9.01 Understand procedures to obtain a job

A. Job leads – finding potential job openings

1. Cooperative education/Internship2. Newspaper and trade magazines 3. Employment agencies– Public – supported by state & federal $$;

free service; Employment Security Commission

– Private – profit driven; fee charged to the employer or employee; Manpower, Kelly services

Job leads4. Company personnel/human resources offices 5. Internet – Hotjobs.com; Monster.com; Careerbuilder.com Letters of inquiry – written to a company about potential job openings after other job leads have been exhausted

6. Networking

a. Building relationships from people you know to people they know– Not formal groups with formal rules – “Word of mouth” – Done through clubs, conferences, trade

associations, church, community activities, athletic events

b. Obstacles in networkingPersonal barriers – uncomfortable reaching out to others; lack of trust Lack of knowledge – don’t understand the

benefits or know how to find networks Lack of foresight – don’t look ahead to the

future value; don’t have time & won’t make time Lack of work ethic – doing just enough to keep a job & going no further

B. Applying for a job?

Step 1: Application–Application form –Cover letter –Résumé –References –Electronic résumé

a. Application form – requested info. to be used in the hiring decision

1. Write clearly & spell correctly2. Use blue or black ink3. Full name, not nickname4. Specific job title, not “any job”5. Complete education info. Including years, concentrations6. Complete employer info. – Including addresses, duties, time

Application form7. Complete every section – n/a or “not applicable” in areas that don’t apply; _____________ will also work if neat8. Get permission from references before using their names

b. Cover letterPersonal business letter that accompanies a resume & introduces a person to the company (never send a resume without a cover letter)Get example & write scratch copy

c. Resume – a personal data sheet providing info about a person

1. Heading – includes personal information (name, address, phone, email, fax)2. Job Objective – Identifies the position to be considered

Resume3. Education & training – formal education & additional training included; significant courses taken (can be switched with work experience)4. Work experience – List all jobs in reverse chronological order; description of all jobs & specific skills; volunteer work can be included here

Resume5. Personal accomplishments – list activities, honors, interests, abilities6. References – people (not relatives or friends your own age) who can give a positive recommendation– Former employers, teachers counselors,

business contacts (have list of all info)– “References Available Upon Request”

d. Electronic resumeBecoming very popular to send resume online– Text only– Avoid bold, italics & underlining– Traditional fonts (size 12 or 14)

Computer scans resume searching for key words/phrases (whatever the company is looking for)Spell out acronyms & use industry specific jargonSubmit as an attachment; be sure email address is correct

Step 2: Prepare for the interview

A. Dress professionally1. DRESS AS IF YOU WORKED THERE - ONLY BETTER2. NO JEANS3. CONSERVATIVE HAIR4. JEWELRY - “RULE OF 5”

- CONSERVATIVE ONLY5. NO TOBACCO, GUM, FOOD

Dress professionally6. CLEAN HAIR, SKIN, NAILS7. FRESH BREATH8. NO COLOGNE

Prepare for the interview–B. Arrive 10 minutes early–C. Be knowledgeable about the

company (look it up)–D. Practice answering questions

(get your list)–E. Prepare questions to ask the

interviewer (get your list)

Step 3: Make a good 1st impression

APPEARANCE COUNTS!!!!SHAKE HANDS!!! – at the beginning & at the end of the interviewATTITUDE! ATTITUDE! ATTITUDE! – – Separates winners from losers– Smile– Eye contact– Enthusiastic & motivated

Step 4: Follow up the interviewA. FOLLOW-UP LETTER – thank you letter stating your appreciation for the time they gave as well as reaffirming interest in the jobB. PHONE CALL – if you have not heard the results, call 5-6 days laterC. RESIGNATION LETTER – (IF YOU GET THE JOB); letter written to inform your employer that you are leaving– Always follow company policy– 2-week notice is common courtesy

Follow upD. REFERENCE LETTER – letter from a previous employer containing statements about your character, abilities, skills & attitudes–Get one before you leave–Make copies

E. After you’re hired

1. Thank all of the interviewers 2. Maintain a list of accomplishments 3. Keep learning new skills4. Keep network contacts5. Volunteer and be a team player

After you’re hired6. LEARN THE COMPANY POLICIES– WORK SCHEDULES– HIRING PROCEDURES– COMPENSATION– BENEFITS7. LEARN COMPANY REGULATIONS – EMPLOYEE CONDUCT– CUSTOMER TRANSACTIONS– GENERAL WORKPLACE ISSUES