Approaching Employers

Approaching Employers
Strategies for collaborating with community employers Michelle Uetz

Michelle Uetz michelle.uetz@rfsd.k12.wi.us
Introduction Job Readiness Class Husband owns a small business I have done direct sales Michelle Uetz

Step One Determine what the student is interested in If you place a student at a job site that they are not interested in they are less likely to do a good job. Use a career inventory if necessary Ask about previous work experiences Michelle Uetz

Step Two Ask the student for ideas or family connections Make a list of community businesses that have the interest area as part of their business Think about your connections and use them if possible Go through this list with the student to get a ranking of job sites and to eliminate sites that the student is strongly against Michelle Uetz

Step Three Begin calling businesses Know when to call Do not call a restaurant at prime breakfast or lunch hours. A good time to call is 10 am or 2 pm. If you are calling a business that is out on a job site call right away in the morning. If calling a auto garage call in the morning Tues-Thurs Ask for an owner or manager when you call Make your call brief unless they ask a lot of questions Introduce yourself stating the school you are from Ask if they would be willing to provide unpaid work experience to a student. Ask when you can meet with them Michelle Uetz

Sample Phone Script “Hello, may I please speak to the owner, or manager?” “Hi, my name is _________________. I’m a teacher at _________________ High School. I teach a class called ______. I have a student that is interested in ____. Would you be willing to talk about having this student at your business for an unpaid work experience?” No – “Ok, thank you for your time.” Yes – “What would be a good time for me to come meet with you to discuss this further?” Tell me more – Tell them more about it I need to ask the owner – “No problem, my number is____. When can I call you back?” Michelle Uetz

Step four Meet with the Owner/Manager Bring a nice folder with all of the information Remember what you teach your students…dress professionally and be on time Assume they will take the student Set up time to bring the student in for introductions Michelle Uetz

Folder of Information The folder should look professional (even if it’s just put together by you) and have the school name on it. Job Site Expectations Student Expectations Calendar Contact Information Evaluation forms with turn-in dates and a SASE Contact form for their information Michelle Uetz

Talking Points When talking with the owner/manager be sure to stress the following This must be a win-win experience The tasks that the student does is solely up to you. It needs to be safe, but other than that, it is what ever you feel comfortable with and need help with If the student is not going to be present they are to let you know. Communication is important to me, feel free to contact me at anytime with questions or concerns. If there is any kind of problem, I will remove the student immediately. Michelle Uetz

Keep In Touch Stop in to the job site on a weekly to biweekly basis. This shows the student you will do pop-ins and the employer that you are checking in, not just dropping off. , text, or call (based on employer preference) reminders about the evaluation and to see how things are going. If the student is going to be gone contact the employer to be sure the student did contact them. Michelle Uetz

Compensation Contact another local business and ask for a donation to use as a Thank-you to businesses that allow students to co a job experience. Ideas include Jimmy John’s, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen etc. Ask for a gift certificate for a free item. Personally write a thank you not and include the certificate for a free item. Have the student write a thank you note and include in it a request for a reccommendation. Michelle Uetz

Challenges 7/8 period days Request to have the class run for two concurrent periods Small, rural towns Think outside the box – small in-home businesses, seasonal, etc. Transportation If you do not have school transportation available get permission to use your personal vehicle If mileage compensation is not available write it off in your taxes Resistance Write an article praising the businesses that do participate for the local paper or promote the program with an article in the paper Ask if businesses that participate can have a free small advertisement in the sports programs. Michelle Uetz

Cold Calling Yes, that dirty word, that makes many people tremble. It’s not that bad…..after the first dozen or so Know that people generally like schools and what to help support them Call from the school phone Send out letters to al businesses before calling Send an to businesses of interest before calling Start with businesses you know or frequent Michelle Uetz

Disability disclosure
Teach students about their rights and disclosure BEFORE going to the job site Match the student’s skills and abilities to the job site Let the student do the disclosing If an employer asks, ask them politely to ask the student Michelle Uetz

benefits Students may get hired after the experience or for a summer job Students gain valuable experience to determine if they really do want to work in this field and what they need to do to get there. The work experience can be used as an incentive Example: you can only go out to your job site as long as you are passing all of your classes. Michelle Uetz

Benefits to employers Community involvement “Free” help Recognition Michelle Uetz

Approaching Employers

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