FINDING AND APPLYING FOR A JOB

1. FINDING AND APPLYING FOR A JOB

2. HOW TO START • Plan your career direction • Who are you? • What do you want to do? • Why do you want to do it? • Where do you want to work? • What are your career goals? Personal goals?

3. HOW TO START • Determine the purpose of your job search • Determine the type of job you are looking for based on your goals • What skills do you have that the job market would be interested in

4. What are some of the things you like to do? • Are you looking for advancement opportunities? • Find the types of jobs for which your skills are needed.

5. WHAT TO RESEARCH WHEN LOOKING FOR A JOB

6. Values Required Duties & Responsibilities Work Environment Working Hours

7. Aptitudes and Abilities Required • Education & Training Required • Data/People/Things • Salary & Fringe Benefits • Career Outlook

8. How to Research • Library • Books • Occupational Outlook Handbook • Magazines • Career Consultants • Part-time Work

9. SO NOW WHAT….

10. Spend as much time as you can finding a job • Find job leads • Do your homework about the various companies

11. WHERE TO LOOK FOR A JOB “85% of all job openings are not advertised, posted or otherwise made available to the general public.” J. Michael Farr, JIST Works, Indianapolis

12. JOB FACTS • 60% of all jobs are found by talking with others • Only 15% of job openings ever make it to the want ads • To heighten your chances of getting a job, visit the place of work in person.

13. WHERE CAN I GO FOR INFORMATION? • School Counselors & teachers • Family & friends • Employment agencies • Internet

14. Newspapers • Government offices • Direct calls

15. Use the “back door” • Look at each job carefully

16. WEBSITES TO CHECK • http://www.learnmoreindiana.org • http://www.ajb.dni.us • http://www.monster.com • http://careerbuilder.com • http://walmart.com • http://dellen.com • http://draperinc.com

17. 9 MOST COMMONJOB-HUNTING MISTAKES • Not taking action • Not being committed to the job search • Remember—the employer needs come before your needs • Not being positive

18. 9 MOST COMMONJOB-HUNTING MISTAKES • Not taking advantage of all potential resources while searching • Not reflecting enough • Not thinking about skills and experiences • Not anticipating and practicing for the interview • Not following-up in a professional manner

19. APPLYING FOR A JOB

20. APPLYING FOR A JOB • What to do • Have all necessary documents • Social Security card • Driver’s License • Birth Certificate

21. Filling out application forms • DO read the entire application first • DO use a black pen • DO print neatly and completely • DO have a phone number

22. DO have permission from three references and have their information with you. • DO use “OPEN” for salary desired • DO know the position you want • DO list ALL skills and abilities

23. DO sign your name where indicated • DO SELL yourself • DO use Standard English

24. 87% of all applications received by employers are not filled out correctly, therefore, they go into the wastebasket.

25. THE ROLE OF THE APPLICATION FORM • Becomes a calling card (Please look at me) • Screens you IN or OUT • Creates an agenda for the interview

28. RESUMES

29. RESUMES • Always use a resume to apply for a job • The average employer will spend 7-10 seconds reading your resume

30. Tips for “Packaging” Yourself On Paper • Give yourself credit by including an accurate description of your: • Education • Work experience • Extracurricular activities • After-work activities • Skills you have acquired

31. Tips for “Packaging” Yourself On Paper (cont.) • Use action words. • Interviewers look for individuals who are as follows: • Go-getters • Hard workers • Responsible workers • Decisive workers • Leaders (Use word such as manage, plan, establish, create, supervise, direct, etc.)

32. Tips for “Packaging” Yourself On Paper (cont.) • Aim for the target! • Customize your résumé to the position for which you are applying. • This requires several versions of your résumé and cover letter. • Your extra effort will pay off.

33. Most Commonly Made Résumé Mistake Not presenting yourself in a clean and crisp manner. • Proof, proof, proof. • Résumés should be picture perfect. • No typos. • Have a reliable person critique your “masterpiece.”

34. WHAT GOES ONTHE RESUME • Identifying information • Job Objective, Employment Objective • Educational Background • Employment Background • Military Service

35. WHAT GOES ONTHE RESUME • Extra Curricular Activities • Interests • References • NO PERSONAL DATA

36. Consider how your résumé will look when it arrives on an employer's desk. A carefully prepared résumé enhances your image as a prospective employee. If you are mailing your résumé, be sure to: • fold it in thirds, or use a larger envelope and don’t fold it at all, • address the envelope neatly, and • seal it carefully. • If you are faxing your résumé, be sure to set the fax machine to fine printing mode. Always fax an original. Your résumé may be copied several times, so the original needs to be as clear as possible.

42. COVER LETTERS • When do you use it? • Applying for a job out of town • When answering a newspaper ad by mail • When you wish to be interviewed by business friends of your family • When an employer asks you to send a letter of application

43. Paragraph 1 • The specific position the applicant seeks • Where the applicant heard or read about the opening • Why the applicant qualifies for the opening

44. Paragraph 2 • Parts of the resume that tells of qualifications and skills which are required for the position • Tells unique capacities or qualities • Paragraph 3 • A call to action • The applicant requests an interview at a time and place convenient to the employer

45. THE INTERVIEW

46. HOW TO DRESS • The employer’s first impression of you will be based on how you look. • Clean hair, clean nails, clean clothes • No strong perfume or cologne • Jewelry should be kept to a minimum • Moderate makeup

47. HOW TO DRESS (cont.) • Typically, dress one step above what would be worn on the job. • Shine your shoes. • Men should wear socks and women should wear coordinated socks or hosiery.

48. Are You Really Ready For The Interview? • The art of interviewing is simply putting your best self forward. And. • Demonstrating how your skills blend with the culture of the organization where you are applying.

49. Key Ways For LandingThat Interview Do your homework: • Get the organization’s annual report from a library, the Internet, the Chamber of Commerce, and/or the Better Business Bureau.. • Gain insight about the organization’s principals, business philosophy, areas of expertise, accomplishments, and financial stability.

50. Key Ways For LandingThat Interview (cont.) Recognize that a “no” today can mean a “yes” tomorrow. • Remember that successful people are determined and persistent. • If you do not get an interview, send a follow-up letter to the person with whom you spoke. • Summarize what you were told. • Share your continued interest in representing that company.