Department of Defense Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Labor Department of Homeland Security

WORKSHOP ADMINISTRATION

• Breaks

• Meals

• Dress

• Participation

• Attendance

T-I-2

COURSE OVERVIEW

• Personal Appraisal

• Career Exploration

• Strategies for an Effective Job Search

• Interviews

• Reviewing Job Offers

• Support and Assistance

T-I-3

SECTION 1.1

Objective:

• Recognize the importance of

developing a stress reduction

plan

T-1.1-1

WHAT IS STRESS?

“A mismatch betweenthe demands in our lives, and the resources we haveavailable to deal with those demands.”

T-1.1-2

STRESS AS A PART OF LIVING

• Is a normal part of our lives

• It may be positive or negative

• We can’t avoid stress

Stress is any change that you must adjust to...

T-1.1-3

COPING WITH STRESS

• Develop and maintain a

plan to manage the effects

of stress

• Seek professional assistance

if needed

T-1.1-4

HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS

• VA estimates that as many as 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night.*

• More than twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year.*

*US Department of Veterans Affairs - 2005

WHY ARE VETERANS HOMELESS?

• Male veterans are twice as likely to become homeless, and female veterans are four times more likely to be homeless as their non-veteran counterparts.

• A large number live with post traumatic stress disorders and addictions acquired during or exacerbated by their military service.

• Lack of family and social networks due to lengthy periods away from their communities of origin.

• Government money is limited and serves only one in 5 of homeless veterans in need.

PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS

• Military service separation process – Participate in “pre-separation”

counseling process– Participate in Transition Assistance

Program (TAP) Employment Workshop

– Know about your VA Benefits

• Obtain income• Seek early assistance for mental

health and substance abuse issues

USDOL – VETSHomeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program

• This program provides

employment, training, and

supportive services to assist

in reintegrating homeless

veterans into meaningful

employment within the labor

force.

USDOL – VETS Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program

• VWIP provides employment,

training, and supportive services

to assist in reintegrating eligible

veterans into meaningful

employment within the labor

force.

SECTIONS 1.2-1.4

Objectives:• Gather the information and records

you need in order to create a resume, fill out a job application, and prepare for a job interview

• Deal effectively with the strengths and challenges arising from military experience

• Identify your transferable skills that can be used in a variety of jobs

T-1.2-1

TYPES OF RECORDSMILITARY SERVICE• Separation Papers – DD Form 214

(certified copy or copy 4)

• Training Record

• Honors and Awards

• DD FORM 2586 -

Verification of Military

Experience and Training

• Service Record

• Medical Record

• Benefits

WORK EXPERIENCE• Work History (job titles, employers, duties, accomplishments)

• Work Samples

• Honors and Citations

• Community Activities

• Salary History

• Licenses

• Certifications

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION• Birth Certificate (copy)

• Proof of Citizenship

• Social Security Card

• Passport (current)

EDUCATION AND TRAINING• Transcripts

• Diplomas/Certificates

• Honors

• Activities ListT-1.2-2

MASTER APPLICATION

• Personal Information

• Education and Training

• Special Skills

• Military Service

• Work Experience

• Other Information

T-1.2-3

VETERAN’S EMPLOYMENT

STRENGTHS• Leadership

• Discipline

• Training

• Accountability/Recordkeeping

• Teamwork

• Work with diverse groups

• Work under pressureT-1.3-1

VETERAN’S EMPLOYMENT

STRENGTHS• Plan Systematically

• Safety

• Follow Directions

• Drug Free

• Maturity

• Security Clearance

T-1.3-2

CHALLENGES• Communications

• Stereotypes

• Unrealistic Expectations

• Credentials

T-1.3-3

VETERAN’S EMPLOYMENT

SECTIONS 1.5-1.6

Objectives:• Identify your work-related values• Determine your personal

preferences• Explain why your work-related

values and preferences are important in making job decisions

T-1.5-1

SECTIONS 2.1-2.2

Objectives:• Identify and research career

possibilities• Determine your financial needs

as a way of estimating your salary requirements

T-2.1-1

SECTIONS 3.1-3.2

Objectives:• Set personal goals• Get organized

T-3.1-1

TYPES OF GOALS

• SHORT-RANGE

• INTERMEDIATE-RANGE

• LONG-RANGE

T-3.1-2

EMPLOYMENT GOALS

Employment goals need to beSMART:

