PPT Module 26 Researching Jobs Mc GrawHillIrwin Copyright

PPT Module 26 Researching Jobs Mc. Graw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2009 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

26 -1 Researching Jobs ¨To learn how to § Analyze your own values and interests. § Find information about employers. § Use the Internet in your job search. § Find posted jobs and tap into the hidden job market.

26 -2 Researching Jobs ¨To learn how to § Deal with difficulties in your record. § Decide whether to keep your current job or look for a new one.

26 -3 Researching Jobs Start by answering these questions: § What do I need to know about myself to job hunt? § What do I need to know about companies that might hire me? § Should I do information interviews?

26 -4 Researching Jobs Start by answering these questions: § What is the “hidden job market”? How do I tap into it? § What do I do if I’ve got a major weakness?

26 -5 Before Job Hunting, Know ¨What achievements give you satisfaction and why. ¨Whether you prefer § Firm or flexible deadlines. § Solitary or group work. § Specific or general instructions. § High or low pressure. § Fast or slow tracks to promotion.

26 -6 Before Job Hunting, Know continued ¨If you’re willing to § Take work home. § Travel. § Spend less time with friends and family. ¨How important money is to you. ¨Where you want to live. ¨If the job serves a personal goal or is simply “a way to make a living. ”

26 -7 What to Know About Companies ¨What the job itself involves. ¨Who will receive your correspondence and the corresponding address. ¨What the organization does and at least four or five facts about it.

26 -8 Where to Get Information ¨General Directories § Standard and Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives; Thomas Register of American Manufacturers. ¨Specialized Directories § Accounting Firms and Practitioners; O’Dwyer’s Directory of Public Relations Firms. ¨Trade Journals § Advertising Age; Cable Communication Magazine; Canadian Business; The Practical Accountant; Today’s Realtor.

26 -9 Where to Get Information ¨ Web Resources § America’s Job Bank (www. ajb. dni. us/index. html). § Asia Net (www. asia-net. com). § Career. Mosaic (www. careermosaic. com). § Career Path Online (www. careerpath. com). § Federal Jobs Central (www. fedjobs. com). § Monster Board (www. monster. com). § Skill. Search (www. skillsearch. com). § Vault (www. vault. com). continued

26 -10 Information Interviews ¨Let you know whether or not you’d like the job. ¨Give you specific information. ¨Create a good image of you.

26 -11 Information Interview Questions ¨Consider asking § What are you working on right now? § How do you spend your typical day? § Have your duties changed a lot since you started working here? § What do you like best about your job? Least?

26 -12 Information Interview Questions continued ¨Consider asking § What do you think the future holds for this type of work? § How did you get this job? § What courses, activities, or jobs would you recommend for someone who wants to do this kind of work?

26 -13 Hidden Job Market ¨Consists of unadvertised jobs. ¨To tap, use referral interviews. § Ask people you know for a referral to someone in the profession you’re interested in, then schedule an interview with that person.

26 -14 Hidden Job Market continued § Clarify that you’re not asking for a job, but just for information about the field or general job opportunities.

26 -15 Hidden Job Market continued § Take along a résumé, but only for tips on how to improve it; at the end of the interview, consider asking for a referral. § Send follow-up letters.

26 -16 Potential Job Hunting Challenges ¨“All of my experience is in my family’s business. ” ¨“I’ve been out of the job market for a while. ” ¨“I want to change job fields. ” ¨“I was fired. ” ¨“I don’t have any experience. ” ¨“I’m a lot older than they want. ”

26 -17

26 -18 Résumés ¨To learn how to § Choose the right kind of résumé for your qualifications. § Make your experience relevant to employers. § Write the strongest possible résumé.

26 -19 Résumés ¨To learn how to § Increase the number of “hits” your résumé receives. § Use a computer to create paper and scannable résumés.

26 -20 Résumés Start by answering these questions: § How can I encourage the employer to pay attention to my résumé? § What kind of résumé should I use? § How do the two résumés differ?

26 -21 Résumés Start by answering these questions: § What parts of the two résumés are the same? § What should I do if the standard categories don’t fit? § Should I limit my résumé to one page? § How do I create a scannable résumé?

26 -22 So Your Résumé Stands Out ¨Do more than just list what you’ve done. ¨Emphasize achievements that § Are the most relevant to the job. § Show your superiority over other applicants. § Are recent. ¨Use industry jargon and buzzwords.

26 -23 So Your Résumé Stands Out continued ¨Include skills that are helpful to almost every job. ¨Design one résumé for people, the other for electronic scanning. ¨Consider using a career objective with the employer’s name. ¨Omit I and, in general, use sentence fragments.

26 -24 Basic Types of Résumés ¨Chronological § Summarizes what you did in reverse order. § Is the traditional résumé format. § Is used to show a logical preparation for the job or a steady progression leading to the present.

