Job Search Workshop: Skills and Strategies for Successful Employment

1. Welcome Job Search Workshop

2. What Employers Look For • First impressions • Dependability and other personality traits • Skills, experience, and training

3. Did You Know? Three out of four people are unable to describe their skills in an interview.

4. Skills Employers Want • Willing to learn • Basic academic skills in reading, writing, computation • Listening and oral communication • Creative thinking and problem solving

5. Skills Employers Want 5. Self-esteem and goal setting 6. Personal and career development 7. Interpersonal skills, negotiation, and teamwork 8. Organizational effectiveness and leadership

6. Job Hunting is a Process • Choose an occupation • Show how you can handle the work • Create your sales brochure • Market yourself • Create a good impression • Sell yourself, ace the interview • Follow-up after the interview

7. Choose an Occupation • Start with your “wish” list: What kind of work have you always dreamed of doing? • Do you know someone with a job you would like to have? • Do you have a hobby you can turn into a job? • If not, take some “on-line personality tests.” • Talk to a career counselor at your local ETC or your state’s Job Service office.

8. Show that You Can Do the Work • Identify that you can do the work • Search your background to see if you have those skills-or similar skills • Show how you have used those skills

9. A Resume Is…. • Expected by many employers • A quick way to make an impression - either good or bad • A way to answer “Why should I hire you?” by listing related skills, accomplishments, and experiences • More likely to get you screened out than in!

10. The Nuts and Bolts of a Resume • Work experience • Military service • Heading • Objective • Education • Skills and abilities

11. Add Some Sizzle • Show that you can deliver results • Use numbers to show the extent • Use “Powerhouse Buzzwords” to sell yourself to employers

12. Give Your Resume a K.I.S.SKeep it Sweet & Simple • Your resume is your sales brochure • Keep it clean-avoid wordiness • Keep it simple-stick to one page • Pour on the sizzle-show that you can deliver results

13. Get your Resume Out There • Help advertisements and job postings • Networking • Employment agencies • Direct mail • Phone call – Cold Calling

14. Help Wanted Ads • Check the newspaper and the web daily • Identify what the employer needs • Write a letter that matches your qualifications to the employer’s needs • Develop a system • Know the stakes

15. Networking • Most employers fill positions with friends and relatives of people who work for them • Ask people you know about the job openings where they work. They may help you get a job interview

16. Employment Agencies • Employment agencies are match makers • Most agencies specialize • Some agencies recruit people for full-time, permanent jobs, others recruit people for temporary jobs • Agencies are listed in the yellow pages of your phone book under “employment”

17. Direct Mail • Build a list of 20 companies that interest you • Get the name of the manager who runs the department where you want to work • Send your resume and a cover letter to each manager explaining why you want to work for them

18. Use the Yellow Pages for Prospects • Find the index • Select likely targets • Prioritize those targets • Call organizations and ask for interviews

19. The Phone Call 1. Introduce yourself 2. Say something friendly 3. Get down to business 4. Prepare for the unexpected 5. Ask for the interview 6. Prepare for the “put off” 7. Sell yourself, but don’t push and don’t beg 8. Wrap it up and confirm the date

20. Three Questions to Get Referrals • Do you know of any employers who may have an opening for someone with my skills? If no ask • Do you know of someone else who might know of such an opening? If yes, get that persons name and phone number. If no ask • Do you know someone who knows lots of people? If all else fails this will usually get you a name

21. Introduction to Applications The problem with Applications • Reveal your weaknesses • Designed to screen you out • Not a good tool for getting interviews • Not used in many small businesses

22. Introduction to Applications Why bother with applications? • Important in larger organizations and government • Force you to organize your experience • Requested by many employers

23. Job Applications Stumbling Blocks • Friends and relatives • Criminal record • Education • Layoff • Fired • Job hopping • Unemployment gaps • No work history • References • Poor reference • Money

24. Tips for Completing Applications • Follow directions • Be neat and complete • Provide only positive information

25. Interviewing Dress and Grooming Checklist • Spend some money for a good outfit if necessary • Consider an interview “uniform” • Dress up not down • Ask for advice • No jeans, tanks tops, shorts, or very casual clothes • Be conservative • Details count • Don’t overdo cologne, aftershave, makeup, jewelry • Careful grooming is a must

26. The Interview-Be Prepared • Know what questions to expect • Have an automatic answer • Know what questions to ask • Practice with a friend before going on a real interview • Don’t be caught off guard by a “stress interview” • Remember attitude, appearance, and manners make a difference

27. The Interview- Sell Yourself • Talk about your accomplishments, skills and abilities • Show enthusiasm • Explain what you can do for the company • Demonstrate that you are a team player • Turn negative questions into positive answers • Summarize your strengths • Ask for the job

28. Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions • Why don’t you tell me about yourself? • Why should I hire you? • What are your major strengths? • What are your major weaknesses? • What pay do you expect?

29. Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions • How does your experience relate to the job? • What are your future plans? • What will your past bosses say about you? • Why this job and why here? • What is your personal situation?

30. Three Steps to Answering Problem Questions • Understand what is really being asked • Can I depend on you? • Are you a good worker? • Do you have the experience and training to do the job if hired?

31. Three Steps to Answering Problem Questions 2. Answer the question briefly • Acknowledge the facts, but …. • Present them as a advantage not a disadvantage

32. Three Steps to Answering Problem Questions 3. Answer the real concern by presenting your related skills • Base your answer on your key skills • Give examples to support your skills statements

33. Salary Negotiation Rules • Never discuss salary until your offered the job • Know the probable salary range in advance • Bracket your salary range • Never say NO to an offer before it is made or within 24 hours

34. Examples of Salary Brackets If the job pays: You say: $ 9.00/hour…….. $8 to $11 per hour $ 15,000………… Mid to upper teens $ 18,000………… Upper teens to low twenties $ 22,000………… Low to mid twenties $ 90,000………… High five figure to low six figure

35. Follow-up- After the interview • Send a thank you note after the interview • Fewer than half your competitors will send a thank you note or call after an interview • Following-up is a crucial part of your effort to “market” yourself

36. Why People Get Fired • Unable to get along with others • Dishonest • Poor dress and grooming • Unreliable • Used work time for personal business • Unable or willing to do the work

37. Why People Get Fired • Too slow, too many mistakes, too many accidents • Would not follow orders • Abused alcohol or drugs • Misrepresented their backgrounds

38. 12 Extra Steps to Get Ahead • Correct weaknesses in basic skills • Dress and groom for promotion • Arrive early and stay late • Positive and enthusiastic • Set goals • Ask for more responsibility

39. 12 Extra Steps to Get Ahead 7. Ask for advice in getting an increase or promotion 8. Ask for training 9. Learn more on your own 10. Volunteer for difficult projects 11. Get measurable results 12. Keep planning

40. Some Final Advice • If you want a good job, you have to work at getting that job • Go on a few “practice” interviews before interviewing your favorite company • Be prepared  appearance, manners, attitude, and the right answers • Sell yourself & explain why the manager should hire you • Follow-up after the interview

41. You have completed the online workshop. Please take the certification test located here: http://www.everybodyworks.net/quiz/quiz.html