Specific

Measurable

Adaptable

Realistic

Trackable

T-3.1-3

SECTIONS 3.3-3.7

Objectives:• Plan an effective job search• Understand how to conduct

company research• Learn about job assistance

resources• Understand how to begin using the

internet as part of the job search process

• Analyze job announcements and ads for critical information

T-3.3-1

LOOKING FOR WORK

T-3.4-1

NETWORKING

T-3.4-2

JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE

1. Internet

2. State Workforce Agency (Employment Office)

3. Local Veteran’s EmploymentRepresentatives (LVER)

4. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

T-3.5-1

JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE

5. Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), U.S. Department of Labor

6. Private Employment Services

7. College/School Placement Agencies

8. Military and Professional Associations and Organizations

T-3.5-2

JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE

9. Telephone Directory Yellow Pages, Industry Directory

10. Industrial and Craft Unions

11. Job Fairs

12. Transition Offices

13. Chambers of Commerce

T-3.5-3

SECTIONS 3.8-3.9

Objectives:

• Understand how to complete

application forms

• Understand how to find

opportunities for Federal Civil

Service Employment

• Understand how to initiate the

Federal application process

T-3.8-1

SECTIONS 3.10-3.11

Objectives:

• Understand how to write

effective resumes

• Begin to translate military

experience into job skills

• Understand how to write

effective cover letters

T-3.10-1

SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE

One reason the Services have trouble operating jointly is

that they don’t speak the same language.

For example, if you told Navy personnel to “secure a

building,” they would turn off the lights and lock the doors.

The Army would occupy so no one could enter.

Marines would assault the building, capture it, and defend

it with suppressive fire and close combat.

The Air Force, on the other hand, would take out a year

lease with an option to buy.

T-3.10-2

LEADERSHIP ROLES

TEAM LEADER: This position is responsible for ensuring

a given team is fulfilling its role and running smoothly.

Team leaders are not responsible for doing all jobs that

fall within a team’s objectives but are responsible for

making sure these jobs are done.

SUPERVISOR: This position is responsible for either

direct supervision or assisting the manager in every day

operations. Responsibilities include: supervision of

personnel, overseeing daily operations, assisting with

financial and budgetary matters. Ability to interact with

front line staff and customers, and the ability to review

work progress.

T-3.10-3

LEADERSHIP ROLES

MANAGER: This position is responsible for supervision of

professional administrative

and hourly employees. Individuals holding

this position must have the ability to organize and negotiate.

DIRECTOR: This position is responsible for development

and management of programs, divisions or areas. Most

normal duties and responsibilities are handled

independently.

They often help establish procedures and policies.

Responsible for decisions related to

the development and execution of strategic plans affecting

the organization.

T-3.10-4

INAPPROPRIATE RESUME CONTENT

• Marital Status

• Children

• Spouse

• Age

• Race

• Religion

• Politics

• Height/Weight

• Health

• Salary

T-3.10-5

SELL YOUR SKILLS

Use Action Verbs Related to:

• People

• Things

• Ideas

T-3. 10-6

SECTIONS 4.1-4.2

Objectives:

• Prepare for interviews

• Prepare to take employment

tests as part of the interview

process

T-4.1-1

INTERVIEW STAGES

1. Introductory Stage

2. Employer Questions

3. Applicant Questions

4. Closing Stage

T-4.1-2

SECTIONS 4.3-4.4

Objectives:

• Prepare a personal 30-second

commercial

• Prepare for the interview

T-4.3-1

INTERVIEW TIPS

• Be prepared

• Be punctual

• Look good

• Watch your body language

• Carry a portfolio

• Be enthusiastic

• Say thank you

• SmileT-4.4-1

SECTION 4.5

Objectives:

• Learn how to dress

appropriately for a job interview

T-4.5-1

REMEMBER!

