SLS 1301 Final Exam

How Smart goals Work

* Be specific in your goal setting * Use numbers to create a good * Set attainable, realistic goals * Stretch Goals - A goal that is large enough to create the energy and motivation needed to achieve it, but not so lofty that it is unattainable

Your career mission statement

* Career Plan - A series of steps taken over a period of time in order to achieve a desired career * Career Mission Statement - A brief description of your overall career purpose * Ask Yourself? - "Am I doing I say I want to do with my career life?"

Goals help you move forward with positive reinforcement

* Goals help you move forward with positive reinforcement - you want to have a winning mentality - create long and short-term career goals

Creating a portfolio

* Helps keep your career documents organized and easy to find * Serves as a professional presentation of career documents * Can be hard copies or stored electronically

Humans need goals

* No goals = No life * Write down your goals - Will get you started on your career path * Writing goals reinforces your thoughts * Attitude - determining factor in your career success

Achieving Your Goals

* Step 1: Write down what you don't want * Step 2: Write down what you do want * Step 3: Write your goal statement SMART * Step 4: Use tools * Step 5: Focus, Get clear, Take Action

Attitudes and Self-Talk

* The mental chatter that you say to yourself on a constant basis - Controlling your thoughts leads to self-mastery * mental chatter should include words such as: Want to, desire, or enjoy * Affirmations - A conscious positive statement you say to yourself even if it is not true at the moment * Works best when using positive, first person, present tense language

Your Values, Interests and personality

* Values and skills should align with your career goals and mission * Values are what you feel strongly about

Smart Goals

*.Specific * Measurable * Attainable * Realistic * Tangible

The importance of effective goal setting

*Effective Goal Setting - Learn to create and achieve goals

• Soft Skills:

- All of the skills, excluding technical expertise, that you need to do a job - Example: Listening

• Skills Vocabulary:

- Identifying your skills in order to market and sell yourself to potential employers, or to your current employer if you want to be considered for advancement

Career management

- Should be a life long process - You want to be in control - Reflects on your value, passions, gifts and talents

• Transferable Skills

- Skills you learn from your experiences •Examples: Decision making, communication, and team building

• Adaptive Skills:

- Soft skills, related to your work style, and help you function as a good employee on a day-to-day basis- Examples: Time management, honesty, dexterity, active listening

• Hard Skills

- The technical expertise you need to do a job well gained through education and experience

Top 10 Difficult Questions

1) Tell me about yourself 2) What is your personal situation? 3) What are your strengths? 4) What is your greatest weakness? 5) Why do you want to leave your current job?/ Why did you leave your last job? 6) What are your plans for the future? 7) Why do you want to work for us? 8) What would your current employer (co-worker or boss) say about you? 9) Why should we hire you for this position over other qualified candidates? 10)What are you looking for in terms of salary?

Career

A profession built on ones skills, passions, experiences, education and preferences

Job

A working situation in which you earn money

Professional Cover Letters

• A cover letter is more than an introduction to your resume • Put in the time and effort to create a valuable cover letter, it can be a turn-off to your resume • It is your opportunity to show the employer how you can add value to their organization

Chronological Resume

• A resume that lists specific skills under each position held - Works best when the candidate has recent education and/or work experience directly related to the position

• Achievements

• Achievement -An accomplishment or success that you attain • Make your skills and achievements specific and quantifiable in your marketing documents

Professional Recruiters

• Also known as a headhunter • Many recruiters charge their clients a fee, the most reputable employment agencies charge the companies the placement fee.

Workplace Burnout

• Americans are working longer hours and taking less vacation • Common signs of burnout include: - Changes in sleep habits - Impatience with family and co-workers - Cynicism - Loss of sense of humor - Plagued by chronic headaches, backaches or stomach trouble - Emotionally drained

Mentors

• An experienced person who helps and guides another - Great aspect to networking - Find a mentor who will push you to share your details - Essential to reaching your career goals and dreams - Someone you look up to and help you keep your commitments - Help propel you to your career faster, and with less work

Completing an Error-Free Application

• Applications, like resumes, receive only a few seconds of the hiring person's time before he or she makes a decision to continue reading or place in the "no" pile • Think of the application as the first "job" the employer gives you

Employees Don't Quit Jobs, They Quit Bosses

• Bully Bosses • Status-blind harassment - Persistent, unfair and irrational managing

Social Media in Your Job Search

• Digital technology • LinkedIn - 200 countries - 300 Million registered users - Profile works like an online resume - Recommendations - Endorsements

A Professional Handshake

• Do not forget to shake hands or offer a very weak handshake which can give the wrong impression • How to work a room - Use your professional handshake, 30 -second commercial, and give your new NBC to new contacts - Remember to ask for his/her business card - Send follow-up cards after the event or meeting to the new contacts you meet

Your Goals

• Do something daily that takes you toward your goals • Revisit your career goals daily and make a concerted effort to do one thing that takes you closer to them.

