Career Planning Unit 6

So how do you find out what's new in your profession, or what short-term training opportunities are available in your workplace or community? Here are a few suggestions:

- Network with others in your field. - Find professional associations by occupation or industry. - Find local training programs that can help you get to the next level in your career. - Contact your local school district to find short-term community education classes. - Subscribe to newsletters and journals to keep informed of the latest trends in your field. - Attending classes at a local community college or university is another way to learn new skills or brush up on current skills.

Having the following set of skills will help anyone achieve workplace success:

- Punctuality - Honesty and Trustworthiness - Listening Skills - Problem-solving - Social Skills - Communication - Teamwork

An employee handbook may include many of the following sections:

- anti-discrimination policies: These policies outline the business's compliance with laws concerning discrimination and harassment. - benefits policies: These policies explain health benefits, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other company-provided benefits. - compensation policies: These policies describe what employees can expect to see on their paychecks. However, they also relate pay schedules, performance review and salary increase processes, and information about breaks and bonuses. - computer and internet security policies: These policies detail appropriate use of company software and computers and how to keep client and employee data safe.

When preparing a letter of resignation, you should include the following information:

- date - employer contact information - salutation - first body paragraph: State that you are resigning and the date you intend to leave. - middle body paragraph: Thank your employer for giving you opportunities to develop and hone your skills. Use one or two specific examples, if you wish. - final body paragraph: Conclude your letter with an offer to do what you can to help your manager prepare for your departure. - close: Include a formal closing, like "sincerely" or "respectfully." - signature: Include a typed AND handwritten signature.

Employee handbooks also contain polices that outline the correct procedures for leaving your job. It is the employee's responsibility to follow the guidelines outlined in your employee handbook when quitting a job. If you have questions, you should contact your human resources department. These usually include the following guidelines:

- give adequate notice: Refer to your employee handbook or employment contract to determine how many days of notice you need to give your employer before leaving your current position. Most companies require at least two weeks' notice . - letter of resignation: Write a professional letter of resignation. You want to leave your current position in a professional manner. When possible, deliver the letter of resignation in person. However, if your current circumstances prevent a face-to-face meeting, you may send a formal notification e-mail to your supervisor or manager - notification: Notify your supervisor or manager of your intent to leave before you tell your friends and coworkers. - current project status: Create a document outlining all of your current unfinished projects. Send it to your supervisor or manager so the company has a way to identify the status of your projects after you leave. - letter of recommendation: If appropriate, ask your current supervisor or manager for a letter of recommendation. Having a positive letter of recommendation from your former supervisor or manager will help you find a new job. - exit interview: If required, participate in an exit interview with your supervisor, manager, or a member of the human resources department. You may be asked to explain why you have decided to leave your job. You may also be asked to describe what you liked or disliked about working for your former employer.

The following are just a few of the fields that often require licenses:

- health care careers, such as doctors, dental assistants, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) - jobs that provide personal care, such as barbers and cosmetologists - careers in the trades, like locksmiths, electricians, and plumbers - mental health services, such as psychologists and counselors

So far in this course, you have learned about the following topics:

- self-exploration: You completed several questionnaires to learn more about yourself. - career exploration: You researched several different types of careers to learn more about your career interests. - career development: You learned how to set short-term, medium-term, and long-term career goals. - job searching: You learned how to conduct an effective job search, create a resume and cover letter, and practice interview techniques.

Communication

A good communicator practices these skills: - They speak slowly enough for the listener to process what they're saying. - They repeat and emphasize the things that are truly important. - They check with the listener frequently for understanding. When working in written format (such as e-mails or written notices, for example), you should communicate in a professional manner. Avoid the text shortcuts and acronyms you may use in text messages with your friends.

Teamwork

At some point in time, you're going to be required to work with someone else. Do your best to make your teamwork a success. Keep these tips in mind: - be positive - be adaptable (able to change) - be responsible for the team's success In the end, the key to being successful is to try to be the worker you want your coworkers to be.

Problem-solving

Be a problem solver. Always ask for help if you need it, but first put some effort into finding the answer by yourself. Search the Internet to see if someone has already found a solution to a similar problem. Confirm the solution will work by checking more than one source. If you find a solution to a problem other coworkers are also encountering, be sure to share your findings. You will be rewarded for using technology to solve problems.

What is continuing education?

Continuing education programs are educational opportunities for adults. These programs are usually offered as short, part-time courses to avoid conflicting with work schedules and family responsibilities.

Why Would I Want a Certification?

