New Horizons Career Services Job Placement Assistance Program · THE PROBLEM THE SITUATION: Steps Description Stage Career Assessment Students discuss both long term and short term

Welcome! This program was created to help you prepare your cover letters, resumes,

and provide you with helpful hints that you may use to find a job. Over the

two workshops you will be given an information toolbox that contains all the

pertinent information you need to be successful in your job searching. This is

an important step in the program; please take this seriously as this

information along with your training will be the foundation to getting

employment. I do wish to thank you for choosing New Horizons for your

Career Training needs and wish you the best in your job searching.

We are Real Education for the Real World

New Horizons Career Services Job Placement Assistance Program

***New Horizons does not guarantee placement or employment.

Congratulations! Now that you are 50-75% finished with your program here at New Horizons you have the opportunity to enroll in the Job Placement Program. If you choose to enroll in our program you will over the next few weeks be given a toolbox of information that contains all the pertinent information you need to be successful in your job searching. This is an imperative step in this program. If you think you may need help within the next 12 months please reply yes. Although, we provide you with the tools necessary for your job searching, you will play a huge role in your success. You will have to be proactive in your search, staying in contact with the Career Services Dept. and keeping your resume updated. Please review our 8 step program, located on the back of this sheet or in your workshop packet. We have tremendous success with this program and I know this will help you succeed. I do wish to thank you again for choosing New Horizons for your Career training needs and I wish you the best in your job search.

Please initial the space next to the enrollment option of your choice.

Professional Development Workshops

These workshops help

with resume layouts,

cover letters, job

searching, interview

skills and much more!

Mock Interview Simulated interviews

with members of our

management team.

Come in and

experience what an

interview is like in

today’s job market.

Email Blast Once enrolled in the

Job Placement

Program you will

receive job leads via

email blast.

Welcome to New Horizons Job Placement Assistance Program

________YES, I would like to enroll in the placement program. I have read and

received New Horizons Key Information and Student Expectations. By Enrolling in this program you are giving New Horizons permission to send or use your information including but not limited to; resume, graduation picture, personal quotes. Failure to be in contact, refusal to adhere to guidelines set by Career Services

Dept., or unacceptable behavior with any of our partners/contacts can result in termination of your enrollment of this program.

Student Name:

Preferred Email: Preferred Phone:

________ NO, I do not wish to enroll in the placement program at this time. I understand that I will not be eligible for placement help, professional workshops, job leads, and I lose the ability

to have my resume passed on to our corporate contacts for employment opportunities.


Steps Description Stage Career Assessment Students discuss both long term and short term career goals. Start of Training

Career Meetings Periodic meetings with Director of Student Services to discuss

classes’ progression and certifications goals.

Whole Program

Workshop 1

Resumes and Cover Letters: Students will learn about all the

tools they need to get out in the job market. How to build a

cover letter and a professional resume.

50% of program

completed

Update Resume The Career Services Dept. will review your resume and provide

feedback for your review.

50% though

graduation

Workshop 2

Professional Development: Students will learn Interviewing

Skills, Negotiating Skills and Time Management. Including:

how to prepare before interviewing, during the interview and

after the interview. Professional Dress, frequently asked

interview questions, thank-you letters, follow-up inquiries, offer

letters, social networking, and job searching.

50% of program

completed

Job Leads The Career Services Dept. will send you job leads based upon

your program.

75% of program

completed

Company

Contacts

Send final resume to staffing companies and corporate

companies for potential employment.

Graduation

Mock Interviews Students will participate in a simulated interview. And provide

feedback you would hear from a hiring manager.

Graduation

● ● ● ● ● ●

New Horizons 8 Step Placement Assistance Program

● ● ● ● ● ●

THE SITUATION:

Corporations are no longer paying for training in this global economy. They save money by increasing their reliance on already well trained and certified professionals.

THE PROBLEM:

Until you are certified you can not validate to a business that you have the knowledge and experience to work on their equipment. Also, not knowing how to position yourself on paper for certification based positions.

