Employability Skills

Employability Skills

What is Employability?

• Employability has been defined as "the capability of getting and keeping satisfactory work“.

• Employability skills have been defined as:• "A set of achievements, understandings and

personal attributes that make individuals more likely to gain employment and to be successful in their chosen occupations"

Agenda• Four second impression• Employability skills• Where to look for employment• Resume• Cover letter• The interview process• Follow up • Writing goals

What are the top skills that employers want?

• Verbal Communication

• Teamwork • Analyzing &

Investigating• Initiative & Self

Motivation

• Written Communication

• Planning & Organizing

• Flexibility • Time Management• Leadership

Other skills that are seen as important

• Additional languages• Negotiating skills• Math• Computing• Self awareness• Confidence• Integrity• Independence

Other skills that are seen as important

• Professionalism• Action planning• Interpersonal sensitivity• Creativity• Lifelong learning• Stress tolerance

In the beginning. . .The Job Search

• Read the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required of each position CAREFULLY before applying.

• Assess the value of what you have to offer to the position and the organization.

• Become familiar with the organization so you can demonstrate how and why you will be an effective employee.

• Be realistic! Know your qualifications and limitations. • Wanting a job does not necessarily mean you’re qualified for

it. • Also, a job that pays well for duties you don’t like will not be

rewarding in the long run.

How to write a Resume

Resume

• First of all, there is no “perfect” or “right” resume format. The format you choose will depend upon the job you hope to find and your past experiences.

• The purpose of a resume is to get you a job interview. The interview gets you the job!

General Resume Guidelines

• Use your common sense and imagination to highlight your background and experience in a well-focused resume

Length

A one-page resume works well for most. If you have an extensive work history, two pages

are reasonable. Limit information to what is pertinent to your current job objectives.

Make sure the most important information is stated first.

Appearance

• An organized, readable layout determines whether a resume is read. Direct the reader’s eyes with the format. Make sure it is well-organized and concise.

• Always type your resume and have it professionally copied.

• Make sure there are no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors.

Appearance

• Consider using high-quality paper such as resume paper.

• Ask someone to proof-read it.

Content

• Design your resume with a particular objective in mind. Present information important to the objective.

• List information in descending order of importance• Be selective in what you include -NEVER falsify or

exaggerate information

Content

• Sell yourself - attract attention to your special abilities

• Concentrate on the positive and use action verbs to describe your background

Necessary Categories

• Contact Information• –> Objective• Education• Experience• Accomplishments• Additional Information/Skills

Contact Information• Name

Street Address City, State, Zip Phone (Cell/Home)Email Address

Use an appropriate email!• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




Your voicemail message

• Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional• Make it simple or automated• No trick voicemails• No music• Check your voicemail daily

• Answering your phone:• “Hi this is Bob”• Don’t answer your phone if it’s loud in the background

or you can’t talk

Objective (optional)• What do you want to do? If you include this section it

should be a sentence or two about your employment goals. A customized objective that describes why you are the perfect candidate for the job can help your resume stand out from the competition.

• Example:• To apply the knowledge that I have accumulated from

the experience and training offered in our school, to achieve advanced skills regarding new technologies applied in our industry, and to acquire knowledge about the position to be applied for.

Career Highlights/Qualifications (optional)

• A customized section of your resume that lists key achievements, skills, traits, and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying can serve dual purposes. It highlights your relevant experience and lets the prospective employer know that you have taken the time to create a resume that shows how you are qualified for the job.

Education• In the education section of your resume, list the schools you

attended, the degrees you attained, and any special awards and honors you earned.

High school students:

Mt. Everett High SchoolSheffield MassachusettsProjected graduation date: June 2015

Experience

• This section of your resume includes your work history. List the companies you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements.

• Company #1City, StateDates Worked

• Job TitleResponsibilities / AchievementsResponsibilities / Achievements

• Company #2 Repeat same as above

Additional Information/Skills

• Include skills related to the position / career field that you are applying for i.e. computer skills, language skills.

