Pre-Release and Reentry Services - Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

1. Pre-Release and Reentry ServicesMontgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation10Steps to a Successful Job Search

2. Objectives • Get into a Marketing Mindset • Identify what you have to offer • Identify who can use it • Present what you’ve got in a persuasive manner

3. #1 Understand that Job Search is Marketing…. • Informed • Planned • Active • Offering a good product or service • Targeted toward the customer’s needs and interests • Positively and persuasively presented Of YOU!

4. Marketing Laundry Soap • What characteristics make you choose a laundry soap? • Packaging • Smell • Cost • How well it does the job • Biodegradable • Doesn’t fade colors • Whitens whites • Does every customer want identical features?

5. Name one skill, ability, quality or qualification YOU have that your target employer could use. #2 Know what you have to offer!

6. Now try to identify at least 15 to 20: skills, qualifications, credentials, experience or Abilities you have to offer an employer. 1st - Occupation Specific Skills_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 2nd Transferrable Skills & Abilities _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 3rd People or Interpersonal Skills _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 4th Good Work Habits _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Name as many of your “Product Features” as you can

7. Through your Applications Resumes Interviews Work experience Training Education References Examples Achievements Certificates Knowing the lingo #3 Prove It!

8. Applications Often underestimated, the application is a signed contract stating that what you say is true! • Used to weed people out as well as in. • Has information not on your resume. • Employers use it to “verify” what you’ve claimed • Helps you job search more efficiently. • Serves as the foundation for your resume (they need to be matching profiles) • Will be required, as well as a resume.

9. Employers use KEY WORDS to select applicants Be specific about what you can do, your skills and abilities. Say it often! Look over first. Use only space provided. Use scrap paper to get right size. Fill in all sections and blanks. Use NA if not applicable. Have checked for spelling & grammar Don’t forget to sign it. Application Tips

10. “Why did you leave?” Must be honest, but can use less negative explanation: Quit – Sought better opportunity. Fired – Personal, Poor job match, transportation issues. Arrested/Jailed – Legal issues. Our of workforce. Line up your references #4 Prepare to Answer Tough Questions • About your criminal record • Usually can say “Will discuss in interview”. • If must specify, also talk about rehabilitation & constructive activities.

11. Classifieds - on-line, in print Search engines Directories Networking, Job Fairs On employer website Anything unique? Needs: On-line reviews #5 Find and Who Needs What You Have - Target Employers

12. #6 Prepare Your Marketing Tools – Your Resume • It’s your advertisement, the bait that hooks an interview. • It’s to connect what the employer needs with what you’ve got to offer. • Honest, but biased in your favor. • What’s in it? What order are they in? You need ME!

13. What’s in a Resume? • Contact information • Intro: Your story in a nutshell • An Objective, Summary, or Highlights of Qualifications • Key Skills • Work Experience • Education

14. Chronological Features work history. Good if you have a career, steady work history, progression upward. Employers prefer it. Functional Features relevant skills. Good for career changers Gaps in work history Varied jobs. Order depends on type of resume

15. Starts with Objective, Summary, Qualification Highlights • Objective: Individual with _________ years experience in ________ seeking position as a _____________ with a company needing individuals who are __________, ___________, and __________. Also known for my __________, _________ , and ____________. It summarizes why they should hire you.

16. Body of the Resume Chronological Intro (May also feature skills) Work Experience Education Functional or Skills Based Intro Key skill categories and specifics. Work Experience with Job Title, Company, Location, and Dates only Education & Training

17. Work Experience Job Title(Dates) Business, Location Duties: xxxxxx, xxxx, Xxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx. Accomplishments: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, (w/#s if possible) Education Credential, School, Location, Date GED, State of MD, 2001 BS, Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, MD Business (30 credits), University of MD GED (currently enrolled) Body of the Resume

18. Body of the Resume Use KEY words from the job and occupational description Use past tense of vivid action verbs for duties and accomplishments Installed Built Led Trained Marketed Sold Constructed Estimated Expanded Increased

19. Appearance • Leave white space (you don’t need to throw in the kitchen sink!) • Use formatting features: • Bold you Name, Components, Job Titles • Bullets to make Skills, Duties and Accomplishments stand out. • Lines to set off sections • Spell check yourself and have someone else read over it. • Be cautious with “Templates” (fill in the blanks auto-formatting resumes)

20. To your target customers Tweak for different occupations Tweak for different employers #7 - Target Your Resume & Letters

21. Thank You Letters Shows you are seriously interested and registered what they said. Email or snail mail within 24 hours. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. Mention things that impressed you. Reiterate ways you can meet their needs. Cover Letters Shows you’ve considered their needs and are the best choice to meet them. Inside Address Dear Employer(Name if possible P1 - Position applied to and where found. P2 – Your attributes related to the job. P3 - Thank them for reviewing the app. Request for an interview. Reiterate contact information. #8 – Sell Over & Over

22. Helps prepare you for verbal explanation in interview Useful if application has to go to a higher authority Tells your story, your way. Briefly state instant offense. If necessary summarize others. Express regret. Mention positive growth State new goals Letter of Explanation

23. #9 - Don’t forget planning

24. #10 - Go Get ‘em Tigers!