1. Back to Table of Contents

2. Building a Career in E-Commerce
Chapter 5
Building a Career in E-Commerce
Section
5-1
Basics of the E-Commerce Workplace
Section
5-2
Searching for an E-Commerce Job 2

3. Section 5-1 Why It’s Important
Everyone desires a lifestyle that provides job satisfaction, recognition for accomplishments, time for leisure activities with family and friends, and material possessions for a comfortable life.
The career that you select will be a major factor in determining your lifestyle.
Section 5-1 3

4. Section 5-1 Key Terms job shadowing internship mentorship multimedia
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
ergonomics
Section 5-1 4

5. Preparing for a Future in E-Commerce
Balance between your professional and personal life is important.
The job that you choose and the career path that you follow will have a strong impact on the lifestyle that you will enjoy.
Section 5-1 5

6. Influences on Your Lifestyle
These are the most important ways your career will influence your lifestyle:
Income
Achievement and recognition
Social and leisure time activities
Section 5-1 6

7. Careers versus Jobs A job is work that a person does for pay.
A career is a series of jobs built on a foundation of interest, knowledge, training, and experience.
Section 5-1 7

8. How to Approach the E-Commerce Workplace
If you want to sample several different e-commerce careers, a job shadowing experience is ideal for you.
job shadowing learning about a job by following a competent worker for a day to witness firsthand the work environment, the skills needed, and the tasks performed in a career area of interest
Section 5-1 8

9. How to Approach the E-Commerce Workplace
If you find a career that you like through a shadowing experience, you can apply for an internship.
internship typically unpaid job opportunity to work over a period of time sampling the career tasks in a field by completing hands-on projects
Section 5-1 9

10. How to Approach the E-Commerce Workplace
Another strategy that you can use to explore your career options is a mentorship.
mentorship a paid work experience that allows employees to receive professional guidance and training from an experienced worker in a selected career field
Section 5-1 10

11. How to Approach the E-Commerce Workplace
During high school is a perfect time to begin thinking about and preparing for an e-commerce career.
By selecting appropriate courses, you can begin developing the basic knowledge, job skills, and attitudes possessed by successful workers in this dynamic career field.
Section 5-1 11

12. How to Approach the E-Commerce Workplace
Elective courses at your school in computer applications, Web page design, multimedia presentations, and programming will help you develop the skills used in e-commerce jobs.
multimedia a visual presentation that combines text, graphics, motion, and sound to convey a message; usually a computer software program is used to create the multimedia presentation
Section 5-1 12

13. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
An e-commerce career offers flexibility over where you will work and when you will work.
You may be able to work from your home (telecommute) and have a flexible work schedule.
Section 5-1 13

14. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
Workers often experience discomfort from working long hours at a computer.
These discomforts, which, if left untreated, may become serious injuries, include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, upper body strain, eyestrain, and headache.
Section 5-1 14

15. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
A recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) press release states that 1.8 million workers a year report work-related musculoskeletal disorders to their employers.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the department of the U.S. government responsible for ensuring the safety and health of the work environment
Section 5-1 15

16. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
The goal of ergonomics is to increase worker productivity by achieving a healthy and comfortable fit between the worker and the computer workstation.
ergonomics the study of the physical, environmental, and emotional areas of work; it examines how workers perform tasks by studying their capabilities and limitations, and the tools, equipment, and furniture they use
Section 5-1 16

17. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
Ergonomic Tips
Vary your work tasks to reduce fatigue.
Eliminate glare on the monitor screen to reduce stress on your eyes.
Take occasional breaks and do stretching exercises to increase energy and relax tight muscles.
Organize your work area to reduce stress.
Section 5-1 17

18. The E-Commerce Workplace Environment
Individuals who are most successful working for an e-commerce company have common traits.
They enjoy the creativity of problem solving.
They are not afraid to take risks and make decisions.
They are Internet literate.
They are self-starters who show initiative.
They are team players.
They are creative and flexible.
Section 5-1 18