References available upon request

• There is no need to include references on your resume. Rather, have a separate list of references to give to employers upon request.

• They may ask when you apply or after the interview

Cover letters

• The cover letter is another way of introducing yourself to a potential employer.

• What it says about you can be the difference between getting in the door and missing your chance.

Cover letter – Structure!• A good structure will help you to express yourself more clearly,

whether in a dissertation, an essay, a job application letter or a CV. The following tactics may help you to structure your writing:

• Clarify your thoughts and the purpose of your communication before you start writing. In business communications, clarity is more important than style.

• Identify the key points, facts and themes• Decide on a logical order for what you have to say• Compose a strong introduction and ending. The first will make an

immediate and positive impression on the reader; the second will remain in their mind after they have finished reading

• Use short paragraphs and sentences rather than long, rambling ones. Keep to one idea per paragraph and put your point in the first line, then add the supporting information.

• Help key points to stand out by the use of headings, sub-headings and bullet points. This will allow your reader to quickly scan your message for the main points.

Sample cover letter September 12, 2013

Dear Mr. Smith: I was thrilled when Tom Townsend, a mutual friend, suggested I write to you about

opportunities at Crooked Creek Farm. I already have some experience helping on my aunt and uncles farm and am interested in an internship with your farm.

I am hardworking, reliable and like taking initiative. In the past year I have accomplished a lot:o Received one of only three prizes in school science fairo Organized a food drive and volunteer day at my schoolo Worked weekends and summers two years straight on my Aunt and Uncles farmo Attending the Massachusetts State FFA Winter Leadership camp and State Convention

I’ve always believed in the quality of your farms products and have enjoyed them since I was a

child visiting your farm stand. I would love the opportunity to work on your farm. Enclosed, please find a copy of my résumé. I will give you a call next week to see if we could

set up a time to discuss my becoming a part of your company for the summer. Feel free to call me at (212) 555-5555 or send email to [email protected].

I look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely, (Signature) Jess P. Higgins

What to wearWhat not to wear

Good, Bad or Ugly ?

Your interview starts before you walk into an employer’s door..

Understand YourselfUnderstand Yourself

1. Education

2. Experience, both paid and unpaid3. Accomplishments and achievements4. Skills and competencies5. Community service6. Clubs and organizations7. Extra-Curricular activities8. Work ethics9. Values

Take an inventory of your attributes

Create Your Personal ProfileCreate Your Personal Profile

Create a professional resume & cover letter

Look for ways to put a positive spin on yourexperiences.

Describe yourself and your accomplishments.

Create Your Personal ProfileCreate Your Personal Profile

Give yourself all the credit you deserve.

Be totally honest, but don’t shortchange yourself by underestimating or

minimizing your accomplishments.

Have a professional critique of your resume.

Know the PositionKnow the PositionMake sure you and the position are a match.

Duties of the position

Compensation range

Location

Work schedules

Know the OrganizationKnow the Organization

Organization’s name

What products or services

Know the OrganizationKnow the OrganizationWhere to find organization’s information:

Organization’s website

Search engines like Google

Networking

Library and newspaper archives

General TipsGeneral Tips

Map your route to the interview site so you’re not late.

Arrive 10-15 minutes early!

Appropriate dress is a must.

Prepare

Refer to your achievements often before your interview date, so they’re fresh in your mind.

Know your answers to probable questions before you walk in the door.

General TipsGeneral Tips

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during the hiring process.

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by the interviewer.

The Handshake

SMILE

General TipsGeneral Tips Practice, practice, practice your answers and

your delivery. Ask others to critique you.

If you have access to a video recorder, tape a mock interview so you can see your nonverbal

communication.

Think about questions you need to ask. Write them down to jog your memory.

General TipsGeneral TipsMaintain good eye contact during the interview.

Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.

Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible.

Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question

General TipsGeneral Tips Use good grammar and good diction. Say “yes”, not

“yeah.” Don’t fill pauses with “um,” uh” or “ah”. Don’t punctuate sentences with “you know”, “like”, “see” or “okay”.

Make sure you understand the employer’s next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next.

General TipsGeneral TipsDon’t make negative comments about

previous employers

Don’t treat the interview casually.

This is insulting to the interviewer and the organization.

Don’t give the impression you are only interested in salary.

General TipsGeneral Tips Don’t act as though you would take any job or are

desperate for employment.

Don’t chew gum or smell like smoke.

Don’t take cell phone calls during an interview.

Turn it off during the interview.

General Tips – social mediaGeneral Tips – social media Clean up your Facebook, twitter, etc… profile!!

Appropriate pictures, comments

Check your security settings

“google” yourself

Legal versus Illegal QuestionsLegal versus Illegal Questions

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!

Arrest or police records Sex Disability Age Military service

Race/Color Child care Religion National origin Marital status

It is important to understand the concept of legal versus illegal questions. Any company wishing to avoid charges of discrimination knows that there are some legal minefields to avoid with respect to interview questions they may ask applicants for positions.


KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!

1. That’s an unusual name. Is it Polish?

2. Would you have trouble working for asupervisor who is younger than you?

3. What are you, about 50 or so?

Question Legal Illegal


KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!

4. Do you have children?

5. The job requires frequent overnighttravel. Will your family obligationsprevent you from meeting thisrequirement?



KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!

6. Have you ever been arrested?

7. In what branch of the military didyou serve?



KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!


8. I see you grew up in Utah. Are you Mormon?

9. Will your disability prevent you from bending and stooping?

Typical and not so typicalJob Interview QuestionsTypical and not so typicalJob Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. (Don’t ramble. Stay focused on those things about yourself that make you best qualified for the job.)

What are your strengths? (Make sure you know what they are before you get to the interview. Make a list.)

What are your weaknesses? (Careful of this one. What you say can and will be held against you.)


How would your current (or last) boss describe you? (Be honest . . . They may be talking to him/her)

Describe the attributes of the worst boss you ever had. (Treat this like a minefield. A misstep could blow up in your face. Try to put a positive spin on the negative

attributes.)


Describe a conflict or disagreement you have had at work and explain how you handled it.

How do you react to criticism? (This is not the time for ego)

Give an example of a risk you took at work or school and how it turned out. What did you learn from the outcome?


Why do you want to leave your current employer? (Positive, positive. A prospective employer doesn’t want to hear a litany of grievances against your current employer.)

What was your most important contribution to your last (or current) employer?


What accomplishment in your life are you most proud?

Would you hire you for this job? Why?

Why should we hire you over other finalists for this position? (Of course, you won’t know their

credentials, so focus on your own.)


What motivates you?

How do you motivate others to achieve their personal best? (Keep in mind that motivation is internal. You can only “motivate” yourself.)

Behavior based questionsBehavior based questionsDescribe a time when you were faced with problems or

stresses at work that tested your coping skills. What did you do?

Give me an example of an important goal you had to set and tell me about your progress in reaching that goal.

Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it.

Tell me about a situation in the past year in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.

SummarySummary You know yourself and what you have to offer.

You know you and the position are a match.

You know the organization’s history and the benefits you would bring to it.

You have prepared a professional resume.

You’ve practiced, practiced, practiced your delivery.

You’ve selected appropriate attire.

SummarySummaryYou know answers to probable questions, including behavioral-based questions.

You’ve practiced your smile, eye contact, and firm handshake.

You’ve made it to the interview site on time.

This organization couldn’t live without you.

What to do after the interviewWhat to do after the interviewCourteously thank the interviewer(s) for the

opportunity to interview

Extend a handshake and exhibit enthusiasm about the career opportunity.

Consider following up with a thank you note or e-mail of appreciation to the interviewer(s) to further show your interest.

Non verbal communication

• Posture• Handshake• Yawning• Showing interest• Following conversations

Documents

Employability Skills