Resume Do's

• Do use power words/verbs to highlight your skills • Do quantify your skills. In other words, use numbers. For example: Billed over 50k in direct hire revenue in the first three months • Do use bullets • Do emphasize transferable skills • Do tailor your resume to the job opportunity • Do use correct tenses • Do include leadership roles and volunteer work • Do keep your resume looking sharp and focused

Step 1: Prepare for the Interview (1 of 2)

• Do your homework • Research the company - Visit the company website - Peruse industry trade magazines - Ask others if they know anything about the company • Make sure your voice message and phone etiquette is professional • Contact the employer prior to the interview - Always reconfirm the time and date

Target the Position

• Each resume should target the company and the position that you are seeking • Target your resume to a specific company, position, and even a specific hiring person or committee • The more your know about the position, company, and person who will make the decision, the better!

References

• Professional References - Someone who knows your work, such as an employer or a co-worker • Personal References - Someone other than an employer who can make statements about your ethics, trustworthiness, and personality

Remember Your Netiquette

• Using manners, civility, and general rules of respectable communication online

Top 10 Labor Market Trends

1. Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation 2. Globalization and Outsourcing 3. People Changing Jobs More Often 4. Baby Boomers in the Workplace 5. Diversity in the Labor Market 6. Small to Medium Employers (SMEs) 7. Retail and Health Care are Fastest Growing Fields 8. Education Is Essential for Highest Paying Jobs 9. More Working Poor 10. Technology and Information Security Training

Avocation

An activity or hobby that is done for enjoyment in addition to ones regular work

Answering Illegal Questions

If you are asked a prohibited question in an interview you have options. 1) Answer the questions truthfully, and risk losing the job offer. 2) Lie (not recommended) 3) Refuse to answer the question. You can state that the question makes you uncomfortable. 4) Answer the question without providing the information requested.

Case Study: Utilizing Social Media

If your Facebook posts are public, it makes me NOT want to hire you. "What are your thoughts on the hiring manager's opinion?

Making a Sound Career Decision

Items you can negotiate: • Responsibilities • Vacation time • Insurance paid • Signing bonuses • Yearly bonuses • Promised reviews with salary increases • Office assistant• Stock options/profit sharing • 401 K matched contribution level • Relocation expenses • Mileage reimbursement • Toll fees paid • Tuition reimbursement

Standard or Traditional Interview Questions

The three-step formula for answering traditional questions 1) Understand what interviewers are really asking 2) Answer the Question 3) Support your answer with specifics

Types of Resumes

There are four basic types of resumes: 1) Chronological 2) Functional or skills 3) Combination, hybrid, or custom 4) Scannable, plain text, or online

Competency-Based/Behavioral BasedInterview Questions

Three step acronym technique known as STAR (situation/task, action, result) 1) Present the Situation or describe the Task 2) Explain the Action you took with examples to support it 3) Describe what happened. What was the Result of the action you took?

Professional Attire Guide - Women (3 of 3)

• Apply little to no perfume, hairspray, or other scents that might offend or cause allergic reaction to others. • A good rule of thumb is that if you could wear it to a club or bar, don't wear it to the interview. • Hair should be clean, neat, and out of your eyes. • No book bags or bulky briefcases. • No gum, candy, food, or cigarettes. Refrain from smoking prior to the interview in the clothes you plan to wear. The interviewer cannot legally ask you if you smoke, but may smell it. • You can take a bottle of water. • Bring a padded portfolio with a legal pad and nice pen.

Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

• Apply to jobs you want and risk rejection • Comfort Zone - Consists of the environment, situations, or people that make you feel the most safe and normal

Categories of Illegal Questions

• Arrest Record • Citizenship • Disabilities/Health • Gender• Height/Weight • Marital/Family Status • Military • National Origin/Race • Religion

Other Questions to Consider

• Ask if there is anything you can do before you begin working to get a head start in your job, such as reading recommended material or participating in any meetings? • Nonnegotiables - The few items you must have in order to take the job

Step 4: Closing

• Ask the right questions • Do not ask about money or benefits until you get an offer • Ask for the job • Thank you and handshake

If Your Employer Doesn't Use Performance Reviews

• Ask your supervisor if you can meet to discuss how you will be evaluated. • Be sure you understand what success looks like, as well as things your boss wants you to avoid. • Ask if you can meet on a regular basis to get informal, verbal feedback on your performance.

