provide National listings of all kinds; others are local. Some relate to a specific type of work; others are general. To find good prospects, begin with an Internet search using keywords related to the job you want. Also look for the Web sites of related professional associations. Also consider checking Internet forums, also called message boards. These are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about the job searches or career experiences of other people.

23 The Internet In online job databases, remember that job listings may be posted by field or discipline, so begin your search using keywords. Many Web sites allow job seekers to post their resumes online for free. Take advantage of all Web-based job-hunting methods, including general job-hunting sites, industry-specific job sites, geo-graphic-specific job sites, company (employer) sites, and networking sites.

24 Internet Warning! Job-hunting on the Internet should, in no way, be your sole means of looking for a new job. The traditional methods of networking, job boards, classified ads, and targeted job searches should still be part of your overall job-hunting plan. The Internet simply expands the job-hunting resources that are available to you.

25 Professional Associations Many professions have associations that offer employment information, including career planning, educational programs, job listings, and job placement. Information can be obtained directly from most professional associations through the Internet, by telephone, or by mail. Associations usually require that you be a member to use these services.

26 State Employment Services The State employment service, sometimes called the Job Service, operates in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor s Employment and Training Administration. Local offices, found nationwide, help job seekers to find jobs and help employers to find qualified workers at no cost to either. To find the office nearest you, look in the State government telephone listings under "Job Service" or "Employment."

27 Employment Agencies Private agencies can save you time and they will contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate. Such agencies may be called recruiters, head hunters, or employment placement agencies. These agencies may charge for their services. Most operate on a commission basis, charging a percentage of the first-year salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service. When determining if the service is worth the cost, consider any guarantees that the agency offers.

28 Social Networking The best way to get the inside track on a job lead is with a referral from someone already employed at the company. To meet employees at the target company, job seekers can turn to online social networks to finagle an introduction or meeting. It allows job hunters to build a profile and connect with other workers. One benefit is that it makes it easy to tailor networking to specific companies or industries. LinkedIn.com emerged as a go-to site for professionals to network. Think of LinkedIn as more of a social directory than a social network

29 Social Networking Connections--You might be surprised to find out that some of your first-degree contacts work at one of your target companies -- or have worked there -- or some of their first- or second-degree contacts work there. After discovering that you know someone, or you know someone who knows someone, getting an introduction can be as easy as asking for one. Twitter, Facebook, etc are about expanding your reach. The old reliance on networking and accessing the hidden job market remains the same. The advantage of being referred by an employee remains the same. The new stuff is in addition to, not instead of, the basics.

30 Keep Records on Your Search The job log is a journal of your job-search recording every contact made, whether it is a brief conversation, a telephone call, or an interview. Each entry should be dated and contain the name, address, telephone number, and company of the contact, and what happened as a result. Record interviews in the log as well as on a calendar. Any tax deductible expenses incurred during the search should also be noted in the log. The log can also act as an audit of your performance. Fifteen or more entries is a good daily output. Only two or three daily entries means that the jobsearch has become passive rather than active.

31

32 Your Resume and Cover Letter What is a resume? A one or two page summary of your life and employment history Along with the application form, it s the tool employers use most often to screen job seekers

33 Some People Say You Don t Need A Resume NOT a good job search tool Trying to get an interview by submitting a lot of resumes is often a waste of time When used in the traditional way, it s more likely to get you screened out than screened in Some jobs don t need resumes Some job search methods don t require resumes

34 You SHOULD Have a Resume! Employers often ask for resumes Resumes help structure your communications Used properly, the resume can be an effective tool Allows the prospective employer to refer to details Presents the skills that support your job objectives Presents details that might not be asked in an interview

35 Resumes

36 Some Simple Tips to Start As much as possible, write your resume yourself Don t lie or exaggerate Never include a negative This is no place to be humble Use short sentences and simple words If it doesn t support your job objective, cut it out Include numbers Emphasize skills Highlight accomplishments and results

37 Some Simple Tips to Start Write a draft and re-write it Edit, Edit, Edit Get someone else to review your resume for errors

