Interview FollowUp

1

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
WELCOME!
Facilitator Harry Forbes
2
Course Overview

• Personal Appraisal
• Applying for the Job
• The Interview

3
STRESS

• What is it?
• Causes
• Effects
• Cure

4
Your Career Catalog

• ID Data
• DD 214
• Performance Reports
• Education Info
• Training Certificates

5
Your Career Catalog

• Special Licenses/Certifications
• Decoration Citations
• Reference List
• Salary History
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation

6
THE BASIC QUESTION

• Why should I hire YOU?
• The basic answer
• Your skills
• Who you are

7
Types of Skills

• Job-specific
• Generic

8
Skills in Context
Your Career
Job 2
Job 1
Job 3
Responsibility
Responsibility
Responsibility
Skill
Skill
Skill
9
Skills Assessment
Volunteer Activities
Military Service
Work Experience
Education/Training
Memberships
TROA NCOA
Hobbies/Interests
10
SPECIAL SKILLS

• Foreign Language Fluency
• Computer Hardware/Software
• Machines/ Equipment

11
WHO Are You?
12
GOALS

• What are they?
• How classified?
• Short term
• Intermediate
• Long term
• Why have them?
• Provide direction
• THE INTERVIEW

13
GOALS
Where You Are
Obstacles
Where You Want To Be
To overcome obstacles, plan and discuss
with those who matter!
14
Assessing Needs Things to Consider

• Cost of Living No Paid Utilities/Repairs
• Medical/Dental Costs
• No Commissary
• Life Insurance Costs
• Clothing/Equipment Costs
• No Guaranteed Retirement

15
Tips to Make It Easier

• Set aside a kitty now
• Consider big ticket items
• Pay off credit cards
• Fix medical/dental problems now
• Think about leave situation
• File claim with VA (Pre-discharge if available)

16
Benefits

• Vacation
• Health insurance
• Sick leave
• Life insurance
• Profit sharing
• Pension plan

17
Job Search Strategies

• Newspaper Ads
• Business Publications
• Professional Journals
• State Job Service Offices
• School Placement Offices
• Job Fairs
• NETWORKING
• INTERNET

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Reading Between the LinesReal Estate Ads

• Fixer upper
• Cozy starter home
• Scenic rural setting

19
Reading Between the LinesEmployment Ads

• Flexible hours
• Aggressive self-starter
• Unlimited income
• Total compensation

20
Announcements/Want Ads

• Types of Information Provided
• Company Data
• Minimal Requirements
• Characteristics of Ideal Candidate
• General Information about Position

21
Employment AgenciesEmployment Agencies

• Temporary
• Placement Firms/Headhunters

22
Networking Tips

• Who?
• Advertise availability
• Keep eyes/ears open
• Cold calls
• Informational interviews

23
Informational Interviews

• By phone or in person
• Ask for
• Information
• Advice
• References
• Do not ask for job
• Thank You note

24
The Internet as a Job Search Tool

• Great Starting Place
• www.dol.gov/elaws/evets.htm
• Links to job banks, salary info,
• federal employment, certification
• and licensing, military occupational
• specialty crosswalk and career
• assessment tools
• Federal Jobs
• www.usajobs.gov
• Official OPM website for all federal government
  jobs
• Includes info on veterans preference

25
The Internet as a Job Search Tool

• Help on writing KSAs for federal jobs
• http//dothr.ost.dot.gov (search KSAs)
• Specific companies or federal/state agencies
• HOT TIP CHECK WEBSITES
• FOR FEDERAL JOBS DAILY.

26
Job Applications

• Often used as Screen Out tool
• Company looks at
• How well you follow directions
• How you pay attention to details
• How thorough you are
• How careful you are concerning accuracy/clarity

27
Application Tips

• Be prepared pen, pencil, career catalog
• Read entire application before starting
• Take home, if possible
• Make extra copies
• Print neatly or type
• Follow directions exactly
• Dont leave blanks
• Use space judiciously
• Proofread spelling, grammar, and word omissions

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THE SPELLING CHECKER
I have a spelling checker It came with my PC It
plainly marks four my revue Mistakes I cannot
sea. Ive run this poem threw it, Im sure your
please too no, Its letter perfect, in its
weigh My checker tolled me sew.
29
Association of Job Search Trainers
Resume Survey
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How Resumes are Received

• E-Mail (34)
• Fax (33)
• Mail (33)