Earning a certification can give you a key advantage in the job market. It's a crucial item that hiring employers look for on resumes, especially in health care or financial fields. Some employers list certifications as a requirement of the job. Many people earn specialty certifications to help them advance in their careers.

How Can I Earn a Certification?

Generally, you need to pass a test to earn a certification. Some organizations that offer certification exams also provide the related training. Alternatively, many community colleges offer certification preparation training.

Social Skills

Having positive social skills makes people enjoy being around you. Here are a few social skills you can practice: - Smile when you greet your co-workers and customers. - Make eye contact when you talk to people. - When learning someone's name, use it at least three times when you are first introduced to them.

Honesty and Trustworthiness

Honesty is an important quality in every aspect of your life, but it's especially important at work. If you want to be successful in a workplace, you have to be trustworthy. Being dishonest might cost you your job. Taking a pen or a legal pad from your workplace might not seem like a big deal to you, but it might be to your boss. You also want your coworkers to have integrity. No one likes to be stolen from or lied to. That's why it's also important to be completely honest in all of your business communication. Report your progress on projects accurately, and only make promises you can keep. Do not gossip about other employees. Doing so will cause people to stop trusting you with information. If you make a mistake, admit it immediately. Doing these things will make you a valued, trusted employee.

What is the one of the main purposes of professional organizations?

One of the main purposes of professional organizations is to provide continuing education.

Listening Skills

People don't like to repeat themselves. Whenever someone is giving you information, be ready to receive it. Even if you have a good memory, it's smart to keep a notepad with you so you can write down important information.

What is professional networking?

Professional networking refers to general activities in which you communicate with co-workers, previous coworkers, and other professionals in your field.

standards and professional behavior policies:

These policies communicate the company's dress code and ethical expectations.

workplace safety and security policies:

These policies include information about reporting accidents, injuries, and potential safety hazards, dealing with hazardous weather, and maintaining secure records.

What are some ways to find training opportunities?

To find training opportunities, you should network with others in your field. You should also read newsletters and journals relevant to your field.

Hate Speech

Words that are used to intentionally hurt, condemn, degrade, or threaten a particular person or group of people. Hate speech is often used to express contempt, or hatred, for groups of people of a particular skin color, race, cultural or religious background, sexual orientation, or gender. Hate speech can refer to written words as well as spoken ones. Hate speech is not tolerated in the workplace.

work schedules and leave policies:

Work schedule policies list schedules and identify attendance, punctuality, and reporting absences as the employee's responsibility. Flexible schedules and telecommuting may also be addressed. Leave policies outline information about vacation, holidays, bereavement, sick leave, and family medical leave.

Why should you pursue continuing education?

You should pursue continuing education to keep your skills current and to acquire new skills.

examples of company policies

You'll have rules in the workplace, too. All companies create policies and procedures to keep employees safe, and to ensure the efficiency and consistency of office procedures. Policies are rules that define how a company does business, handles information, and treats its clients and employees. -Privacy statements, confidentiality agreements, licensing agreements, and return policies

Punctuality

Your employer will expect you to be on time so that the company can serve its customers. If you are the type of student who often gets to class late, you need to change that habit now. Make being on time a priority in your life. Being late to school can get you in trouble, but being late to work can cost you your job. You should also remember that your coworkers are counting on you. If you aren't there, they may not be able to do their own jobs.

Workplace policies are often presented in an employee handbook. An employee handbook is

a book that details an employer's expectations for workplace attire, professional etiquette, day-to-day procedures, and more. It is usually provided to employees by the human resources department during the hiring process. The handbook lays out correct procedures and ensures consistent company-wide behavior

A responsibility is

a burden, task, or duty that a person is required to do. Responsibilities are duties and obligations. You may have a responsibility to take out the garbage each week. It might be your responsibility to do your homework on time and to pay your cell phone bill each month. Responsibilities aren't just chores and tasks, though. Responsibilities can include social and emotional obligations. You might have a responsibility to care for your sickly grandmother. It may be your responsibility to talk with and be there for a friend who is having a hard time. Responsibilities arise in many areas of life. You have social responsibilities to your families, friends—even to your neighbors. You have professional responsibilities at school and at work. You even have personal responsibilities like taking a shower every day and eating healthy food.

A certification is

a credential you can earn to show that you have specific skills or knowledge. It is usually tied to an occupation, technology, or industry. Colleges, universities, and professional organizations offer training and certifications for a variety of careers. Private companies that specialize in a particular field or technology, like Microsoft or Cisco, usually offer certifications too. Depending on the type of certification you get, you may have to renew it within a specific time period. Some careers require certifications.

When you are hired, you may be required to complete an I-9 form. An I-9 form is

a document used to validate the identity of an individual for the purpose of authorizing the person for employment within the United States.

