Job Search and Preparation Tips to land a desirable career

Keeping Your Options Open Review: How did an adult in your life end up working in their career field? Review: How did an adult in your life end up working in their career field? It’s interesting to think about the job we may set out to attain in life and how different the job can be that we end up with eventually. It’s interesting to think about the job we may set out to attain in life and how different the job can be that we end up with eventually. The job market is tough right now…so being well rounded and flexible can provide us with more job opportunities. For example, dual majoring in college can provide more options when in the job search. The job market is tough right now…so being well rounded and flexible can provide us with more job opportunities. For example, dual majoring in college can provide more options when in the job search. Did you know? “As the economy moves away from goods-producing industries, the number of unskilled jobs( requiring no more than a high school education) will decrease dramatically”. (PA Workforce 2007) Did you know? “As the economy moves away from goods-producing industries, the number of unskilled jobs( requiring no more than a high school education) will decrease dramatically”. (PA Workforce 2007) In 2008, the median of the earnings of young adults with a bachelor's degree was $46,000, while the median was $36,000 for those with an associate's degree, $30,000 for those with a high school diploma or its equivalent, and $23,500 for those who did not earn a high school diploma or its equivalent. (National Center for Education Statistics) In 2008, the median of the earnings of young adults with a bachelor's degree was $46,000, while the median was $36,000 for those with an associate's degree, $30,000 for those with a high school diploma or its equivalent, and $23,500 for those who did not earn a high school diploma or its equivalent. (National Center for Education Statistics)

The Classified Section When beginning the job search, it is important to know where to look for job postings and to be prepared to apply by having all the required materials complete and ready to send into human resources. When beginning the job search, it is important to know where to look for job postings and to be prepared to apply by having all the required materials complete and ready to send into human resources. An application packet may include: Cover letter, resume, copy of diploma, certificates or proof of licensure, letters of recommendation, clearances, test scores, portfolio, etc. An application packet may include: Cover letter, resume, copy of diploma, certificates or proof of licensure, letters of recommendation, clearances, test scores, portfolio, etc. Where can you find job postings? Where can you find job postings? Remember to have realistic expectations when Remember to have realistic expectations when looking for your first job. looking for your first job.

Cover letter and Resume What are they and why do you need them to apply for a position? What are they and why do you need them to apply for a position? Cover letter: This letter specifies the position you are applying for and provides more information about yourself that proves you are a strong candidate for the job. A well written letter can capture the employer’s attention. Cover letter: This letter specifies the position you are applying for and provides more information about yourself that proves you are a strong candidate for the job. A well written letter can capture the employer’s attention. Resume: This document lists your education, jobs, skills, and valuable experiences that you have acquired. Resume: This document lists your education, jobs, skills, and valuable experiences that you have acquired. Taking time to create a strong resume and cover letter and updating with each new valuable experience can set you apart in the applicant pool and land you an interview! Taking time to create a strong resume and cover letter and updating with each new valuable experience can set you apart in the applicant pool and land you an interview!

Sample Cover Letter Name Title Organization Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./ Ms. Last Name: First Paragraph: Why you are writing. Remember to include the name of a mutual contact if you have one. Be clear and concise regarding your request. Middle Paragraphs: What you have to offer. Convince the readers that they should grant you the interview you requested in the first paragraph. Make connections between your abilities and their needs. Remember, you are interpreting your resume. Try to support each statement you make with a piece of evidence. Use several shorter paragraphs rather than one large block of text. Final Paragraph: How will you follow up. Remember, it is your responsibility to follow up. State that you will do so and provide the professional courtesy of indicating when (one week’s time is typical). Sincerely, Your Signature Your Typed Name Enclosures: Resume, Transcript, etc.

Creating a Resume

Lets Create a Resume Many of you may be thinking that it is too soon to begin working on a resume but getting experience creating one now will prove more helpful in the future than you can imagine! For example, when applying to college, an activities resume may be requested or if your interested in taking part in an internship, a resume may be required before interviewing for the position. Many of you may be thinking that it is too soon to begin working on a resume but getting experience creating one now will prove more helpful in the future than you can imagine! For example, when applying to college, an activities resume may be requested or if your interested in taking part in an internship, a resume may be required before interviewing for the position. Use the template on career cruising to guide you through creating a resume. Remember to emphasis your skills such as personal qualities or training. Use the template on career cruising to guide you through creating a resume. Remember to emphasis your skills such as personal qualities or training.

The Four Key Elements Volunteerism Volunteerism Association Memberships – e.g. National Honor Society (N.H.S.) Association Memberships – e.g. National Honor Society (N.H.S.) Computer Proficiency - (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop). Computer Proficiency - (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop). Other Languages Other Languages

Putting It All Together Organization - You can organize your resume in many different ways, but the following order is one of the most common. Use it to help you get started. Organization - You can organize your resume in many different ways, but the following order is one of the most common. Use it to help you get started. Objective: state what kind of job or internship you're looking for. Objective: state what kind of job or internship you're looking for. Experience: describe your job history. Experience: describe your job history. Education: just list your high school, unless you've taken college courses on the side. Education: just list your high school, unless you've taken college courses on the side. Other Skills/Information: list your computer or language skills and any associations or memberships to which you've belonged. Other Skills/Information: list your computer or language skills and any associations or memberships to which you've belonged.

Action Words Be sure to describe your roles and accomplishments with strong action words and key terms that will pop out at employers, usually ones that signify leadership and team roles you've had. These include words such as: team work, team player, multi- tasking, executed, organized, performed, maintained, supervised, managed, directed, developed, implemented. Be sure to describe your roles and accomplishments with strong action words and key terms that will pop out at employers, usually ones that signify leadership and team roles you've had. These include words such as: team work, team player, multi- tasking, executed, organized, performed, maintained, supervised, managed, directed, developed, implemented.

Resume Layout 1.Your contact information (Name, Street, City, State, Zip) 2.Objective 3.Education (Most recent first) 4.Job Experience (Most recent first) 5.References (in alphabetical order by last name)