JOB PLACEMENT OFFICE

How To Get The Job you Want

FOUR STEPS Getting an interview

Preparing for the interview

Being interviewed

After the interview

FOUR STEPS Getting an interview

Find Someone Who Is Hiring Newspapers

Print and Online

Company Websites Call Companies

Speak Appropriately Clearly, Politely, Patiently

Visit Companies Dress Appropriately Speak Clearly Go Prepared

FOUR STEPS Getting an interview

Go prepared with what ? Info for application

Write down ahead of time References

Always check before you use them Have their complete info.

Name, address, phone number, job / position / what they do

Who: Not your buddies ! Preacher / Pastor co-worker / supervisor not used in employer

section Teacher/Coach Neighbour

FOUR STEPS

Preparing for interview Resume & Cover Letter

RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

Cover Letters Spell correctly! Use correct grammar Short-Highlight important

accomplishments If someone within the company referred

you, say it Explain why you would be a match for the

position – (not why you want to work there, what a great company it is, etc.)

Be Specific where do you want to work are you willing to travel now and /or a couple of years

RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

Resumes/Applications Purpose: to get you an interview Provide all of the information the

application asks for Locate and review a job description to

tailor your resume or application to the job Use superlatives- best, fastest, only, first,

most Only student representative on.. Youngest member of .. First undergraduate to PROOFREAD

RESUMES & COVER LETTERS Work History

Chronological – Organize work history by date

Most recent First Work backward

If a candidate has little or no job experience: organize abilities in categories showcase skills the job requires

Explain what you have done in past positions

Explain how your past employment contributed to the company’s results

Think about “how much” and “how many”

RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

Resumes Use superlatives - best, fastest, only, first,

most Only student representative on... Youngest member of... First undergraduate to…

PROOFREAD!!

RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

e-Resumes Do include a cover letter with an electronic

resume Showcase your strong points first

A recruiter can quickly glance at a paper resume but will have to scroll through an e-version

Don’t rely on spell check only

THE INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

To prepare for any type of interview Research the company Prepare a few questions for the interviewer Show off your background, qualifications, and

interests

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW

Research – organization, job market Time – allow enough Shopping/wardrobe – review how you

want to present yourself Be objective – ask a parent, parent’s

friend, or neighbor Practice – friends, family

TOP 10 INTERVIEW MISTAKES

1.Don’t Prepare2.Dress Inappropriately3.Poor Communication Skills4.Too Much Communication5.Talk Too Much6.Don’t Talk Enough7.Inaccurate or Contradictory Information8.Giving The Wrong Answer9.Criticizing Prior Employers10.Failing To Follow Up

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Phone Often used to screen candidates Just as important as a face-to-face interview

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Group Consists of many applicants and one or more

interviewers Typically a presentation about the company Important to stand out from the group without

monopolizing the conversation Presence will speak volumes

Stance / posture Handshake Eye contact

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Panel One candidate with several interviewers Consider how the entire panel will interpret your

response Don’t cater to what one or two members want to

hear

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Behavioral Assumes that candidates who have previously

demonstrated a particular behavior will repeat the behavior in the future when facing a similar problem

“Think of an occasion when you…” “Can you give me an example of…”

THINGS TO NEVER SAY

What does your company do? Ask well-informed questions

My salary requirements are flexible It would be so phat to get jiggy with

this job Don’t use slang Be articulate and intelligent

THINGS TO NEVER SAY

I increased sales on my last job by 999% in 2 months Don’t lie

In five years I see myself on a Mediterranean beach Your long-term goals should relate to the

job and the company, even if you only see yourself there for a short time

THINGS TO NEVER SAY

Sorry, I don’t know anything about that Emphasize that you are a quick and willing

learner My boyfriend cheated on me last week

and… Don’t get too personal

THINGS TO NEVER SAY

What can your company do for me? Get your questions answered but don’t be

arrogant My last boss was a jerk

Don’t bad-mouth any previous employer

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

within three seconds of seeing a person for the first time we have decided their: Social status Politics Education Religion Sexuality Friendliness / Approachability Aptitude

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: THE 93% RULE

55% appearance & body language

38% tone, pitch & pace of your voice

7% what you say

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

Considerations Company culture Location Experience

Be yourself - add some personal style It’s better to err on the formal side than

the casual side

IT’S NOT JUST WHAT YOU WEAR..

…it’s how you wear it dark colours are authoritative (black, navy

blue, or grey)

medium shades are more approachable pastel and light colours are not viewed as

‘business colours’

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

Ladies Skirt suit or pantsuit (conservative) Medium-heeled shoe Non-flashy jewelry

Men Dark suit Check your socks (should match your

pants) Single-breasted suits

GROOMING – MEN

shave skincare manicures body hair – including nose and ears! teeth personal hygiene

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

GROOMING - WOMEN

skincare hair – cut, colour,

condition make-up perfume – be careful manicure / pedicure teeth

a recent survey showed that women who wear make-up have a competitive edge over their bare faced colleagues

The Times, 30th December 2003

women who wear make-up earn, on average, 20% more than women who wear no make-up

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

“dress badly and they remember the clothes;

dress well and they remember the person”

with thanks to Coco Chanel

Slide from ‘dressing for interview’ presentation by Kathy Ennis – with thanks

FAMOUS QUOTE

BODY LANGUAGE

BODY LANGUAGE

Non-verbal communication is defined as the process of sending and receiving wordless messages by means of facial expressions, gazes, gestures, postures, and tones of voice. It includes grooming habits and clothing colors and may be learned, innate, or mixed

BODY LANGUAGE

Crossed arms Defensive, closed off

Fidgeting, playing with hair Nervous or bored

Lack of eye contact Untrustworthy

Leaning back Uncomfortable

BODY LANGUAGE

Firm Handshake Eye Contact Smile/Pleasant Nodding while listening

Attentive Gesturing with hands while talking

Genuinely involved in the conversation

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED IN AN INTERVIEW

Are you eligible to work in the US? What is your full name? Have you ever worked

under another name? Are you the minimum age required to perform this

job? Can you perform the basic functions of this

position with or without accommodation? Weekend and holiday work is required. Will this

pose any difficulties for you (MOCK INTERVIEW)

LEGAL ISSUES

Fair questions you may be asked in an interview Can you perform the basic functions of this

position with or without accommodation? Weekend and holiday work is required. Will this

pose any difficulties for you?

LEGAL ISSUES

Fair questions you may be asked in an interview What was your rank when you were discharged?

What skills did you gain in the military? Do you belong to any professional organizations

(e.g. American Bar Association)?

APPLICATIONS

Employment applications often include questions about felony convictions with a disclaimer

If good credit is a requirement of the job, a company is within its rights to perform a credit check

FOLLOWING UP

FOLLOWING UP

Send a thank you note Tech or immediate decision - send via e-

mail Handwritten - proofread!

Don’t be pushy It is okay to ask the interviewer when

he/she anticipates making a decision It’s not okay to call 5 times a day

Success? Congratulations Keep learning Preparation for your next job

Not successful? Reflect on the experience Ask for feedback Bounce back

AFTER THE INTERVIEW….

QUESTIONS