The Audacia Foundation, Inc.

Employment Now Series, 2016 Blueprints and Blunders

Job Search StrategiesResumes

InterviewsTransition to Employment

Funded by a Grant Awarded by The New York State Department of Health Under the Health Worker Retraining Initiative

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Welcome and Overview

Disclaimer: While an effort is made to share up-to-date, accurate, available information, The Audacia Foundation, Inc. and its representatives make no warranties, express or implied, as to the content, accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links and other items

contained in this program nor to the fitness of the information for any purpose, or to the results obtained by individuals using the information and is not responsible for any action taken in

reliance on the information contained herein.

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Audacia Program VisionEmpowermentEngagementEnhancement of

knowledge, skills and attitude Career

advancement

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Potential Results for Individual Learners

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1. Increased awareness and understanding of the power of self-reflection as starting point in job search efforts/activities

2. Improved base of knowledge and skills for professional development and employment opportunities

Takeaways

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• What: What to do and not to (general/resumes)?• When to do what(general/resumes)?• Why do specific things and not others?• Who is involved? • Where to look for jobs?• How to go about job searching, submitting

resumes and preparing for/participating in interviews?

Preliminaries

The Job Search Process:Blueprints and Blunders

Job Search Process: Blueprint of Steps in Process

1. Self-assessment2. Organizing and planning3. Job market4. Resources5. Self-preparation:

resumes and cover letters/ interview practice

6. Location and travel awareness and practice

The Job Search Process: Blunders

No self-assessment No planning or

organization/ chaos No resource analysis No/little self- preparation:

eg: using template resumes and cover letters or eliminating cover letters/ interview practice:

No location and travel awareness and practice

“Winging it”

Awareness Checklist• Self-Awareness • Trends • Organizational Knowledge/Interest • Potential Contributions • Punctuality and Deadlines • Attitude-yours • Behavior-yours

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Blueprint Self- Assessment Awareness

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• Values (reputation, authority, cooperation) • Beliefs ( empowerment, ownership, self-

responsibility) • Expectations (well- paying, full time/promotion in

3-6 months) • Assumptions: (work accommodates you) • Definitions (“job”/“communication skills”)• Attitude: (appreciative/demanding/impatient)• Behavior: (focused/scheduled/procrastinating)

Awareness:Your Role in the Health Care System

STUDENT EMPLOYEE

YOUPATIENTS

TEAMMEMBERS

ORGANIZATION

BLUEPRINT: Organizing and Planning

• Create a system for job search process• Create a schedule and keep it most of the time• List your network and resources available• Be prepared to spontaneously discuss job search • Identify geographical areas and travel preferences

and “deal-breakers”• Identify types of potential employers and check

their websites for job openings and career opportunities

Blueprints and Blunders:Create a System and Avoid Confusion

• Spreadsheets• Lists• Computerized• Paperwork

BLUNDERS IN ORGANIZING AND PLANNING

• Delay, avoidance, or procrastination• No system• Sloppy recordkeeping: misspelled

names/wrong dates of employment/wrong contact names of supervisors/wrong organization for the resume submitted

TRENDS in Health Care: Blueprints and Blunders

Blueprints1. Know the trends-

federal/state/regional2. HWRI program

support ( online learning programs)

3. Online resources-check for credibility of sites versus opinion pieces

Blunders1. Ignorance of trends

reveals student status more than aspiring professional

2. Limited job search opportunities

Blueprint: Job Market Trends and Issues

U.S. Federal Health Care Delivery SystemNYS Health Care Delivery SystemCultural Competency: patients and co-workers/supervisorsAging workforce and potential patientsFinancial literacy and resource stewardship as it pertains to health care organizationsCare coordination to reduce costs and improve quality careManaged care and payment systems

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Resume Prep: Knowledge of the Organization

Blueprints:1. Knowing the mission

of the organization and how you would fit in/contribute

2. Knowing the website and what is new/highlighted allows you to customize resume

Blunders:1. Ignorance is not bliss.