Respect is

a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important or serious, and should be treated in an appropriate way. Respect does not necessarily mean revering or looking up to somebody. Instead, it simply means showing consideration for other people by recognizing their needs and feelings.

One of the first new hire forms you will complete is a W-4 form. A W-4 form is

a form that determines how much of an employee's pay should be withheld for federal income tax. If you don't fill out your W-4 form correctly, your employer might not withhold enough money from your paycheck. That could leave you with a big bill to pay at tax time. On the other hand, withholding too much money from your pay makes it hard to pay monthly living expenses. Therefore, it's critical that you understand the W-4 form and fill it out correctly.

An exemption is

a reduction in taxable income. There are two types of exemptions: personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents.

When you are hired for a new job, the first person you will meet will be

a representative from the human resources department. This person will help you fill out new hire paperwork.

Companies also publish a set of procedures. A procedure is

a set of steps or standards that describe how to complete a task. Procedures answer such questions as the following: Which signatures are needed to get official approval? Which forms are needed when requesting time off? Is a cover sheet required on all outgoing faxes? How should I name my electronic files? Who should I copy on my e-mail correspondence? Procedures help everyday tasks and large projects run more efficiently. Procedures also create consistency. Some jobs have separate policies and procedures, which you will learn about next.

Consensus means

agreement or compromise. Consensus-decision making seeks to resolve the minority's objections to the majority opinion to achieve a compromise. This type of decision making results in the most agreeable decision possible for all parties involved.

The employee handbook will also cover

basic job topics such as maintaining eligibility for employment, performance improvement plans, transfer or relocation within the company, and the termination and resignation processes. Employee handbooks may also note the consequences of violating these policies. It is important to read the handbook when starting a new job.

Some people do not qualify as dependents. While there are some exceptions, you generally may not

claim a married person as a dependent if they file a joint return with their spouse.

You may usually claim one personal exemption for yourself on your tax return. You can also

claim one for your spouse if you are married and file a joint return.

Prejudice means

evaluating people based on misconceptions and stereotypes. Stereotypes are popularly held beliefs about a group of people that don't account for individual differences. Stereotypes generalize characteristics across entire groups of people and don't address the fact that individual people within those groups may or may not have those same characteristics.

While each individual tax return is unique, some tax rules affect

every person who files a federal income tax return. These six rules from the IRS involving dependents and exemptions will help you file your next tax return.

If you can claim someone else as your dependent on your tax return, that person may still be required to

file a separate tax return. Whether or not a separate tax return must be filed depends on several factors. These include the amount of gross income (both earned and unearned income), marital status, and any special taxes owed. Dependents cannot claim a personal exemption.

Psychological harassment is much like bullying. Psychological harassment involves

humiliating or intimidating a person through abusive and threatening comments. This often occurs when someone is misusing power to control another. A boss might use scare tactics or subtle threats to coerce her employee to perform unnecessary tasks just to demonstrate her power. Or someone might incessantly criticize you or your work in an effort to belittle you. Psychological harassment should not be tolerated in the workplace, but is not always handled officially. Harassment is a serious issue, so before filing a complaint about harassment, you must know for a fact that harassment did indeed occur. Psychological harassment is difficult to define. What one person saw as playful badgering, another might have perceived as harassment. There are a lot of gray areas. So filing official complaints about it can be tricky.

Everyone has rights and responsibilities—both at home and in the workplace. It's easy to get upset when your rights are restricted or taken away. But remember, you must earn those rights by

keeping up with your responsibilities. In the workplace, you have specific responsibilities. They may include answering the telephone, filing paperwork, or drafting a drawing. You also have more general responsibilities. These include being respectful of your coworkers and being a supportive and productive team member. Another workplace responsibility includes being direct and open with your coworkers by confronting them when you have problems. These are all important responsibilities that will help you to be successful in the workplace.

Employee evaluations serve to

motivate employees and allow opportunities for personal and professional development. When employees are recognized for their hard work and accomplishments, employee morale and productivity goes up. Teams also tend to work more efficiently when evaluations are done consistently because supervisors become aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. Supervisors who work to improve their own management skills lead more successful teams.

Sometimes it's difficult for employees to approach their supervisors to discuss problems they are having at work. The employee evaluation process can serve to

open up communication between upper and lower level employees. The evaluation process allows opportunities to discuss problems, future goals, and successes; they encourage reciprocal exchanges of concerns and opinions in a supportive and constructive environment. Employer/employee relationships must go both ways. Each party must participate in communication. In an employer/employee relationship, the employer does most of the talking, but that doesn't mean the employee does not have the right—and the responsibility --to communicate his opinions and needs to his employer. Evaluations open the doors to this kind of communication.