38 Resume Design Basics APPEARANCE and READABILITY are very important! These tips will help: Short sentences are better than long ones Short paragraphs are easier to read than long ones Narrow columns are easier to read than wide ones Put important information on the top and to the left because people scan materials from left to right and top to bottom Use plenty of white space Use bold type, italics and underlining sparingly

39 Resume Basics Know the purpose of your resume Some people write a resume as if the purpose of the document was to land a job. The purpose of your resume is to land an interview, and the interview will land you the job (hopefully!). Where are you going? You don t need to have a special section devoted to your professional objectives, but overall the resume must communicate it. Put the most important information first Most of the times your previous work experience will be the most important part of the resume, so put it at the top. When describing your experiences or skills, list the most important ones first.

40 Resume Basics Use effective titles Like it or not, employers will usually make a judgment about your resume in 5 seconds. Under this time frame the most important aspect will be the titles that you listed on the resume, so make sure they grab the attention. Lists all your positions If you have worked a long time for the same company (over 10 years) it could be a good idea to list all the different positions and roles that you had during this time separately. Achievements instead of responsibilities Resumes that include a long list of responsibilities included are plain boring, and not efficient in selling yourself. Instead of listing responsibilities, therefore, describe your achievements.

41 Resume Basics Back up your qualities and strengths Instead of creating a long (and boring) list with all your qualities (e.g., disciplined, creative, problem solver) try to connect them with real life and work experiences Explain the benefits of your skills Merely stating that you can do something will not catch the attention of the employer. If you manage to explain how it will benefit his company, and to connect it to tangible results, then you will greatly improve your chances. You don t need to list all your work experiences If you have job experiences that are not relevant to the current opportunity, you should just omit them

42 Resume Basics Limit your older work experiences If you have been working for 20 years or more, there is no need to have 2 pages of your resume listing all your work experiences. Most experts agree that the last 15 years of your career are enough. Don t include irrelevant information Irrelevant information such as political affiliation, birth date, religion and hobbies will not help you. In fact it might even hurt your chances of landing an interview. Just skip it. Do not include no kidding information There are many people that like to include statements like Available for interview or References available upon request. Just avoid items that will make the employer think no kidding!

43 Resume Basics No lies, please Seems like a no brainer, but you would be amused to discover the amount of people that lie in their resumes. Even small lies should be avoided. Apart from being wrong, most HR departments do background checks these days, and if it is discovered, it might ruin your credibility for good. Don t forget the basics The first thing on your resume should be your name. It should be bold and with a larger font than the rest of the text. Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed. Secondly, both the name and contact details should be included on all the pages of the resume (if you have more than one). One Resume for each employer Tailor your resume for each employer. The same point applies to your cover letters

44 Resume Basics Make sure to use the right keywords Most companies (even smaller ones) are already using digital databases to search for candidates. This means that the HR department will run search queries based on specific keywords. if your resume doesn t have the keywords related to the job you are applying for, you will be out even before the game starts Go with what you got If you don t have a degree yet, mention the title and the estimated date for completion. As long as those points are relevant to the job in question, it does not matter if they are official or not. Careful with sample resume templates There are many websites that offer free resume templates. While they can help you to get an idea of what you are looking for, do not just copy and paste one of the most used ones.

45 Resume Basics Attention to the type First of all make sure that your fonts are big enough. The smaller you should go is 11 points, but 12 is probably safer. Do not use capital letters, italics or underlining all over the place Use bullet points No employer will have the time (or patience) to read long paragraphs of text. Make sure, therefore, to use bullet points and short sentences to describe your experiences, educational background and professional objectives. Use action verbs Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your experience or achievement were. Examples include managed, coached, enforced and planned.

46 Resume Basics No jargon, slang or acronyms It should be common sense, but believe me, it is not. Slang should never be present in a resume. As for technical jargon, do not assume that the employer will know what you are talking about. No pronouns Your resume should not contain the pronouns I or me. That is how we normally structure sentences, but since your resume is a document about you, using these pronouns is actually redundant. Use numbers If you are going to describe your past professional achievements, it would be a good idea to make them as solid as possible. Numbers are your friends here.

