PLANNING YOUR CAREER & GETTING THE JOB Chapter 2/3

Steps in Career Planning 1. Self-Analysis  Wants vs. Needs  Values  Desired Lifestyle  Aptitudes  Interests 2. Research  Web Search  Government Resources  Friends in the Field  Job Shadowing 3. Plan of Action  Start Early!  Develop Necessary Skills  Gain Experience  Re-Evaluate When Necessary

Assisted/Private Sources Public/Free Sources Employment Agency Headhunters Placement Centers Temp-Agency Internet Sites Newspaper Job Fairs Internships Cooperative Education Contacts Walk-in Employment Sources

Getting the Job Methods of Applying Job Application Resume  Mailing  Posting online

Types of Resumes Reverse-Chronological Resume  Lists Work Experience from Most Recent Position listed first Functional Resume  Focuses on your skills and knowledge, rather than on your chronological work history.  Good for those who lack experience or change careers Combination Resume  Lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed next. Targeted Resume  Customized so that it specifically highlights the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for

Personal Information Objective Statement Name Address Telephone Address  Make sure it’s professional! States position desired within company Parts of a Resume

Education Experience Lists relevant education May include:  Areas of Study  GPA  Activities  Honors  Specific relevant courses Lists Jobs  Paid & Unpaid Be sure to emphasize tasks you performed that relate to desired position Parts of a Resume

Letter of Application AKA “Cover Letter” Introduces you to potential employer Creates interest in reading your resume Establishes a “First Impression”

The Application Form An employment application, or job application, is a form that asks questions of people who apply for a job. Ways to complete an application form  Use pen to fill out paper form  Complete form online at company web site  Download form and submit electronically

Employment Application Never Leave Anything Blank  Write N/A or use a line (-----) Do not provide Social Security Number  Write “Available upon request” instead Write Neatly Have all necessary information with you. Proofread carefully. Be Truthful!

The Interview Dress Professionally/Appropriately Arrive 15 minutes early Go Alone Be Prepared  Extra Copies Resume; Recommendation Letters; Transcripts; Portfolio, Paper, Pen, etc. Be Self-Confident! Be Courteous Think Before You Speak Be Enthusiastic Look for Cues—Verbal & Non-Verbal Establish Good Eye Contact

Turn Off Your Cell Phone!

Dress In A Clean, Conservative Manner

Plan Ahead! Know the company, and why you want to work there. Learn as much as you can about the company's mission, objectives, goals, and future plans. You will be asked: “Why do you want to work for this company?” Make sure your answer matches the company’s philosophy.

Common Interview Questions Tell me about yourself. Why should we hire you? Why did you leave your last job? What kind of salary do you expect? Why do you want to work for us? What do you know about our company? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in five years? How would you react if I told you your interview so far was terrible?

Top 50 Interview Mistakes 1. Arriving late. 2. Arriving too early. 3. Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette. 4. Bad-mouthing your last boss. 5. Lying about your skills/experience/knowledge. 6. Wearing the wrong (for this workplace!) clothes. 7. Forgetting the name of the person you're interviewing with. 8. Wearing a ton of perfume or aftershave. 9. Wearing sunglasses. 10. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece. 11. Failing to research the employer in advance. 12. Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm. 13. Inquiring about benefits too soon. 14. Talking about salary requirements too soon. 15. Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question. 16. Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job. 17. Forgetting to bring a copy of your resume and/or portfolio. 18. Failing to remember what you wrote on your own resume. 19. Asking too many questions. 20. Asking no questions at all.

Top 50 Interview Mistakes 21. Being unprepared to answer the standard questions. 22. Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying. 23. Talking more than half the time. 24. Interrupting your interviewer. 25. Neglecting to match the communication style of your interviewer. 26. Yawning. 27. Slouching. 28. Bringing along a friend, or your mother. 29. Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair. 30. Laughing, giggling, whistling, humming, lip-smacking. 31. Saying "you know," "like," "I guess," and "um." 32. Name-dropping or bragging or sounding like a know-it-all. 33. Asking to use the bathroom. 34. Being falsely or exaggeratedly modest. 35. Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly. 36. Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact). 37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does. 38. Becoming angry or defensive. 39. Complaining that you were kept waiting. 40. Complaining about anything!

Top 50 Interview Mistakes 41. Speaking rudely to the receptionist. 42. Letting your nervousness show. 43. Over explaining why you lost your last job. 44. Being too familiar and jokey. 45. Sounding desperate. 46. Checking the time. 47. Over sharing. 48. Sounding rehearsed. 49. Leaving your cell phone on. 50. Failing to ask for the job.

Interview Follow-up Send a “Thank You” letter  Reinforce your interest in position/company  Reinforce your qualifications for position  Express appreciation for interview/opportunity  Thank people by name If you haven’t heard about the job:  Call: “Hi, my name is _____________, I was calling to check on the status of my application.”

6 Mistakes New Grads Make in Their 1 st Jobs 1. Thinking that because you have your degree, you shouldn't have to do grunt work. 2. Not being thorough. 3. Thinking that what you post on social networking sites doesn't matter. 4. Procrastinating. 5. Not putting effort into forming relationships with older colleagues. 6. Not saying "thank you."

What’s in a Name?