1. Skills for Success Workshop
Are You Ready to Work?
Skills for Success
Workshop
This presentation contains talking points on improving employability skills.
It is designed to move quickly through each topic while covering select key points, yet allow for flexibility in choosing the material covered in each session.
Samantha Nord and James Davis
Vocational Coordinators

2. Job Search Resume & Cover Letters Interviews Retention
The Process
Job Search
Resume & Cover Letters
Interviews
Retention

3. Job Search IowaJobs.org USAjobs.gov Indeed.com Networking Craig’s List
Direct from the employer or employer’s website
Newspapers? Not so much, these days

4. Resume
Your resume and cover letter are more about the job you want than the jobs you’ve had
Put your best foot forward!
Catch the Hiring Authority’s attention
Show that you have the skills to do the job
Check O*Net ( for job descriptions and labor market trends

5. Cover Letter Show that you understand the job you are applying for
Match your experience to the job you are applying for
Express your sincere interest
Pretend your cover letter is you, meeting the Hiring Authority for the first time and having a conversation
Be polite and make a good first impression!

6. Phone Message
Make sure the message on your phone is polite and professional
If you are having someone else take messages for you, ask them to be polite and professional
Your phone message should include your name, not just the phone number
Return phone calls and s promptly, even when you choose to decline the job

7. E-Mail Email address should be professional
address should avoid numbers that might suggest age (or anything else inappropriate)
Check your regularly!

8. Facebook/Social Media
Employers look at Facebook. If your FB page is full of party photos, they are not going to be impressed.

9. References
Ask if they will be a reference before referring employers to them
Are you sure they will say good things about you and your work?
Work references spanning several years or jobs are best; but even personal references should come from professionals, not friends (e.g., clergy, teachers, people who work for the same company/industry and would vouch for you)

10. The Interview What to Wear The Handshake Eye Contact
Questions to Expect
Questions to Ask
How to Wrap Things Up

11. General Interview Info
Research the company before the interview
Show up 15 minutes early
Come alone
Bring your ID and social security card
Bring a black pen and a clean copy of your resume
Bring a notepad or folder
They may offer you water, coffee, or something to drink; it is usually best to politely say no
You are on stage the moment you enter the parking lot – so be on your best behavior
Relax! Seriously, what is the worst that can happen?
The worst that can happen is, you don’t get the job. You don’t have the job now, so you haven’t lost anything. You are still getting experience with the interview process, and that will make a difference next time.

12. What to Wear Dress a step above the job you are applying for
If you want to stand out, stand out on your merits; your clothes should blend in
The goal is to appear ready to work
Lay your clothes out the night before
Easy on the perfume/cologne (and avoid cigarettes, too)

13. How to Dress for an Interview
Men
Nice dress shirts/suit
Dress pants-don’t sag
Dress shoes with dark socks
Belt
Clean shaven
Neat, professional hairstyle
Limit the aftershave
Little or no jewelry
Trimmed clean nails
Portfolio /folder
Women
Nice blouse/suit-no low cut, strapless tops or anything too tight fitting.
Conservative shoes
Limited jewelry
Light makeup and perfume
Neatly manicured clean nails
Portfolio/folder

17. The Handshake Make sure your hands are clean
A firm, dry, and confident handshake
Shake hands and greet each of the interviewers in turn
Make eye contact
Practice!

18. Eye Contact
Make eye contact with the interviewer (or interviewers), but do not stare
If there is more than 1 interviewer, focus your attention first on the person speaking, and then on all of the people listening
Sit up straight and show that you are engaged in the conversation
Don’t make odd facial expressions or fidget

19. Make Them Want to Hire You!
Show them you would be a nice person to work with, and a team player
Show them you have a good work ethic
Show them you are flexible – you are here to meet the needs of the company, not the other way around
Don’t try to make them feel sorry for you, or tell them how much you ‘need’ this job – it will have the completely opposite effect

20. ??????????????? Questions to Expect Tell me about yourself
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
Tell me about a challenge you’ve faced
Tell me about a problem or conflict you had on your last job
When do you think it’s okay to miss a day?
Why did you have this gap between jobs?
???????????????

