Job Seeking

1. Job Seeking Unit 6: Career Development Lesson: CD1

2. Objectives Lesson Objective: • After completing the lesson on job seeking, students will demonstrate their ability to apply the concept in real-world situations by obtaining a minimum score of 80% on The Total Job Interview. Enabling Objectives: • Seek available jobs in the area and define the steps in applying for a job. • Create a personal resume and evaluate a peer’s resume. • Create a personal cover letter and evaluate a peer’s cover letter. • Complete a sample job application and evaluate a peer’s job application. • Interview for a job and evaluate a peer’s interview.

3. Key Terms • Resume • Cover Letter

4. What’s the Problem? • View the resume on CD1.1 • Mark with a highlighter or colored pen • Misspellings • Punctuation errors • Areas of concern • Other problems you see

5. Finding Available Jobs • Classified advertisements • Local newspapers, newspapers from surrounding cities or states, magazines covering an area of interest • Personal contacts with friends, family, teachers, etc. • Ask directly about job opportunities • Practice active listening to hear about job opportunities • Private and public employment agencies • Direct contact with business • Ask about opportunities • Look at placement bulletin board • School placement offices • Tell placement person what types of jobs are of interest • Look on placement board • Meet with visiting recruiters • Internet • Job search websites and resources

6. Job Inquiries • Contact the employer directly • Contact employer by phone • Send a letter of inquiry

8. Applying for a Job

9. Resume Information • Personal Information • Name • Current address • Telephone number • Permanent address (if different from current)

10. Resume Information • Employment Objective • Indicates type of job sought • Specific for each job • Mention actual place of employment

11. Resume Information • Educational Background • Most recent first • Dates, places, degree earned • High school may be omitted if a degree from a post-secondary institution has been completed

12. Resume Information • Work Experience • Most recent first, noting starting and ending dates • Company’s name and address • Job title • Brief detailed description of duties and responsibilities

13. Resume Information • Other • Activities • Honors • Awards • Skills • Or combination of the above • Most recent first • If list is long, select only most important • May vary for each job based upon what is important and pertains to particular job

14. Resume Information • References • Type references themselves or “Available upon request” • Special reference page with “References” centered at top of page along with personal heading used on first page of resume • Include names, job titles, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses • References should have direct knowledge of • Skills, work experience, personal character • References should not be relatives • Teachers are great references

15. Resume Information • References cont. • Before using someone as a reference, contact that person and gain his or her permission • Let the person know what job for which you are applying • Make sure they are willing and able to give a good reference • Ask them if they are prepared to provide a good recommendation

16. General Resume Information • One or two pages in length • Only include most important information • Neatly typed • Use various fonts and sizes and bold markings to highlight names, headings, etc. • Use bullets, line spacers, and tab settings to space information • Sharp, clean copies made on good quality paper • Avoid extreme colors • Poor copies make a poor impression on potential employers

17. Create a Resume • Locate two or three sample resumes you like • Pay close attention to the overall look of the resume, fonts and bold markings used, headings, spacing, work experience descriptions, etc. • These examples can be found using peer resumes, on the Internet, or found on Microsoft Word by clicking on “New” and scrolling down to “Resume.” • Complete CD1.3 listing all information that could be included within each section of the resume • Show completed CD1.3 to teacher for review.

18. Create a Resume cont. • Begin formatting resume on computer. • Create three “styles” of resume using the same information but change the heading, fonts, spacing, etc. to give each a different look • Have a peer and your teacher take a look at all three styles to help you decide what would be most effective • Select a final resume and print on resume paper.

19. Cover Letter • Gain interest of potential employer • Inform him/her of applicant’s qualifications • Request an interview

20. Writing a Cover Letter • 1st paragraph • Indicate reason for writing • Specific position or type of work for which writer is applying • How he/she learned of the opening • Refer to any previous conversation or correspondence

21. Writing a Cover Letter • 2nd paragraph • Mention why he/she is interested in the position, the organization, and its products or services • Indicated what applicant can do for employer • Recent graduate might explain how his/her academic background qualifies him/her for the position • Someone with practical work experience would point out specific achievements or unique qualifications • Should not repeat information reader will find in resume

22. Writing a Cover Letter • 3rd paragraph • Refer reader to enclosed resume or application that summarizes his/her qualifications, training, and experience • Make employer aware that his/her credentials can be obtained from a college placement office of high school

23. Writing a Cover Letter • Closing paragraph • Indicate desire for a personal meeting • Suggest alternative dates and times or simply advise reader that he/she is flexible regarding time and place for an appointment • Include phone number and offer any assistance to help obtain a speedy response – Such as calling on a certain date to set up a meeting • Sentence should be included asking if contact person desires additional information or references

24. Writing a Cover Letter • Other Tips • Use short but complete sentences and avoid unnecessary words throughout letter • None of the paragraphs should exceed five sentences • Avoid using “I” – Letter sounds more businesslike and flows more smoothly

25. Completing Applications • Be as neat as possible • Type application or write neatly in black ink • Do no leave any blank • Put N/A for questions that do not apply • Spell all words correctly • Follow the directions on the application • Prepare a photocopy of application and prepare a working copy • Transfer information to final copy of application • Carry a copy of resume and any other information needed to fill out an application

26. Before Arriving for a Job Interview • Research the company • Know what type of job is available • Know the interviewer’s name and how to pronounce it • Practice interviewing • With teacher or administrator • With businessperson • Use video camera to tape practices • Bring resume and references • Bring black ink pen • Go to interview alone • Arrive early • Clean your vehicle inside and out • Drive carefully and within speed limit • Be aware of major current events

27. During a Job Interview • Make a good first impression • Be prepared • Give a firm handshake • Be polite, using good manners • Be a good listener • Do not talk too much • Know when you have said enough • Be positive • Do not talk negatively about previous jobs or school • Maintain eye contact • Do not smoke, chew gum, or chew tobacco • Ask questions if prompted • Take cues as to when the interview is over • Conclude interview with positive closing statement

28. Questions You Might Be Asked • What qualities do you have that will help you in this job? • What are some of your faults? • What are three adjectives that describe you? • What do you want to be doing in five years? • What have you done that makes you qualified for this job? • Why are you interested in working for our company? • What have you done that shows you can work with other people?

29. You Should NOT Be Asked… • Age • Ethnic background • Nationality • Religion • Disabilities • Marital status • Sexual orientation • Political affiliation • Arrest record

30. Questions You Should Ask • What types of benefits are available? • What types of responsibilities will I be expected to fulfill? • What are the opportunities for advancement or an expansion of responsibilities? • What type of wage or salary range can be expected? • When will the position be filled?

31. After the Interview • If job is offered after interview, asking for time to consider offer is generally acceptable • Write a follow-up letter or email soon after interview • Thank potential employer for his or her time • Express interest in job or future job • Maintain contact with potential employer • Call interviewer to express further interest in job

32. Conclusion • Finding a job opportunity is only one part of the job hunt. Once possible job opportunities have been identified, one must go through the process of applying to the position. • The first step in the application process is creating a resume, a cover letter, and completing the application. Resumes, cover letters, and applications must be good quality to represent people at their best. Since decisions about hiring an employee or awarding a scholarship are frequently made in the applicant’s absence, the resume and application must stand out. • Another very important part of the process is the interview. Being both mentally and physically prepared for the interview is important. Preparation includes doing background research on the company, practicing interviewing, and dressing appropriately for the interview. Do not waste the opportunity to make a good impression during an interview.

33. Exit Card • What did you learn today about seeking a job? • What questions do you still have about seeking a job?