26 -25 Basic Types of Résumés continued ¨Skills § Focuses on skills you’ve used that are applicable to the job. § Is useful when your job history does not directly lead to the kind of job you’re applying for.

26 -26 Chronological Résumé ¨Include for each job § The position or job title. § The organization. § The city and state. § The dates of employment. § Details such as full- or part-time status, job duties, special responsibilities, or promotions.

26 -27 Chronological Résumé ¨Normally, include jobs as far back as the summer after high school. § Use minimal detail about lowlevel jobs. continued

26 -28 Chronological Résumé continued § Use detail and strong verbs or gerunds. · Recruit or recruiting; manage or managing; design or designing; write or writing. § Use parallel structure. · Recruit new employees, manage office staff; design clerical documents, and write special proposals.

26 -29 Skills Résumé ¨Use as headings the skills used in or aspects of the job you’re applying for. ¨For entries under each skill, combine experience from § Paid jobs. § Unpaid work. § Classes. § Activities. § Community work.

26 -30 Skills Résumé continued ¨Use headings that reflect the job you’re applying for. § Logistics rather than planning; procurement rather than purchasing. ¨Use at least three headings related to the job you’re applying for.

26 -31 Skills Résumé continued ¨Use a mix of skills. ¨Use detail, good description, and strong verbs or gerunds.

26 -32 For Both Résumés ¨ Use these categories: § § § Career Objective. Summary of Qualifications Education. Honors and Awards. References. ¨ Create new categories, if necessary. ¨ Use good paper and design. § Use strong white space, readable typeface(s), and an organized layout.

26 -33 To Create Scannable Résumés ¨Use § A standard typeface—e. g. , Courier; Times Roman. § 12 - to 14 -point type. § A ragged right margin. § No italics or underlining. § No boldface. § No lines, boxes, leader dots, or borders. § A single column and no indented or centered text. § Phone numbers on separate lines. § Plenty of white space.

26 -34 To Create Scannable Résumés continued ¨Don’t fold or staple pages. ¨Don’t write anything by hand. ¨Send a laser copy.

26 -35 To Create Scannable Résumés continued ¨Use a keywords section under your name. § Include language that describes your personality, as well as abilities: dependable, skill in time management, leadership, artistic skills, and so forth.

26 -36 To Create Online Résumés ¨In your Web résumé § Use an e-mail link. § Omit your street address and phone numbers. § Consider having links under your name and email address. § Link to other pages about you. § Don’t be cute. § Put your strongest qualification immediately after your name and e-mail address.

26 -37 To Create Online Résumés continued § Specify the job you want. § Specify the city and state for educational institutions and employers. § Use lists, indentations, and white space. § Craft phrases on commercial and university Web sites to convince recruiters to click on your name. § Proofread your résumé carefully.

26 -38 To Create Video Résumés ¨ First, § Learn if the employer wants them. · Weigh benefits against risks. ¨ Then, if a video résumé is appropriate § Be professional. § Practice; record several versions. § Show why you’re the best candidate. § Keep to a few minutes – one or two may be ideal. § Enhance with imagery and sound, not distract. § Test your résumé, post or send it, and check it periodically if possible.

26 -39

26 -40 Job Application Letters ¨To learn how to § Organize job application letters. § Catch the reader’s interest even when the company isn’t planning to hire. § Show that you have the qualifications for the job.

26 -41 Job Application Letters ¨To learn how to § Persuade the employer that you’re in the very top group of applicants. § Use information about the company effectively in your letter.

26 -42 Job Application Letters Start by answering these questions: § What kind of letter should I use? § How are the two letters different? § What parts of the two letters are the same? § Should I use T-letters?

26 -43 Job Application Letters Start by answering these questions: § How long should my letter be? § How do I create the right tone? § The company wants an e-mail application. What should I do?

26 -44 In the Letter, Focus on ¨Major requirements of the job. ¨Points that separate you from other applicants. ¨Points that show your knowledge of the organization. ¨Qualities that every employer values.

26 -45 To Make the Letter Professional ¨Use a standard font. ¨Address your letter to a specific person. ¨Don’t mention relatives’ names. ¨Omit unnecessary personal information. ¨In general, use a conservative style. ¨Edit and proofread carefully.

26 -46 Types of Application Letters ¨Solicited § You know the company is hiring. § Jobs are likely advertised. § Sometimes you learn of openings through word of mouth. ¨Unsolicited § You don’t know the company is hiring. § These help you tap into the “hidden job market. ”

26 -47 Solicited Letter Pattern ¨ State that you are applying for the job. § Phrase the job title as the source phrased it. ¨ Develop major qualifications in detail. ¨ Develop other qualifications, even if the source didn’t ask for them. ¨ Ask for an interview.