21. Basically, any interviewer wants to establish 3 key things:
Have you got the skills, expertise and experience to perform the job?
Are you enthusiastic and interested in the job and the company?
Will you fit into the team, culture and company?
Bernard Marr. (2014). Job Interview: Why Only 3 Questions Really Matter

22. Answering Questions
It’s not a race – you can take some time and think about what you want to say, before you answer
“That’s a good question,” and taking a moment to answer is much better than, “I don’t know.”
Look at each interviewer as you answer
Be sincere and likable
Smile when appropriate
The interviewers understand you are nervous - they’ve been in that chair, just like you. They had to go through interviews to get their jobs, too!

23. Answering Questions
Don’t over-share. Keep answers brief and to the point. Hit the highlights, not the low- lights!
Be positive. Don’t say negative things about former employers or coworkers.
Speak of everything in the past in terms of being a learning experience
Always speak in terms of moving forward and making progress
Pay attention to your body language

24. Answering Questions Relate your answers to the job you want
What do you value? What is important to you? Now, how does that relate to this job?
Don’t blame others (or ‘the Economy’) for your situation
Show that you are responsible and competent

25. The Felony Question
It doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker… But if the employer doesn’t believe you have put it behind you, you will not get the job.

26. The Felony Question
The employer has a need to know about the conviction
Appreciate this chance to discuss the matter
Don’t go into detail or try to explain it
It happened, but it’s in the past. Have you learned from the experience and moved forward?
Own up to it and accept responsibility: don’t blame others
Don’t show bitterness or anger

27. The Felony Question
Reflection: You may have had a chance to look at what happened, realized the effect it had on you, and allowed yourself to focus on the future and better decision making.
Education: You may have done some work toward your education that you may not have done otherwise.
Employability: You may have developed employment skills through work or schoolwork while incarcerated.
Interpersonal Skills: You may have learned to get along better with people who have different personalities and backgrounds.
Stress Management: You may have learned self-discipline and respect for yourself and others, and mastered emotional, psychological, and social techniques to deal with stress.

28. Reasons people aren’t hired
Bad personal appearance
Too aggressive
Unable to express self clearly
Poor interest and enthusiasm
No career planning/goals
Overly nervous/under confident
Too much emphasis on money
Not willing to start at the bottom
Immature
Speaks bad about former employers
No eye contact
Messy application form
Late arrival for interviewer
Asked no questions about the company
Could not give direct answers when questioned

29. Wrapping up the Interview
Ask questions – it shows that you are really interested in the job and motivated to work
Thank the interviewers for their time, and ask about the next step
If possible, get business cards from the interviewers: it will make it easier to send thank-you notes later

30. Sample Questions for You to Ask
What type of training would I receive?
What did the previous person in the position go on to do?
What would I need to focus on differently than the previous person in this position?
Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him/her?
What is the typical work day/week like? Is overtime common?
What do you like about working here?

31. IMMEDIATELY after every important meeting, lecture, or contact take just 30 seconds to jot down a few notes that cover the key ideas or points you want to remember.
-Greg McKeown, The 30 Second Habit with a Lifelong Impact

32. Thank You Note
Employers LOVE to get a thank you note after an interview. It will score you points, and it’s one more chance to pitch yourself for the job
Send within a day or two of the interview or contact
“I enjoyed meeting with you and I look forward to taking the next step in the process.” It’s easy!

33. You got the job! Now, how do you keep it?
Retention
You got the job! Now, how do you keep it?

34. Retention Don’t be the clown Don’t gossip Just let trouble pass you by
Don’t steal
Show up to work
If you absolutely can’t make it to work, CALL IN!
Don’t be a complainer
Don’t be the one other people complain about