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Prepare for job applications effectively with tips on handling difficult questions, organizing essential information, and impressing potential employers. Learn how to fill out applications accurately, present your qualifications, and avoid common mistakes. Get ready with legal documents, work history details, references, and more to market yourself successfully. Enhance your application with action words, job-specific skills, and a polished presentation. Master important tips like filling out forms neatly, being thorough, and using a master application for reference. Boost your chances of getting hired by following these valuable pre-employment preparation strategies.
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* Job Applications TipsPEP Talk *Pre-employment Preparation
Why you need to prepare? What employers want? What information do you need to have? How to deal with difficult questions (honestly) about your inconsistent work history, criminal record, firings, illnesses…? Any job application tips? Do you already know…
Avoid embarrassment! Beat the competition! Market yourself! Employers make decisions using your application. Why do I need to prepare for a job application?
Honest, accurate facts about you! Legal docs: birth certificate, SSN, CDL, certifications, proof of citizenship, right to work Education and training record Military record Criminal and financial record Work history, skills, abilities What employers want to know…
Reasons for leaving past jobs Paid (temp,full-time) Non-paid (volunteer, military, work done for others relating to position you’re applying for) Find reasons to screen out Employers want to know:Work History
Red flag “Fired, quit, personality conflict, dissatisfied, personal problems, fight with supervisor, fight with coworker, terminated, arrested..” Green flag “Mutually agreed to leave, relocated, resigned, temporarily employed, differing ideas or… ” Work History-Red vs.GreenFlag
Prove that you can do the job. Skills, personality, reliability Action words to describe duties Qualifications/skills that match the job announcement Employers want to know: Job Qualifications
Job References vs. Verification Who can be your reference? How do you ask someone to be your reference? Details, details, details Dates, names, addresses, salary… Information ready to use..
Applications force us to unveil past events (results = gaps in employment history) Greatest challenge: not to be screened out Résumé – offers ways to minimize gaps due to felonies, illnesses, schooling/training Try to schedule face-to-face to explain reason for gaps in work history, “issues” and to build rapport Remember: application is legal document, can be used as reason for dismissal Hard questions to answer
Five Questions in Review… Can you read it easily? Is it error free? Did I read and follow the directions? Did I give true and accurate facts? Did I answer every question? Your application represents you!
Complete a “sample application” or “fact sheet” as guide to filling out actual application Have counselor or instructor check your application “before” submitting it Ask employer if you can fill out the application at home…if not make sure you have the sample app with you Helpful tips
Have your Social Security Card / know your # • Have your driver’s license, or picture I.D. card • Have a black ink with you at all times • Prepare a “master application” to take with you when you complete a “real” application. • Always read the application/forms before writing. • Always print or type (unless asked otherwise).
Be complete. If a question does not apply, print • “NA” or “not applicable.” • List all education and training. • Put the last high school that you attended. • Be specific about the position desired. • Putting “anything” for “Position Desired” means that • you will get nothing, not that you are “flexible”.