Negotiate Once You Have The Job

• Asking for a Raise - Document your Success - Provide specific examples of how you contributed to the organization • Timing Matters • Turn the performance evaluation into a negotiation opportunity • Know the Industry standards - The compensation levels for different fields

More Tips for Cold Contacts

• Be sincerely interested in the other person • Assume he or she is helpful and friendly • Be clear and specific about your intent. Be able to verbalize the type of job you are seeking and the type of help you need (a referral). • Be grateful for whatever anyone can do. Send a thank-you note to follow up. Gratitude, as you will later learn, is one of the most potent success principles. • Be truthful.

Priority Plan of Action (1 of 2)

• Before You Leave • Negotiate a Severance Package • Register for Unemployment • Contact Your Creditors Immediately • Update Your Resume and References • Target Employment Opportunities • Firm up Your Network • Temporarily Cut Expenses and Assess Assets • Increase your Income

Step 3: Face-to-Face Interview

• Belong there - Give reasons why you are the right person for the job • Prove your answers - Give an example of the skills you outline • Sell Yourself • Keep to the point • Answer the problem questions • Focus on the employer - It is about how you will benefit the employer, not what they can do for you.

Informational Interview

• Best approaches to networking is setting up a meeting to gather information • Organizing Your Contacts - By specific company - Save them electronically in a Word document or spreadsheet • Allows you to update the information quickly - Keep information such as: • Names, titles, company names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, dates of contact, and notes regarding follow up - Ongoing process

• Your Brand Identity

• Brand Identity - Your personal marketing image that highlights your worth and value to employers • You are your Product. • Identifying your marketable skills is crucial in the job search - Learn how to market your skills and relate them to the positions you seek

• Hard Skills and Transferable Skills

• By knowing what skills you do possess, you will be able to identify skills you need to acquire for your ideal job

Suggestions for Professional Email Correspondence

• Check your email several times a day. • Answer promptly, within 24 hours or less. • Acknowledge email and text messages you received. • Make a clear subject line. • Never write anything you don't want published. • Use professional verbiage. • Keep emails brief and clear. • Spell and grammar check each email you send. • DO NOT YELL. • Use punctuation properly. • Use names. • Safe your email. • Find out policy on auto forwarding.

Professional Attire Guide - Women (1 of 3)

• Clean and pressed clothing. • Wear a pantsuit, or a jacket and coordinating knee- or calf-length skirt. • Appropriate colors for interviews are black, gray, navy blue, tan, and brown. Pinstripes also work well, as long as they are small and conservative. • Tailored blouse in a color that complements your suit. A small print also might work, but stay away from trends, and stick to traditional styles and colors. • No dresses. • Leave your purse in your vehicle, or use a small purse.

Professional Attire Guide - Men (1 of 2)

• Clean and pressed clothing. • Wear a suit and tie, unless business casual is accepted. It is not recommended that you wear jeans to an interview. • Good colors for interviews are black, gray, navy blue, tan, and brown.• Silk necktie with a conservative pattern. • Nails should be short and clean. • Only a wedding band or college class ring. • Cover tattoos if possible.

Professional Attire Guide - Women (2 of 3)

• Clear or neutral nail polish; stay away from red, pink, or any other bright colors. • One set of conservative earrings .• Conservative watch. • One ring per hand or less. • Conservative closed-toe shoes; pumps are acceptable, but avoid high heels and stilettos. • Clean makeup that looks natural and fresh. • Skin tones for hosiery; no bare legs. • Cover tattoos if possible.

Combination, Hybrid, or Custom Resume

• Combination Resume - A resume that combines both the chronological and functional resume types; also known as a custom or hybrid resume • List skills in groupings under the positions which are similar in nature rather than repeating yourself for each job

Prior to the Phone Interview

• Confirm the phone interview just as you should confirm a face-to-face interview • Confirm who is going to make the call and confirm the time zone for the appointment • Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted during the interview • Be prepared • Take a few minutes to get centered and use positive self-talk for a successful interview • Dress up for the phone interview • Conduct a mock interview with a friend to practice before the actual interview

Energy Management

• Consciously choosing how you use your energy, allowing you to be efficient and effective

Workplace Bullies

• Constructive Discharge - A termination of employment brought about by making the employee's working conditions so intolerable that the employee feels compelled to leave • A few suggestions if in this type of situation: - Save all emails. - Document harassment situations. - Avoid contact as much as possible. - Document your work.

Writing an Effective Cover Letter

• Cover letters are an essential marketing tool • Demonstrating that you can write in complete sentences, construct paragraphs, organize your thoughts, and make strong statements

Resume Don'ts

• Don't use sentences • Don't use font under 10 or larger than 13 • Don't lie! This is cause for termination • Don't add unnecessary words • Don't provide personal information including marital status, age, race, religion, health, height, weight, family, and so on. • Don't use first person: no I, me, my, and so on. • Don't right justify (align margins) - only left justify.