THE SOLUTION:

The Job Placement Assistance Program prepares you for your next career. The program will give you the tools to market yourself effectively and give you the confidence you need during your job search. You are now making the commitment to change and enhance how you will market yourself in today’s demanding job market.

Key Information & Student Expectations

The must be once a month contact with the Career Services Dept. to

stay enrolled

Career Services must have your resume within 20 days of graduation;

if we do not have your resume they can not provide you with help- as

they do not know what you are qualified for

Enrollment into the program only lasts for 12 months from graduation;

or until you have found full time employment in your field of training

We will help students over the one year time frame on a case by case

basis- the determining factors include but are not limited to: how long

ago you graduated, the effort your put in to your job search, your

communication log with the Career Services Dept.

[email protected]

We are Real Education for the Real World

New Horizons Job Placement Assistance Program


mailto:[email protected]

Strategic Résumés

1

1

Strategic Résumés

Writing for Results

2

Outline

1. Résumés - The 8 Step Formula

2. Résumé Objectives

3. Marketability

4. Résumé Formats

5. Building Your Base

6. Résumé Drafts

7. Quality Check

8. Package with Care

9. Another Quality Check

10. Adding Logos

11. Cover Letters

12. Job Search

13. Posting Your Résumé

Before we Start (excerpt from hiring training)

Reassess Traditional Requirements Develop Skill Criteria

– Learning skills– Relationship skills– Value-add skills

Develop Compelling Recruiting Message Selecting the Right Employee

– Skill and Performance based Profiles3

Before we Start

4

5

Introduction

There are no shortcuts Get the big picture Your résumé:

– Highly personal, important document– Reflects what makes you special– Thoroughly professional in structure,

language, and appearance

36

Eight-Step Formula

1. Define Your Objective2. Assess Your Marketability3. Select Your Format4. Build Your Base5. Develop a Draft6. Refine the Quality7. Package with Care8. Run a Final Quality Check

Strategic Résumés

2

7

Step 1:Define Your Objective (Handout)

Your objective will… Zero in on what you want Create a guide on what to say Help to build your case for opportunities

you are best suited to

8

Distinction of Personal Focus

On average, résumés get a 30 second review

Challenge: stand out immediately and impressively

9

Inner-Directed Approach

Lay aside impulsive responses to job market / job ads

Develop an inner compass to…– The kinds of work you are best suited for– Work yielding the greatest satisfaction– Opportunities offering the greatest success

Multiple options? State an objective for each option

110

Résumé Objective

Statement specifying your preferred kind of work

Description of– the contributing role you wish to play– the function you seek involvement with

Short-term employment focus Realistic aspiration

11

Step 2:Assess Your Marketability

Assuming two factors…– If your job objective is based upon a

significant interest and strength, and…– If there is a need or demand for what you

want to do

THEN - YOU ARE MARKETABLE!

12

Marketability

Personal qualities make you an asset Experiences demonstrate your

effectiveness Your task:

– Communicate effectively the ways you can excel and contribute

– Make a compelling case why it is in an employer’s enlightened self-interest to hire you

Strategic Résumés

3

13

Taking Back Control*

Challenge established beliefs Your ability to influence others’

perceptions of you begins withyour perceptions of your own value

Be committed to demonstrate this value creatively and convincingly

14

Checklist of Marketability Concerns I’m too young I’m too old No college degree Too many degrees Major doesn’t relate No specialized training No paid experience No professional

experience

Experience in a different field

Out of market too long Held one job too long No promotions Changed jobs too often Gaps in work history Laid off Other concerns

15

Strategic Challenge

No aspect of your history or circumstances has the power to block you from your goals

Your are in the driver’s seat of…– How you look at your situation– How you influence others to look at it

How you deal with them is a matter of choice

16

The Idea

Remain in charge of your self-presentation

Be matter-of-fact in handling objections Be resourceful and positive in refocusing

attention to your skills and abilities

17

Personal Assessment

Most challenging part of achieving my job objective

Marketability myth most vulnerable to Most predictable objection to hiring me Particular concern in presenting qualifications Useful strategy to winning receptivity Belief to reevaluate about job search Impact of economy on job prospects Commitment to area of my objective