Example: Applying for pediatric job in long term care residential facility

2. Not knowing size of facility, scope of services and MISSION

Resume Prep: Your Contribution

Blueprint: Have several ideas of what and how you could contribute-special knowledge/skills

Blunders: Having no idea how you could contribute and expecting employer to “ figure out” your strengths and needs” and “connect the dots”

Deadlines of Submission of Resumes

Blueprints: • No delays• Identify and submit by

deadlines

Blunders:• Applying when it is

convenient for you• Lack of awareness of

organizational hiring cycles

Attitude and Behaviors of Submitting Resumes and Cover Letters:

Blueprints and Blunders

Blueprints1.Follow instructions2. Follow-up to verify receipt-be appropriate and identify yourself. Do not assume you are the only one sending in a resume

Blunders:1. Sloppy paperwork- eg:

templates with blanks where words should be written

2. Not following instructions3. No verification of receipt

RESOURCES for Submitting ResumesBLUEPRINTS & BLUNDERS

• Internet• Friends/families/ others• Print media• Social media

ONLINE MOSTLY or ONLY !

Pre- Resume Prep: Location and Travel Blueprints and Blunders

• Urban/suburban• Large/small • Independent/Networked

system• Private/non-

profit/government• Easily accessible or not

• Not knowing about employer location before submitting resume/agreeing to interview

• Not identifying commuting strategies before applying

Purpose of ResumeBlueprints and Blunders

Blueprint1. Identify you as a

potential candidate2. Create interest in

learning more about you as a potential employee

3. Create interest in scheduling next step-phone or live interview

4. Stand out among competition

BlundersSubmitting a resume is the main step in getting a job

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Resumes: Key Questions to Consider

Who is the reader? (Human/ Program/ Supervisor)

What keywords to use versus creative writing)Readability: font and size of font; spacing Format (chronological/ functional)Summary of Qualifications/Objective Composition: bullet points vs.essaySpelling, grammar and punctuation Cover Letters ( customized/informative)

Steps in Resume DevelopmentBlueprints and Blunders

Blueprints: HOMEWORK1. Identify potential jobs and

keywords in job descriptions2. Identify your knowledge, skills, and

ACHIEVEMENTS (Lists)3. Identify action verbs 4. Make a list jobs held and

contributions for each5. List of training/ education6. Choose format7. Create summary of qualifications8. Proofread for grammar,

punctuation, and spelling9. Customize for each position10. Cover letters

Blunders: 1. Template/ generic resume2. Using an old resume from period

prior to new training: no updates3. Job duties and job descriptions4. Errors/ sloppiness/ omissions/

enhancements/ falsehoods, inappropriate paper for hard copy

5. Making the reader “figure it out” or “connect the dots”

6. No cover letter unless specifically instructed not to send one

7. Not qualified for position8. Use of “Objective”

Readability: Blueprints and BlundersSpacing and fonts

FONTS

1.Standard font ( Times New Roman/ courier)2.Font size 123.Black ink color4.Beware underlining, bold, use of script, etc.

Heading: Contact InformationBlueprints and Blunders

Blueprints1. Easy to read font and

size2. Contact information

accurate and timely3. Simple and

professional email addresses: Lgargano@snya.org

Blunders1.Phone number changed/ voicemail doesn’t accept messages/ creative voicemails using children to record message, music, personal messages2. Creative email addresses: “Ilovemydog”

BlueprintSummary of Qualifications

• Last to be written• Concise summary/profile of what you have to

offer as an employee; make each word count• Example: Bilingual LPN with five years

medical assistance experience working in high-volume, fast-paced health center serving more than 10,000 culturally and generationally diverse clients with chronic medical conditions

BlueprintExamples of Action Verbs for

Accomplishments/Achievements1.Planned2.Coordinated3.Improved4.Created5.Implemented

6.Designed, restructured7.Saved8.Organized9.Managed10.Assisted

BlueprintSpelling, Grammar, and Punctuation

1.Initial amount of time an employer reviews a resume: 15- 20 seconds minimum to 45 seconds maximum2. What do errors say about the potential work you will do?3. One of the biggest complaints of resume reviewers and easiest to prevent

Summary1. Self-awareness and

involvement in resume development

2. What have you contributed in the past and what can you contribute in your new position

3. How does your resume reflect you as a potential employee via implication?

4. Resume technicalities: format/font/spacing/ error-free/readability/use of templates, generic, “fillers”5. What can you do during your search period to build your resume?6. Having hard copies available during daily activities to increase distribution

Job Search and Resumes Initial Pieces of the Employment

Puzzle

Congratulations !

Discussion

The Audacia Foundation, Inc.39 Broadway- suite 1710

New York New York, 10006212- 425-5050

email: hwri@snya.org

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