Helping a Library User Look for Work Instructor: Dana Lee An Infopeople Workshop Fall 2003

This Workshop Is Brought To You By The Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis. For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the Project, go to the Infopeople Web site at infopeople.org.

Introductions Tell us your name and the branch where you work Please share with the group what you consider to be the most humorous or bizarre incident you experienced using the Internet to help a job seeking patron or what you would like to learn most.

Workshop Overview Determining a patron’s readiness Benefits of job searching on the Internet The job search process Resources to prepare –Assessments –Careers –Salaries –Resumes and Letters (cover, thank you etc.) –Networking online Finding job openings using the Internet

Installing Bookmarks Put your disk in the A:\ drive Double-click on My Computer on your desktop Double-click on 3½ Floppy A:\ Double-click on the class bookmark file –The file should open in Internet Explorer If it does not, please open IE and use the File/Open sequence to get to the file on the floppy disk With the class bookmark file showing in Internet Explorer, click the Favorites menu, choose Add to Favorites… Notice the name in the Name: box so that you can use the Favorites list to get back to the class bookmarks.

What Are Some of the Issues & Feelings Job Seekers Bring With Them? Financial Emotional Fear of technology Identity

What Are the Benefits of Using the Internet to Find a Job? Internet is continually expanding Information is available 24/7 Free access to information and valuable resources Broad geographic outreach Networking tool Keyword searches allow faster searches of numerous resources Allows for free resume posting

What questions would you ask a job seeker to determine how prepared the patron is for the job search process?

The Job Search Process Stage 1: Looking for clarity -- self assessment Stage 2: Matching interests, skills, and personality to the workplace Stage 3: Getting the job Getting the job

Stage 1: Looking For Clarity Who am I? What do I want to do? What are my skills, values & qualifications? What type of work do I want to do that makes me happy? Which companies would hire a person with my skills and interests? A job seeker is asking for clarity:

Exploring: Personality, Skills & Interest Assessments (Stage 1) 1. WHAT - skills, knowledge, values and abilities 2. WHERE - ideal working conditions/ situations 3. WHO - define who you want to work for and with 4. WHY - defining purpose and rewards of the type of work sought

"There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less." ~ Kurt Hahn

Stage 2: Matching Skills A job seeker wants to understand how their interests, skills and personality match the workplace: How do I narrow my search? What types of jobs exist in the workplace? Do the jobs match my skills and interests? Who can I talk to in order to confirm my findings?

Exploring Career Fields and Vocational Areas (Stage 2) How do a job seeker’s skills & values fit with the expressed field of interest? Is it a good match? Is there a need for additional education or training?

Exploring Salary Resources (Stage 2) How do you determine what a job is really worth? How do you explore a patron's financial needs? What is your approach vis-à-vis "skills and salary" and "cost-of-living adjustments"?

Stage 3: Getting the Job A job seeker wants to find their dream job: Which specific companies and organizations match my values and work ethic? Which job openings match my skills and interests? What specific resources are available to help me complete a job application? Interviewing Tips Getting the job

Resume Formats (Stage 2/3) Chronological resume –Organized by job title with most recent job first –Solid experience with logical job history Functional resume –Organized by areas of skill and accomplishment –Mixed bag of work history or career change(s) Plain text/ASCII/scannable resume –Can be chronological or functional resume –Formatted to be read well by an optical scanner

Why Is It Important to Use Keywords in Your Resume? Keywords are: The "buzzwords" used by insiders in a profession or industry. The terms used to write job descriptions. The "scan" words head hunters use when going through online resumes. TIP: Be sure to include the word "resume" in your resume.

What Are the Risks of Not Protecting Your Privacy?

Stay Cyber-Safe 1. Placement: Where should you post your resume? 2. Privacy: How public do you want your information to be? Refer to this web site for information on "How To Make Your Resume Cyber-Safe":

Job Search Correspondence (Stage 2/3) Cover letters –Letter of Application –Response to an Advertisement or a personal referral letter Other types of job search letters –Letter of Inquiry –Thank you letters –Acceptance and rejection letter –Withdrawal letter –Resignation letter

Job Search Letter Writing Tips (Stage 2/3) Always include a cover letter with a resume or application Follow proper elements and letter format Convey a positive and professional image Tailor your correspondence specifically to the individual, organization and/or position you are seeking

"64% of the almost 7,500 people surveyed said they found their new jobs through networking." ~ 1999 Career Transition Study by Drake Beam Morin

Networking Online (Stage 2/3) Advantages and disadvantages to networking online How to network on the Internet –Newsgroups and message boards –Mailing lists –Posting a resume

Finding Job Openings (Stage 3) Remember to go from the general to the specific Review sites that reflect interests identified in assessments Refine the target by reviewing career fields and vocations Check job boards by job titles Check professional & trade associations and journals for job listings Review company web sites Getting the job

Summary Discussed the benefits of using the Internet to find work Identified ways to assist patrons in preparing for the job search process prior to starting the Internet job search process Identified and practiced: –using online resources to help patrons assess their skills, identify careers, determine salaries, write resumes (chronological, functional and plain text) and cover letters –using Internet resources to search and locate jobs online –Internet resources to network online