18

Step 3:Select Your Format

There is no “right” format for everyone A review of your own experiences and

education will help determine the most suitable format

Strategic Résumés

4

19

Chronological Format

Merits– Accentuates formal qualifications– Recruiters/managers accustomed to format

Drawbacks– Emphasizes lack of direct, in-depth

experience– Gaps, brief or long affiliations, time elapses

are spotlighted– Can seem dry and repetitive

Effective for people with clear career path 20

Functional Format

Merits– Establishes transferable skills– Not limited to paid employment

Drawbacks– Challenges the standard presentation of

personal strengths– Assumes background info being hidden– Key time/space anchors are missing

Effective for those without direct experience

21

Combination Format

Pure chronological format is too mundane Pure functional format is too free-floating The most effective résumé blends the

best of both formats

22

Step 4: Build Your Base

Review your learning experiences Review your work experiences Review your leisure experiences

Recommendation: Utilize a master information pool containing all items which might appear on your résumé – draw from it when draft a new résumé

23

What about References?

Have at least 3 solid references ready Never include references on a résumé

– Only checked if You are going to be offered the position, or You are a serious contender for the position

– If included, your résumé distributes contact information widely

– Could result in reluctance to be a reference

24

Step 5:Develop Your Draft

The challenge: generate thinking and phrasing (will be improved upon later)

Experiment with different words and creativity

Pressure for premature results is off

Strategic Résumés

5

25

Draft Steps

Reserve a block of time Remove distractions/interruptions Get comfortable Have all available materials Review strategic résumé concepts Reflect on what you want to bring out Write your draft

26

How Long Should It Be?

Aim at writing 1-2 pages Length depends upon:

– Personal preference– Scope/depth of your experience– Position’s level of responsibility– Position’s qualifications

27

Core Elements to Develop

Contact information (Email – Cell phone) Career objective Summary of qualifications List of Key skills Related experience Related education Related memberships

28

Contact Information

Basic contact information Tips:

– Name in a Larger typeface & bold– Repeat name at top of 2nd page

29

Summary of QualificationsFunction

Create a bridge between the objective and rest of the résumé

Summarize formal & informal qualifications

Capture attention and create receptivity Frame yourself in terms of how you wish

to be seen

30

List of Key SkillsItems for Inclusion

Functional skills you do best (natural knacks)

Technical skills and special knowledge

Strategic Résumés

6

31

Related ExperienceStrategic Handling

Optimize your experience – calls for creative judgment, calls on how to sequence, highlight, and de-emphasize various facts of your background

Uncompromising honesty Ability to see yourself the way you wish

others to see you

32

Related ExperienceInclusion, Emphasis, Perspective

Cite experience from every realm of life– Strongest categories first– Consider header statements to strengthen

weak or unrelated experience

Only include professional jobs Start your experience from where you

want– From the point you begin, you may not

delete any full-time experience

33

Related ExperienceAdditional Points

Cite present/most recent job first and work backward

Single space entries – double (or 1½) space where space permits

For mixed single and multiple positions, see sample résumé’s in handout

34

Related ExperienceDescription

Identifies relevant record of direct or related experience

Answers questions:– Did what?– With/for whom?– On what scale?– With what results?

35

Related ExperienceAdditional Points

Begin with power-packed action words Avoid using I I I I - aye Avoid subjective adjectives such as

creative, intelligent, enterprising Avoid technical jargon – make it

meaningful to the target audience

536

Related EducationAdditional Points

Cite most recent and work back Do not refer to a degree or certification

when a higher one already earned Optional items:

– honors/awards– leadership positions– professional development seminars– employer-sponsored training– certificates, licensing status, related course

work

Strategic Résumés

7

37

Related MembershipsItems for Inclusion

National/local groups in your functional/ industry interest areas

Offices held or major service roles Awards/honors/recognition given by them

38

Step 6:Refine the Quality

Close scrutiny of your résumé draft Picture yourself as the hiring manager Picture yourself as an editor

