Job Transition Workshop Series

1. Job Transition Workshop Series James Atkinson, CDF Steve Kraus, SPHR Deacon Dan Parker Bob Priest Shelly Trent, SPHR

2. Dealing with Job Loss • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: • The average unemployment rate for “normal” circumstances is about 5% • As of end-of-November numbers, the national unemployment rate was 10%, KY’s was 10.6%, and Louisville’s was 9.8% (these numbers are better than during the summer of ’09) • It’s not your fault! Job loss is affecting everyone!

3. Dealing with Job Loss • After job loss, a person is likely to experience anger, stress, and feelings of anxiety and depression. • Not addressing those feelings can cause your job search to be adversely affected. • Job loss stress can cause sleeplessness, tension leading to headaches, stomach aches, and panic attacks that generate various physical symptoms.

4. Dealing with Job Loss • People, especially men, equate job success or a career to “who they are.” • Without a successful job, they may have feelings of low self-worth. • Some career experts have equated the economy and job loss with the aftermath of a war or 9/11. • Stop watching the negative news reports and spend time doing things you love, especially getting plenty of exercise and participating in hobbies. • Spend quality time with friends and family.

5. Dealing with Job Loss • A job search is a full-time job, so continue getting up early, dressing, shaving, fixing your hair, and keeping a normal routine. • If you start sleeping all day and watching TV, not only will you not spend time seeking employment, but also you will become more depressed. • Find a local support group of people going through the same thing and spend time with them. Help each other stay focused and positive.

6. Dealing with Job Loss • Determine how long your savings will last. • How long can you continue to pay your bills with your savings and unemployment? • You may be tempted to take money out of your 401K, but don’t do it!

7. Dealing with Job Loss • File for unemployment right away. • Regular benefits are paid for a maximum of 26 weeks, paid bi-weekly. • Additional weeks of benefits may be available during times of high unemployment. • Compensation will be half your earnings, up to a maximum amount. • Benefits are subject to Federal income taxes and must be reported on your Federal income tax return.

8. Dealing with Job Loss • Sign up for COBRA offered by your former employer. • This will give you health insurance benefits for 18 months. • You DO have to pay for this insurance, but it is better than not having any. • HIPAA protects your right to health insurance coverage if you lose your job. If you don't find a job before your COBRA expires, HIPAA guarantees your right to purchase insurance on your own.

11. Dealing with Job Loss • When leaving your job: • Don't tell off your boss and co-workers, even if you think they deserve it. • Don't damage company property or steal something. • Ask for a written reference and copies of your performance reviews. • Don't badmouth your employer or any of your co-workers to your replacement. • Don't badmouth your employer to a prospective employer when you go on a job interview.

12. Dealing with Job Loss • Take the time to determine if this is the time to consider a new career. • Should you go back to school? Get training or a GED? Finish a degree? Visit a career counselor? Start a consulting firm or your own business? • Sign up for a free email account (Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) so that all of your job search is conducted with a single account with a professional email address, such as first.last@yahoo.com • Change your phone voice mail message to be professional.

13. Dealing with Job Loss--Summary • Turn to your church for help! • Pray • Spend time each day counting your blessings • Don’t lose faith • Let’s share our stories – how will you keep your faith?

14. More Topics • Organizing a Job Search Campaign • Secrets to Online Applications • Getting “Googled” • Job Fair Success • Finding Employment Opportunities • Creating a Job Search Plan

15. Job Search Process • Think of it as a long-term CAMPAIGN • Give yourself at least 6-9 months to find a job (12 months is entirely possible) • Sources for Job Leads • Friends • Neighbors • Relatives • Parents and Parents’ Friends • Your kids’ friends’ parents • Newspaper • Internet

16. Job Search Process • Sources for Job Leads • BEST Source is NETWORKING (to be covered in a future session) • Tell people you are looking for a job • Give your résumé to them • Follow-up! • WHERE will YOU network?

17. Research Employers • Before meeting with your potential employer it is essential to know: • Company Name • Year Founded • Mission Statement • CEO • Organizational structure • Location/Headquarters • Client base • Products and services • What they do and how they do it • □ Financials • □ Competitors • □ Rank within industry • □ Number of employees • □ Employee benefits • □ Organizational culture • □ Why your skills would fit (be specific) • □ Why do you want to work there?

18. Corporate Culture • Corporate / company values • Hierarchical vs. relaxed/informal • Dress code • Internal “politics” vs. trust and open communication • Find out about turnover, employee morale, CEO leadership style, support for work/life balance, support for professional development

19. Job Fairs • Attend local job fairs • Prepare for these events as you would for an interview by updating your résumé, creating personal business cards, dressing for the event, and practicing your introduction • These are great places to network and practice your interviewing skills, even if there are no jobs you want at the job fair

20. Job Fairs • Don’t say you’ll take “any” job they have, and don’t ask them what openings they have • Don’t walk up and ask for a job • Research the employers that will attend the job fair and know something about them before you go • Impress them that you are familiar with their company and what they do • Look on their website to know what jobs are open

21. Job Fairs • Take plenty of résumés with you on nice paper—not the generic printer paper • Arrive early; many employers pack up and leave before the end of the event if they are not getting much traffic, and you might talk to one employer for 30 minutes if they do an on-the-spot interview • Plan to stay at a job fair the whole time or at least several hours

22. Job Fairs • Don’t spend time collecting the trinkets at the booths or entering to win prizes—you are there to get a job, not get free goodies • Be prepared to complete an application form (and during an interview)—this means you should not only have a résumé, but this info as well….