After the Phone Interview

• Email a thank-you note to the hiring manager the day of the interview and follow up with a conventional postage stamp thank-you note • Follow up with a phone call either one week later, or when they said they would be making a hiring decision

Tips to Move Ahead Through Appraisals (2 of 2)

• Find ways to document your job knowledge, staff relations, client relations, dependability, and job production, including any way you contribute to the organization. • Keep track of the criteria that your company uses so you know that you are meeting and exceeding expectations. • Don't bring your personal problems to the table. Only bring a list of why you deserve a raise or promotion.

Creating Your Professional Image

• First Impressions Count! • Business casual - Attire that falls between jeans and a formal suit; each company defines what falls into this category

The First Cut

• First cut - When employers sort through a pool of applicants, and accept or reject them based on their applications or resumes • Having a professional resume says volumes about who you are • Details matter!

Making a Professional Impression (1 of 2)

• Fit into the Company Culture- The norms, customs, attitudes, values, and ways of operating • Things to watch for include: - What types of jokes are told? - What are the company stories being shared? - What people are wearing? Is it a conservative office or more casual? - When do most employees arrive and leave? - Do employees take scheduled breaks? - What do employees do for lunch?

Application Guidelines (1 of 2)

• Follow all directions • Neatness counts • Take your own pen - or take two!• Use black ink • Do not use a pencil • Spell correctly • List your best references • Be truthful • Fill in every questions • Less is more • Add value

Rethinking Unemployment

• Frictional unemployment results from people moving between jobs, careers, and locations - Important to understand and learn to use to your advantage - Happens in both a strong and weak job market • Most jobs are landed through personal contacts and networking • Do not wait until the Job is Posted

Functional or Skills Resume

• Functional Resume - A resume that organizes skills and accomplishments into groupings that support the position objective; also known as a skills resume • Works well for candidates changing career fields or who are seeking jobs not related to their majors

Resume Challenges

• Gaps in Work History • Held Many Positions in One Company • Fired, Down-sized or Quit • Short-Term, Summer, or Temporary Positions • Overqualified • Breaking into a New Field

Roadblocks, Side Trips and Detours

• Get Support! • Know what to expect, to keep the trip less stressful. • Have a Plan B and C • Remember the 11th hour principle - When things seem the bleakest in the job search, it is a good sign, as the tide generally turns at that point.

Learn More So You Can Earn More

• Go back to school • Take a night course • Seek out your local career learning centers • Every degree adds value to your worth

Networking Opportunities

• Goal is to wake up the network that is around you in your everyday life - Examine contacts in new ways • Identify, and then expand your network • Always ask those in your network for possible contact names • Networking Wheel

Making a Professional Impression (2 of 2)

• Have a Positive attitude • Project Professionalism • Smile and Shake Hands • Take Initiative • Show Confidence • Be an Active Listener • Use Names

Functional Resume Organization

• Header • Summary or Objective • Targeted skills headings with bulleted skills • Chronological work experience with company names, dates of employment, and title (don't include skills in this section) • Education (you can place this earlier in the resume if it is relevant to the position you seek • Other optional sections

Other Employment Trends (2)

• Hiring process is online • Increase of drug screening and other pre-screening • Networking and changes due to social media • Rising costs of medical care • Downsizing and restructuring • Job sharing and part-time jobs on the rise

Challenging Questions

• How can you be sure employers will want to meet you, rather than be cautious of you? - Be discrete yet honest answering questions on the application concerning: • Criminal record • Fired or down-sized • Gaps in work history • Frequently changing jobs • Health questions • Salary questions

Where Companies Look for Employees

• Internally • Outsourcing agencies • Want ads and job boards - Most individuals look for a job in the opposite manner • The Internet makes all sorts of new and exciting ways to network and job search available to you

Managing Obstacles and Frustrations

• Interview process can be a blow to the ego - Keep perspective, having a good support system, and keeping your sense of humor are all important during this time • Send a thank you note even when you are not selected • Work on improving your interviewing skills, work on acquiring more skills, and keeping your attitude positive.