39

Editing Checklist

Selectivity Sequencing Tone Specificity Clarity Simplicity Consistency Accuracy 40

Step 7:Package with Care

Importance of packaging Picture yourself as advertising agent Picture yourself as manager of creative

department

2

41

Packaging Checklist

Overall impact Page layout Highlighting Typography Paper Printing Electronic look and Meta-data

42

Step 8:Run a Final Quality Check

Evaluate résumé through eyes of trusted colleagues

Get feedback from manager or career professional

Value your own judgment – filter the ideas

Strategic Résumés

8

43

Supplement:Electronic Résumés

Paper résumés are on the way out Two basic formats:

– Word (or RTF) – printed by hiring manager– Plain text (.txt) – processed and scored

Submission is through website or via email

Adding Logos to Résumés

To make your résumé stand out from the crowd, some choose to add professional logos after obtaining certifications

Professional logos at the top of a résumé will make résumés stand out to HR/Hiring Managers when they are scanning through a large pile of applicants

44

Résumés – Professional Logos?

45 46

Cover Letter

Message– I’m interested– Here’s what makes me the right candidate– Can we set up an interview?

Sharp, crisp, professional

4

Cover Letters

Cover Letters should ALWAYS be personalized to the company and position you are applying to

Direct attention to the skills that you have (through education or work experience) that match what the job ad is seeking

47

Job Search

Post your résumé to all of the major job boards (Monster, CareerBuilder, Dice, Yahoo HotJobs) and some of the local sites as well (nepatoday.com, careerlink.com)

You may not get a call about a great job if your résumé is not posted for employers to search!

48

Strategic Résumés

9

Posting Your Résumé

You can upload a résumé through most job boards, and you will have the option to make the résumé “public” or “searchable by employers” – this is recommended, so companies can find and view your résumé

Fill out as much information as you can on your personal preferences – locations you are willing to work, level of experience, minimum salary requirements, etc.

If you choose to include the salary requirements - it should be your lowest comfortable minimum salary, to get a foot in the door at a great company, and not to discourage potential employers

49

Searching for Jobs

Searching through www.indeed.com will pull job postings from many other sites, you can also sign up for alerts to be sent to your email

Do not rely on one source for searching – check Indeed, all of the major job boards, and specific companies that you would love to work for (some companies will only post to their own websites, rather than pay for Monster or CB postings)

You should be making 5-6 job contacts a week (through applying, calling to inquire about openings, or Networking

Keep a log so you can follow up!506 7 8

Assignment

Build a résumé (based on what you learned here) to share with your career services rep for feedback (electronic or on paper)

It is your responsibility to make sure you schedule time to have your résumé reviewed

New Horizons doesn’t guarantee employment, but we will help to provide you with all the tools needed for a successful job search!

51

Strategic Résumés

End of Part 1

New HorizonsFebruary 26, 2014

9

Job Interview Preparation

1

N E W H O R I Z O N S


Outline

Part I: Before the Interview

Part II:At the

Interview

Part III:After the Interview

Part I: Before the Interview

Preparation Steps

1. Research the Employer, Interviewer, and Industry

2. Identify the Characteristics to Showcase

3. Review Common Interview Questions

4. Rehearsing and Practicing

5. Plan Your Interview Attire

6. Logistics (location, parking, etc.)

7. 24-hour Countdown to the Interview

Employers Expect You to Know

About the organization and industry

You may be asked:

What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?

Why do you want to work in the ____________ industry?

What do you know about our company?

Why are you interested in our company?

