Getting a Job and Keeping a Jobcrystal.uta.edu/~carroll//cse3316/uploads/53271A3D...• Resume packages • Interview techniques • Career changes . Guest Speaker – 4/23/2013 •

Getting a Job and Keeping a Job (Class 13.2 – April 18, 2013)

CSE 3316 – Professional Practices

Spring 2013

Instructor – Bill Carroll, Professor of CSE

Today’s Topics

• Organizational matters

• Resume packages

• Interview techniques

• Career changes

Guest Speaker – 4/23/2013

• Cheri Butler, Associate Director, The Career Center, UTA

• Building portfolios and electronic professional networks

• Location – 208 Woolf Hall

Organizational Matters

• Assignment #4 – due 4/23 by email

• Assignment #5 – presentations 4/25, 4/30, 5/2

• Submit your PowerPoint to me by 9:00 AM the day of your presentation

• Final exam – 5/7 at 11:00 AM in 208 Woolf Hall

• Final exam study guide will be posted on the course website by May 1 COB

Professionalism, 3rd Edition

Lydia E. Anderson & Sandra B. Bolt

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc

Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Chapter 14

Resumé Package





“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, “Certainly I can!” Then get busy and find out how to

do it.”

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)





BUILDING YOUR RÉSUMÉ PACKAGE

• Résumé package-cover letter and résumé

• Résumé : a formal written profile that presents a

person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to potential

employers

– Conflicting advice as to how the perfect résumé should

look and what it should include

– Appropriate résumé depends on work experience

– A well written résumé makes it easy for potential

employers to quickly identify your skills and work

experience





• Five Steps toward a winning résumé:

1. Career Objective/Personal Profile

2. Gathering Information

3. Proper Layout

4. Skills, Accomplishments, and Experience

5. The Final Résumé

• As you construct your résumé, make every word,

visual presentation, and information sell your skills

and accomplishments

BUILDING YOUR RÉSUMÉ PACKAGE





SHARING YOUR RÉSUMÉ

• Start with a perfect résumé

• Online version

– Consider content-use keywords

– Send as an attachment to preserve formatting

• MS Word

• Portable document file (pdf)

– Electronic job boards

– Guard personal information





SHARING YOUR RÉSUMÉ

• Electronic file

– Microsoft Word vs. portable document file (.pdf)

• Electronic formatted résumé:

– American Standard Code for Information Interchange

(ASCII)

– Used when employers add résumé to special software to

search applicants based on key words

– Special format

– Key words

– Times New Roman (10-14 point)





COVER LETTERS

• Cover letter: formal letter used as an introduction

to a résumé

• First impression for potential employers

• Use a friendly but professional tone

• Point out how you can meet the employer’s needs

• Do not duplicate resumé; instead, expand the areas

of interest to target employer





• Identify key skills for your targeted position

• List key skills first on the resumé

• Emphasize specific qualification in the cover letter

• List phone and e-mail address on resumé

• and cover letter

• Make phone message professional

TAILORING YOUR RESUMÉ

AND COVER LETTER





Chapter 15

Interview Techniques





“All the world’s a stage.”

William Shakespeare

(1564-1616)





THE INTERVIEW

• More than dressing sharp

• Advanced preparation

• Confidence

• Strategy for before, during and after

• Goal is to communicate visually and verbally

that you are the right person for this job





THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW

• Most invitations occur via phone or e-mail

• Regularly check and respond to phone and e-

mail messages

• Maintain a professional voice mail message

and e-mail address





THE INVITATION TO INTERVIEW

• Attempt to identify

– With whom you will interview

– How much time is scheduled for the interview

– How many applicants are being called to interview

• Be friendly, respectful, and professional

• Try to arrange interview at time that puts you at advantage

– First and last are most memorable

– Morning is best





COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH

• Conduct research prior to interview

• Research better prepares you for interview,

increases confidence, and provides greater

advantage over other candidates

• Sources include:

– Company web site, brochures, materials

– Internet search

– Industry journals

– Interviews with employees and business leaders





COMPANY SPECIFIC RESEARCH

• Identify as much as you can about

– The target company

– Its administrators

– Department of the target job

• Identify if the company is the right fit for you

and your career goals

• Share specific research information during the

interview





THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL

• Personal Commercial: a brief career biography that

conveys your career choice, knowledge, skills,

strengths, abilities, and experiences that make you

uniquely qualified

• Sells skills and ties these skills to the target job in a

brief two minute statement

• Adapt statement to the requirements for each target

job





THE PERSONAL COMMERCIAL

• Include your interest in your chosen career and

activities related to the career

• Do not include personal information such as marital

status, hobbies, or other private information

• Include career objective information

• Use personal commercial at beginning of interview

• Restate at end of interview





THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO

• Interview Portfolio: small folder containing relevant

documents that are taken to an interview

• Use business portfolio or paper folder with pockets

• Include: copies of resumé, cover letter, reference list,

generic application, and personal commercial

• Also include a calendar, note paper, a pen, and

personal business cards





THE INTERVIEW PORTFOLIO

• Keep on your lap

• Place personal commercial on the top of your portfolio

for easy access

– Do not read, but glance for information if needed





PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Practice answering common interview

questions in front of mirror or video camera

• Analyze responses

– Selling skills

– Projecting professional image

– Nervous gestures

• Use real life examples






Question Answer Do Not

Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial, which was

modified to the job description of your target

company.

Do not divulge personal information or background

information such as where you were born, hobbies, or marital

status.

What are your strengths? Make sure your answer includes how your

strengths meet the job requirements and how

these strengths will be an asset to the company.

Do not include strengths that are not related to the job. Do not

include personal information (e.g., “I’m a good mother”).

Tell me about a time you failed. Be honest. Use an example that is not too

damaging. Include the lesson learned from your

mistake.

Do not exclude the lesson learned from the failure. Do not

place blame on why the failure occurred.

Tell me about a time you were

successful.

Be honest. Use an example that relates to the job

for which you are applying. State if it was a team

effort.

Do not take full credit if the success was a team effort.

How do you handle conflict? Be honest. Use an example that is not too

damaging. Include the lesson learned from your

mistake. Apply what you learned in Chapter 12.

Do not exclude the lesson learned. Do not give specifics on

how the conflict occurred.

Would you rather work individually or in

a team? Why?

State that you prefer one or the other and state

why, but make sure your answer relates to the job

requirements.

Do not state that you will not work one way or the other.

Why do you want this job? Your answer should convey career goals and how

the job supports your current skills. Include

company information.

Do not state money or benefits in your response.






Question Answer Do Not

How do you deal with stress? Share positive stress reducers as addressed in

Chapter 3.

Do not state that stress does not affect you. Do not use

negative examples.

Tell me about yourself. Use your personal commercial. Do not provide personal information that could be

discriminatory.

What is your greatest weakness? Use a weakness that will not damage your

chance of getting the job. Communicate

how you are minimizing your weakness

or are turning it into a strength (e.g.,

“I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t allow it

to interfere with getting my job done on

time”).

Do not state, “I don’t have any.”

Where do you want to be in five years? Share the goals you created in Chapter 1. Do not say you want the interviewer’s job.

Tell me about a time you displayed

leadership

Use a specific example, and try to relate the

example to the needed job skills.

Do not appear arrogant.





PRE-INTERVIEW PRACTICE

• Practice day

• Arrive at interview location (company)

• Walk to specific interview office (do not go into office)

• Note nearest public restroom

• Interview attire—clean and professional

• Thank-you notes

• Interview portfolio:

• Resumé

• Note pad and pen

• Reference list

• Generic application

• Copies of pertinent documents





THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

• Look in the mirror-check appearance

• If you smoke, refrain from smoking prior to

the interview

• Arrive 15 minutes early

• Go to the restroom and freshen up

• Turn off phone, throw away gum

• Enter meeting location 5 minutes early





• Make every interaction positive

• Introduce yourself to the receptionist

• Be sincere

• Take a seat and relax

• Use positive self-talk

From the minute you enter the building,

assume your interview has begun

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW





THE INTERVIEW

• Communicate confidence

• Stand, extend a smile and handshake

• Clearly and slowly state your name

• Listen carefully to the interviewer’s name

• Sit only after being invited to sit

• Do not answer your phone





THE INTERVIEW

• Body language

– Watch yours

– Watch individuals conducting interview

– Sit up straight, sit back in chair, and relax

– Be calm but alert

• Keep hands folded on lap or ready to take notes

• Do not lean on furniture

• Make eye contact, but don’t stare





THE INTERVIEW

When Asked a Question

• Listen carefully

• Take a few seconds to think and digest question

• Formulate an answer

• Answers should relate back to the job qualifications and/or job duties

• The goal is to convey to interviewer how your skills will assist the company

• Keep answers brief, but complete

• Your job is to sell yourself

• When possible, inject company information





THE INTERVIEW

When Asked a Question (cont.)