31
How Reviewed and Stored

• Reviewed by a person and filed (77)
• Reviewed by e-mail/computer stored (11)
• Scanned and saved on disk (8)

32
Time Spent on Initial Review

• Less than 1 minute (17)
• 1-5 minutes (69)
• 5-10 minutes (8)
• 10-15 minutes (6)

33
Resume Quality Rating by Employers

• Excellent (14)
• Good (33)
• Fair (32)
• Poor (21)

34
Proper Length of Resume

• If over 5 years experience
• 1 page (26)
• 2 pages (67)
• Over 2 pages (7)
• If under 5 years experience
• 1 page (84)
• 2 pages (12)
• Over 2 pages (4)

35
Most Common Reasons for Rejection (No particular
order)

• Bad English
• Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Verb Tense, Typos
• Skills dont match needs or are hard to find
• Not targeted/buried in verbiage
• No examples of achievements/successes/ results
• How you can help them make money or do a better
  job
• Included irrelevant or personal information

36
Required Resume Content

• Identification Data
• Work Experience
• Education/Training Data

37
Optional Resume Content

• Special skills
• Career Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Memberships
• Honors/awards

38
Optional Resume Content

• Publications
• Inventions
• Security clearance
• Interests/hobbies
• Reference statement

39
Inappropriate Resume Content
Politics
Height/Weight
Age
Marital Status
Religion
Ethnicity
Health
Salary
Children
40
Resume Formats

• Chronological
• Functional
• Combination

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Chronological Resume

• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Experience
• 19xx - Present Job Title
  Company. City, State
• Several accomplishment statements which support
  your objective and are relevant to tire job for
  which you are applying
• 19xx - 19xx Job Title
  Company City, State
• 19xx - 19xx Job Title
  Company City, State

42
Functional Resume

• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Related Experience
• Functional Skill Area 1
• Several accomplishment statements related to
  Functional Skill Area and relevant to the job for
  which you are applying
• Functional Skill Area 2

43
Combination Resume

• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Related Experience
• Functional Skill Area 1
• Several accomplishment statements related to
  Functional Skill Area and relevant to the job for
  which you are applying
• Functional Skill Area 2

44
Resume Style Snail Mail

• Paper color/weight
• Standard type 11 point
• White space
• Highlights
• Bolds, CAPS, Underlining
• Bullets versus paragraphs
• Folding and staples

45
Increasing Scannability DO

• Use standard-sized white paper
• Use a laser printer with standard typeface
• Put each phone number on separate line
• Maximize use of industry jargon
• Send faxed resumes in fine mode
• Use Bolds or CAPS for major headings
• Use plenty of key words

46
Increasing Scannability DONT

• Fold or staple
• Use vertical/horizontal lines
• Use graphics
• Use multi-column formats
• Use abbreviations
• Use parentheses or brackets

47
Key Resume Tips

• Purpose?
• Key part is your accomplishments and achievements
• Use action verbs
• Quantify when possible
• Translate the jargon
• Good format to use is P-A-R

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Key Resume Tips(Continued)

• Target to a particular job the Ideal
  Candidate
• Include special skills
• Write your own resume

49
Translate Military Experience into Civilian Terms

• NCOIC Supervisor, Manager, Coordinator
• TDY Business related travel
• PCS Relocation, Transfer
• NCO Academy Leadership/Management Development
  Course (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Commander Division Head, Director, Controller

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BUILDING A RESUME

• ID Data
• Career Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Related Experience
• Education
• Technical Training
• Special Qualifications

51
ID Data

• Harry G. Forbes, Jr.
• 433 Crestwind Drive
• San Antonio TX 78239
• 210-590-4468 (Home)
• E-mail hforbes_at_flash.net
• Fax _____________

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Career Objective

• Objective To obtain a classroom
  facilitators position with NAMS

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Highlights of Qualifications

• Highlights of Qualifications
• 25 ½ years of Human Resource Management
  experience with the US Air Force
• 6 years as a classroom instructor
• 6 years as the Air Forces Project Manager of the
  
• Transition Assistance Program
• Excellent communication skills
• Masters Degree in Political Science

54
Related Experience

• Related Experience
• Classroom Instruction
• (At least 3 bullets)
• Transition Assistance Management
• (At least 3 bullets)
• Human Resource Management
• (At least 3 bullets)

55
Education

• Education
• Bachelors Degree in Political Science,
  University of Tennessee, 1963 (Magna Cum Laude)
• Masters Degree in Political Science, University
  of Florida, 1965
• Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Leadership and
  Management Training, US Air Force (1969, 1982,
  and 1986)