Use a Career Portfolio

Goes beyond cover letter and résumé

Gives complete picture of who you are

Experience / Education

Accomplishments / Skill sets

Tells what you have the potential to become

Use it to…

Showcase a point

Illustrate depth of skills/experience

Secure second interview


2

Portfolio Categories

Career summary & goals

Professional philosophy / mission statement

Resume & professional biography

Skills, abilities, marketable qualities

List of accomplishments

Samples of your work

Testimonials / letters of recommendation

Awards / honors / certificates

Credentials

Types of Interviews

Phone Interview

Traditional Interview

Situational Interview

Stress Interview

Traditional Interview

Employers are looking for three answers:

Does candidate have skills & abilities to perform the job

Does candidate possess enthusiasm and appropriate work ethic

Will candidate be team player and fit into the organization

Behavioral Interview

Interviewer identifies specific behaviors to look for in the candidate

During interview, pointed questions are asked to elicit detailed responses “Tell me about a time when…”

“Describe a situation…”

Based on response, interviewer may probe deeper with additional questions

Body language / facial expressions watched

Non-verbal Cues

Folded arms

Fidgeting

Clenched fists

Sitting on the edge of the chair

Smile

Eye contact

Immobile face

Clenched jaw

Squinted eyes

Body Language Facial Expressions

- Interviewer checks to see if non-verbalcues are consistent with verbal content

Handling Any Interview

Maintain eye contact (Phone?)

Project confidence

Demonstrate enthusiasm


3

Keys to Approaching Questions

Best response is your own – no canned answers

Understand what the interviewer is really trying to get at with the question

Discern the kind of response expected

Beware of traps

Most Often Asked Questions

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.

Interviewer is not looking for an autobiography

Respond with a succinct summary targeted to the job – sell yourself!

Candidate: My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the best financial consultant I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I’ve prepared myself.…


Interviewer: What are your weaknesses?

Spinning a weakness into a strength is overused

Weakness that’s inconsequential to the job may seem shallow

Denying that you have weaknesses that would affect job performance might be insincere

Best approach may be to talk about an area that was once a weakness, but that you have worked to improve


Interviewer: What are your weaknesses?

Candidate: I tend to be a perfectionist who has had trouble delegating tasks to others, but I’ve come to see that teamwork and capitalizing on everyone’s strengths is a much more effective way to get the job done than trying to do it all myself.


Interviewer: Why should I hire you? Unspoken question is: Why should I hire you above all

the other candidates?

This is an invitation to make your sales pitch

Use your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Like other candidates, I’m this, this, and this

But what sets me apart from the others is that I offer this, this, and this to your organization

Throughout my career I have consistently strived to uphold these qualities


What are your strengths?

Talk about strengths that are specific to the job

Have you ever had a conflict with a boss?

Don’t fall into the trap of trashing a previous employer

Brief, honest information is sufficient; if you’ve never had one, tell how you wouldhandle one


4

Other Questions

How would you describe your ideal job?

Answer should sound like the job for which you are interviewing

Would you rather work with information or people?

Ideally, both – tailor the answer to the job

Describe strengths in each area

Don’t sound weak in either area

Other Questions

How has your education prepared you for your career?

Describe your preparation as specific to the job

Provide concrete examples

Answering Yes / No Questions

Never respond with just "yes" or "no"

Always elaborate and be prepared to give specific examples

Use fairly current examples

Use a variety of examples – not all from the same area of life or experience

Salary Questions

Interviewers sometimes ask early in the interview for a salary or range

Usually used to screen applicants

Best tactic: delay responding as long as possible

To deflect salary questions… I applied for this position because I am very

interested in the job and your company, and I know I can make an immediate impact once on the job, but I'd like to table salary discussions until we are both sure I'm right for the job.

Questions about Termination

Don't lie about being fired, but don't dwell on it either

Explain that you and the company were not a good fit, hence your performance suffered

Or that you and your supervisor had differing viewpoints

Emphasize what you learned from the experience that will prevent you from repeating it

Questions about Leaving

Your fit with the company & differing views from your supervisor can also work here

Never trash a current or past employer

Always speak positively about past & present employers, even w/ negative experiences

Another good response: you determined you had grown as much as you could in that job and you are ready for new challenges.


