OBJECTIVE 1.03: Demonstrate job seeking skills

In order to apply for a job you will need: Letterhead ________________ References ___________ _____________ Information for an application _____________ __________

Visually Appealing Letterhead The letterhead is the largest and most _____________feature on a résumé. It needs to stand out __________________ may take an extra glance if your résumé is attractive Don’t get too carried away with design, color, and font Keep it ____________and __________________.

Sample Letterhead

Resumes _____ __________ _____ __________ Name and address (letterhead) most obvious on page Information in reverse chronological order Use phrases or incomplete sentences that start with an ACTION verb _________ abbreviations.

References Use your letterhead to create a _______________ page with at least 3 references – no relatives Always _______ before listing someone as a reference Include: Name, Title, Company where they work, Work Address, City, State Zip, Work Phone, Email.

Sample References

Create a resume and reference sheet

Cover Letter Serves as an _______________ to you and your resume A cover letter says, “Here’s what I can do for you” A resume says, “Here’s how I can do it” Find out the name of the specific _______________ who will receive your letter ________________ the letter to the specific position Concentrate on skills which match the advertised employment qualifications or the desired program of study Sound ____________ and confident. Sell yourself!

What do employers look for in a cover letter?

Create a Cover Letter

Applications Read completely BEFORE writing Use _________ or _______ ink Answer all questions accurately and honestly Use NA or Not Applicable or draw a line through a space – do not leave blanks If asked for salary requirements put “__________” Do not mark through mistakes Use a ___________________.

Complete an application

The Origins of Job Interviews

Typical Interview Questions Tell me a little about yourself. Give me an example of a time when you exercised leadership. How do you handle yourself in stressful situation? What is the biggest mistake you ever made? What did you learn from this mistake?  Tell me why I should hire you for this job.  What is your greatest accomplishment? Describe your ideal job. What motivates you?

Why are you leaving your job? Why do you want to work for us? Why should we hire you? Tell me about your weaknesses. Tell me about your strengths. What are 3 words that describe you. What did you like best in school? Do you have any questions for me?

How to answer some common interview questions

Tell me about yourself. Tell them how long you have lived in the area (if it has been several years or why you have recently moved here). Quickly _______________________ your job skills or volunteer experiences.

What did you like best about school? Tell them you especially liked working on _________ projects, any time you were in charge of a project, or organized any activity. If you are/were in a _______ class share some of the skills and abilities you obtained through that opportunity.

Why are you leaving your current job? I am looking to increase my ___________________. With this economy I needed more hours than they were able to _________________. Business is closing. It is a career area I would like to explore. I have been at my present job for quite a while and would like more ______________________.

Why do you want to work for us? I have ________________ my past experience with this company as a customer, client etc. I have been told it is a great place to work. I believe my skills and abilities are a good match. It would fit with my long-range _______________goals. I have always wanted to work here.

Have you ever been asked to leave a position? If… No (answer is complete) If….Yes My position changed and my available hours no longer matched those of the position If other reasons- try and keep it positive

Why should we hire you? I am __________________ and will work hard. If you hire me, you will get someone who is not afraid to learn and is willing to go the extra mile.

Tell me about your weaknesses. Probably my greatest ________________is my inexperience, but I am a quick learner, I want to work and you can teach me how you would like the job done.

What are your strengths? If you have any ___________________ that fit the job, share those, if not… Tell them you want to work, to learn and do the best possible job you can.

Tell me about a problem you had and how you solved it. Think of a situation at school, on a team, on the job and how you handled it. Talk about communication, getting help from someone else, etc.

Sample Legal and Illegal questions

Religion Legal Can you work _______________? Do you belong to any professional or trade groups? Illegal What ___________ do you belong?

National Origin Legal Are you _____________ to work in the United States? What ________________ do you speak, read, or write fluently? Illegal Are you a United States ___________?

Age Legal Are you over the age of ______? Illegal How ________ are you?

Disability Legal Can you ___________________the specific duties of the job? Illegal Do you have any ______________? Tell me about your medical history.

Marital or Family Status Legal Can you work ______________? Is there any reason you cannot start at 7:30 am? Illegal Are you _______________? How many children do you have? Are you ___________________?

Personal Legal Are you able to lift a _____lb weight and carry it 100 yards as part of the job? Illegal How tall are you? How much do you ___________?

Criminal Record Legal Have you ever been _________ of a crime? Illegal Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever spent the night in ______?

Military Legal What type of _________ or education did you receive in the military? Illegal Were you honorably ___________? In what branch of the military did you serve?

Questions to ask the interviewer Describe your ideal ________________. How does an employee __________ on your team? What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?

Interview Do’s Go _____________ Arrive 10 minutes early Dress appropriately for the job you are applying for Give a firm handshake when meeting the interviewer and wait until you are told to be seated. Maintain good posture and eye contact. Show enthusiasm; smile. Pay attention to your body language. Emphasize positive things about yourself. Be _________________with your answers. Preplan several questions that you can ask about the position or company Ask when to expect a decision Thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Interview Do Not’s Take anyone ______ you to the interview Arrive ______________ Wear excessive make-up, jewelry or _______________ Ask about the salary Hesitate before answering a question “Bad Mouth” a former employer or past co-workers Talk a lot about your personal life or appear as a “know it all” Lack _________________.

Practice interviewing using the documents you have created. Assignment Practice interviewing using the documents you have created.

Follow-Up with a thank you letter that restates your interest in the position.