Job Search Skills

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Chapter 13

• Job Search Skills

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• Choose a job you love, and you will never have
  to work a day in your life.
• Confucius

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OBJECTIVES

• Utilize the self-discovery process to identify
  the right career
• Conduct a targeted job search including a
  realistic job preview
• Determine the cost of living in your desired work
  location
• Ensure a professional electronic image
• Create a job search portfolio
• Identify references to be used in your job search
• Identify sources for job leads
• Define networking and create a professional
  network

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THE JOB SEARCH

• Successful job search strategy identifies
• Type of job you will be looking for
• Needed tools and resources
• How to use tools and resources
• Goal of job search is to secure an interview and
  job offer

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER

• Self-Discovery process of identifying key
  interests and skills built upon career goals
• Review Trigger Words
• Complete Accomplishments Worksheet
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER

• Realistic job preview
• Identifies day to day and common tasks for a
  specific job
• Identify additional educational needs
• Identify other requirements
• DMV history
• Credit history

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TALK IT OUT

• Review your completed accomplishments worksheet.
  What career area do you believe suits your
  skills and previous experiences?

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CAREER OBJECTIVE and PERSONAL PROFILE

• Introductory statements for resumé
• Both statements are used on résumé to relate to
  target career, target employer, introduce key
  skills, and express interest in a position
• Statement will be first item listed on resumé

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CAREER OBJECTIVE

• A Career Objective is for individuals with little
  or no work experience
• Include interest in position
• Brief one line description of skills related to
  position and how you will utilize your skills
• Acceptable to use I and my in career
  objective

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CAREER OBJECTIVE

• Example
• Seeking a position with an established
  accounting firm where I can utilize and apply my
  current accounting and computerized skills toward
  the excellence of Bell Company.

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PERSONAL PROFILE

• A Personal Profile is for individuals with
  extensive work experience
• Group key skills and accomplishments into general
  categories
• Identify key qualities that match target job
• Take information and turn into two-three sentence
  statement that provides snapshot of professional
  qualifications

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PERSONAL PROFILE

• Example
• Highly professional and detail-oriented
  accounting professional with demonstrated
  leadership and success in the areas of payroll,
  collections, and project management. Excellent
  analytical, communication, computer, and
  organizational skills. Bilingual
  (English/Spanish).

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INDUSTRY RESEARCH

• Identify and Target
• Step toward a satisfying career job
• Reflects your values
• Support your life plan
• Industries that require your key skills
• Specific jobs in identified industries
• Desired work environment

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THE TARGETED JOB SEARCH

• Leads you through process of identifying open
  positions at target employers
• Where you want to work
• Cost of living
• Average costs of basic necessities

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PREPARATION

• Electronic Image image formed when someone is
  communicating or researching you through
  electronic means
• Conduct internet search on self
• Delete defamatory photos, writings, or other
  negative material
• Maintain professional e-mail address and voice
  mail
• Avoid text slang in written communications

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TALK IT OUT

• What type of photos, writings, or materials do
  you think are inappropriate for a potential
  employer to see?

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JOB SEARCH PORTFOLIO

• Job Search Portfolio collection of paperwork
  used for job searches and interviews
• Some items from job search portfolio will become
  part of your interview portfolio covered in Ch.
  15
• Keeps job seeker organized and prepared while job
  searching
• Use three-ring binder with tabs and/or electronic
  files
• Keep original and two copies of each item
• Place original documents in page protectors

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JOB SEARCH PORTFOLIO

• Electronic job search portfolio
• Recommended
• Computerized folder that contains electronic
  copies of job search documents
• Scan copies of documents in your hardcopy
  portfolio
• Send as attachments if needed

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JOB SEARCH PORTFOLIO

• Personal Business Card
• Contains personal contact information
• Name
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• E-mail
• Professional and easy to read
• No graphics, colors, or fancy fonts
• Share card with anyone you meet

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JOB SEARCH PORTFOLIOItems to include

• Network list
• Personal business card
• Resumé
• Cover letter
• Reference list
• Letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• Current state licenses
• Awards, certificates, samples

• Completed generic application
• Copy of ID and/or drivers license
• Copy of DMV record
• Personal commercial
• Small calendar, notepad, pen
• Performance appraisals

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EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

• Have completed generic application available
• Do not list social security number or birth date
  on application
• Applications are legal documents
• Credit checks
• Background checks
• Fully understand agreement prior to signing
• A keyboarded application is best
• May be online or at a kiosk

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PERSONAL REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Professional references
• Potential employer will contact
• Do not list on your résumé
• Create a separate page for references
• Do not send references with résumé unless it is
  requested by employer
• Have a copy available at the interview

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PERSONAL REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Letters of Recommendation written testimony from
  another person that states credibility of
  applicant
• Have at least three letters of recommendation
• No more than two years old
• Letters can be from
• past or present employers
• coworkers
• instructors
• someone you worked for as a volunteer

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SOURCES OF JOB LEADS

• Directly from target company
• Internet search
• Job banks, social networking sites, message
  boards
• Industry journals and associations
• Current employees of target industry/company
• Posted job positions
• Your professional network
• Government career assistance centers

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SOURCES OF JOB LEADS

• Visiting a company for open positions
• Treat as interview
• Dress professionally
• Have extra copies of resumé
• Display confidence
• Bring interview portfolio
• Be polite and respectful of other job seekers
• Be prepared for an on the spot interview

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SOURCES OF JOB LEADSUnsolicited Cover Letters
and Resumes

• Send cover letter and resumé (may be through
  electronic means)
• One to the human resource manager
• One to the manager of your target job
• Prior to sending, call company to secure names of
  both managers
• Correct spelling
• Correct gender
• Increases the opportunity to secure an interview

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NETWORKING

• Networking the act of creating professional
  relationships
• Resource of individuals to call upon for
  assistance and/or advice
• Face to face
• Social media

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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING Building a Professional
Network
Figure 13-1
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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

• People to include in network
• Coworkers
• Supervisors
• Instructors
• Family
• Friends

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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

• Networking begins with attitude
• Be confident
• Initiate and introduction
• Use your personal business card
• Begin with a professional handshake
• Create an electronic network
• Be cautious when sharing information

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TALK IT OUT

• What is appropriate and inappropriate
  information to share when creating an online
  network?

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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

• Informational interviews when a job seeker meets
  with a business professional to learn about a
  specific career, company, or industry
• A way to find out about a company
• Ask questions about
• Jobs
• Hiring
• Company culture

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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKINGNetworking Opportunities

• Attending professional or trade association
  meetings
• Talking to parents when attending childrens
  sporting or music events
• Volunteering for a local park clean-up day
• Visiting with members of social clubs or
  religious groups

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PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

• Network list a written list of all network
  contacts.
• Include contacts
• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• E-mail address

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PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY

• Be cautious and only share personal information
  with reputable sources
• Beware of identity theft
• Ensure target employer is legitimate
• Do not share birth date or social security number

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KEEPING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

• Stay positive
• Stay active
• Keep learning
• Stay connected
• Stay focused

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KEEPING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

• Keep job search confidential
• Do not quit current job before accepting a new
  job
• Do not bad-mouth your company or anyone that
  works for your current or former employer