The Invisible Network

• Invisible Network - An imaginary network that can be as powerful as your hidden network • Should try it out for at least 30 days - Be open to the results and thinking confidently • Allows you to gain confidence - Puts you a step ahead of the rest as you take charge of your career

Thank You Notes When You Are Turned Down

• It is a good idea to send another thank you if you find out you were not selected for the position • Anything you can do to network with the company is recommended

Get the Offer in Writing

• It is reasonable to ask for a contract or to have the offer in writing

Managing Job Changes, Stress, and Life Balance

• Job Loss Triage - Using triage or prioritizing skills when downsizing or job loss occurs to ensure the situation is a temporary setback rather than a tragedy

• Job-Specific Skills

• Job-Specific Skills - Skills that require special training, experience, education, or certification • Job postings are a great source of the specific terms you can use for your cover letter, resume, and interview

During the Phone Interview (2 of 2)

• Keep all answers to less than two minutes in length • If you accidentally interrupt, apologize and allow the interviewer to continue by being silent • Speak slower than you normally speak • Smile; it comes across the phone to the listener • Stand; your voice will have a better resonance • Sound interested and enthusiastic • Hold your questions until the end, or until asked for

Project Confidence

• Keep calm and project professionalism and confidence during each and every interview • Use interviews for experience and networking, and let go of having a personal stake in getting the job offer.

How to Turn Down an Offer Successfully

• Keep in mind that networking is part of your career. • Tips on declining a job offer: - Stay friendly and positive to all. - Be honest. - Gather more information. - Buy time .- Can you afford to turn them down? - Decline professionally.

What to Include in Your Resume

• Keywords - Terms related to specific skills or qualifications that employers search for in electronic resumes - Nouns • Power Words - Verbs in your resume that best describe and emphasize what actions you did in the position

Leverage Your Career

• Leverage - The power to do more with less • Who you know matters • Position Power - Is the power that a title brings to an individual • Leverage Your Efforts - Networking - Move offline contacts online • Use Professional Organizations for Leverage - Join and Become Active! - Looks great on your resume

Additional Tools for Cover Letters

• Limit Abbreviations • Follow the Resume Style • Don't restate Resume • Focus on the Company • Business Format • Accurate • One Page • Attitude • Contact Information • Bullets

Professional Attire Guide - Men (2 of 2)

• Little to no cologne. • Hair should be clean, neat, and out of your eyes. • No book bags or bulky briefcases. • No gum, food, candy, or cigarettes. Refrain from smoking prior to the interview in the clothes you plan to wear. The interviewer cannot legally ask you if you smoke, but may smell it. • You can take a bottle of water. • Facial hair should be neat and trimmed. • Bring a padded portfolio with a legal pad and nice pen.

Making the Right Decision

• Make a decision, then make it the right decision • Write out the pros and cons of the offer before accepting • It is important to follow your instincts when evaluating an offer

Formatting, Saving, and Sending Your Resume

• Make sure you have a clear understanding of the type of resume you will create • Quantified skills • Target the job • Create visual impact • Integrity

The Master Application

• Master Application - An application you fill out and take with you to interviews or places of employment, so all of your information is in one place and easy to transfer to the application you will turn in • Simply transfer the information on the master application to the application your potential employer wants you to fill out

• Your Degree

• Match Your Degree to Goals and Possibilities - Your completed degree shows that you have the ability to achieve a long-term goal. - A degree can make you valuable for careers you have not even considered.

How to Advance in the Workplace

• Meet and Exceed Expectations • Power over Your Schedule - Daily To-Do List - Prioritize - The 5-Minute Rule - Avoid Time Wasters

Labor Market Trends and the Changing Employment Landscape

• Millennial Employment Trends - Be aware of the labor market and job trends concerning your career • How can staying up-to-date on labor market trends help your job search? - Gives you knowledge to make informed decisions - Allows you to plan ahead, respond quickly, and adapt to these trends and changes

Job Offer Acceptance Letter

• Most offers will be negotiated and verbally agreed upon over the phone • Once that happens - Send a formal job offer acceptance letter - Use a business letter format

Your Social Media Presence

• Multiple Social Networks - LinkedIn - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - Tumblr WARNING!!!Posts that appear unprofessional or inappropriate may cost you a chance at getting hired!

Enhance Networking Results

• Need networking tools to give you an edge over the competition • Tools Include: - Networking Business Card - Professional Handshake - Working a Room - Informational Interviews - Organizing your contacts

The Hidden Job Market

• Networking - Using contacts for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact, especially in business and career searches • Hidden Job Market - A network which consists of real people you will associate with in your career search, and while climbing the career ladder; also known as a hidden network

Types of Interviews (2 of 2)

• Non-directive or Work Sample Interview - Often used in fields where the candidate needs to demonstrate his or her skills or wares; also known as a work sample interview • Panel or Group Interview - Takes place around a conference table, where a group of individuals will collectively ask the candidate questions; also known as a group interview • Phone Interview - Conducted over the phone, usually before meeting the hiring manger in person

Spontaneous Phone Interview

• Occasionally happens without warning - If truly a bad time, politely ask to schedule a mutually agreeable time in the near future to visit about the position - This is a reasonable request and will allow you time to gather your notes as well as your thoughts

Using Sources to Find Employment Opportunities

• Occupational Outlook Handbook- http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ (DOL BLS, 2014) • O*Net Online- http://www.onetoneline.org/find/ • Riley Guide, Employment and Industry Trends - http://www.rileyguide.com/trends.html • Vault Industry Search- http://vault.com/industries-professions.aspx • Quintessential Careers - http://www.quintcareers.com/careercenters/

Applying the Art of Successful Negotiation

• Once the hiring managers affirm that they are indeed offering you the job, then the negotiation process has begun. • Ideally you want the hiring manager to state the price.

