10.02 Career Development Techniques Sherry Brooks David W. Butler HS August 27, 2009

Career plans Before deciding on a career, look at your specific interests and see what your specific talents are. Having a plan can help shape career goals for the future. Aptitude: natural talent or potential for learning a skill Ability: a skill you have already developed Look at your values about what is important to you and how your job is connected to family and personal life (do you want to give up time)

Job Application Process

Resume This is first impression to an employer Should be 1 page on 8 ½ x 11 white or off-white paper. Font should be easy to read and sized Leave out ALL personal information (no birth date, gender, marital status, religion, age/weight) Use ACTION verbs to start phrases. Avoid abbreviations, DOUBLE check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation

List work experience in order of most recent References should be listed last, usually need at least 3, ALWAYS ask permission before listing a person as a reference. Should be former employers, teachers….never relatives or friends

First Last Name Street Address City, State, Zip Phone (Landline or Cell) Address Education In the education section of your resume, list the school you attend and any awards or honors (like the National Honor Society) you have earned. High School Awards, Honors Experience This section of your resume includes your work history. If you have had a job before, list the company you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held and a bulleted list of responsibilities. If you haven't had a regular job before, it's fine to include positions like baby sitting or pet sitting and any volunteer experiences you might have. Company #1 City, State Dates Worked Job Title Responsibilities / Achievements Responsibilities / Achievements Company #2 City, State Skills Include skills related to the position / career field that you are applying for i.e. computer skills, language skills. References available upon request

Letter of application One page letter introducing yourself, Tells what job you are applying for Explains why you are qualified for the job Tell where you learned about the job (from a person, newspaper, and internet) Conclude by asking for an interview

Send the resume and letter of application together to prospective employer

Interview: Employer talking with a potential employee. Can be in person, on the phone, , etc.

Interview Guidelines KNOW what the company does or sells Go alone Arrive 10 min. early Give a nice firm handshake Be honest with answers. If you do not know the answer, admit that you do not know…don’t make- up something Don’t ask about salary…let employer bring up the subject Don’t talk about your personal life

Follow-up letter Send a thank you letter AFTER the interview. Also ask when a decision will be made concerning the job

Job application: Always write in black or blue. NEVER pencil or any other color pen Read the entire application BEFORE answering any questions. Make sure you understand directions. Be honest and accurate Answer all questions and leave no blanks. Put NA (not applicable) if question does not apply to you.

Be neat. Use correction fluid if possible SPELL correctly Take a personal fact sheet with you so you have accurate names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of past employment

APPEARANCE Be well groomed, hair and nails clean, hair pulled back Dress for the job (if in landscaping, wear slacks/skirt and collared shirt, for office- wear coordinating suit in black, navy, dark brown Avoid too much perfume, make-up Avoid too much jewelry, can be distracting

Dress for Success

Dress NOT to Impress

Communication: Impacts the way we influence the behavior of others Verbal: use appropriate language and grammar. NO cursing or slang, be prepared with questions for the employer Non-verbal: maintain eye contact, posture, smiling, NO gum

Attitude and Professionalism: Be as positive as possible in the job Most people are fired because they cannot get along with others… DEAL with it Be on time to work and from lunch/breaks Use your time at work for work. Make personal calls during breaks/lunch Take positive criticism as a way to improve…not as an attack Do the job as required and any extra asked of you by employee