The Job Selection The Job Selection ProcessProcess

Introduction to Occupations

Keep your eyes and ears openKeep your eyes and ears open

• Talk to people you know about exploring careers

• List all the careers you notice in a week

• Look around as you travel, play, eat, shop, or hang out

• Think about movies, TV and magazines.– If people are doing what you’d

like, find out more.

What is a job?What is a job?

• What you do to make money• Career?

– A series of jobs that have a shared focus or interest-profession

• Alternate Career Path– One that follows another route– You many need post-secondary

training• Education beyond high-school level

Job ClustersJob Clusters

• Jobs that are related

• Job Descriptions can be found in the – Dictionary of Occupational Titles– Occupational Outlook Handbook– Onet

-Federal Gov. Occupational Information Network

– Choices software

Job ClustersJob Clusters

• Agribusiness and Natural Resources– breeder– groomer– poultry farmer

• Business and Office– receptionist– bookkeeper– computer servicer

• Communications and Media– cable TV

technician– book editor– computer artist

• Construction– air-conditioning,

heating– mechanic– roofer

More ClustersMore Clusters

• Family and consumer services– child-care or pet-

care worker– jeweler– floral designer

• Environment– environmental

technician– sanitary engineer

• Fine arts and humanities– actor– cartoonist– dancer/musician

• Health– dental hygienist,

nurse’s aide– home health aide– doctor/dentist

More ClustersMore Clusters• Hospitality and

recreation– cruise

director– fitness

instructor– baker

• Manufacturing– machine

operator– toolmaker– engineer

• Marine science– ocean technician– diver– marine engineer

• Marketing and distribution– insurance agent– real estate agent– retail buyer

More ClustersMore Clusters

• Personal service– barber/hairstylist– cosmetologist– massage

therapist

• Public services– teacher– firefighter– paralegal aide

• Transportation– airline

reservations agent

– railroad conductor

– automotive mechanic

Why do people work?Why do people work?

• Money• Security• Learning

experiences• Feelings of self-

worth• Sense of

Achievement• Recognition• Social

Relationships• Sense of Purpose

Values-

What is important, desirable and worthwhile in your life

Interests and SkillsInterests and Skills

• Skills– abilities that

have been developed

– Something you can do well

– Something that can be improved with practice

• Skills required for success– Job-related skills– Ability to

communicate– Cooperative

attitude– Good attendance– Punctuality– Appropriate

hygiene and grooming

– Listening– Speaking– Writing

AttitudeAttitude

Your state of mind and feelings about things

Smile and be

positive

Overcome Bad

HabitsAct and Speak

PleasantlyBe

Willing to Listen

Overcome Self-PityGet

Along with

People

Be a Problem-

Solver

Be Cheerful and

Enthusiastic

Working with Data-People-ThingsWorking with Data-People-Things

• People– Humans and human resources

• Data– Statistics, facts, words, or

numbers

• Things– Equipment, machines, or tools

Personal SkillsPersonal Skills• Required from

employees regardless of career

• Human Relations Skills– Getting along with

others– Empathy– Teamwork– Communication

Skills

• Learning Skills– Skills and knowledge

acquired through formal education

– Informal Education-skills gained from jobs or activities outside of school

• Thinking Skills– Problem solving– Decision making– Critical thinking– Analysis– Creative thinking

Exploratory (Informational) Exploratory (Informational) InterviewsInterviews

• Use others to build a list of people who work in careers that you find interesting.

• Call the appropriate person and arrange an exploratory interview

– a short informal talk with someone who works in a career that appeals to you

Job ShadowingJob Shadowing

• following a worker for a few days on the job

• learning the ropes by watching and listening

Part-Time WorkPart-Time Work

• allows you to learn about a career from the inside

• gain experience• make personal contacts• make money

• give you a chance to learn job skills while you are still in high school

• earns you class credit and a grade

Work Experience ProgramsWork Experience Programs

EducationEducation

• All jobs have basic educational/training requirements– High school– Vocational/technical program– Post-secondary

• 2 year college-Associate’s degree • 4 year college-Bachelor’s degree

• Military Service– the largest employer in the United States.