Targeted Job Search

• One in which you take the lead to research and select industries, companies, and even positions or people you want to work for - Search not only for specific job openings in the companies, but also for potential opportunities - Landing your ideal job is largely about contacts and timing

Conduct a Mock Interview

• One of the best ways to improve your interview skills is to practice • Provides you with the perfect setting to convey your skills in a controlled setting

Networking Business Card (NBC)

• Personal business card that includes your name, contact information, desired field of employment, and a brief description of your skills or qualifications • Prepare yourself for opportunity! • Basically a mini resume - Perhaps include an image or icon associated with your career intent

Be Sure Your Cover Letter Stands Out (1 of 2)

• Personalize your cover letter • Reference the title of the position • Use the hiring agent's name, along with Mr., Ms., or Dr. to greet them • Target your skills to the position • Avoid using soft skills unless you provide specific examples • Use an action paragraph to close • Use varied sentences

Self-Worth in Interviewing (1 of 2)

• Pointers for demonstrating a high self-esteem :- Don't compare your insides to other's outsides .- Focus on the work you did in Chapters 1 and 2 on your goals, skills, talents, and abilities - Know you are innately worthy of having what you want and of being treated with respect - Smile - Act as if the job is already yours .- Remember that the past is the past. Your tomorrow starts at this moment .- If you don't have the skills you can acquire them.

Self-Worth in Interviewing (2 of 2)

• Pointers for demonstrating a high self-esteem: - If you don't get the job, remind yourself it is "not about you." - Each interview is part of hammering away at the rock. We don't know which blow will shatter the rock or land the job, so hang in there. - Remember to use your self-talk if you don't get the job offer.

Portfolios: Putting it All Together

• Portfolio is to enhance your marketability • Great for teachers, graphic artists, artists, and journalists, but anyone can create a portfolio, regardless of your profession or program of study • Traditional Portfolios include the following: - Cover page; Table of Contents with Clear Divisions; Career Components and Evidence of Skills

Quantifying Skills

• Quantified skills - Are those that include specific, measurable amount(s) in numerical form• Reader's eye is naturally drawn to numbers

Research-First Step in Targeting Companies (1 of 2)

• Reasons to research the company: • Future outlook for the company • Reputation • Company Climate • Financial conditions • Compensation

Research-First Step in Targeting Companies (2 of 2)

• Research gives you an inside edge while creating your resume and cover letters: • Visit Company Website • Do a Library Search • Explore trade journals, directories, and business files • Visit your College Resource Center • Conduct an Informational Interview • Chamber of Commerce

Resume Presentation Overview

• Resume Header or Identification - Name, address, phone number, and email address • Objective - If used, make sure it is tailored to the specific position and company • Summary of Skills - Optional, include up to five bullet points • EducationWork Experience or List of Positions - List your jobs in reverse chronological order, from most recent to the least recent

The Components of Professional Cover Letters

• Return address • Date • Inside address • Greeting/Salutation • Body of the Letter - Paragraph one: states the purpose of your letter - Paragraph two: market your skills and target them to the position - Paragraph three: take action by asking for the interview, and stating when you will call • Closing

Step 5: Follow-up

• Review your interview • Send an email thank you the day of the interview • Send a regular postage mail (snail mail) thank you card which they will receive in a couple of days • Send multiple thank you notes if you had a panel interview • Check the status of the job in a week or when the interviewer mentioned a decision would be made.

Know Your Rights

• Right to Work States: - States that do not automatically give employees rights beyond what is protected by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Scannable, Plain Text, Electronic, or Online Resume

• Scannable Resume - Formatting removed, which would change when sending the resume electronically - Should always have a resume that is ready in the scannable format so that it retains its professional qualities

Screening or Prescreening Interview

• Screening Interview - Used to evaluate and narrow a large applicant pool; also known as a prescreening interview • Speed Interview - Used to quickly screen candidates down to a smaller pool or for a large recruitment drive • Pre-Employment/Computerized Testing - Screening tests can take place at the company, or more often, online. Types include the IQ or aptitude test, behavior-based test, technology-based test, knowledge-based test, honest and integrity, personality test, drug testing, background check, or a test with a variety of objectives.