5

Interview Practice Methods

Mock interviews

Video of mock interviews

Rehearsal

Mock Interview Tips

Make it as real as possible – dress for the interview, be prepared to answer questions

Have interviewer make it hard on you – tough questions, interruptions or office noise to simulate distractions

Have interview close enough (time) to the real interview so input is fresh in your mind

Watch for the Following

Um's and uh's ᴑ Sweating

Chewing gum ᴑ Smoking

Whistling ᴑ Humming

Speaking too softly ᴑ Twiddling thumbs

Fading out at end of response

Touching face, mouth, scratching head

Tapping a pencil or pen

Importance of Dress

First impressions are important – dress sets the tone for that first impression

You are marketing a product – yourself – to a potential employer – the first thing the employer sees when greeting you is your attire

Therefore, dress for success

Musts for Men and Women

Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume Minimal jewelry; no visible body piercing

beyond conservative ear piercing for women Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth

Tips for Being on Time

Make sure you can find the company

Ask for directions, get maps, do a dry run

Allow time to get lost, get tied up in traffic, find a parking place.

Don't arrive more than 15 minutes early


6

Did You Know?

You are being scrutinized before you ever walk into the interviewer’s office

Receptionists and\or administrative assistants that might be considered unimportant often play a significant role in the interviewing process

These “gatekeepers” may be asked their impressions of you

Tips upon Arriving

Learn the gatekeeper’s name – make friendly conversation – make them feel important

Wait patiently without complaint

Read something intelligent while waiting

If you’ve waited an hour, it would be reasonable to ask the gatekeeper if you can reschedule

Part II: At the Interview

Face-to-Face with Interviewer

Before seeing the interviewer

Never arrive with food in your mouth or on your teeth

Do not smoke before the interview

Turn off cell phone? before entering the building

Face-to-Face with Interviewer

Upon meeting the interviewer Stand if not already standingExtend your hand to offer a handshakeGive a firm handshake, not a fish or bone crusherHand should not be sweaty; wipe off well before

Show a healthy, sincere smileOffer a warm greetingGood morning, I'm glad to meet you!Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a

candidate for this position.Offer a copy of your resume

Confidence & Enthusiasm

Interviewers note that these are very often missing or seriously lacking in candidates

This can be corrected by using body language and nonverbal behavior


7

Confidence & Enthusiasm Tips

Maintain eye contact with interviewer Don’t look around; don’t look downLook at the eyes or nose of interviewer

Maintain warm, consistent smile Use strong, firm voice Maintain good postureSit up straight and slightly on edge of seatLean forward slightly

Keep hand gestures modest

Drawing a Total Blank

Take a moment to think

Brief moment of silence is acceptable

May result in interviewer voluntarily restating the question

Ask for a minute to think

Evidences intent to think through a matter

Request to come back to the question later

May be risky

Better than not answering at all

Weak Response

As soon as you realize you gave a weak response

Acknowledge the flub

Start again with “Here’s what I really meant.”

Multiple Interviews in a Day

Recommendations

Good night’s rest before the big day

Be prepared for different types of interviews and different styles of interviewers

Stay focused and excel at each interview

Stay fresh, even if bored by the same questions

Salary

Recommendations

Make sure you’re not the one to bring it up

Be prepared with a response

Know the salary range of the position (& area)

Stay as flexible as possible

Questions

Asking questions during the interview is acceptable and appropriate for clarification

Jot down questions you think of but may not have opportunity to ask at the time

Interviewer will give opportunity near end of interview for questions

You must ask at least one questionTo do otherwise may indicate lack of interest

in the job or company


8

Questions You Might Ask

Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?

What is the top priority of the person who accepts this job?

What are the day-to-day expectations and responsibilities of this job?

How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? And by whom? How often?

Can you describe the company’s management style?