FIRST impressions are

LASTING impressions.

T-4.5-2

SECTIONS 4.6-4.7

Objectives:

• Sharpen listening skills

• Interpret body language

T-4.6-1

SHARPEN LISTENING SKILLS

• Control distractions

• Use nonverbal signals

• Paraphrase

• Focus on key words

• Ask clarifying questions

• Take notes

T-4.6.2

THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE

T-4.7-1

SECTIONS 4.8-4.9

Objectives:

• Prepare to answer employer

questions

• Prepare questions to ask of

employers

T-4.8-1

YOUR ANSWERS SHOULD:

1. Be brief

2. Use examples

3. Show thought

4. Make connections

5. Tell how you work

T-4.8-2

SECTIONS 4.10-4.11

Objectives:

• Evaluate interviews

• Write thank you letters as a

follow-up to an interview

• Analyze a rejection subsequent

to an interview

T-4.10-1

WHY DIDN’T YOU GET A JOB?

SOMETIMES THE COMPANY:

• Hires from within

• Hires a more experienced applicant

• Does not hire

T-4.11-1

WHY DIDN’T YOU GET A JOB?

SOMETIMES YOU:

• Are over-qualified

• Have a conflicting work style

T-4.11-2

WHAT WENT WRONG?

PERSONAL PRESENTATION:• Appearance

• Handshake

• Tone of voice

• Speech/grammar

T-4.11-3

WHAT WENT WRONG?

PERSONAL PRESENTATION:• Language

• Late or rushed

• Aggressive

• Lack of confidence,courtesy or enthusiasm

T-4.11-4

WHAT WENT WRONG?

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTESAND VALUES:

• Lack of goals

• Focus on short term

• Cynical or defensive attitude

• Lack of interest in company or position

• Unpleasant attitudeT-4.11-5

WHAT WENT WRONG?

INTERVIEW SKILLS:• Poor eye contact

or body language

• Focus on money

• Evasive answers

• Negative responses

• Lack of preparation

T-4.11-6

SECTIONS 5.1-5.3

Objectives:

• Evaluate job offers

• Negotiate terms of employment

• Effectively communicate

decisions to employers

T-5.1-1

NEGOTIATING TIPS

1. Be serious about issues

2. Research issues to support position

3. Remember: salary usually does not include benefits

4. Be prepared to negotiate

T-5.2-1

BUSINESS LETTER FORMAT

T-5.3-1

SECTIONS 6.1-6.5

Objectives:

• Understand available resources

T-6.1-1

Helpful Contacts

• U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service www.dol.gov/vets

Veteran Employment Representatives - DVOPs/LVERs

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)

Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP)

T-6.2

Helpful Contacts

• Department of Veterans Affairswww.va.gov/homeless Medical Center Homeless Coordinator Benefits Administration Regional Office

Homeless Coordinator VET Center Staff

• State Office of Veterans Affairs www.nasdva.com

• National Coalition for Homeless Veteranswww.nchv.org 1-800-VET-HELP

Starting Your Own Business

• Small Business Assistance for Veterans

Small Business Administration and Partners

Services and Programs Include:• SBA Loan Guaranties• Microloans• Military Reservist Economic Injury

Disaster http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/militaryreservist.html

• Venture Capital• Surety Bond Guarantee Program

Programs and Services cont.

• Score Counseling

• On-line Training Federal

Contracting Assistance

• Advocacy

• Regulatory Fairness

Information On-Line

• For Veterans and Service

Connected Veterans

www.sba.gov/vets

• For Self employed Reserve and

National Guard Members

www.sba.gov/reservists

• See handout for additional

websites to specific programs