ARTS EXPEDITION

Awareness Education

Experience Advocacy

WEBINAR FOUR

Funding support provided by the

A Guide to Career Development Opportunities for Visual and Performing Artists with Disabilities

from

WEBINAR FOUR

Looking for Work

As discussed in an earlier webinar, your career opportunities range from creating in your own studio and performing professionally to putting your creativity to work for an organization. This webinar focuses on the latter - applying to work for a salary or an hourly wage. Seeking employment can be an overwhelming pursuit. To help narrow the focus, a seasoned human resources professional gives some great advice.

Dennis Stull is the Human Resources Director of Ghertner & Company, one of the largest privately held HOA firms in Tennessee providing professional management services to condominium and homeowner associations. The company has more than 100 employees.

Dennis holds a bachelor’s degree in management and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has over 20 years of human resource management and business operations experience including manufacturing, energy, retail, restaurant, and industries. Dennis holds a Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) certification as well as a Certified Diversity Execution (CDE) certification. Dennis has been a national member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 1998, now serving as the diversity and inclusion chair for TNSHRM, and immediate past board president for the Middle TN SHRM. He is also a visiting professor at DeVry University.

From the perspective of a highly experienced human resources professional, Dennis offers excellent, objective and practical advice for artists seeking work.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR AN ARTIST WITH DISABILITIES SEEKING A

CAREER IN THE ARTS?

Dennis: It is important to be you! Too many candidates do research on a company and then try to parrot back what they think an interviewer wants to hear. That may get you a job in some cases, but you will likely not be happy in the long term. If you create an impression of someone you are not for the interview, both you and the hiring manager will be disappointed with the real you.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR AN ARTIST WITH DISABILITIES

SEEKING A CAREER IN THE ARTS?

Dennis: Not every job we want is good for us. You need to make sure that your own personal needs are going to be met as much as the needs of the potential employer. If you don’t get a job offer, assume it is for the best and move on to the next possible opportunity. Allowing yourself to get down and disappointed (for a long period of time) will show up in your future interviews, and that does no one any good.

WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE ON WRITING A RÉSUMÉ AND COVER

LETTER?

Dennis: A résumé is like a piece of artwork, you must believe in its content and be able to “sell” it.

Read your résumé and cover letter OUT LOUD! Reading it aloud allows you to see how your résumé and cover letter flows in the eyes of a person who is seeing your information for the first time. This will also help you find errors that spell-check does not catch - “form” instead of “from” for instance.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN JOB APPLICANTS IN GENERAL, BEYOND

SKILL SET?

Dennis: Attitude! If someone has an attitude of confidence, willingness to learn, and humility, a good manager will see the potential to work with them. Skills are important but the attitude is often the deciding factor with two equally qualified candidates.

DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON PREPARING FOR AN

INTERVIEW?1. Drink plenty of water and get eight hours of sleep the

night before. It is important that you are hydrated and rested. That really does make a difference in the way you respond to questions.

2. Be sure you know where you are going for the interview and allow plenty of time to get there. No matter how good the reason, being late indicates potential poor planning habits.

DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON PREPARING FOR AN

INTERVIEW?3. Practice “behavior-based question responses.” Your

interviewer wants to know what experiences you bring to the table, so telling past work stories will demonstrate your expertise and abilities. Use specific examples to illustrate how you handled various situations, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. (Behavior-based questions address things like problem-solving, handling pressure and conflict, goal-setting, teamwork, and accomplishments that were important to you. Even a quick web search reveals a multitude of practice questions to help you prepare for an interview.)

DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON PREPARING FOR AN

INTERVIEW?4. Answer each question succinctly and then be quiet.

Candidates often become uncomfortable with silence, so they start sharing information that is not necessary and may be much more than the interviewer wants to know.

5. Prepare questions of your own to ask during the interview.

DESCRIBE A GREAT INTERVIEW

Dennis: A great interview is one that has good positive feedback for both interviewer and interviewee who both received solid answers to their important questions. All people involved should walk away with good vibes, questions answered, and - upon reflection of the interview--more questions for the next step. An interview is similar to first date. You should walk away with the awareness that you want a second date or you need to keep looking.

Hopefully, this sound advice from Dennis outlines areas of focus that need your attention during your search for a job. While you can find hundreds of sources online with tips on seeking employment - from writing a résumé to preparing for a job interview - VSA Tennessee and the Tennessee Arts Commission recommend that you take advantage of our state’s outstanding resources and support.

• It is well worth the time and effort to thoroughly explore the websites of two Tennessee Departments: Human Services (Vocational Rehabilitation) and Labor and Workplace Development (Employment Commission).

THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES VOCATIONAL

REHABILITATION

The Tennessee Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal and state-funded program providing services to help individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment. It is designed to assist individuals of work age with physical and/or mental disabilities compete successfully with others in earning a livelihood. Just one example of the many services offered is working with a VR counselor to create an individualized plan for employment to help put you on the path to successful employment.

THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES VOCATIONAL

REHABILITATION

The website includes a comprehensive overview of services and listings for offices and programs across the state. Explore the web site in great detail or call 615-313-4891 to request an excellent introductory brochure or information on offices and programs in your area.

http://tennessee.gov/humanserv/rehab/vrs.html

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKPLACE

DEVELOPMENT

Take the time online to thoroughly investigate the comprehensive overview of services offered by the Department of Labor and Workplace Development (also known as the Employment Commission, the Unemployment Office, the Career Center and other names, both formal and informal).

http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/

Here is some information on types of services available on this web site.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking for a job or a seasoned employee wanting a career change, or maybe an employer expanding your business or a new employer needing a space to interview prospective workers, the Department’s statewide network of Career Centers offers services that can meet your employment needs. All 95 Tennessee counties are served by a Career Center with qualified staff. Career Centers are open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Career Center staff can refer you to employers who have open positions for which you qualify. Often Career Centers host hiring events and job fairs for specific employers. Staff can help you prepare for interviews and arrange for you to apply.

Job applicants can learn about training available from a Tennessee Technology Center or other certified programs available to adults and dislocated workers.

TRAINING

Several types of training are available through the Career Center:• On-site workshops are conducted on honing résumé writing,

how to search for work, and interviewing.• Staff can refer job seekers to Adult Education classes to

refresh math, writing, and reading comprehension in order to earn a GED.

• Job applicants can earn Career Readiness Certificates – assessment-based credentials based on ACT WorkKeys that give employers and career seekers a uniform measure of basic workplace skills.

To search for employment, you can link to “JOBS4TN” at the main website for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development or go directly to

https://jobs4tn.gov

You can browse job listings, post your résumé, search for employers in your area, receive alerts on job openings, and so much more.

Learn more online or at your Career Center.

This webinar closes with some more practical advice on seeking employment from a hiring manager. The director of finance for Affinion Group, an affinity based marketing organization, Mara Greenberg obtained an MBA from Belmont University and has held positions with CNA Insurance, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Affinion Benefits Group. She is active in the community, volunteering regularly with Junior Achievement and supporting charities such as First Book and Donor’s Choose.

DESCRIBE A GREAT RÉSUMÉ

Mara: A great résumé highlights the candidate’s strengths and accomplishments. Your work history, especially if it is limited, may not reflect all of your skills so it’s important to have a résumé that incorporates everything you have to offer – either through additional skills or positions in organizations outside of work. A résumé that attracts my attention and impresses me shows progression—personal and professional growth through increased responsibilities and topics of knowledge.

WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE ON WRITING A RÉSUMÉ AND

COVER LETTER?Mara: It’s important to be both descriptive and concise - easier said than done! A candidate should avoid using acronyms or giving very detailed tasks lists. The focus should be on key responsibilities and accomplishments, highlighting progression.

The cover letter gives a candidate a chance to show the recipient that she did her homework. Use the cover letter to speak to how your skills mesh with the specific needs of the organization. This is also a great way to highlight skills that may not have been developed within a former position.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN JOB APPLICANTS IN GENERAL, BEYOND

SKILL SET?

Mara: Beyond skill set, I focus on an applicant’s drive and determination. I can teach technical skills but I can’t teach dedication and commitment. Cultural fit is also very important. Candidates should make sure that they know what the organization is about and can support that mission and vision. There is nothing worse than an interview in which the candidate obviously hasn’t researched the organization and has little to no idea about what we actually do.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS ON PREPARING FOR AN

INTERVIEW?Mara: Practice, practice, practice! The way you answer a question is almost as important as your actual answer. Show confidence without being cocky. If you are applying for an entry level accounting position, “chief financial officer” is not an appropriate answer for “where do you see yourself in five years?” Neither is “doing the same job.” Show drive and desire, but, above all, be realistic. Be prepared for those trick questions. Turn a question like “What is the one area in which you could most improve” into a strength with “I sometimes struggle with work-life balance because I am committed to getting things done in a timely manner.” And if you do make a mistake, laugh it off, correct yourself and move forward.

DESCRIBE A GREAT INTERVIEW

Mara: In an interview, I’m looking for confidence, desire, authenticity, and cultural fit. A great interview feels like a conversation. It is exceptionally important that a candidate ask questions during an interview, such as:• What skill set do you think a candidate needs to be

successful in this position?• What defines success for you in this position?• What is the biggest challenge to success in this position?

DESCRIBE A GREAT INTERVIEW

Mara: It is important to convey a sense of who you are. You don’t have to talk about your kids, your cat or how you won a beauty pageant when you were three, but these are the people you will spend the majority of your day with so it’s important to leave a sense that there is a good personal fit.

WHAT ADVICE AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU HAVE FOR AN

ARTIST WITH DISABILITIES SEEKING A CAREER IN THE ARTS?

Mara: Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer. You are interviewing the organization just as much as they are interviewing you.

IN SUMMARY

Looking for a job takes a lot of work and requires a lot of time. Fortunately, the State of Tennessee provides free resources to support your search and develop your career opportunities. Through it all, like both Dennis Stull and Mara Greenberg encouraged, be yourself! Take confidence in your creative abilities and be yourself as you look for work that’s right for you.

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