• “Talk about yourself” = personal commercial

• When possible, share job samples

• When possible, share company research findings

• Do not provide personal information

• Relate answers back to the target job





PHONE/TECHNOLOGY

INTERVIEWS

• First interview may take place over the phone

• Some prearranged, others are scheduled

• Consistently answer phone professionally, keeping interview

portfolio accessible

• Try to be as accommodating as possible

• During a phone interview:

– Be professional and prepared

– Be concise with communication

– Be polite





PHONE/TECHNOLOGY

INTERVIEWS

• Video chat interviews

• Designated time for connecting

• Following the phone interview tips

• Prepare and treat as if a face-to-face interview

– Plan ahead-venue, equipment

– Dress professionally-it is visual

– Maintain a professional environment-quiet and appropriate

location

– Speak to the camera-eye contact





INTERVIEW METHODS

• One-on-one interviews: involve meeting between

applicant and a company rep

• Group Interviews: involve several applicants

interviewing with each other while being observed by

company reps

• Panel Interviews: involve applicant meeting with

several company employees at the same time





TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Structured interview questions: address job-

related issues where each applicant is asked the

same question(s)

• Unstructured interview questions: a probing,

open-ended question designed to identify if

candidate can appropriately sell his/her skills

• Behavioral interview questions: designed for

candidates to share a past work experience to

demonstrate qualifications





DISCRIMINATION AND

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

• Created to protect the rights of employees

• Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

• Other laws that prohibit pay equity and discrimination

• Individuals over 40 years of age

• Individuals with disabilities

• Individuals who are pregnant

• Other areas





DISCRIMINATION AND

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

Employers have a legal obligation to provide every qualified candidate an equal opportunity to interview

Discriminatory questions are illegal

If asked illegal or discriminatory questions:

– Do not directly answer question

– Address the issue

– Protect your rights

– It is inappropriate to disclose personal information

• Avoid making comments referring to:

– Marital status

– Children

– Religion

– Age

– Any other area of protected rights





TOUGH QUESTIONS

• Negative work-related experiences

• Potentially devastating if not handled properly

– Fired

– Poor performance evaluation

– Poor/no job reference

– Behaved in a negative manner prior to leaving old job

• If not asked, don’t disclose

• Only exception is if current/former boss has potential to provide a negative reference

– Tell interviewer

– Request another manager or coworker be contacted





TOUGH QUESTIONS

• Be honest

• State the facts

• Tell interviewer that you have matured and realized that you did not handle the situation appropriately

• Do not speak poorly of current/previous employer, boss, or coworker

• Do not place blame on who was right or wrong

• Every experience is a learning experience





CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

• At close of interview, you may be asked if you have any questions

• Have question (s) prepared

– Current event

– Portfolio information

– Do not ask selfish questions regarding salary, benefits, vacations, or general company questions

• Restate personal commercial

• Ask for the job

– The purpose of the job interview is to sell yourself

– An interview isn’t successful if you don’t close the sale





CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

• Interviewer will signal that interview is over

• Hand interviewer your personal business card

• Secure a business card

• Shake hands

• Thank him or her for his or her time

• Communicate confidence, friendliness, and professionalism

• Immediately after leaving the interview, write the thank-you note

• Make a positive last impression





AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Deliver thank-you note

• Congratulate yourself

• Prior to leaving company property, make notes

• Evaluate impression of company





SALARY NEGOTIATION

• Should hear back from company

– Second interview or job offer

– Reference checks

• Call individuals on reference list

• Interviewer may ask about salary requirements

– Sell skills

– Conduct and compare research to job posting

• Start a few thousand dollars higher than your desired starting salary

• Consider experience and/or lack of experience

• If offered unacceptable salary, use silence





PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS, SCREENINGS and

MEDICAL EXAMS

• Pre-employment tests determine – Knowledge

– Skills

– Abilities

• May be online, physical, measurable

• Must be job related





• Common types of screenings:

– Criminal checks

– Education verification

– Driver’s license history

– Security checks

– Employment checks

– Credit checks

– Reference checks

– Number and type depend upon relevance to the job

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS,

SCREENINGS and MEDICAL EXAMS





• Medical exams

– Legally, employers can require medical exams only after a

job offer is made

– Exam must be required for all applicants for same job

– Exam must be job-related

– Common exams include: vision, strength testing, pre-

employment drug tests

– Cannot be conducted without your permission

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTS,

SCREENINGS and MEDICAL EXAMS





WHEN YOU’RE NOT

OFFERED A JOB

• Job search is a full-time job

• Do not be discouraged

• Evaluate resumé and cover letter

– Typographically or grammatical errors

– Listed important skills that reflect needs of job

– Have someone review cover letter and résumé

• Make every experience a learning experience





• Review each step in interview process

– Grade yourself

– Pre-interview preparation

– Interview day appearance

– Interview answers

– Ability to interject company research into answers

• Maintain a good attitude

WHEN YOU’RE NOT

OFFERED A JOB





Chapter 16

CAREER

CHANGES





“Real success is finding

your lifework in the work

that you love.”