19. Section 5-1 Review What is the difference between a job and a career?1.
What is the difference between a job and a career?
What are some strategies you can use to learn about careers in e-commerce?
What can you do when working on a computer to make your workstation safer and healthier? Explain how each suggestion will help you remain safe and healthy. 2.
Section 5-1 Review
A job is work you do for pay; a career is a series of jobs you move through as you gain knowledge, training, and experience and advance along your career path to jobs with greater responsibilities.
Strategies include job shadowing, internships, mentoring, and preparatory classes.
Vary your work tasks, which will reduce fatigue; eliminate glare on the monitor screen, which will reduce stress on your eyes; take occasional breaks and do stretching exercises, which will increase your energy level and relax your tight muscles; and organize your work area, which will reduce your stress in trying to locate materials and resources. 3.
Section 5-1 19

20. Section 5-2 Why It’s Important
Most likely you will work for 50 years during your lifetime.
Assuming an average work week of 40 hours, this amounts to over 100,000 hours that you will spend in the workplace.
Therefore, it’s important that you select a career that is stimulating and enjoyable.
Section 5-2 20

21. Section 5-2 Key Terms Occupational Outlook Handbook electronic résumé
digital portfolio
Section 5-2 21

22. Getting the E-Commerce Job You Want
Before you climb to the top of the career ladder in e-commerce, you need to explore the entry-level positions that are available.
Section 5-2 22

23. Trends in E-Commerce
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), the number of computer and data processing specialists’ jobs is expected to grow 86 percent in the first decade of the twenty-first century.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) a career reference written and updated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Section 5-2 23

24. Career Opportunities in E-Commerce
The Computing Technology Industry Association lists six categories for tech-related jobs:
Internet Site Designer
Project Manager
Internet Network Specialist
Internet Security Specialist
Internet Application Developer
Internet E-Commerce Specialist
Section 5-2 24

25. Career Opportunities in E-Commerce
If you are interested in marketing and writing, there are excellent job opportunities in e-commerce in Internet marketing and content production.
Section 5-2 25

26. Developing Search Tactics for Your Job
By looking up a career in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, you can learn:
the type of tasks a worker performs on the job.
the training, skills, and experiences needed for success.
the working conditions, yearly salary, and projected number of yearly job openings.
Section 5-2 26

27. Sources of Career Information
How to Look for a Job
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Sources of Career Information
professional and trade magazines
the Internet
networking with family and friends
job advertisements
Section 5-2 27

28. Creating an E-Résumé and a Digital Portfolio
A résumé is a structured, written summary of your job objective, education, employment history, and job qualifications.
An effective résumé is your key for getting the job of your choice.
Section 5-2 28

29. Creating an E-Résumé and a Digital Portfolio
Along with a traditional or paper résumé, create an electronic résumé, or e-résumé to send to potential employers via or the Internet.
electronic résumé an employment document that uses key words to provide an employer with information regarding a job candidate's professional experience, education, and job qualifications
Section 5-2 29

30. Creating an E-Résumé and a Digital Portfolio
Applicants seeking jobs in the field of e-commerce may be asked to provide employers with a digital portfolio.
digital portfolio an electronic collection of your goals, achievements, honors, and reflections that demonstrate career growth over a period of time
Section 5-2 30

31. Section 5-2 Review 1. What makes an effective electronic résumé?
Which jobs are expected to have the highest growth rate over the next ten years?
What sources are available for you when looking for a job in your career field? 2.
Section 5-2 Review
An electronic résumé that makes an employer want to meet you and that can be read by any computer.
Jobs expected to have the highest growth rate include developing Web sites, computer hardware and software products, and Web-site security systems.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, family and friends, the Web, professional and trade magazines, and advertisements in local and major newspapers. 3.
Section 5-2 31

32. Customizable Slide 32

33. End of
Back to Table of Contents