1. Finding & Applying for a Job
Chapter 6
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2. Objectives: After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
Explain why networking is effective for developing job leads
Create & maintain a career network and contact list
Use the Internet and other resources to search for career opportunities
Prepare materials necessary for job-hunting, including applications, resumes, and cover letters
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3. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Job Lead
Information about a job opening
Can be a tip from a friend, a help-wanted ad in the newspaper, or information from a teacher or school counselor
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4. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Networking
Communicating with people you know or can get to know to share information and advice
Some of your contacts may be “insiders”
Can tell you what the company is looking for
2. Often work at the company that is hiring
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5. Creating your own network
Make a contact list
List of people you know that might be helpful in your job search
Friends who work for companies where you would like to work
Names of school friends, neighbors, & professional people (doctors, lawyers, business people)
Referral- one of your contacts may write a recommendation for you.
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6. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Sources of job leads
Former employers who enjoyed having you work for them
Joining professional or community organizations
Listservs- networks that link you to jobs (costs money)
2. By joining these groups, you’ll meet new people and build your network.
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7. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
School Resources
Talk to teachers/counselors
Can help you set up interviews with employers
Can help you identify & follow leads in specific career areas
School-to-work programs – brings schools & local businesses together
Gives students the opportunity to gain work experience & training. May get preference for jobs after graduation.
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8. Printed job advertisements
Want-Ads can be a part of your job search but not the only thing
Other print sources:
National Business Employment Weekly
Magazines that specialize in particular industries
1. Only a small percentage of job seekers find their jobs through ads.
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9. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Using the telephone
One of your most useful job-hunting tools
Hot call- a call to a referral or a call to follow up a lead.
You know who your calling and you know there’s a job or information at the other end of it
Cold call- phone call to a prospective employer with whom you’ve had no prior contact
Trying to get information…Any openings? Who is the contact?
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10. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Employment agencies
Matchmaker between job seekers & companies with openings
Job seekers fill out applications at the agency
Businesses call the agency when they have openings
Agency brings the two together
Two types of agencies: Public (Free) and Private (pay a fee)…employer may pay.
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11. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Using the Internet
Finding the right websites
I.E. Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com are the two most popular
Can search for jobs according to job title, location, and other criteria
Resume can be ed directly to person doing hiring
Can apply for many jobs daily without paying for expensive paper or postage!
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12. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Comes down to how well you present yourself
During phone calls
Job application
Resume
Cover letter
Your writing, problem solving, creative thinking, and reasoning skills will show.
First…think of a personnel director with three piles of job applications. One pile is labeled “Yes.” One is labeled “maybe.” One is labeled “no.” Your job is to get your application into the “yes” pile. How will you do that?
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13. What employers are looking for
Looking for the best person to fill job
Want to know whether or not you have the ability to do work
Influenced by way you dress & grooming
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14. Be confident & prepared
You may feel anxious & insecure but don’t show it
Project confidence & a positive, businesslike image
Display this image whenever you communicate (phone, writing, in person) with an employer
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15. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Be prepared
An employer will require you to have certain documents
Social Security Number
You probably already have this
All workers need before starting work
Work permit
Needed if you are under 18
Document that shows how many hours you can work and kinds of jobs you can hold
1. If you have them before you go job hunting, it shows that you are prepared.
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16. Communicating Effectively
The way you speak & write can give a strong first impression
Avoid slang & filler words such as um and like.
Prepare by asking & answering typical interview questions with friend/family
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17. Filling out a job application
One way an employer screens applicants
Always fill out completely & accurately
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18. Additional Suggestions
Read & follow directions exactly
Keep application neat & clean
Make your statements positive
Keep your options open
Salary
hours
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19. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
References
People who will recommend you to an employer
Choose them carefully & be prepared to list them on an application
Employers trust teachers & former employers the most
Ask for permission
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20. They can’t ask about the following on a job application…
Race
Religion
Gender
Children
Marital status
After…you don’t have to tell if you’ve been arrested, although you are required to tell if you’ve been convicted of a felony. If you are asked for this information on an application form, you might indicate that you’ll explain in the interview.
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21. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Preparing a Resume
Brief summary of the following:
Personal information
Education
Skills
Work experience
Activities
Interests
Make yourself look good!
You will send it to an employer when applying for a job by mail or via the Internet. A resume can get you an interview or ruin your chance for a job. Don’t be shy. Make yourself look good!
If you don’t have any work experience, focus on the skills, education, and training you do have. Don’t hesitate to include awards, hobbies, or activities. References can be included or you can indicate you’ll provide them on request.
The best resumes are brief. Keep yours to one page. It must be typed, neat, and there should be no errors in spelling or grammar.
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22. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Types of resumes
Chronological
Gives your experience in time order…most recent first
Advantage- shows your growth in experience.
Skills
Highlights your skills & accomplishments
Advantage- you can emphasize your strengths
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23. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Electronic Resumes
Companies are beginning to scan resumes into computers
They look for keywords that describe skills or job experiences they’re seeking
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24. Tips for making your resume “scannable”
Keep resume clean
Use crisp, dark type
Avoid italics, underscores, & other formatted type
Use white paper
Use keywords in describing your experience
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25. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Writing Cover Letters
One page letter introducing yourself and stating why you can do a good job
Should reflect your understanding of the company
Do not send a resume by itself
Tells employer who you are and why you are sending your resume. Emphasize facts that make you especially well qualified for the job.
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26. Three parts of cover letter
Opening Paragraph
Explain why you are writing
Drop names! Say where you learned about job
Body
Sales pitch- highlight personal qualities, skills, & experiences
Closing Paragraph
Tell how you will follow up. Include phone number
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27. Finding & Applying for a Job (Chapter 6)
Taking Tests
When applying for a job, you may have to take one or more tests:
Performance test – How well you do a particular task (I.E. typing)
Drug Test – Blood or urine test for illegal drugs
Polygraph Test – lie detector test. May be required for jobs in law enforcement or government
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