GPS Your Job Hunting!

1. GPS Your Job Hunting! By Ed Seagle, Professor CSU, Chico

2. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. GPS Your Career!

3. How does GPS relate to job search? • How would you like a system that will assist you in getting the job you want? • How about a step by step approach? • How about examples? GPS answers five questions simultaneously: 1. Where am I? 2. Where am I going? 3. What are you? 4. What's the best way to get there? 5. When will I get there? • What does it take?

4. -GPS- G = Guts P = Perseverance S = Stamina

5. REALITY CHECK • 2.6 Million jobs lost in 2008 • Forecast another 2.5 millions jobs will be lost in 2009. • Employment rate for 2010 will stay around 9.3%. Failures: Auto Banks Retailers Restaurants Parks & Recreation

6. HOW HAS THE ECONOMY IMPACTED YOU? • Liken the economy to running a marathon. • How does one run a marathon? • GIVE ME YOUR THOUTHTS ON THIS QUESTION?

7. ANSWER • Answer: one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles = Persistence, vision, guts, willingness to go for it.

8. SELF-ASSESSMENT What makes you a winner? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

9. ACTIVITY Personal assessment of your assets

11. Work and Learning Attitude Profile WORK & LEARNING ATTITUDE PROFILE • Reflect on what you are willing to commit to the employment agency. What do you want this experience to look like in the end? • What challenges do you want to tackle? • What new experiences do you face? • What new skills do you want to learn? • What skills do you want to build on, that you already posses? • How do you want to test yourself? • Can I work independently? • Can I work as part of a team? • Will I end up with a solid GOLD reference?

12. GAME PLAN

13. DIRECTION Career Direction • What career experiences do I have to build upon? • At this point, what important career experiences do I lack? • What type of work do I enjoy most? • Ultimately, what kind of professional position do I want to have? • What employment choices are viable for me upon graduation?

14. SEARCH & RESEARCH • Identify Resources for Information on Agencies • Networking- One of the most valuable processes that exists. Everyone becomes a potential internship/job source, so, the one you let go might have been the best prospect. You need to be ready to sell yourself at all times. You can meet people on campus, at conferences, at workshops and even in a local restaurant.

15. SEARCH AND RESEARCH • Personal Needs and Preferences • Do I need financial support? • Do I need housing? • Do I need to receive subsistence? • Will I need transportation? • Do I want to be near my family or friends? • Do I prefer a specific geographic location? • Do I want specific leisure interests located near my internship/job? • What days and/hours do I want to work? • Would I prefer to work indoors or outdoors?

16. CONTACT RECORD SHEET

17. SEARCH AND RESEARCH • Frustrated- One thing the author often sees in people looking for employment is a lot of frustration over not quickly getting the job they want. Finding the right job is extremely important so take the time necessary to find the right one for you. Remember the example of running a marathon. Job-hunting can be just as daunting! So, it is suggested that you do not give up. Never talk yourself out of an job, if the potential employer turns you down. That is their loss! Persistence pays off in the long run!

18. THE COVER LETTER • Content of a Cover Letter- The body of your cover letter has four important parts. PP1 Introduction- This is the opportunity to introduce yourself and tell the agency what you are looking for. If possible START with something positive about the agency. “After reviewing your website, I was impressed with the special events your company runs, your reputation is tops in the industry.” “Professor William Watts, my advisor speaks very highly of your training program.” Do not start off with “I am a senior at….” Focus on the agency and not on you.

19. OPENING PARAGRAPH EXAMPLES • Dr. Jon Smith, my academic advisor, suggested I contact you regarding the possibilities of an internship. Having lived in the area for 15 years I am very familiar with the local area, climate and many scenic attractions. I would like to explore the possibility of completing an internship with your agency. • Have you ever looked out into the crowd while giving a talk and seen the look of wonder on a visitor’s face, that gleam in a child’s eyes or heard that “gasp” of realization? The exhilaration of being an interpreter and sharing with visitors the incredible diversity and wonder of nature can be one of the most beneficial rewards of the job.

20. THE COVER LETTER PP2 Connection- In this area you want to show how you relate what the agency is looking for and how you match the position. Refer to your resume, but do not repeat a lot of things that are in you resume. Also, relate anything you maybe completing now that is not covered in your resume. PP3 Personalization-Agencies want to know more about you than just work qualifications. Show them your personal characteristics and talents. What responsibilities you held in your previous jobs (i.e. trainer of new staff, cash or audit controls, in charge when boss was absent, etc.) PP4 Closing-In closing ask for action. Let them know that you are extremely interested and express your thanks. Make sure you initiate the action “I will call you in the next two weeks to make sure you received my resume and to explore the possibilities of competing an internship/job with your agency.” Attach the resume, however, you do not need to state this one your cover letter.

21. PROFESSIONAL RESUME The“Professional” Resume Once you have developed a “working” resume it is easier to develop your specific directed “professional” resume. Using the “cut and paste” feature create the best resume for your needs. Try and keep it to one page; however, if you choose to use two pages then make good use of both pages. Include the same information as in the “working” resume, but limit the information presented that relates to the specific internship/job you are interested in applying for.

