1-3 JOB APPLICATION SKILLS AND TOOLS Goals: -Discuss strategies to find and apply for jobs in the internet age. -Explain how to prepare a resume and a cover letter. -Describe successful job application and interview strategies.

BELL RINGER  Log on to a computer.  Go to

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT ABOUT JOB OPENING?  Contacts: a person you know such as a relative or friend  Networking sites  Company websites  Online career and employment sites

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONTACTS WHEN YOU START LOOKING FOR A JOB?  Your contacts are most likely to have information about job openings before they are made public.  Already, you can start building your social network – a group of friends and acquaintances who you keep in contact and share information.

WHAT IS A SOCIAL NETWORK SITE?  Social networking sites have members who share information about themselves and their lives, discuss topics of interest, and participate in online events.  Examples: Twitter, Linkedin, MySpace, and FaceBook

DO AND DON’TS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES Do:  Be Courteous and thoughtful  Be appreciative when you get good information  Follow through and do your best when others recommend you  Share information that benefits others  Proofread very carefully before posting information  Read your postings from others’ points of view Don’t:  Criticize or be negative about others  Complain about your job, employer, or others  Swear, use slang, or poor language  Neglect others when they ask for your help  Post information that could lead others to think poorly or you  Brag or seem arrogant or thoughtless

JOB SHADOWING AND COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE  Job Shadowing is spending time observing a worker in a type of job that interests you.  Cooperative Work Experience is a program where students attend classes part of the day and then go to a job that provides supervised work. A cooperative work experience helps students prepare for a career and making career choices.

FINDING JOBS ONLINE  Many businesses maintain websites that list jov openings.  Others list postings on websites such as Jobdango, Cooljobs.com, Yahoo! HotJobs, Monster, CareerBuilder, craiglist, and Resumeblaster.com  Can also use a job scout – a type of computer program known as an intelligent agent.

OTHER WAYS TO FIND JOBS  Employment Agencies help job seekers find a job for which they are qualified. There are both public and private employment agencies.  Headhunter is a type of employment specialist who seeks out highly qualified people to fill upper level positions for an employer.  State Employment Office is a government agency that helps people find jobs.  Temp Agencies is an employment agency that provides part-time and full-time jobs on a temporary basis.

THE RESUME  A resume is a summary of your work experience, education, skills, and interests that qualify you for a job opening.  No set rules for preparing a resume.  Choose a style that best presents your strengths.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR A RESUME  Have a master resume that lists everything.  Tailor each resume to best match you skill set to those listed in the job opening.  Keep each tailored resume to one page.  Keep the resume simple, attractive, and easy to read.  Proofread thoroughly.  For hard copies, avoid bright colors, odd sizes, and stained or discolored paper.

CONTENTS OF A RESUME  Include your name, address, telephone number, and address. (Do not include personal information such as age of ethnic background).  Include a career objective (optional). If used, keep it short, direct, forward-looking, and specific.  List your education with the most recent first. Include areas of study, grade point average, and honors.  List jobs you have held, both paid and unpaid, the most recent listed first. Describe the work you have done and the names and addresses of the employers.  May Include activities, hobbies and organizations.  References may be listed on resume or on a separate sheet with “will be provided on request” written on resume. References includes name, title, address, phone number, and address.

REFERENCES  Should be over 18 years of age.  Someone you have know for several months.  They should know your skills, character, and achievement.  Not related to you.  Best references are teachers, former and current employers, advisers, counselors, coaches, and adults in business.  Ask permission before listing someone as a reference  References are important because they reflect your job qualifications and how you have worked with others.

SCANNABLE RESUME  A scannable resume is designed for easy reading by a scanner.  It contains key words that are targeted for matching skills with job opening words.  Use simple standard font, avoiding fancy italics, shading, columns, lines, and graphics.

THE COVER LETTER  A cover letter accompanies a resume.  Should be short and direct.  First paragraph identifies your purpose, what you want.  Second paragraph points out key qualifications or skills that makes you unique. Express interest in the company.  Final paragraph should wrap up the letter in a friendly but direct manner. Ask for an interview and specify when you are available.

FILLING OUT THE JOB APPLICATION  Fill the form out completely being truthful. Have all the information with you.  Use a good pen that does not skip or blot.  Be sure it is error-free.  When you cannot answer a question or it isn’t applicable, use the abbreviation N/A  Be truthful and give complete names of references  Keep a copy for your records

PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW  Know your resume  Rehearse open-ended questions  Lean forward, listen carefully, and show the interviewer you interested  Arrive on time or be about 10 min. early. Dress appropriately.  Always go alone  Appear self-confident and relaxed.  Be courteous  Think before you speak  Look directly at your interviewer, make eye contact frequently, smile often.  Do company research so you can speak intelligently about the company and ask meaningful questions.

ASSIGNMENT  Due tomorrow (Jan. 13):Answer questions 1-19 on pg. 32.  Due Tuesday (Jan. 13): Go to and print information about three careers. On one of those careers write a short report (less than 1 page) on the types of information found (job title, nature of the work, work environment, training and skills required, and job prospects).