At Conclusion of Interview

If you're offered the job

Ask about getting a formal, written offer, and when the company needs your decision

If job offer talk is still too preliminary

Ask about the next step in the process, and the company's timetable for filling the position

Closing the Sale

It’s up to you to decide how strongly you want to close the interview

At a minimum, you should ask about…The next step in the process?How many other candidates there are?Estimated timetable for completing the

process? If interview went well, ask for the jobBest case: you’ll get the job!Worst case: you’ll be told to wait

Closing Considerations

Be careful not to overdo the sales method

Overselling can turn off an interviewer

Bear in mind the interview is a conversation between two parties trying to showcase their best points

Goal is to leave the interview knowing you did your best to sell your unique mix of skills and accomplishments while overcoming any objections raised

Upon Leaving the Interview

Know what the next step in the process is and the timeframe in which to expect action

Know the names, titles and contact info of the interviewer and any other key persons

Business cards help

Part III: After the Interview


9

Afterward

Be proactive in pursuit of the position

Don’t sit back and wait for it to come to you

Adopt a follow-up strategy as part of your job search process

Thank you letters to interviewers (only 5% do)

Phone inquiries as to hiring for the position

Show enthusiasm and desire for the position

Caution: don’t make it seem as though you are desperate

Final Resumes

Don’t forget to send your revised & FINAL

resume(s) to your Career Services Representative, this way they can help you find success in your career.

Email to: [email protected]

E N D O F P R E S E N T A T I O N


Social Networking

1

Basics for Job Hunters

Intro to Social NetworkingSigning up for LinkedInBuilding a LinkedIn profileAdding ContactsGetting Recommendations Joining User GroupsWhat NOT to do

If you are new to social networking sites like FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc., LinkedIn may be your best bet, as it focuses on professional contacts vs. personal contacts.

www.linkedin.comWith LinkedIn, you have 100% control over

the content that is viewed by others – you build your page, you request professional recommendations, and you approve or deny any connection requests.

Signing up is easy – take a couple of minutes to sign up at www.linkedin.com. If you already have an account, please sign in and make sure you follow these easy do’s and don’ts as well as take advantage of some neat features.

You may use the Option to Import your resume to build your Profile quickly, or you may enter the info manually

Start by entering your current position/company info (if you are not working, you may enter your most recent position under “Past”)

Education: Enter New Horizons Computer Learning Centers as your most recent education, along with your Diploma Program name (MIS Network Admin, Computer & Network Support Technician, Medical Office Assistant, etc.)

Recommendations & Connections will come with time.

Experience: This should be similar to what you would enter on a resume – a list of responsibilities, beginning with action words

Education: Include School Names, Diploma Programs/Courses, and Dates

Personal Information & Contact Settings: This section will determine how/why you want to be contacted – and is all OPTIONAL

You may enter Phone numbers, email address, IM, Birthday, Martial Status, etc. You may choose to enter all or none of these things.

Social Networking

2

Be Discerning on who you add to your contacts – reach out to Business Contacts, Classmates, Instructors, Recruiters you have worked with before, Former Colleagues/Bosses, etc.

When you send a request for a connection, write a personal message to remind the person how you know each other, and why you want to connect with them

You are given 2000 free requests when you sign up.

It is always positive to have several recommendations of your work displayed on your public profile. (Insider Secret: the best way to get recommendations, is to GIVE them!)

Once you have a few Recommendations, you may consider adding your personal LinkedIn URL to your resume header for employers to check out

Seek recommendations from former co-workers/bosses, and anyone who can recommend your work on a professional level.

User Groups are another feature of LinkedIn, that you may decide to use.

In the Search Bar on the upper right hand side of the screen, change the pull down menu to “Groups” and search based on topics (Ex: CompTIA, Medical Billing & Coding) OR for something more local: like searching Allentown, PA – new groups are added often, and your request to join a group must be approved first.

Try not to spam people with too many status updates/messages/requests

Adding contacts that you may not know, probably will not help you advance your career – but that depends on both the industry and the type of connections added

Do not recommend/endorse someone that you do not feel strongly about, and on the flip side, do not request recommendations from someone who doesn’t know much about your work ethics either.

Your LinkedIn profile will continue to be a work-in-progress throughout your career, and may provide you with excellent job leads, or a way to show future employers that you are a highly recommended worker.

GOOD LUCK!!

Documents

New Horizons Career Services Job Placement Assistance Program · THE PROBLEM THE SITUATION: Steps Description Stage Career Assessment Students discuss both long term and short term