22. RESUME CONTENT • Name, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail (local, permanent and/or cell) • Career Objective (optional) • Skills/Accomplishments (be specific) • Education • Work (business and volunteer) • Workshops/Seminars • Awards, Honors, Certificate • Memberships • References

23. THINGS TO REMEMBER IN PREPARING YOUR RESUME • Professional appearance • Clear and concise • Thorough • Error free • Balance • Truth

24. RESUME EXAMPLES

25. REFERENCES • References- Consider three types of references related to your resume: One, a university faculty and/or staff reference; two, a business reference; and three, a character reference. This combination should offer you at least three or more references you can use. A tip here is keep one or two of your references to yourself (place references on a separate page), because employers know you are not going to put a negative reference down, so some employers will ask for another one and that is when you smile and say sure. Most of these people have access to computers so ask them to keep a copy electronically for future use and update.

26. Education Example: William Sheppard, PhD Department of Leisure Studies University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-7000 wsheppard@usc.edu Business Example: Sharon Williamson, Director of Sales Hyatt Hotel & Resort Columbia, SC 29208 803-772-1100 swilliamson@hyatt.com Character Example: John Bell, Scout Master Columbia Boy Scouts of America 100 Main Street Columbia, SC 29208 803-7757-0023 jbell@mmc.com Reference Examples

27. THE INTERVIEW • Develop the proper frame of mind • Do your homework • Practice interview questions • Non-verbal language • Interview a two way process • Appearance and grooming • Confidence and enthusiastic • Promptness • Smile • Practice, practice, practice

28. QUESTIONS THE EMPLOYER MIGHT ASK • Be careful of when an interviewer starts off with “tell me something about yourself.” This typically is a question to make you comfortable, but it is an open-ended question that can get you in trouble, because you do not know what the interviewer is looking for. Suggestion here would be to ask “What would you like to know about (my education, work experience, my latest projects, etc.)?” This gives you the upper hand.

29. QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK • Questions you should ask -How will you make your decision? -Can you discuss your take on the company’s culture? What are the company’s values? -What does the future of this company look like? -What would you expect me to accomplish on the job? -What are the opportunities for advancement?

30. DISPLAY PROFESSIONALISM • Habits and Mannerisms- You know your own habits better than anyone else, so do your best to eliminate negative habits during the interview such as tossing or playing with your hair and jewelry, shaking your leg, flipping a pencil or pen, smoking or fidgeting.

31. APPEARANCE AND GROOMING • Appearance and grooming- Like it or not the appropriate dress today is still conservative. If you are not sure what to wear, go to an upscale clothing store and ask. You do not need to spend a lot of money to look professional, but you need to gather professional apparel early on. Also, be careful of too much jewelry, perfume or cologne and no inappropriate skin showing. Keep you hair out of your face and smile, smile, smile.

32. THE INTERVIEW • The Environment- It is suggested that when you enter the room, give the interviewer a firm hand shake (not hard) and take a quick snap shot of the room in your mind. Is the interviewer behind a large desk, does he/she come out from behind the desk to greet you? What is on the walls or on the interviewer’s desk (plaques, pictures of family or pets, etc.)? Sometimes this will indicate how structured the interview may be and possibly something you can use during the interview (i.e. I see you have a Golden Lab too).

33. THE INTERVIEW • Self-Evaluation- Right after the interview go somewhere and make some notes on your strengths and weakness during the interview. This is one way to get better at your interviewing skills. Be honest, you are the only one who is going to see it unless you share it. Remember to look at your notes before your next interview, or even better, practice what you think needs improvement.

34. THE INTERVIEW

35. THE INTERVIEW • Thank You- Best suggestion here is send a handwritten thank you. Quality thank you cards are not that expensive or share the cost with another. Email thank you notes are too easy and do not carry the same positive message as a handwritten note. A few employers have conveyed to me that thank you notes sent by email have more of a negative effect than a positive one.

36. THE INTERVIEW • Characteristics of a Good Employer- Become a good observer while you are at the agency for the interview. Are you greeted in positive manner, does there seem to be a friendly atmosphere, is the office clean, did they show you around or introduce you to other employees and how did the interview end?

37. WHAT PROCESS WILL YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION?

38. DECISION MAKING

39. THINGS TO KEEP AWARE OF ON THE JOB

40. DECISION MAKING • Attraction • On the Job Romance- Being attracted to someone at work in a romantic sense can be very troublesome to your future, as well as the other person. People are spending more time at work than ever before and as such are developing relationships through their work and careers. During the job search period you are encouraged to be friendly and supportive, but be careful that people do not take it as a romantic connection. These types of connections can get you in hot water or even fired. After your internship is over you can determine if this is a relationship that you want to further commit to. Remember you have worked hard to graduate and that should be your ultimate goal.

41. RUMORS • Waste time and energy • Increase anxiety • Destroy relationships, careers and reputations • Creates camps • Reduce the credibility • Reduce trust and confidence • Create a divided, stressful and harmful working environment

42. REMEMBER YOURALTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ADDITUDE

43. -GPS- G = Guts P = Perseverance S = Stamina

44. THE END • Thanks for coming and I hope the information presented today will assist you in you career endeavors. • Download PPT www • For more information you can purchase Internships in Recreation & Leisure Services, 2008, Internships in Sport Management, 2010. Venture Publishing, 814-234-4561.