TrainingTraining

• Apprenticeship– A course of training by working with a

skilled craftsman– On the job training + classroom theory

• Trade Schools– Special schools offering training for

just one job• Culinary• Nursing• Cosmetology

LicensesLicenses

• Certificate given by state that tells everyone you have successfully completed a state approved training program

• Must pass state exam to become certified– Cosmetology– Architecture– Teaching

Training InformationTraining Information• Apprenticeships• Adolescent Vocational Exploration• Progressive Adolescent Vocational

Exploration• Youth Work Skills• Another Chance Initiative for Education,

Vocation or Employment• Jobs for Youth Apprenticeship Program• Junior Green Teams• Boards of Cooperative Education Service

s• Chamber of Commerce O-J-T Programs

Fastest Growing Occupations

Largest numerical increase in employment

Bachelor’s Degree•Database administrators and computer support specialists

•Computer engineers

•Systems analysts

•Systems analysts

•Teachers, secondary school

•Database administrators and computer support specialists

Associate Degree•Paralegals

•Health Information Technicians

•Dental Hygienists

•Registered Nurses

•Paralegals

•Dental Hygienists

Post-Secondary Vocational Training•Data processing equipment repairs

•Emergency medical technicians

•Manicurists

•Registered Nurses

•Paralegals

•Dental Hygienists

Fastest Growing Occupations

Largest numerical increase in employment

Work Experience•Food service and lodging managers

•Teachers and instructors, voc-ed

•Lawn service managers

•Clerical supervisors and managers

•Marketing and sales supervisors

•Food service and lodging managers

More than 12 months of On The Job Training•Desktop publishing specialists

•Flight attendants

•Musicians

•Cooks, restaurants

•Correction officers

•Musicians

1-12 months of combined OTJ and Informal Training•Physical/corrective therapy assistants

•Medical assistants

•Medical assistants

•Instructors/coaches, sports/training

•Social and human services assts.

Short-term Training and Experience•Personal and home care aides

•Home health aides

•Amusement/recreation attendants

•Cashiers

•Salespersons, retails

•Truck drivers, light and heavy

Physical RequirementsPhysical Requirements• Some jobs require a heavy dependence

on one specific body sense

Vision Hearing•Jeweler•Air traffic control•Electronic component assembler

•Piano tuner•Telephone operator•Radio dispatcher

Touch Taste•Masseuse•Dentist•Surgeon

•Wine taster•Chef•Dietician

Smell•Perfume master•Coffee roaster•Chef

Physical RequirementsPhysical Requirements

Physical Requirements

for the Workplace

Balance

Free of Phobias

Strength

Eye-handcoordination

Agility and Flexibility

Endurance &Stamina

Employment TrendsEmployment Trends

– The kind of work that is available– The number of jobs in any field

and who they are open to– The way the work is done

• Changing due to:– Technology– Attitudes– Anti-discrimination laws

Researching Workforce TrendsResearching Workforce TrendsIndustry

•Which industry provides the greatest number of jobs?

•Which industry provides the fewest?

Geography

•Which area/state provides the highest average wages?

Age/Sex, Race, Disabilities

•Compare the number of males to females employed.

•Compare employment for persons under 25 to over 25 years of age.

•Compare disabled and non-disabled employment figures.

Occupation

•Which occupation will have the greatest number of job openings in the next few years?

•Which occupations are being phased out?

Education

•How does the level of education achieved affect the jobs available?

•Is there a difference in the number of jobs available to H.S. grads versus college grads?

Disabled WorkersDisabled Workers• Technology has

helped them to function in the workplace– Handicap-accessible

buildings– Redesigned furniture– Voice-activated

computers

• Job Links for the Handicapped

www50.pcedpd.gov/pdepd

• Minorities– African-

American– Latino– Asian– Women– Older workers

• Affirmative Action

DiscriminationDiscrimination

• Title IX

– Ensures that equal programs for male and female students exist in schools

– Illegal for hiring and firing based on gender, age, marital status, race, religion or ethnic origin

• Affirmative Action

• Jobs have been renamed

– Stewardess—Flight Attendant

– Policeman—Law Enforcement Officer

The Global EconomyThe Global Economy

• Requires more workers to be bilingual

• Workers are competing for jobs worldwide, not just locally

Assessing Your Job PreferencesAssessing Your Job Preferences

• What career you want

• Is travel time worth it?

• What type of working conditions do you want?– Indoors/outdoors– Alone/with people– Small/large company– Physical/desk job

Traditional vs. Nontraditional JobsTraditional vs. Nontraditional Jobs

• Traditional Jobs for Men and Women– Woman---Secretary, Nurse, Teacher,

etc.• Domestic services• Occupational Segregation/Gender Barriers

– Man---Construction, Maintenance, President, etc.

• Nontraditional Jobs for Men and Women– Women---– Men---

• Career Mobility?

Getting the JobGetting the Job

Obtain a Social Security Number

•Local social security office

Secure Working Papers

•Minors (14-17) need this work permit•Can be obtained from Attendance Office

Fill out a W-4 Form

•Lists tax withholding information•Obtained from employer on 1st day

Non-Print Job LeadsNon-Print Job Leads• Networking-

communicating with people you know or can get to know to share information and advice.– Make a contact list-a list

of people you know.– Ask for any information

that will lead to a job.– Build your contact list

by getting a referral from everyone you talk to.

• Use School Resources– school

counselor– teachers – placement office– school-to-work

programs-bring schools and local businesses together.

