PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY CHAPTER 1 SECTION 3

Job Application Skills and Tools

How can you find job openings?

Contacts A person you know, such as a relative or friend May have met the person recently or known them all

of your lifeNetworking sitesCompany websitesOnline career and employment sites

Many job openings are never advertised They may be filled from within the company or with

people who are privately told about the job opening

Getting Started

Social network A group of friends and acquaintances who keep in

contact and share information Some people use online social networking sites

FaceBook MySpace LinkedIn Twitter Personal Blogs

MUST use caution with the information that you post to social networking sites

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-smart-ways-to-use-social-media-in-your-job-search

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/16/how-social-media-can-help-or-hurt-your-job-search/

Getting Started

If you are seeking a job in a field where you have no contacts, try to get to know people who can tell you about openings.

Let others know about your skill set that makes you a unique and desirable employee.

Join student groups or community organizations You can meet people who may be able to refer you to

potential employers

Job Shadowing

Spending time observing a worker in a type of job that interests you

Employers may allow as long as you do not disrupt the work being done

See how activities are performed in a typical day

Contacts made can give you the inside track on finding out about future job openings

Cooperative Work Experience

A program where students attend classes for part of the day and then go to a job that provides supervised work.

Students receive credit for the on-the-job skills that they learn

School Counselors, Teachers, and Placement Centers

School counselors and teachers are often a good source of job opportunity information.

Placement centers also help students find jobs Services are usually offered free of charge

Checking Websites

Many businesses maintain websites that list job openings Check the “Human Resources” link at the business’s

home pageJob listings often contain:

Job description that lists job qualifications Timelines for applying Starting dates Pay rates

Updated frequently, so it’s important to check back often

Checking Websites

Check job websites such as: Yahoo! HotJobs Monster CareerBuilder Craigslist Local newspaper sites USA Jobs

Job Scouts

Technology is changing the way people find jobs

Job scouts A type of computer program known as an intelligent

agent Job scouts search the Internet to find job listings and

return those listings to you You set rules, such as the type of job or the location you

wish to work in Job listings can be sent to you weekly or daily

Employment Agencies

Help job seekers find a job for which they are qualified

Help employers locate the best job applicants for their openings

Private agencies may or may not charge a fee for their services Some charge a fee only to the employer and others

may split the fee between the employer and the new employee

Fees vary from agency to agency

Employment Agencies

Headhunter An employment specialist who seeks out highly

qualified people to fill upper-level positions for an employer Example: An employer seeking a new manager or vice-president

for their company may use a headhunter to recruit an experienced candidate rather than advertising the position publicly and going through an open interview process.

State Employment Offices

Government agency Does not charge fees

Find information about: Job training and assistance programs

Youth Employment Services (YES) Youth Corps State and Federal Civil Service Other government-sponsored programs

Temp Agencies

An employment agency that provides part-time and full-time jobs on a temporary basis

Gives you an opportunity to make a good impression on an employer and to expand your network

Gives you good work experience that can be applied to other jobs

If you are a good fit for the position or company, you may be offered a permanent position

How do you prepare to get a job?

You will need to compile several items in order to successfully complete your job search: Resume

A summary of your work experience, education, skills, and interests that qualify you for a job opening

References People who have known you and can provide information

about your skills, character, and achievements Cover Letter

A letter that accompanies a resume, introducing the applicant to a prospective employer

General Resume Guidelines

Have a “master resume” which lists everything you have ever done. Include every job, every award, every skill, every bit of information you have.

Tailor each resume you prepare to include the information that will best match your skill set to those skills listed in the job opening.

Keep each tailored resume to one page. List important information in the top third of the page. It will be the first thing reviewers see, and it should grab their attention.

General Resume Guidelines

Keep the resume simple, attractive, and easy to read. Carefully choose your use of fonts, boldfacing, italics, spacing, and other style elements. If your resume will be submitted electronically, avoid using formatting that might change or look different when the file is opened in a different computer operating system.

Proofread thoroughly. It must be error-free – no keying errors, spelling errors, or grammar mistakes.

For hard copies, avoid bright colors, odd sizes, and stained or discolored paper.

General Resume Guidelines

Content should include: Name Address Telephone number Email address List the schools you have attended (High school/college, with the

most recent first) May include areas of study, GPA, honors, specific courses that might

apply to a job opening, extracurricular activities Jobs that you have held (PAID AND UNPAID)

Names/addresses of employers, description of work completed, experience directly related to employment desired

List references IF they will fit. If resume is already full, state that references “will

be provided on request”

References

Should be over 18Not related to youBest references:

Teachers Current or former employers Counselors Coaches Adults in business

Reference letter A statement of your character, abilities, and experiences

that is written by someone who can be relied on to give a sincere report

Job Application

Write neatly using blue or black ink.Stay within the space providedFill in all the blanks

Use N/A if neededBe truthfulGive complete answersPrint/copy to keep for your records

Job Interview

Review your resume so you are familiar with everything you stated about yourself

Rehearse open-ended questions where you talk about yourself. Be ready for questions such as, “Tell me about yourself” or “Why do you want to work for us?” Talk about your skill set and how it relates to the job opening. Practice your interviewing skills with a friend or family member.

Lean forward, listen carefully, and show the interviewer you are interested and enthusiastic about the job opening.

Job Interview

Arrive on time, or about 10 minutes early. Dress appropriately, as you would if you were already on the job (or one notch better).

Always go alone. Do not take a friend or relative.

Appear self-confident and relaxed. Do not show tension or stress. Avoid eating or drinking, except water if it helps keep you calm.

Be courteous, using “please” and “thank you.”

Think before you speak. Speak slowly and clearly. Use good grammar and avoid slang.

Job Interview

Look directly at your interviewer(s), making eye contact frequently. Smile often and show confidence.

Watch for clues that you should talk more or less.

Do company research so you can speak intelligently about the company and ask meaningful questions. It is common for the interviewer to ask you what questions you might have about the company – make the questions impressive!

Follow up

Contact with the prospective employer after the interview but before a person is hired for the opening

A thank-you letter shows appreciation for the time taken to interview you Keep it short and direct Make sure that it is error free, friendly, and

appreciativeOther forms of follow up could be a brief

phone call to remind the hiring manager of your interest