Job Search & Interview

1. “It is not the most qualified people who get the best jobs, it is most skilled at job finding.” - Richard Bolles Job Search & Interview Jennifer Coombs, Career Advisor Career Services Centre

2. True or False ? An interviewer needs 15 minutes to decide on whether or not to take you to the next step in the interview process. False

3. True or False ? 40% of our communication is not actually what comes out of our mouth False

4. True or False ? People make a first impression in 30 seconds of meeting you False

5. True or False ? If you make a bad first impression, it can take up to 20 more times of meeting that person to change that image True

6. True or False ? Approximately 50% of jobs are advertised on online job posting sites and in newspapers. False

7. True or False ? Relevant Experience includes paid employment only False

8. True or False ? Each time you apply for a job, your resume and cover letter will change. True… with exceptions

9. Job Search

10. What you will learn • Understanding employers • 6 steps to a successful job search

11. Where are the jobs?

12. Visible Job Market • My Jobs • Job Search websites (i.e. Career Beacon) • Posters and help wanted signs • Newspaper ads (i.e. The Coast or Chronicle Herald) • Job Placement Agencies

13. Rethinking Job Search • Being in the know • How can I contribute? • 2 way conversation • Letting people know you exist • Great attitude

14. In the employer’s shoes • What can you do for me? • Prove your fit - link experiences to employer needs • Accomplishments • Make it easy to screen you in

15. Step 1: Set a Goal Step 1: Set a Goal Step 2: Identify Your Skills Step 3: Research Step 4: Prepare a Plan Step 5: Start Connecting Step 6: Succeed

16. Step 1: Set a Goal • What is my goal? • When do I want to reach my goal? • How much time a week can I devote to my job search?

17. Step 2: Identifying Your Skills What is your personal definition of the word “skill”?

18. What are skills? • Acquired or developed through training or experience • Not only paid employment • Volunteer • Extra-curricular • In the classroom • Internships/Co-ops • Life • Duties vs. Skills 80-85% of people cannot describe their skills.

19. What are skills? • My skills: • Sensitivity • Problem solving • Communication • Programming a computer • Ability to plan ahead • Good attendance • Using the internet • Enthusiasm • Following instructions • Soft Skills • Self-Management • Transferable • Hard Skills • Job-related

20. Proving your “fit” Understand the employer needs Step 1 What are my relevant skills and qualifications? Step 2 Step 3 Think of an example as proof

21. Proving your “fit” • Senior Project Coordinator • Qualifications: • Strong teamwork skills • Creativity and innovation in creating promotional materials • Strong organizational and coordination skills – must be able to effectively oversee a project from initial stages of implementation to completion • Experience and proven results with designing and implementing various projects • Bachelors degree “I was a member of the varsity basketball team for 3 years” “In my co-op I coordinated Volunteer Fair from start to finish” Bachelor of Arts

22. Prove your “fit” technique

23. Proving your “fit” • On your résumé • Answering interview questions • In your Job Search

24. Step 3: Research Why do we research? • Learn more about people in your sector • Learn about targeted organizations • Find sector information

25. Where to research Industry magazines Media Job and career websites & blogs Where to research Professional associations People Business directories Career Fairs Volunteer and Work jobfutures.ca

26. Informational Interviewing • Gather information • 20 minutes • Prepare list of questions • Avoid asking for a job • Request 2 other contacts • Follow-up

27. Step 1: Set a Goal Success Stories • Academic article and informational interview • Newspaper article on government grants • Events through professional association

28. Step 4: Prepare and Plan • To do: • Prepare job search tools • List of network • List of potential employers • List of industry events • Calendar of events and career tools • Appointment with Career Advisor

29. Networking Connecting • 80% of jobs • Gather information • Seek advice • Primary contact list • Expand your network • Start early and be on going! • Be prepared • Leave and take a business card • Be open-minded and listen • Ask for referrals • Give as well as receive • Say thank you!

30. Step 5: Start Connecting • Apply to jobs posted through “My Jobs” and other venues • Company websites • Connect with network • Social networking sites & informational interviews • Attend Career Fairs & employer info sessions • Volunteer

31. Idea • Attend community meetings • Know what companies hire in your field • Be proactive

32. Step 6: Succeed • Weighing your options • First week • Develop skills • Make contacts

33. Interviews

34. What you will learn • What is an interview? • 3 Stages • Interview techniques • Practice

35. Interview 101 • Purpose of an interview • Soft skills are important • You are the expert • Both parties are being interviewed • First impressions

36. Three Stages • Preparation • Interview • Follow-up

37. Before an Interview – 50% • Review info. in student handbook • Review your resume • Prepare to support experience/skills with examples – PAR • Be positive • Research the company • Mock interview • Dress for success

38. NOT What to Wear Un-tucked shirt Loud jewelry Cleavage Casual pants Crazy hair Winter hat Casual sweater No tie Bright suit Bulky jacket

39. What to Wear Tie Styled hair Crisp, ironed, collared shirt Appropriate colour Professional jacket Good length Nice shoes

40. During an Interview – 40% • Create great first impressions • Body language • Answer and ask questions • Bring appropriate documents • Enthusiasm!! • Scent free • What NOT to bring

41. After an Interview – 10% • Reflect • Send a thank-you letter • Following-up

42. The Questions… • The questions are about you • Each question is designed to obtain certain information • Prepare a few questions of your own

43. The Questions… • Tell me about a time when you used your communication skills to solve a problem. • Tell me about a time when you had to communicate under difficult circumstances. • Give me an example of when you explained something to someone, but they did not understand you. What did you do? (communication)

44. Answering the questions…

45. P-A-R Problem Outline the problem or situation Action Describe the actions you took State the result – what was the outcome? Result

46. P-A-R Tell me about a time when you showed initiative. “…consulted with a few staff members to get some input and consulted with other Office Managers in other divisions to get their feedback. I combined these ideas with a few of my own and came up with a proposal. I suggested that we use a little humour in our approach and used a weather advisory as a template and called each change notification a “change advisory”. I created a cartoon character to use as a symbol of change and had a contest among the staff to name it. I also included the reasons for the changes in notifications.” Problem “I was working as an Office Manager for ABC Company where they had recently adjusted their internal procedures to meet new guidelines. I noticed that the staff was slow to adjust and paperwork and correspondence was not being done correctly. I approached my manager and suggested that we try to develop a creative approach to catch the attention of the staff. So after getting the go ahead, I…” “My manager loved the idea and had it implemented immediately and even agreed to donate a prize for the winner of the name contest. The best part was that I got to facilitate a lot of the coaching, which was great experience. The unit had a lot of fun with the idea and the staff were less reluctant to change. Two months later there was a 75% decrease in errors.” Action Result

47. Career Services Centre • Drop in • Book an appointment • Peer Coach • Online Tools • Job Board • Career Calendar 4th Floor, SUB Building 494 – 3537 ● www.dal.ca/csc