23. Applications • Some online or paper applications will request the following: • Salary history • Reasons for leaving • Your supervisor’s name and phone number • The street address of your former employer(s) • Exact dates of employment • Be sure to keep all of this information with you for applications • If you aren’t sure or use the wrong info, you could be disqualified!

24. Applications • Have your updated resume and cover letter ready for the employer with which you are applying • In the employment and education sections of the application, start with most recent job and school/degree first • Resume should be focused for that particular job • Cover letter should outline specifically how you qualify for the job, based on the employer’s requirements • Be prepared to list a salary expectation, so do your research before completing the application • Carefully review the application before sending—check for typos and blanks • If possible, save the application to your hard drive in case the system goes down during the submission

25. Applications • When completing an application, here are some tips: • Follow directions to the letter. Some applications are tricky just to see if you can follow directions and do what they ask. This makes people easy to eliminate. • Tailor your application to the position—don’t just “cut and paste” from your résumé. • Complete ALL fields of the application—do not leave anything blank. • Save your work every few minutes.

26. Applications • When completing an application, here are some tips: • Use key words, buzz words, and industry verbiage. Use the verbiage in the job ad as your model. Employers search on key words when they’re looking for people to fill specific positions. • Be sure to submit the application before the deadline. Most are not accepted at all if late. In fact, if the right candidate is found prior to the application deadline, the job might already be filled. Apply EARLY. • If the company offers an optional assessment test online, take it. • After you accept a position, be sure to delete your resume from places you posted it.

27. Getting Googled • A recent study by ExecuNet found that 77% of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants. • 35% of these same recruiters say they've eliminated a candidate based on the information they uncovered.

28. Getting Googled • If you are on MySpace or facebook, etc., check this out: • "We were having a tough time deciding between two candidates until I found the profile of one of them on MySpace. It boasted a photo of her lounging on a hammock in a bikini, listed her interests as 'having a good time' and her sex as 'yes, please.' Not quite what we were looking for."

29. Getting Googled • Be careful. Nothing is private. Don't post anything on your site or your "friends" sites you wouldn't want a prospective employer to see. Derogatory comments, revealing or risqué photos, pictures of you with a beer in your hand, racist jokes, or risky hobbies all will be viewed as a reflection of your character.

30. Getting Googled • Be discreet. If your network offers the option, consider setting your profile to "private," so that it is viewable only by friends of your choosing. And since you can't control what other people say on your site, you may want to use the "block comments" feature. Remember, everything on the Internet is archived, and there is no eraser!

31. Getting Googled • Be prepared. Check your profile regularly to see what comments have been posted. Use a search engine to look for online records of yourself to see what is out there about you. If you find information you feel could be detrimental to your candidacy or career, see about getting it removed -- and make sure you have an answer ready to counter or explain "digital dirt."

32. Using College Career Centers • For college students or graduates: • Many colleges assist alumni! • The staff can assist you with: • Creating and updating your résumé • Editing your cover letters • Locating jobs • Transitioning to a new career • Interviewing practice • Matching you with an alumni mentor • They know a lot of professionals in all fields, so they are a great source for contacts!

33. Using Community Career Centers • For the general job seeker: • There are other community career centers that offer these services, such as the Jewish Community Center, the One-Stop Career Centers, and the State Employment Services • The staff can assist you with: • Creating and updating your résumé • Editing your cover letters • Locating jobs • Transitioning to a new career • Interviewing practice

34. Using Executive Search Firms • For executives: • You might want to contact an executive career coach • Indeed.com • TheLadders.com • Get involved in the Chamber, Rotary, etc.

35. Employment Opportunities • Internet • IJTM.dyndns.org (no www) (Interfaith Job Transition Ministry) • Monster.com • Careerbuilder.com • Dice.com • Employmentguide.com • NationJob.com • JobWeb.com • usajobs.opm.gov • TheLadders.com • GreaterLouisvilleWorks.com • MyCareerNetwork.com • And MANY more … list at www.rileyguide.com/multiple.html • Usually, you can post your resume and receive daily emails with postings that match your skills

36. Places to Find Employment Opportunities • Trade/Professional publications (usually published by associations) • Newspapers • Association events • Conferences • Job Fairs • Career Services Centers • Executive Recruiters • Temporary Agencies (many temp jobs turn into permanent positions) • NETWORKING!

37. Job Search Tips • Apply for open jobs as soon as they are posted. Many times, jobs are filled soon after the posting is listed, and if you wait until the deadline date listed, the job may already be filled. • Don’t discount visiting the local unemployment office. They do not place only entry-level jobs. • Create profiles on LinkedIn, facebook, Plaxo, Naymz, VisualCV, Zoominfo, and/or JobFox. A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong, positive impression of you as a candidate.

38. Create a Job Search Plan • It’s good to have a written plan of what you will do to find a job. An organized job seeker with a weekly action plan will feel more accomplished, more confident, and will likely get hired faster. • How many employers will you research in a day? • How many applications will you complete or how many resumes will you submit a day or a week? • How many networking events or meetings will you attend per week? . . . . .

39. Create a Job Search Plan • How many network contacts will you reach out to in a day or week? • How many interviews will you have in a month? • Make a worksheet of how many of these items you want to accomplish in a day/week/month. Sticking to a schedule will ensure that you are hired faster!

40. Sharing Time • What will your job search strategy be? • How will you get started? • What are you unsure about? • How can you be successful? • Future topics: Resumes, Networking, Interviewing, Job Correspondence, and more