26 -48 Prospecting Letter Pattern ¨Create a bridge between the attention-getter and your qualifications. § Focus on what you know and can do. ¨Develop your strong points in detail. ¨Ask for an interview.

26 -49 In Both Letters continued ¨Show knowledge of the company and position. ¨Refer to your résumé and ask for an interview. ¨Use a full page. § Use a second page if necessary. ¨Use you-attitude. ¨Use positive emphasis.

26 -50 For E-Mail Letters ¨Tell what word-processing program your scannable résumé is in. ¨Put the job number or title in your subject line and first paragraph. ¨Create the letter in a word processor, spell check, then cut and paste into e-mail.

26 -51 For E-Mail Letters continued ¨Don’t use all capital letters. ¨Don’t use smiley faces or other “emoticons. ” ¨Put your name and e-mail address at the end.

26 -52 T-Letters ¨ Use a T-letter if the employer prefers it. ¨ To create § Determine job duties and how you match them. § Use bullet points to highlight duties and your skills. § Use a solicited or unsolicited introduction. § Ask for an interview.

26 -53

26 -54 Job Interviews ¨To learn how to § Be your best self at a job interview. § Plan and practice for the interview. § Answer traditional interview questions. § Shine in behavioral and situational interviews. § Participate in phone or video interviews. § Negotiate salary and benefits.

26 -55 Job Application Letters Start by answering these questions: § Why do I need an interview strategy? § What details should I think about? § Should I practice before the interview? § How should I answer traditional interview questions?

26 -56 Job Application Letters Start by answering these questions: § How can I prepare for behavioral and situational interviews? § How can I prepare for phone or video interviews?

26 -57 Today, Many Employers Expect ¨Applicants to § Be more aggressive. § Follow directions to the letter. § Participate in many interviews. § Have one or more interviews by phone, computer, or video. § Take one or more tests, including drug and aptitude tests. § Be approved by the team they’ll be joining. § Provide a sample of their work.

26 -58 To Develop an Interview Strategy ¨Think about what you want the interviewer to know about you. ¨Decide what weaknesses you want to minimize. ¨Research what you need to know about the job and organization.

26 -59 Interview Details to Consider ¨ What to wear. § In general, dress conservatively. ¨ What to bring to the interview. § Bring extra copies of your résumé. ¨ What to write down. § The name of the interviewer. § What the interviewer liked about you and any negative points. § Answers to your questions. § When you’ll hear from the company.

26 -60 Interview Details to Consider continued ¨How to get there. § Do a practice run to gauge traffic and parking. § Arrive at the interview 15 minutes early. § Double-check your appearance before the interview.

26 -61 Before the Interview, Practice ¨How to act. § Be professional, but also be yourself—be your best self. § Review your accomplishments to get a firm sense of your selfworth. § If the interview involves eating or drinking, be conservative.

26 -62 Before the Interview, Practice continued ¨Parts of the interview. § Opening · Get to know the interviewer. · Listen for information that could be useful later in the interview. § Body · Highlight your qualifications for the job. · Watch time; get key points in. § Conclusion · Close with an assertive, positive statement.

26 -63 Common Interview Questions ¨ “What makes you think you’re qualified to work for this company? ” ¨ “What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? ” ¨ “Why do you want to work for us? ” ¨ “What college courses did you like best? Least? ” ¨ “Why are your grades so low? ”

26 -64 Common Interview Questions continued ¨ “Where do you see yourself in five years? ” ¨ “What are your interests outside of work? ” ¨ “What have you done to learn about this company? ” ¨ “What are your strengths? ” Weaknesses?

26 -65

26 -66 Follow-Up Letters and Calls and Job Offers ¨To learn how to § Make a good impression in follow-up letters and phone calls. § Choose a job that will give you more than a paycheck. § Show your enthusiasm for employers.

26 -67 Follow-Up Letters and Calls and Job Offers Start by answering these questions: § What should I say in a follow-up phone call or letter? § How do I decide which offer to accept? § What do I do if my first offer isn’t the one I most want?

26 -68 What to Say in a Follow-Up Call ¨ “Is there more information I can give you? ” ¨ “I’ve been giving a lot of thought to your project and have some new ideas. Can we meet to go over them? ” ¨ “Where do I stand? How does my work compare with the work others presented? ”

26 -69 What to Say in a Follow-Up Letter ¨ Remind the reader of what he or she liked about you. ¨ Counter any negative impressions. ¨ Use the jargon of the company and refer to specific things from the interview. ¨ Be enthusiastic. ¨ Refer to the next move.

26 -70 After an Offer is Made ¨ Use a forced choice to decide which offer to take. ¨ Call your first-choice employer to see where you stand if you get another offer. ¨ Make your oral acceptance contingent on a written job offer.