Introduction to Job Searching Setting the Foundation Record Keeping . OSC Computer Training

A Strategic Job Search A proper job-search utilizes an organized, systematic approach, using effective methods. It entails multiple activities such as:  A plan of action … Weekly, daily, and hourly A willingness to commit the necessary time … How much time? The resolve to follow through … What about all the rejection and family needs? A specific job goal … Why not multiple job goals? A clear understanding of your skills and abilities … Why? Understand effective job search methods … What are they, and how do I implement them? Networking … Who, why, how? Resumes and cover letters … What kind should I use? STORIES … Yes, you need them! Interviews … Informational interviews & Job interviews OSC Computer Training

How to Find Jobs Network. Go directly to company websites of companies that do what you want to do.  Go directly to company websites who offer positions doing what you want to do.  Go in person, with resume in hand, to companies that do what you want to do.  Go in person, with resume in hand, to companies who offer positions doing what you want to do.  Schedule informational interviews.  Contact professional organizations associated with your area of interest.  Join and participate in professional organizations associated with your area of interest.  Join a job search group – offered by government agencies, churches, Career One Stop Centers.  Use online job boards. OSC Computer Training

Components of Your Job Search Organization Planning Commitment Record-Keeping Research Preparation Stories Practice Resumes Cover Letters Interviews Follow-Up Support Strategic Job Search Methods OSC Computer Training

Why Start Now? Option Number One - the traditional method: Go to school, study hard, master the material, graduate, THEN start looking for a job. Find an employer, submit an application, hope to get an interview, hope to do well in the interview. Maybe the interview doesn’t go as well as you’d hoped. Wait a few weeks to hear back. Find another employer and keep repeating the same steps and mistakes. Get discouraged, depressed, hanging out at home, too much. Maybe have to take any old job. Option Number Two - start job searching immediately, master all aspects of your job search, have employers lined up before you graduate, employers you have met and who know you, and were impressed by you when they met you because you are well prepared. They will be eager to speak with you when you are ready to apply for a position. That is what you will learn here, and why we start now. OSC Computer Training

Commit hour each (work) day to your job search … 1st Things 1st Commit hour each (work) day to your job search … OSC Computer Training

STORIES & EXAMPLES Stories & Examples are: the things you have to tell that help others get to know you & show examples that support what you have to tell about yourself. … a necessity in interviewing – they are the “verbal” pictures you paint that helps an interviewer realize you in action. OSC Computer Training

P.A.R. P-A-R The next step is to rewrite the accomplishment in the appropriate story & example format. P-A-R   PROBLEM: It could be a SITUATION or CHALLENGE. ACTION: What step/action did you take, list them all. Start with “So, what I did was, and then I”… etc. RESULT: The result was …., and I was proud of it! Revise and perfect each story & example. Keep your final version in your job search/interview folder/binder/file. Review your stories & examples regularly so that the revised versions become the stories & examples that you will recall and tell when the opportunity presents itself. OSC Computer Training

Create an Attention-Getting Response 1. Opening Statement 2. Education   3. Experience 4. Your Current Situation 5. Your Current Objective OSC Computer Training

400 employers identified valued & needed SOFT SKILLS (in addition to your hard skills). They are: The ability to effectively communicate orally The ability to work effectively with others in teams The ability to effectively communicate in writing Ethical judgment and decision-making Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills The ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-world settings The ability to analyze and solve complex problems The ability to locate, organize, and evaluate information from multiple sources The ability to innovate and be creative Staying current on changing technologies and their applications to the workplace The ability to analyze and solve problems with people from different backgrounds and cultures ** These skills and abilities are also noted to be valuable for employment advancement. OSC Computer Training

Structure of a well-written P-A-R accomplishment P Summarize the background of your problem, challenge, or situation. A Describe the action that you took, tell what you did, and the personal strengths that enabled you to take this action. Be specific and use strong action words. R Tell about the result of your actions. Show the business impact of your actions from your employer’s point of view. P   A R OSC Computer Training