On-Line Job LeadsOn-Line Job Leads

• Company web sites

– Human resource departments

• Newsgroups

• Bulletin boards

• Resume posting services

• Online classified ads

Print Job LeadsPrint Job Leads• Job Advertisements

– Classified ads • Newspaper • Magazines

– Blind Ads• Don’t give employers name

• Weekly or monthly newspapers devoted to job advertising

• Yellow Pages of phone book• Chamber of Commerce business

directory• Professional Trade Magazines

Other Job LeadsOther Job Leads

• College Career Resources Office

• Local State Job Services Office

• Public Library

• Practical Experience

– Volunteer

– Co-op job-receive school credit

– Internship

– Part-time work

• Employment Agencies– matchmaker

between job seekers and companies with job openings.

– Job seekers fill out applications at the agency.

• Using the Telephone– hot calls-calls to

referrals or follow up a lead

– cold calls-blind calls

Applying for a JobApplying for a Job• Getting a job comes down to how

well you present yourself in your phone calls, job application, resume and cover letter.

• Employers are looking for the best person to fill the job.

• Communicate Effectively

– The way you talk and write is one of the first and strongest impressions you’ll make.

– Use Standard English.

ResumeResume• a one-page summary of your personal

information, education, skills, work experience, activities and interests.

• You will send it to an employer when applying for a job by mail or via the Internet.

• An employer may request a copy be attached to an application or brought to an interview.

• A resume can get you an interview or kill you chance for a job. Make yourself look good.

ResumeResume

• A personal data sheet typewritten on 8 ½” x 11” paper

• Includes:– Name– Address– Phone number– Educational

experience– Relevant courses

you’ve taken

– Skills– Work experience– Volunteer

positions– Significant

honors– Interests– References with:

• Names• Titles• Addresses• Phone numbers

ResumesResumes

• Choose carefully what you’ll include, what you’ll emphasize and how you’ll describe your experience.

• Do not include any negative information, if you have no work experience, don’t mention it.

• Focus on your skills, education and training you do have.

Objective or SummaryObjective or Summary– the hook that grabs the readers

attention– tells the reader what you want to

do and/or what you are qualified to do

• EducationEducation– list your highest degree first– type of degree, major, college

name and date awarded– may go after experience

ExperienceExperience

• describe you present and previous positions in reverse chronological order

• include dates of employment, company names and locations and specific job titles

• show progression/promotions within an organization

• may go ahead of education

SkillsSkills

– include your personal characteristics, special knowledge, achievements and products

– any identifiable ability or fact that employers value and will pay for

ActivitiesActivities

– hobbies

– sports

– extracurricular activities

WordsWords• use action verbs• don’t use same

word twice• use a thesaurus• no first-person

pronouns (I, We)• drop articles (the,

a, an)• don’t abbreviate

• lose the helping verbs (have, had, may, might)

• lose the being verbs (am, is, are, was, were) stronger

• don’t shift tense• don’t overwrite

(replace expeditious with swift)

• eliminate complex sentences

Do not includeDo not include

• Salary needs• reasons for

leaving other jobs

• date available for employment

• references, print them on a separate page

• health• leisure

activities

• unexplained time gaps

• marital status• age• parents’

occupations• ethnicity or

national origin• physical

description or photograph

The Resume LookThe Resume Look

• use a word processing software• print on a laser or inkjet printer• use a quality paper• size 10-14 font• Times New Roman, Courier,

Garamond, NC Schoolbook, Gothic, Helvetica or Arial

• Typing or spelling errors are UNACCEPTABLE!

Electronic ResumesElectronic Resumes

• Companies scan resumes into their computers and store them in databases.

• These databases look for KEYWORDS that describe skills or job experiences they’re seeking.

ReferencesReferences

• You must have at least 3.• These are people who will

recommend you to an employer.• Be prepared to list them on the

application.• Employers trust teachers or

former employers the most.• Make sure you ask permission.• They should not be related to you.

Cover LettersCover Letters• Your opportunity to convince an

employer that hiring you would benefit the company.

• Do not send your resume by itself, always include a cover letter.

• A one-page letter telling the employer who you are and why you’re sending the resume.

• Sometimes called an application letter

• Concise and to the point.

Cover Letters have three partsCover Letters have three parts• The Opening-it explains why you are writing.

– Say where or from whom you learned about the job.

– You wish to be considered as an applicant for the position.

• The Body-is your sales pitch.

– It tells why you are right for the job.

– Point out how your education/experience could help you perform the job.

• The Closing-tells how you will follow up.

– Include your phone number so the employer can contact you.

– State your resume is enclosed.

– State that you would like an interview at the employer’s convenience.

The Job ApplicationThe Job Application

• This form asks questions about your skills, work experience, education and interests.

• Always fill a job application out completely and accurately, using a pen.