Labor laws also give employees the right to form unions. Unions are

organized groups of employees who support each other in bargaining with their employers. You've heard the saying that "two is better than one." A group of people has more power than a single individual. A union offers employees the power of a group, which gives them more leverage when bargaining with their employer.

Dependents are

people who rely on another for support. You can deduct $3,800 for each exemption you claim on your tax return.

Discrimination involves treating certain people differently than you do those who are similar to you. On the other hand, prejudice involves

perceiving certain people differently than you perceive those who are similar to you. This perception is based on faulty assumptions. So even if you avoid discriminating by treating everyone equally, you might still be prejudiced by assuming a group of people is a certain way.

Exemptions for dependents apply to

qualifying children and relatives. If you are married, you may not claim your spouse as your dependent. Generally, you can claim an exemption for each of your dependents. You must list the social security number of each dependent you claim on your return

To discriminate is to

separate types of people into groups and to treat these different groups unfairly based on prejudice.

Once employed in your field, you should

set goals to keep your skills current. For example, computer specialists must constantly learn new hardware and software. Doctors must stay informed of the latest medical tools, medicines, and practices. An art studio owner has to keep up-to-date with the latest business management software. This will keep business processes efficient and current with the practices of competitors and consumers.

A right is

something that a person is or should be morally or legally allowed to have, get, or do . For example, you have the right to remain silent when you are arrested. You also have the right to free speech. What other rights do you have? Who determines your rights? Some rights are granted by the US government, like the right to freely practice any religion you choose. Other rights, like the right to eat donuts for dinner, just come with being your own person. Sometimes, rights are restricted. For example, you can choose to dye your hair pink. You have a right to do that. But if your school rules forbid hair to be dyed any color besides natural shades, your right has been restricted. You can still dye your hair pink; you just can't show up to school with it. You will run into the same types of rules in the workplace. These rules are in place not just to take your rights away. They are in place to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Labor laws also protect employees from unfair dismissal. Unfair dismissal is

the act of firing an employee without just cause. Employers are legally prohibited from firing an employee without a justifiable reason. They are also required by law to give their employees an opportunity to defend themselves before they are fired. Workers' compensation laws protect employees who are injured on the job.

Employee evaluations also require self-assessment. Self-assessments can improve your metacognitive skills. Metacognition is

the awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes. It involves the ability to reflect on, evaluate, and modify these cognitive processes and strategies. Metacognition is a necessary part of mental growth—to being an independent, mature, successful person. This self-assessment portion of the employee evaluation is also useful because, since supervisors don't see everything, giving employees the opportunity to talk about their own accomplishments can bring strengths, weaknesses, and successes to light that supervisors may not have been aware of. It is a supervisor's job to help her subordinates strengthen their weak points. But it is also the employee's job to recognize their own strengths and successes.

One important labor law is the minimum wage law. Minimum wage is

the minimum hourly rate at which employers must pay their workers. It was originally a part of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 when minimum wage was set at $0.25. Of course, it has since been raised a number of times to accommodate for the rise in the cost of living. Minimum wage protects employees from unfairly low wages. Workers must be able to support not only themselves but their families as well.

Labor laws protect

the rights of employees, employers, companies, and organizations. A right is something that a person is or should be morally or legally allowed to have, get, or do. Labor laws define the rights and restrictions of employees and the organizations for which they work.

Sexual harassment includes

unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical acts of a sexual nature that negatively affects a person's ability to work comfortably and efficiently. Women aren't the only ones who get sexually harassed. And the victim of sexual harassment isn't always someone of the opposite gender. Victims of sexual harassment don't even have to be directly approached. For example, if someone tells a sexually explicit joke in the workplace and another person overhears this joke and is offended, that constitutes sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the workplace.

In the workplace, bullying behavior is referred to as harassment. Harassment is

unwanted, sometimes persistent, behavior directed at a specific person that annoys, offends, or abuses a person. Harassment can come in the form of verbal, written, or physical attacks and remarks. Note that although harassment involves bullying behavior, bullying and harassment are different. Bullying is persistent, or repeated, behavior intended to belittle, or put down. Harassment doesn't necessarily belittle someone although it might. Harassment is more hurtful, offensive, and disrespectful and is often related to your skin color, race, cultural or religious background, sexual orientation, or gender. Another difference is that bullying typically occurs over time while one single act can constitute harassment. Harassing behavior is much more damaging than bullying behavior although both are hurtful and irresponsible.