Chapter 11: Launching an Employment Campaign PSY 251 Dr. Emily Bullock

What makes job hunting hard? complex & ambiguous cues overwhelming amount of information uncertainty of the outcome solutions present new problems

CIP Approach to Job Hunting Thinking About My Decision Making Knowing How I Make Decisions Knowing About Myself Knowing About My Options

Self-Knowledge Values Interests Skills what work settings and employers will allow you to satisfy your values Interests what type of position will allow you to engage in work activities you enjoy Skills what type of position seeks your skills

Other Personal Factors Important in Job Hunting What are my employment preferences? hours of work travel requirements physical demands What is my family situation? desire to live close to family members employment opportunities for significant others existence of family business

Other Personal Factors Important in Job Hunting (contd.) What are my job target(s)? What job families, work settings, and occupational titles interest me? Where in the world do I want to work? Who employs people doing what I want to do?

What do you want to do in a job? Consider these categories: Job families Work settings Occupational titles

Some Sample Job Families Advertising Banking Communications Fashion Education Economics Health care Hospitality Human services Insurance Law Marketing Politics Public administration Real estate Telecommunications Travel

Some Sample Work Settings Business/Industry Government Education Non-profit Professions Private enterprise

What do you want to do? Example of setting a job target: Job Family Human Services Work Setting Elementary School Occupational Title Intervention Specialist

Where do you want to work or attend grad school? Geographic considerations Anywhere International National Southeast Mississippi Jackson Location makes a difference in job hunting.

Expand Location or Job Target Jackson Hospital Non-Profit School OR Hospital Jackson Mobile Memphis

CASVE Cycle & the Job Campaign Communication Identifying the problem - the gap Execution Taking action to narrow the gap Analysis Thinking about alternatives Valuing Prioritizing alternatives Synthesis Generating likely alternatives

Synthesis in the Job/Grad School Campaign Expanding and narrowing employment or grad school options Two methods for expanding: generate a list of potential employers/schools & positions considered in the past use information resources to generate new options (e.g., computer systems, Internet)

Synthesis (continued) narrowing your options Consider what you learned in the Analysis phase about your skills, interests, and values Keep only those employment or grad school options that have a reasonable chance of helping you narrow your gap

Valuing in the Job/ Grad School Campaign Consider the costs and benefits of each option Options are prioritized (may include specific specializations, industries, positions, locations) First choice is identified for real world exploration

Execution in the Job/Grad School Campaign Take action to make the transition to employment Develop tools for the job campaign

Develop & Refine Your Job Search Tools Written Communications resume cover letters Internet annual reports applications Interpersonal Communications interviewing skills networking negotiating

Develop & Refine Your Grad School Application Tools Written Communications resume cover letters Internet /email Personal statement Interpersonal Communications interviewing skills networking Negotiating Other GRE

Effectiveness of Job Search Methods Search Method % who used successfully Career Development Office 50% On-campus interviewing 29% Job listings with placement office 26% Want ads/write-ins 25% Previous experience with employer 20% Networking (e.g., referrals from friends) 20% Apply directly to employer 18% Job fairs 14% Employment agencies 14% Internet 4% Sources: NACE Graduating Student Surveys

Job Search and Grad School Resources For this interested in Psych Grad School-see the Norcross Ppt on my website Directories of employers and schools in many fields USM Career Services Academic department – faculty contacts Family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances (networking) Organization’s job postings Internet Telephone books Professional associations & journals

Networking Family/friends Professionals School associates/alumni/Professional Network Neighbors Clubs/organizations Organized networks Former teachers/employers Recreational acquaintances

Information Interviews Information only Do your research Prepare questions Be courteous Secure another contact Send thank you letter

Understanding How Thoughts Influence a Job/Grad School Campaign being discouraged fear of rejection not getting needed information procrastination being overwhelmed by negative opinions reactions and feedback from significant others to your job campaign judging when a task has been successfully completed, when to move to the next task, or when to ask for help

Job & Grad School Hunting Myths How Do Thoughts Matter? Describe these metaphors and their meanings. “I’ll do anything” “Wallflower syndrome” “Lone Ranger” “Looking under the light”