• Read and follow directions exactly.• Keep it neat and clean.• Be positive, keep your options open.• Write NA (not applicable) or draw a line

through spaces that do not apply to you.

Taking TestsTaking Tests

• When applying for a job, you may have to take one or more tests.

• Performance test-evaluates how well you can do a particular task.

• Drug test-blood or urine test for illegal drugs.

• Polygraph test-a lie detector test.

InterviewingInterviewing

• a formal meeting between an employer and a job applicant.

• It is the employer’s chance to meet you as a person, not just as a name on a resume.

• It’s where research and rehearsal pay off.

Know Before You GoKnow Before You Go

• Do your research and ask intelligent questions.– Use books, magazines and articles

about the company and current industry events.

– Ask the Public Relations department for the annual report.

– Visit the company’s Internet site for up-to-the minute information.

– Talk to people who work for the company.

Rehearsal TimeRehearsal Time• Practice will improve your interview

performance.

• Practice your telephone skills-speak clearly and repeat the appointment time and location

• Interview with a friend-have them ask you typical questions and comment on your interview style

• Use a Mirror-are you sitting straight? Are you fidgeting?

• Use a tape recorder-Are your words clear?

• Prepare answers to typical questions-use the list given.

Dress for SuccessDress for Success

• What does an employer see first when you walk through the door?

• Not your personality-your clothes!

• Carefully plan what you’ll wear-dress for what you’d wear for a day on the job, but a little bit better.

• Think conservative-let your skills stand out, not your outfit.

• Be neat, clean and well-groomed with shined shoes and no crazy jewelry.

Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts• Do

– arrive on time and alone

– Dress appropriately

– Maintain eye contact

– Smile and be polite– have a positive

attitude– act enthusiastically– make sure you are

up on current events

• Don’t – make yourself at home

in the office until you have been invited

– chew gum or smoke– Slouch or cross your

arms– Discuss your personal

life– Make negative remarks

about anything– Tell what terms you will

accept– give one-word answers– appear desperate

From Door to DoorFrom Door to Door

• Arrive at the interview alone and on time

• Bring a pen, a notepad and two copies of your resume

• Be prepared to fill out an application

During an InterviewDuring an Interview• Body Talk-the gestures, posture and

eye contact you use to send messages.

• Eye Contact-shows that you’re paying attention.

• Firm Handshake-signals self-confidence

• Nodding your head-shows you are thinking

• Good Manners count too.

Speaking for SuccessSpeaking for Success

• Success depends not only on what you say, but how you say it.

• A clear, confident voice immediately creates a positive, adult impression.

• Listen attentively, it will keep you calm and focused.

• Enunciate and don’t speak too quickly.

Typical QuestionsTypical Questions

• Look at your notes

• An interviewer tries to find out who you are and what you can do for the company.

• Honesty is the best policy.

• If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification.

• Interviewers prefer specific questions.

Tough QuestionsTough Questions

• Don’t be surprised.

• Stay clam.

• Address one question at a time.

After the Interview; Following UpAfter the Interview; Following Up

• The interview process doesn’t end when you walk out the door.

• Jot down some notes.

• Send a follow-up letter.– A letter thanking the employer

for their time and the opportunity to interview with them.

• Call Back.

AcceptingAccepting

• You don’t have to say yes immediately.

• You can ask for time to think about it.

• Send an acceptance letter and keep a copy.

RejectingRejecting

• Don’t say no at the interview.

• Thank the interviewer.

• Give a reason for your answer.

• Keep your options open.

PortfolioPortfolio

• A collection of documents showing proof of your accomplishments, performance and work history.

• A place for you to organize information about yourself.

• It will continually change and be updated.

• A showcase of student work.• It often clinches the deal.

It will need to:It will need to:

• Consider career options

• Perform skill assessments

• Help make decisions and plans

• Prepare for interviews

Types of PortfoliosTypes of Portfolios

• Divide it into 3 general categories– Living– Learning– Working

• Or...– Who I Am– Exploring– Deciding– Planning– Acting

• Organize it in a way that makes sense to you

What to include in it:What to include in it:• Cover Letter• Resume• Last grade report• Autobiography• Copies of licenses• Evidence of involvement/pictures• Tests/Worksheets• Writings

– Videos– Newspapers articles

• A list of courses you are taking or have taken

What to include:What to include:• Certificates of Achievement

– Volunteering– Honor/Merit roll– Courses– Attendance

• Letters of Recommendation/Teacher Observations

• Special skills fact sheet• A personal philosophy statement• A description of experiences that don’t fit

in resume• Projects that show your highest level of

skill– Written papers from a course

Packaging Your PortfolioPackaging Your Portfolio

• Package it in a colorful, 2-pocket portfolio/folder

• Don’t enclose any originals, only photocopies

– They might want to keep it

• Always take one to an interview