2. Succeeding in your Job Search

3. Challenging Job Market More candidates chasing fewer openings More demanding employers More difficult for employers to find right person Need to Stand out from the Crowd

4. Need to Change Occupations Due to changing economy, technology, globalization, etc. more people have to consider changing careers. How do you find suitable alternatives? How transferrable are your skills? How do you convince the hiring manager that you can do the job?

5. Challenging New Processes New modes of applying for jobs. Fear and frustration with the process.

6. Some Key Concepts for Success Understanding the process Understanding what the employer is seeking How to best market yourself in this economy What do you have to offer? Which jobs are the right fit for your skills? How can you overcome the issue of required skills that you do not have?

7. The Process is NOT as Well Run as it Appears Most hiring managers are not trained for this Most jobs are not well described Resume screening software is still very basic Most interviewers are not well trained

8. So What Can You Do To Overcome These Hurdles?

9. Using Career Cruising to Find New Occupations When you need to change careers it can be overwhelming What skills do I have which are transferrable? What types of occupations am I suited for? What training do I require to be successful in those occupations?

11. Assessments, careers, skills, abilities, and learning inventory

12. Career Exploration Tools

13. What is the Hiring Manager Looking For? People who will help them be more successful. People who will add real value to the organization. People who will fit in.

14. How can you Market yourself? Study yourself – understand what you bring Match your skills and abilities with the needs of the job Be able to demonstrate how you can use those attributes to bring value

15. Understanding what you bring to the table Two types of skills –Task related skills Welding Using MS Excel CDL –Work related skills Work discipline Communications skills Multi-tasking ability

16. Transferability to other occupations Task related skills –Transferable to the extent that the tasks are similar, e.g. CDL is not transferable if the new job has no truck driving requirement Work related skills –Much more transferable in most situations with some exceptions, e.g. Multi-tasking might not apply in work that requires highly focused attention

17. What if you are missing some task related skills? You will need an action plan –Formal training programs –Self-managed training Books, websites, etc. –On the Job Training Employer managed

18. How do you get in front of the employer? Job Search –Looking for posted opportunities Proactive (opportunity development) –Getting there before anyone else knows Working Interviews –Internships, Mentorships, and Work Experience Program OJT Programs

19. What is WIA WIA is a federally funded worker retraining scholarship program for qualified Dislocated Workers and low income adults. Dislocated worker: –Laid off and eligible for UI –Recently separated Vet –Unemployed due to business closure or mass layoff –Displaced homemaker Low Income Adult analysis based on: –Family size and income –Education level –Work history

20. How can WIA help you? Advanced Job Seeker Training –Exceptional workshops to help you hone your job search marketing skills Subsidized On the Job Training programs –Earn while you learn Working Interviews at no cost to employer –Earn while you demonstrate your value to the employer Formal skills training if appropriate/available

21. What about self-employment? Are you –Highly motivated/interested in being your own boss –Have a great business idea or marketable expertise –Passionate about success Maybe you should consider starting your own business Entrepreneur classes are available & tuition support may be available through WIA

22. Next Steps If you are interested and believe that you might qualify: –Open up the WIA application form in the folder where you found this PowerPoint –Complete the Application, sign it and place it in the WIA box at WorkSource (if you cannot find the box ask one of the Resource Support people –After reviewing your application, a WIA specialist will contact you for an appointment