MASTER JOB APPLICATION Write in pencil Add onto as you move on to new jobs Keep this copy forever! Don’t Be This Guy ! OSC Computer Training

O*NET Online www.onetonline.org A great website to gather information related to your (past and) future career work Alternative job titles Typical tasks& job duties Specific California information OSC Computer Training

Occupation Exploration   Job Profile for: __________________________________________________ Sample Job Titles Tasks Knowledge Skills Abilities Work Activities OSC Computer Training

OSC Computer Training Detailed Work Activities Work Styles Values   Detailed Work Activities Work Styles Values Related Occupations Wages & Employment Trends Professional Associations & Other Valuable Resources Notes OSC Computer Training

Time Management In a full time job, you: A. Have responsibilities (work duties and procedures). B. "Punch a clock" or have to be at work "on time". C. Work hard all day, 40 hours each week. D. Report to a boss, who makes sure you carry out your responsibilities. To find a job that you really want, you must: A. Set your own responsibilities (things you must do daily to get a job). B. Wake up early, at a set time, to start looking for work. C. Look hard for a job, all day, 40 hours a week. D. Be your own boss (or appoint a friend to be your "boss") to ensure that you carry out your job search responsibilities. If you are currently working, plan to: A. Take lunch breaks earlier or later than the noon hour so that you can make phone calls. B. Go home for lunch, if possible, to make your calls or have your notes for phone calls with you and find a quiet, private place from which to make calls from your cell phone, perhaps from your car. C. If you work skewed hours and can make a phone call or two in the morning or late afternoon, plan the night before to get up early to do this without feeling rushed or being late for work!   OSC Computer Training

10 Tips for Planning an Effective Job Search Set up a place, in your home, in which you can have all materials needed right at hand.   Set up a record-keeping system at the beginning of your search.  Determine your weekly job search goals. Go to company websites and job boards to set up accounts/profiles and review their online process. If you go out to apply to companies, in person, plan to target several companies in the same area, when possible. Network. Write down the names of all networking contacts you speak with, the date of your contacts, and specific notes about your conversations. Be prepared. Have a "Master Application" filled out with all pertinent job information on it.   Follow up on leads immediately. Spend daytime hours searching & evening hours doing paperwork, research, & planning. OSC Computer Training

RECORDKEEPING The following is a list of the forms you will need for your job search and are included in this section: Daily Calendar Monthly calendar Weekly Job Search Goals Form Company Contact Form Resume Distribution Sheet Network Tracking Form Application Information Sheet OSC Computer Training

JOB SEARCH WEEKLY ROADMAP – Begin Week of _______________ Attend CSW Complete CSW assignment Prepare job search binder w/ A-Z tabs Review O*NET Online / Complete handout Fill out Master Application WEEK 2   Work on transferable skills / Features & Benefits Work on strengths Develop Stories using transferable skills, strengths WEEK 3 Begin working on resume Begin working on cover letter Begin gathering professional references WEEK 4 Continue resume/cover letter/E-resume/references Prep “Tell Me” & “Why “Hire” Answers Begin reviewing interview questions w/ answers WEEK 5 Make appt. w/ Career Services re: final resume Contacts to get 3 letters of recommendation Complete networking speech WEEK 6 Create LinkedIn profile Review Job Boards & create accounts, profiles Have completed resume/cover letter/references WEEK 7 Fill out state application (if applicable) Wrap up CSW assignments WEEK 8 Research companies Review company websites for open jobs Keep up with recordkeeping process Network Set up informational interview WEEK 9 WEEK 10 WEEK 11 Set job search goals for the week Check in w/ Career Services w/ ? or for planning Apply for jobs Keep recordkeeping going for follow-up WEEK 12 WEEK 13 Congratulations on your graduation ! Meet with Career Services, anytime, for planning and assistance. OSC Computer Training

Online Job Search Usernames & Passwords Site ________________________________________________________ Username ________________________________________________ Password _________________________________________________   Username __________________________________________________ Password __________________________________________________ OSC Computer Training

To access handouts: Go to … http://oscct.com/career-services-workshop-handouts/ Password: JobHelp! OSC Computer Training