David McCullough





TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Training: learning new skills

• Development: enhancing existing skills

• Be aware of key duties within other

departments

• Increase your knowledge and understanding

of the company mission and strategy





CONTINUAL LEARNING

• Continual learning: the ongoing process of increasing your knowledge in the area of your career

• Formal learning: returning to college to increase knowledge, improve skills, or receive an advance degree

• Informal learning: reading career-related magazines, newsletters, Internet research, or informational interviews





CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Natural to desire a job change

• Reasons for change include:

– Acquired experience

– Higher salary

– Improved work hours

– Increased responsibility, status, and power

– A perceived decrease in stress

– Desire for different work environment and/or

colleagues





CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Changes in employment status include:

– Promotions

– Voluntary terminations

– Involuntary terminations

– Lateral transfers

– Retirement





NEW JOB SEARCHES

• Inform others of your desire for a new job only if:

– Increased education

– Moving away

– Mastery of job skills

• Secure a letter of recommendation

• Keep job search confidential if your desire for new job is not based on any of the above





JOB SEARCHES

• Conduct search during non-working hours

• Display grace and style

• Remain positive

• When asked about job search, keep explanation brief and simple

– Not appropriate to share details about potential employers or status of job search





PROMOTIONS

• Promotion: moving to a position higher in the

organization with increased responsibility

• Steps toward getting a promotion:

– Begin behaving and dressing for the desired

position

– Secure copy of job description for desired job

– Develop new skills

– Watch and learn from others





PROMOTIONS

• When you are promoted:

– You will receive:

• An increase in pay

• A new title

• New responsibilities

– Thank former boss

– Never gloat

– Try not to reinvent the wheel

– Ask for and accept help from others





VOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

Voluntary termination: leaving your job on your own (new job or retirement)

• Do not quit your job unless you have one waiting

• Be professional and do not burn bridges

• Letter of resignation: written notice of your voluntary termination

– Two weeks’ notice

– Typed

– Provide final day

– Be positive

– Sign and date letter






• Do not behave or speak negatively

• Leave in a manner that makes the company want to

rehire you

• Remain professional

• Turn in keys, name badge, company property

• Do not take or destroy company property

• Take only personal belongings

• Preserve confidentiality






• Exit interview: when an employer meets with an employee who is voluntarily leaving a company to identify opportunities to improve the work environment

– Questions regarding former position, boss, and work environment

– Goal is to secure constructive input on how to improve company

– Share opportunities for improvement

– Do not get personal

– Remain professional





INVOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Involuntary termination: when you lose your job against your will

• Involuntary terminations include:

– Firing: terminated for poor performance

– Layoff: result of company financial issue

– Restructuring: company change of strategy

• Work recall: employee is called back after being laid off





INVOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Furloughs – Employees take unpaid work days

– Required

– Not due to poor performance

– An effort to save financial resources

– Use time wisely





OTHER MOVES WITHIN

THE ORGANIZATION

• Lateral move: transferred to another area

of company with the same pay and

responsibilities

• Demotion: a decrease in job title, status,

and pay

• Retirement: employee voluntarily leaves

company and will no longer be working





ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Entrepreneur: someone who assumes the risk of

succeeding or failing in business through owning

and operating a business

• Reasons people become entrepreneurs:

– Would rather work for themselves

– Want more control of work environment

– Want more income

– Have lost their jobs and are unable to find another





CAREER SUCCESS

• Do not change jobs too frequently

• Those with healthy careers rarely stay in one

job

• Keep résumé updated

• Doing so keeps you motivated to:

– Take on additional responsibilities

– Increase knowledge, skills, and abilities

– Be prepared for career opportunities

Documents

Getting a Job and Keeping a Jobcrystal.uta.edu/~carroll//cse3316/uploads/53271A3D...• Resume packages • Interview techniques • Career changes . Guest Speaker – 4/23/2013 •