Getting Ready for Employment!

The Job Search Process

Job Ready Check List

Self AssessmentIdentify your interests, skills and values.

Identify a list of possible jobs or fields of interest.

Know the educational requirements for the job or field of interest.

Job Ready Check ListWhere do you want to work?

Research organizations or companies that would want to hire you.

Research typical entry level jobs, educational requirements, salary, geographical location, future growth prospects for the field that you are interested in.

Identify the geographical area that you would like to work in.

The process: Get ready for the search

Create a resume. Create a cover letter. Create a portfolio with

samples to showcase my skills.

Develop your interview skills. Become familiar with different

interview techniques. Prepare for interviews by

practicing responses to typical questions.

Analyze your work history and education and develop a major speech for conversations with potential employers.

Identified three individuals who can be your professional references.

Have appropriate clothes for an interview.

Resumes

Making the first Impression!

Purpose of a ResumeA resume can make or break you in your search for a job and it can be particularly difficult to write one that shines when you have little or no work experience.

Tips for Writing your Resume

When writing your first resume never pad it or make it longer than a page; employers aren’t expecting a long work history from a first time worker.

You may see a lot of things on this list that appear as “don’ts” on resume and job hunting websites but remember that this is your first resume and the rules change once you have some work experience or career oriented education.

Don’t lie and always be true to who you are. Any deception will be very obvious to an experienced interviewer and will cost you the job.

Resume FormatsFunctional Resume Format

The functional format highlights your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. 

It lists things you’re good at and things you’ve accomplished near the top of the page, and then summarizes the jobs or volunteer position you’ve held near the end. 

The functional format is effective when you do not have a lot of work experience or none at all, switching fields or industries, or if you have had an inconsistent work history.

Parts of a Resume #1 Contact Information

Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Include a primary contact number, and a cell phone number and email address if you have them.

Note: if your email address has a nickname or an overly cutesy name consider opening a free email account with some variation of your actual name, nothing ruins a resume faster than a name like superstud1993@freemail.com in the contact line.

Parts of a Resume #2 Objective StatementAn introductory paragraph of 2 or 3 sentences telling the employer about your strongest and most desirable personality traits. Tailor this to highlight those traits most applicable to the job for which you are applying.

Parts of a Resume#3 Skills and AbilitiesFinally, sell yourself by making a list of

your skills, special talents, or positive personality traits. Examples would be typing ability, knowledge of computer programs you have used, working with others on a team project, the ability to read and follow directions, being motivated, punctual, and meeting deadlines.

Parts of a Resume#4 Education ExperienceNext list course work at school that you

feel is relevant to the job. Make note of any academic achievements or awards. Explain how you think your excellent performance in these areas would benefit the employer or enhance your ability to do the job. If you can, get a letter of reference from a teacher of one of the courses you mention.

Parts of a Resume# 5 Work/Volunteer ExperienceIf you truly have no work experience

don’t try to flub, instead list your volunteer work or community activities. If you’ve done work experience through a course at school make note of it here. If you’ve had odd jobs, or done things like baby sit or yard work for neighbors list it here and if at all possible get letters of reference.

Parts of a Resume#6 Extracurricular ActivitiesList activities of a non-volunteer nature such as sports, church or youth groups, school committees, etc. If you have a position of authority in any of these groups make note of it and describe your duties as if they were a job.

Parts of a Resume#7 ReferencesList at least THREE individuals who

can attest to your character and work ethic. This might include former teachers, counselors, and adults that you have worked for.Should NOT include relatives!Make sure to have correct address, phone number, and e-mail address for each individual.

Your cover letter is often your first introduction to

an employer. The objective is to convince the employer that you

should be interviewed for the position.

Cover Letters

TIPS TO WRITING A COVER LETTER: A cover letter should be short -

make it no longer than one page long.

It should contain only three or four paragraphs - keep the paragraphs short and to the point.

Make your letter neat and organized.

Do not handwrite the letter. Use a font and type size that is

easy to read. Single space your cover letter

with a double space in between paragraphs.

Use standard 81/2 x 11 paper and avoid using brightly colored paper.

Always customize the letter for the position you are applying.

Make sure it is addressed to a specific person, not a title.

Indicate where you can be reached by including your telephone number and email address.

Refer to qualifications, experience and skills that are described in the job posting.

Show that you know a little about the company.

Express your enthusiasm and interest in the position and the company.

When describing your personality traits, use 'Action Words' and verbs that are powerful and will stand out.

What to write?Paragraph #1: Inform the person what

position you are applying for and how your learned of the opening.

Paragraph #2: Talk about your strongest skills and abilities and reasons why you would be the best person to hire for the job.

Paragraph #3: Refer to your resume and set up a time to contact them to schedule an interview.

