Entering the World of Work

Life Skills I                                Chapter 5 Entering the World of Work

1. The Job Application Process
2. Applying for a Job-The first step is to fill out an application and/or submit a resume and cover letter.  Many jobs will also require you to take a blood or urine test to check for illegal drugs.  Other tests include a performance test to see how well you can do a particular task, such as keying text or proofreading.  Some employers conduct background checks, which inform them of any criminal convictions you might have or credit checks that let them know how responsible you are with paying your bills on time.
3. Networking- making use of personal connections to achieve your goals.  This is one of the best ways to get a job. Personal connections allow employers to verify a job applicant’s skills, experience, and positive attitude before offering a job to the individual.
4. Resume, Portfolios and Cover Letters
5. Resume-Provides a brief history of your work experience and education. A resume should:  1.) be honest 2.) be error free 3.)be clear 4.) be concise 5.) use action words 6.) be printed on high-quality paper 7.) focus on skills, achievements, and accomplishments and 8.) use keywords that correspond with the position you are seeking.
6. Chronological resume-Lists your work experience and employment history in chronological order, that is by date.
7. Skills resume-organizes your experience according to specific skills or functions.
8. Contents of the Resume
1. Personal Information-name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. Adding unessential information only clutters up your resume and detracts from the essential information.
2. Job Objective-Include a job object if you are seeking a specific job.  You may ne willing to accept various jobs. If you decide not to list your job objective, you can use the cover letter to relate your resume to the specific job for which you are applying.
3. Education-List your degrees, schools attended, dates of study, and major field of study.
4. Awards and Honors-List awards and honors that are related to the job or indicate excellence.
5. Work Experience-List the title of your last job first, dates worked, and a brief description.
6. Skills and Abilities-List your skills and abilities (ex. Attention to detail or interpersonal skills) then describe how you demonstrate those skills or abilities.
7. Campus and Community Activities-List activities that show leadership abilities and a willingness to make a contribution to the community.
8. Professional Memberships and Activities-List professional memberships, speeches you have given or research projects you have been involved in.
9. References-References can be provided upon request.  Make sure you contact the individual you plan to use for references.
9. Writing a cover letter
1. Generally, a resume is sent with a cover letter; however, some employers do not require a cover letter.  The cover letter is the first thing a potential employer sees, and it can make a powerful impression.   The cover letter is an introduction to you and the job you are seeking. Some tips for creating a cover letter includes:
1. Keep it short- Your cover letter should be no more than one page in length.
2. Make it look professional-Type your cover letter and print it using a laser printer.  Use white or buff-colored paper.
3. Explain why you are writing-Start your letter with one sentence that describes where you heard of the opening. “Joan Wright suggested I contact you regarding a position in your marketing department” or, “I’m writing you regarding a position you advertised in the Sun City Journal.”
4. Introduce Yourself-Give a short description of your professional abilities and background. Refer to your attached resume.
5. Sell yourself-Relate your skills to the skills and responsibilities mentioned in the job listing. If the ad mentions solving problems, relate a problem you solved at school or work.
6. Provide all requested information-If the ad asks for “salary requirements” or “salary history,” be sure to include this information in your cover letter.
7. Ask for an interview-Be confident, but not pushy.  “I am available for an interview…” or “I will be contacting you in the near future to schedule an appointment for an interview.”
8. Check for errors-Do not rely on your computer’s spell checker or grammar checker. A spell checker will not detect if you typed “tot he” instead of “to the.
9. Have a friend or family member review your letter.
10. Create a Portfolio
1. Some employers want to see a career portfolio, a collection of work samples demonstrating your skills.
11. Interviewing for a Job
1. An interview is a meeting between a job applicant and an employer.  Follow these tips for a successful interview:
1. Dress appropriately-Wear clothing that is appropriate for the job for which you are applying.  In most situations, you will be safe if you wear clean, pressed, conservative business clothes in neutral colors.
2. Be on time-make sure to write down the date and time of your interview. Also, make sure you know where you are going for the interview.
3. Be poised and relaxed-avoid nervous habits such as tapping your pencil, playing with your hair, or covering your mouth with your hand. Also avoid using words such as “you know,” “um,” and “like.”
4. Maintain good eye contact-look your interviewer in the eye and speak with confidence.
5. Convey maturity-Interviewers evaluate maturity by observing your ability to remain posed in different situations throughout the interview.
6. Avoid being too familiar-Know your interviewer title and address them b their last name unless they ask you to do otherwise.
7. Be professional-Reliability, an excellent appearance and proper business manners are all part of professionalism.
8. Answer questions fully-Be clear, concise and direct.
9. Be Prepared-preparation will give you the information you need and the confidence to succeed.
10. Know the company-Show that you have knowledge about the company and industry.
11. Find out about the position before you interview-Ask the personnel office to send you a job description.
12. Relate your experiences to the job-Use each question as a way to show how the skills you have relate to the job.
13. Focus on what you can do for the company-Do not ask about benefits, salary, or vacations until you are offered the job—this implies a “what can this company so for me” attitude.
14. Stress your skills-Be specific about your job-specific skills and you general workplace skills.  Job specific skills are skills necessary for a specific job.  General workplace skills are transferable from school to job and from job to job.
15. Be honest-Do not overstate your accomplishments or grade point average or exaggerate your experience.
16. Show a positive attitude-An interviewee with a positive attitude shows poise, self-confidence, decisiveness, and has a tendency to be extroverted.
17. Practice interviewing-Like any skill the more you practice the better you will be.  It is also very helpful to practice being interviewed by a friend.  Rehearse questions and be prepared.
18. Close the interview on a positive note-If it is unclear to you what will happen next, ask.
12. Follow Up
1. Following up after a job interview is as important as the preparation you do beforehand.  According to a recent survey, fifteen percent of hiring managers say they would not hire a person who did not send a thank-you letter after the interview.  Send your thank-you letter within three days of the interview. Thank-you letters can be e-mailed, though most employers prefer handwritten or typed letters.
13. Starting a New Job
1. Look the part-The clothing and accessories you wear must be appropriate for the workplace.  Choose clothing that is clean and neat.
2. Stay Safe on the Job-The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor sets job safety standards and inspects job sites.  Its goal is to make sure employers provide a place of employment free from safety and health hazards. These hazards include: exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat and cold stress, and unsanitary conditions.
3. Make Sound Decisions
14. Balance Work and Your Personal Life

Stress-Stress is the pressure people feel as the result of their ability or inability to meet the expectations of others and themselves.  Stress can result in the variety of physical reactions or symptoms, such as sweaty palms, the feeling of butterflies in the stomach, loss of appetite or overeating, sleep difficulties, and headaches.

1. Balance Work and Family-Flextime lets workers adjust their daily work schedules to meet family needs as long as the workers put in the required number of hours on the job. A few companies allow employees to compress, or squeeze together, each work week.  This is called a compressed week.  Instead of working five 8-hour days, an employee can choose to work four 10-hour days or even three 12-hour days.
2. Find Personal Time-To decrease stress set and prioritize activities (identify the activities that are most important to you), budget time (when planning your schedule, set aside a certain amount of time for your hobbies, school events, and activities with your family and friends), and avoid overload (leave time for some downtime in your schedule to stay healthy and balanced.)
3. Take Advantage of Benefits-A benefit, or reward for employment besides salary, may include health insurance, personal financial savings plans or retirement plans, and paid vacations.