Job Application Self Assessment Who are you Skills

Job Application

Self Assessment • • • Who are you? ? Skills Achievements Interests Values • USE ‘ACTION’ VERBS

Know your skills Add a verb to the skill and complete the sentence: • ----- Analysing • _______planning • _____evaluating • _____organising • _____coordinated • _____created • _____Developed • _____written

Know your Accomplishments • • • Winning Initiated Lead Developed Proposed Planned Implemented Started Obtained Travelling Speaking

Know your interests • • • Which kind of work do I enjoy? What do I prefer? Machines, people, figures. . What do I like to do in my free time? What has given me highest satisfaction?

Know your personal values • • • Altruism Prestige Adventure Association Independence Power Variety Physical activity Money

Writing Effective Resume • Opening Section – Heading – Career Objective: functional area, industry/mini summary • • Achievements/profile Work experience: Voluntary work Education & Personal development Proof reading

Writing Effective Cover Letter • Opening – for favorable attention – Summary opening – Name opening – Question opening • Middle Paragraphs: data, details – Education – Work experience – Personal interests • Last Para – For easy action

Job Search techniques • Steps in the Job Search: – Conduct a thorough self-assessment – Develop your plan – Target Employers – Attend career fairs – Research organizations – Develop your resume – Begin contacting employers – Interview – Prepare for outcomes – Accept/Negotiate offers

Job Search Methods

Job Search Timetable Checklist 12 -48 months prior to employment: • Attend any applicable orientations/workshops offered by Career Services. (Ask for a workshop schedule at the front desk). • Explore the many services Career Services offers. • Begin to define career goals by determining the types, sizes, and geographic locations of employers in which you have an interest.

11 months prior to employment: • Begin to identify references and ask them for permission to use their names as references in your job search. • See a counselor at Career Services to discuss your job search plans, or start discussing with friends • Check out the job market to get job titles, occupational descriptions, wages and growth projections.

10 months prior to employment: • Begin to develop a resume and cover letter • Begin networking by contacting family, friends, faculty, etc. , to inform them of your career plans. If possible, give them a copy of your resume.

8 -9 months prior to employment: • Finalize your resume and have it critiqued by a Career Services counselor or senior • Make plans to have your resume reproduced. • Access the internet; many companies are online! • Contact employers to request application materials/procedures.

7 months prior to employment: • Send completed applications to employers with a resume and cover letter. • Inquire about employers who will be recruiting at Career Services, and the procedures for interviewing with them. • Make arrangements to conduct informational interviews with individuals in your field in order to make sure your job search is on the right track.

5 -6 months prior to employment: • Research employers with whom you will be interviewing. • Prepare to start interviewing: Rehearse typical interview questions, purchase proper interview clothing and make an appointment with Career Services to participate in a mock interview. • Interview on campus and follow-up with thank you letters. • Continue to follow-up by phone with employers of interest. • Begin monitoring the job vacancy listings available online

1 -4 months prior to employment: • • Maintain communication with your network of contacts. Revise your resume and cover letter if necessary. Interview off campus and follow-up with thank you letters. If relocating, contact appropriate agencies in the area to which you are moving and inquire about available services. Continue to monitor job vacancy listings and apply when qualified and interested. Begin considering job offers. Accept the best job offer and write acceptance/thank you letter. Write thank you letters to inform all those associated with your job search of your new position.

One final note: It is often not the best qualified candidate who gets the job, but rather the one who perfected the job search process, has a clear picture of what they want and the skills they have to offer, and can communicate this effectively to potential employers.

A successful job search = time, commitment, organization & strategy