510 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario M7M-7M7 (416) 555-1234July 10, 2007

Ms. Shelly Wong, Manager Broadway Theatre Productions Inc. 2496 Front Street Toronto, Ontario 7M7-M7M

Dear Ms. Wong:

Your ad in the Toronto Star seeking a stagehand to work on theatre productions greatly interests me. I've recently moved to the Toronto area and I am anxious to continue working in theatre. My qualifications are a perfect match for the job requirements. I have more than three years experience as a high school drama club president, as well as four years at university as a stagehand, including one year at Stratford Theatre and two years at Toronto Repertory Theatre. The productions I have been involved in include: Skin of Our Teeth, Antony and Cleopatra, Kiss Me Kate, Comedy of Errors, and Phantom of the Opera. In addition, I was a lead carpenter at the Stratford Stage, and stage manager at the Toronto Repertory Theatre.

My skills and experience are more fully outlined in my enclosed resume. I will contact you on Thursday to discuss the possibility of arranging an interview at your convenience. I look forward to personally meeting with you.

Sincerely,

Michael Meinz

Cover Letter

Items needed: Pen & Resume

The Job Application

Tips for Completing the Job ApplicationREAD entire application before

writing anything!!!! Complete all requested

information. Don't leave anything blank. If you don't know the details, bring the application home and return it when it's completed. Any section that does not pertain to you--respond by placing the letters NA (Not Applicable) in the blank

Write clearly and neatly, fill out by typing the answers or using black or blue ink.

Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Proofread your job application form before turning it in. Uncorrected errors can indicate to your potential employer that you don’t pay attention to detail.

List your most recent job first when completing employment information.

List your most recent education first. Include vocational schools and training programs as well as college and high school.

References don't necessarily have to be professional. If you have volunteered you can use members of the organizations that you have helped or if you are a student use your teachers. In all cases, ask for permission prior to using the person for a reference.

Don't forget to sign your application!

Job Interviews

Put your best foot forward!

INTERVIEW DO'S Arrive 5 minutes early Dress in a higher standard

than you think you would dress for the job

Have all personal data with you (social insurance number, license)

Be pleasant, smile and shake hands with the interviewer

Make eye contact with all interviewers

Be honest when answering questions (ex. If you don't want to relocate, tell them)

Do a dry run of how long it takes you to travel to the interview site(Do this a day or two before the interview) Go alone - leave family and friends at home Bring an extra copy of your resume and references Bring a pen Know something about the company Thank the interviewer for seeing you

INTERVIEW DON'TS Wear jeans or shorts to

an interview Wear strong perfumes

or colognes Appear too casual It

could be interpreted as a lack of interest

Make negative comments about your last employer

Make demands about hours, salary or holidays

Bring food or drink to an interview

Chew gum or use slang

Call the interviewer by his/her first name unless told to do so

Slouch, bad posture is sloppy and can leave a bad impression

How To Deal With Interview Stress

Practice … Prepare … Personal Presentation

Do mock interviewsHave someone that you trust ask you possible interview questions and have them critique your responses.

Do your research on the companyFind out as much as you possibly can before you interview for the position.

Look your bestFind an appropriate outfit that makes you feel good about the way that you look.

Interview stress can be greatly reduced if you feel that you have done the best possible job preparing for your interview.

The Sales Pitch: Your objective in an interview is to sell yourself to the employer. You must convince him/her that you have the strengths and necessary skills to do the job well.

Talk About Your StrengthsStrengths are things that you are able

to do well; use these as your selling tools. The more strengths you have that relate to the position you're applying for and are able to prove, the more attractive a candidate you will appear to be.

Be a Good ListenerEven if you have researched the

position that you are interviewing for, you might not know all there is to know about the job opportunity. Learn to listen to the interviewer. It is likely they will give you a lot of information about the company that you didn't know when you walked through the door.

Ask QuestionsDuring the interview process ask the

interviewer questions about the company or organization, the training process, the qualities the company looks for in an employee etc. It's another way to find out if you are a good fit for the company.

Be Prepared To Answer Any Behavioral Questions

The behavioral interview is used to collect and evaluate answers that are given to find out if he/she has the desired behavioral traits needed to be successful on the job if hired. Instead of asking you how you WOULD behave in a particular situation, the interviewer will ask you to describe how you DID behave. You will have to provide specific details.

The Follow Up After the Interview

The Thank You Letter

Why Write a Thank You Letter?

Most employers consider a thank you letter as common courtesy, a way to differentiate the jobseeker from the rest of the candidates.  It can also be viewed as proof that you are really interested in the position.  It is also another way to keep your name in front of them.

A thank-you letter should be sent right after you've been on a job interview. At the very latest, send the thank-you or follow-up letter by mail within 24 hours of an interview.

You can also send a thank you via email. Some Career Counselors do not agree with this method but depending on the culture of the interviewing company, it can be acceptable.