Other Interview Types (1 of 2)

• Second Interview - Occurs after the initial interview and involves candidates who made the first cut and have been screened down to a small pool of people in which the company is truly interested • Stress Interview - An interview with the goal of seeing how you actually handle stress in the workplace, rather than just asking you questions about how you handle stress

Life-Long Learning and Goal-Setting

• Set goals for professional opportunities and advancement • Have a Career Management Plan • Expand Your Toolbox • Use the Power of Visualization Tool -Visualization • Using your mind to form pictures of your goals; forward thinking • The Extra Bit of Effort Tool • Professional Growth and Life-Long Learning • Have a Mentor

• Identify Your Skills Gap

• Skills Gap - The skills you must acquire in order to obtain your ideal job • Examine the positions you seek and see what requirements you still need to obtain

The Skills Formula

• Skills formula - Uses bullets, power words, and keyword skills to create quantified outcomes for your professional resume • Bullet + Power Word (verb) + Keyword skill (noun) = outcome (quantified results)

Types of Interviews (1 of 2)

• Standard or Traditional Interview - The applicant is asked a variety of typical questions; also known as a traditional interview • Competency -Based/Behavioral Interview - Based on the premise that your past employment behavior dictate your future behavior in the new position; also known as a behavioral interview • Lunch or dinner interview - Takes place during a meal and may be part of a day-long interview process, or it may be the interview itself.

Understanding and Answering Interview Questions

• Standard or traditional questions • Competency-based/behavioral questions • Illegal Questions • Top 10 difficult questions

Seven Steps To A Stellar Interview

• Step 1..........Prepare for the Interview • Step 2..........First Impression • Step 3..........Face-to-Face Interview • Step 4..........Closing • Step 5..........Follow-up • Step 6..........Job Offer and Negotiation • Step 7..........Making Your Decision

Other Interview Types (2 of 2)

• Structured Interview - An interview in which each job candidate receives the exact same questions • Technical Interview - Technical questions are asked in order to demonstrate that you have the specific knowledge or skills the employer is seeking

The Importance of Networking

• Synergy - The enhanced results when two or more people combine efforts of energy • By becoming conscious of these often overlooked opportunities, you can leverage the time and energy spent job searching.

Career-Life Balance

• Take good care of yourself so that you avoid burnout • Let the following tips assist you: - Make time to play - Use your annual leave/vacation time - Exercise - Go to the doctor for annual check-ups - Keep your spiritual and social life - Volunteer - Sleep and rest - Eat well and drink lots of water

Tips to Move Ahead Through Appraisals (1 of 2)

• Take the performance reviews seriously. • Prepare for the performance appraisal. • Review and reflect. • Request clarification if any goal or comment in your review is not clear to you. • Acknowledge areas you can improve. • Don't assume your supervisor is documenting your success. • Highlight and document your accomplishments. • Keep a file updated with your successes.

Application Guidelines (2 o 2)

• Target your qualifications to the job • Apply for a specific job • Word choice matters • Avoid abbreviations • Use action verbs and power words • Do not write "See Resume" • Take your resume and list of references • Take other key items • Dress for a possible interview • Sign the application

Priority Plan of Action (2 of 2)

• Temporary Setback • Use Forward Thinking • Actively Seek Support • Self-Care • Treat Your Day as a "Workday" • Headhunters and Temporary Positions

Ending the Phone Interview

• Thank the interviewer • Ask for the job! • Ask what the next step is in the selection process

The Two-Step Follow-Up Procedure

• The Interview is not over until the Thank you note is sent. • Two Thank you notes are better than one. • Thank You Strategy 1 - The E-Thank You: an email thank you note sent the day of the interview to show your immediate interest in the position • Thank you Strategy 2 - Handwritten Follow-up: follow the e-thank you with a note sent through the mail, using different wording!

Job Search Rejection Tips

• The following are ways to keep your perspective in the job search: - Remind yourself of the number of applications most companies receive for one open position. - Remember it is a numbers game. You need to keep at it. - Tell yourself "It is their loss." - Have an expert in human services or other professional review your marketing tools to see what you can improve - Work on your interview skills - Consider contacting a recruiter to help you search and prepare for interviews

Moving Forward Through Performance Appraisals

• The goal of performance evaluations is to identify the employees' strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth in the company as well as establishing goals for the next year or next time frame • Used to determine raises and promotions

The Seven Interview Steps

• The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate what you can do for the company that is different and better than the other candidates. • Until you get the job offer, you need to remember that the interview is all about them.