47 Resume Basics Avoid negativity Do not include information that might sound negative in the eyes of the employer. This is valid both to your resume and to interviews. No pictures Sure, we know that you are good looking, but unless the employer specifically requested it, you should avoid attaching your picture to the resume. No fancy design details Do not use a colored background, fancy fonts or images on your resume.

48 Resume Basics One or two pages Most employers and recruiting specialists say that it should contain one or two pages at maximum. Just keep in mind that, provided all the necessary information is there, the shorter your resume, the better. Proofread it twice It would be difficult to emphasize the importance of proofreading your resume. One small typo and your chances of getting hired could slip Get someone else to review your resume Even if you think your resume is looking great, it would be a good idea to get a second and third opinion about it. Other people are in a good position to evaluate the overall quality of your resume and make appropriate suggestions.

49 Resume Basics Create an proof formatting It is very likely that you will end up sending your resume via to most companies. Apart from having a Word document ready to go as an attachment, you should also have a text version of your resume that does not look disfigured in the body of the or in online forms. Word Versions Use a good printer If you are going to use a paper version of your resume, make sure to use a decent printer. Laser printers usually get the job done. Plain white paper is preferred as well.

50 Resume Basics Analyze job ads You will find plenty of useful information on job ads. You should be able to identify what they are looking for and how the information should be presented. Update your resume regularly Add all the new information that you think is relevant, as well as courses, training programs and other academic qualifications that you might receive along the way.

51 Types of Resumes Chronological Skill or Functional Combination

52 Resume Preparation Worksheets

53 Cover Letters Quick Tips: Write to someone in particular Make absolutely NO errors Personalize your content Present a good appearance Provide a friendly opening Target your skills and experience Close with an action statement

54 Cover Letters Body of Cover Letter The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up. First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Be clear and concise regarding your request. Convince the reader that they should grant the interview or appointment you requested in the first paragraph.

55 Cover Letters Middle Paragraphs: The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Make strong connections between your abilities and their needs. Mention specifically how your skills and experience match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it. Use several shorter paragraphs or bullets rather than one large block of text. Final Paragraph: Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up. State that you will do so and indicate when (one week's time is typical).

56 Cover Letters Complimentary Close: Respectfully yours, Signature: Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter) Typed Signature

57 Interviewing Skills

58 You Have the Interview: ACE IT! Preparation Do s and Dont s What you can expect to be asked Practice Follow Up

59 Pre-Interview Checklist Invest in your clothing (one good outfit, including shoes) Know the Company Size of the company What they do Locations What their present needs and challenges for the future Organizational literature Google the company Practice answering questions

60 Day of Interview Checklist Full name of company, name and position of contact person, phone number Full address of company Arrive early at least 10 minutes Good directions Details of where you can park Copies of your resume Job references Pen and paper Turn off cell phone

61 During the Interview Do s Make eye contact Shake hands firmly (not crushing) Smile Express authentic interest in the job Close the interview by saying you want the job Ask questions relevant to the position / organization Ask for a business card

62 During the interview Dont s Speak ill of past employers / boss Ask about salary, benefits, vacation on the first interview Ramble Feel pressured to answer every question Chew gum or put anything in your mouth Rely on the application or resume to do the selling Bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems

63 Common Job Interview Questions Review of potential questions and practice answers

64 What You Can Expect to be Asked Can you talk me through your resume? Opportunity to give your professional experience in detail Grab the chance and present your achievements, greatest talents and accomplishment

65 What You Can Expect to be Asked What are your strengths? Stress skills and experience that are relevant to the job Ability to work under pressure, inquisitiveness to learn new things, quick learning ability and good interpersonal skills

66 What You Can Expect to be Asked What are your weaknesses? Turn your weaknesses into strengths Example: Highly ambitious I am a perfectionist

67 What You Can Expect to be Asked Give me an example of a time you had to take initiative Describe a specific example Ensured stat order was executed Identified a miscommunication and reported to supervisor or coworker

68 Post Interview Checklist Ask for next steps and timeline Send thank you note or within 24 hours of interview Follow up with interviewer within one week of interview Replay the interview in your mind Look for ways to improve your next performance

69 Resources Available to You