56
Technical Training/Special Qualifications

• Technical Training
• Academic Instructors Course, US Air Force (1981)
  
• Special Qualifications Adept at building and
  giving oral presentations using Power Point and
  overhead projection equipment

57
Applying for Federal Jobs

• Forms used
• Federal Resume, OF-612, SF 171
• Check with Agency
• Differences Federal/Civilian
• Information requested
• Length
• KSAs

58
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (KSAs)

• Used to rank order qualified applicants
• ½ to 1 ½ pages for each KSA
• Written on separate sheet and attached
• Should include work experience examples, related
  education/tech training, and awards/recognition
• http//dothr.ost.dot.gov (Search KSA)

59
The Review Process

• Application review
• Resume review
• KSA ratings and ranking

60
Veterans Preference

• 10 Point
• Any service-connected disability
• Purple Heart
• 5 Point
• Served during Gulf War I
• Awarded any campaign medal for subsequent
  campaigns
• Added to passing score
• www.opm.gov

61
How Important are Cover Letters?

• Very Important (39)
• Somewhat Important (47)
• Not Important (14)

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Business Letter Format Return
Address Date Name of recipient Inside
address   Salutation   Body of letter
__________________________________________________
____ _____________________________________________
_________ Continuation of body
__________________________________________________
___ ______________________________________________
________ Closing paragraph ______________________
________________________________ _________________
_____________________________________ Complementa
ry close,   Signature Typed name   Enclosure   (C
opy)
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Basic Types of Interviews

• Screening
• Selection

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Screening Interviews

• About 30 minutes
• Narrow the list
• General questions
• No time to sell yourself
• May be by phone

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Selection Interviews

• Individual
• Board

66
Interview Types

• Normal
• Stress
• Performance

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Interview Stages

• Introductory Stage
• Employer Questions
• Applicant Questions
• Closing Stage

68
20 Top Reasons For Rejection

• 1) Poor personal appearance
• 2) Overaggressiveness
• 3) Inability to express information clearly
• 4) Lack of interest and enthusiasm
• 5) Lack of planning for career no purpose and
  no goals
• 6) Nervous, lack of confidence and poise

69
20 Top Reasons For Rejection

• 7) Overemphasis on money
• 8) Unwilling to start at the bottom
• 9) Makes excuses
• 10) Lack of tact and courtesy
• 11) Lack of maturity
• 12) Condemns past employers
• 13) No genuine interest in company or job
• 14) Fails to look interviewer in the eye

70
20 Top Reasons For Rejection

• 15) Sloppy application form
• 16) Little sense of humor
• 17) Arrives late for interview
• 18) Fails to express appreciation for
  interviewers time
• 19) Fails to ask questions about the job
• 20) Vague responses to questions

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Grooming
YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST
IMPRESSION!!
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The Way We Communicate
Posture Body Language
Eye Contact Facial Expressions
Gestures
73
Nonverbal Cues

• Dress
• Handshake
• Eye contact
• Posture
• Gestures
• Natural/nervous
• Voice inflection

74
Interview Tips

• Be prepared
• Dress
• Research
• Questions
• Be punctual

75
Interview Tips (contd)

• Have a portfolio
• Be enthusiastic
• Thank the interviewer
• Smile

76
Tips for Answering Questions

• Be careful what you say
• Keep answers brief
• Use examples/personal experiences
• P A R format
• OK to pause and think
• Remember unspoken content
• Practice dont memorize
• The Three Ps

77
The Three Ps

• Performance
• Can you do the job?
• Personality
• Will you fit in?
• Potential
• Can you move up the ladder?

78
The Money Question

• Know your bottom line
• Do research
• Avoid discussing up front
• Best time is AFTER you have job offer
• Talk in ranges, not specifics
• Consider benefits and opportunities for
  advancement
• Do not indicate money is prime concern

79
Interview Follow-Up

• Analyze your performance and learn from your
  mistakes
• Send thank you letter within 24 hours
• Follow up with a phone call at the appropriate
  time

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You didnt get the job---WHY NOT?

• Your fault
• Not your fault

81
Evaluating Job Offers

• Is it really what you want to do?
• Is there opportunity for growth and promotion?
• Can you live with the salary?
• Will you be required to relocate?

82
Negotiation Tips

• When?
• What?
• How?
• Know your worth
• Be careful!