During the Phone Interview (1 of 2)

• The interviewer will introduce himself or herself • If you do not have the correct spelling of the interviewer's name ask for it • Listen to the questions and ask for clarification if needed • Do not take a call that comes in on call-waiting • Do not use a speaker phone even if the person interviewing you uses one • Answer by providing specific examples and quantify when you can • Don't walk around or multi-task

The Importance of a Professional Resume

• There are hundreds of ways to create a winning resume - Find the style that appeals to you and learn what key elements you should use to make your skills shine • Employers usually look at a resume for 30 seconds or less!

Navigate Office Politics

• Those who think they will avoid office politics may find themselves without a job. • Navigating office politics successfully will allow you to advance in your career, while maintaining your integrity

Step 1: Prepare for the Interview (2 of 2)

• Time the drive and plan for parking • Test the technology • Arrive 10 - 15 minutes early • Take the essentials and leave the rest in the car • Waiting, remember to be polite to everyone you meet

Fonts for All Resumes

• Use one of the san serif fonts or Times New Roman • Keep font size 10 - 14 for scannable resumes • Avoid italic, underlining, or shading • Bold Sparingly • Send your hard copies if you can as a back up

Systematically Weigh the Alternatives

• Use the 70/30 Rule - States that if the job offer has 70 percent of what you desire (advantages) and less than 30 percent of what you don't want (disadvantages), then you may be in a ballpark of accepting.

Other Employment Trends

• Virtual Companies - Online companies that may or may not have physical locations • E-commerce Companies - Involve business that is conducted electronically on the Internet • The need to communicate well in writing and via the phone is critical • Temporary Agencies - Staffing companies that find jobs for people searching for employment, and find qualified people for companies that are seeking to fill specific positions

Managing and Advancing a Small Business

• Visit http://www.irs.gov, and apply for your Employer ID - Find a system for organizing your finances. - Get informed. - Another great Web site for the small business owner is Entrepreneur.com - Learn how to market yourself and to attract clients.

Warm and Cold Contacts

• Warm Contact - Someone you are comfortable contacting • Cold Contact - A person with who you have no connection to whatsoever, but whom you are going to call or connect with regardless • There are successful ways to approach each type of contact while you are searching for a job. • Never ask directly for a job, you are looking to make a connection, get a lead, and see what information you can gather

"Don't Sell the Farm" Yet

• When you take a position you are often under a review period for the first 3 - 6 months • Juggling Offers - Is usually a good problem - You can ask for more time to think over the offer. Do not explain why; simply ask for an extension

How to Diplomatically Ask for What You Want

• Words are very powerful and the ones you choose in negotiating make a difference • You want to explain how your skills and experience are worth more. • Consider asking for a performance review in three to six months with an option to increase your salary and/or bonuses

Resume Overview cont...

• Work Experience or List of Positions- List in reverse chronological order, from the most recent to the least • Other Optional Sections - Honors or Rewards - Activities or Community/Civic Involvement - Professional Affiliations - Publications • References - Should not be included on the resume

What do you value?

• Workplace Values -Values that are upheld and honored in the workplace • Values determine your choices, attitude and actions • Make sure you are clear about your values

Be Sure Your Cover Letter Stands Out (2 of 2)

• Write clearly and concisely • Use the same fonts, paper and headings that are on your resume • Include your contact information • Use the business letter format • End your letter with Sincerely, Yours sincerely, or Respectfully (the last is most appropriate when applying to attorney offices/law firms).

Delivering Your Resume

• You can: - Mail it to the company, respond to an ad, apply online, have a networked inside contact pass it on, or present it yourself • Anytime you can present the resume to the person who does the hiring, do it. • Remember to dress appropriately for this face-to-face meeting as well

Key Negotiation Questions to Ask

• You want to gather more information before you accept. • Ask the following: - When would you like me to start? - How and when will my performance be reviewed? - What are the promotion opportunities with this position? - What are the benefits added to the position in terms of vacation, insurance, and other perks? - Is there mileage reimbursement for commuters or parking benefits?

More On NBCs

• Your Name • Your degree (use the words "in progress" if you are still working on your degree) • Your skills - a few that are essential to your field • Professional email address and phone number • A visual related to your field • Make it professional and easy to read

Step 2: First Impression

• Your image is determined in the first 15 to 30 seconds when the interviewer meets you • The handshake - Reach out your hand and give a solid handshake with two pumps while looking the person in the eye • Eye contact and smile • Keep it comfortable • Remove doubt or negative thoughts from your mind

• Your Unique Personality

• Your personality needs to fit with your career and workplace • Personality Assessment -Categorizes your personality traits to determine if your personal attributes are a good fit in a particular work environment