MAKING EVERY DAY
BETTER BEGINS WITH YOU ATTEND A HIRING PARTY!
You’re invited to a Hiring Party to explore Career Opportunities with the YMCA OF METROPOLITIAN DETROIT JOIN A TEAM COMMITTED TO MAKING EVERY DAY BETTER FOR EVERYONE! The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit has full-time and part-time positions available, with a hiring range of $10 to $16 per hour! Working at the Y has benefits for you, your family and the community! Learn more about career opportunities with the YMCA. Attend a hiring party to meet our staff and learn about their incredible experiences! Then attend an on-the-spot job interview. Opportunities are available for those ages 16 and older! EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • Free YMCA Membership for all staff • Discounts on YMCA Programs for all staff • Generous retirement plan
DOWNRIVER FAMILY YMCA
• $300 sign on bonus for lifeguards
16777 Northline Rd, Southgate Tuesday, Aug. 17th at 5-8pm
• Positive work environment/team atmosphere
FARMINGTON FAMILY YMCA
• Aquatics
28100 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills Wednesday, Aug. 18th at 5-8pm
For attending a Hiring Party, you will receive a YMCA guest pass to use at any of our 7 locations. Refreshments served. Raffles will be held on site. Don’t miss out! Masks required indoors and are available.
Make every day better
JOB OPENINGS • Before and Afterschool Care • Childcare • Member Experience • Wellness • And much more!
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT ymcadetroit.org/careers
We're Hiring! ABOUT US
Mopec provides American-made medical equipment, laboratory products, and emergency preparedness to the pathology, histology, necropsy, autopsy, and mortuary industries. Founded in 1992, Mopec solutions are among the very best as demonstrated by the vast number of installations in America’s top healthcare institutions and facilities. Our reputation, which continues to grow worldwide, is built on decades of superior customer service specializing in consultation and customization.
Seeking a Metal Finisher - Apply Now! • www.mopec.com/careers • linkedin.com/company/mopec • ziprecruiter.com/c/mopec/jobs
Contact Us Janet McMahon jmcmahon@mopec.com 248.284.0840
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Career Mobility Office Interviewing Tips & Techniques Contents
Interviewing Tips and Techniques Dynamite Answers to Tough Questions Questions to Ask During the Interview Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions After-Interview Checklist Sample Thank You Letter
Being prepared for your job interview will certainly improve your chances of being selected for the job. Here are a few things you can do to get prepared: Do your homework o Learn basic information about the organization o Find out what services the Agency or Bureau interviewing you does o Find out about the position you are interviewing for, including specific duties and requirements Be on time o Know the time and place of the interview and the name of the interviewer o Do a trial run before the interview to get an idea how long it will take to get where you are going o Arrive at least 15 minutes early to the interview to give yourself time to park and get inside Introduce yourself to the receptionist and/or secretary and tell them what you are there for o Be polite to everyone including office staff Anticipate interview questions and develop comfortable responses Tips… Dress as a professional in your field. Don‟t bring a lot of baggage with you. Turn off beepers and cell phones. Don‟t bring in coffee or beverages. Don‟t smoke or chew gum. Don‟t speak badly of your current or former employer. Keep your nervous habits in check. SMILE. The body of the interview: Answer questions honestly, clearly and appropriately Ask relevant questions and learn as much as possible about the position Keep on track and don't let the conversation wander The interviewer's goal is to discover your skills, work ethics and attitude about your job The interviewer has three major questions in mind: o Can you do the job? o If hired, will you do the job? o If hired, will you get along with the people already there?
As the interviewee you need to: o Convince them that you are the candidate for the job; o Show how you feel about work ethics and attitude; o Show enthusiasm on why you want the job; and o Discuss your skills and accomplishments.
Tips… Bring extra copies of your resume. Make sure references are in order and that they have been notified that you are using them as a reference.
Closing of the interview: The interviewer will usually ask if there are any questions. o Ask questions about the job. o Don't ask about time off, flex hours, promotions or salary issues. Some questions you may be asked: "Tell me a little about yourself." o Talk about your experience, qualifications, and accomplishments. "Tell me about your education or training." o Explain your education or training and tell how it helped prepare you for this job. "Why do you want to leave that job?" o Job stagnation, demotions due to down-sizing, career exploration, or simply having made a bad choice are all good reasons. "Why should I hire you?" o Talk about the skills you bring with you. Write a Thank You letter: Tell the interviewer how much you enjoyed meeting him or her. Express your enthusiasm for the job. Reiterate a specific selling point. Establish your next point of contact. Send your letter out within 24 hours of the interview.
Answers to Tough Interview Questions 1. What are your strengths as an employee? a. What do they want to hear? i. Review the description of the position for which you are interviewing. Clarify each specific job requirement in your mind. Now, match your strengths and accomplishments directly to the requirements of the job. 2. If you could change one thing about your personality just by snapping your fingers, what would it be and why? a. What do they want to hear? i. Identify a weakness and put together a brief answer that indicates awareness and motivation. (Example: I had a hard time with procrastination when I was younger. But I learned the hard way that putting things off just makes matters worst or I end up falling behind even farther. I sometimes still have the urge to procrastinate but then I think of what will happen. I fight the urge and do whatever needs to be done.) 3. Describe your management philosophy. a. What do they want to hear? i. Most agencies want someone who can demonstrate a desire and ability to delegate, teach, and distribute work – and credit – fairly. In general, you probably want to come across as neither a dictator nor a pushover. A successful candidate should convey that he or she has the ability to succeed should opportunity present itself. But they should avoid giving the impression that they are fire-breathing workaholics ready to succeed no matter what (or whom) the cost. (Example: More than anything else, I think that management is getting things done through other people. The manager‟s job is to provide the resources and environment in which people can work effectively. I try to do this by creating teams, judging people solely on the basis of their performance, distributing work fairly, and empowering workers, to the extent possible, to make their own decisions. I‟ve found that this inspires loyalty and encourages hard work.) 4. What were the most memorable accomplishments at your last job? a. What do they want to hear? i. Focus on your most recent accomplishments – in your current position or the job you had just prior to this one. But make sure they are relevant to the position for which you are interviewing. It is also wise to think about why you were able to achieve these peaks in your job. (For example: I really stopped to listen to what my customers wanted, rather than just trying to sell them.)
5. What is the biggest failure you‟ve had in your career? What steps have you taken to make sure something like that doesn‟t happen again? a. What do they want to hear? i. Before you start spilling your guts, remember that the interviewer is not a priest. In this situation, it would be foolhardy to produce a detailed log of your every shortcoming, misstep, and misdeed. But it would be equally silly to pretend you‟re perfect and have never experienced failure in the course of your career, education, or life. So compromise. The best approach is to admit to one weakness or failure, and then talk about the steps you are taking (or have taken) to make sure that you‟ll never fail in that way again. 6. Tell me about the types of people you have trouble getting along with. a. What do they want to hear? i. Be careful of how you answer this question. If you say “none,” the interviewer will assume you‟re being evasive. Stick with a short story that softens with humor the reasons someone disliked you. (Example: I was discussing this problem with my boss just the other day. He told me I‟m too impatient with slow performers. He told me that the world is filled with „C‟, rather than „A‟ or „B‟ people, and I expect them all to be great performers. So, I guess I do have trouble with mediocre and poor workers. I don‟t expect to ever accept poor work, but I am learning to be more patient.) 7. Are you an organized person? a. What do they want to hear? i. Even if you firmly believe that a neat desk is the sign of a sick mind, talk in detail about the organizational skills that you have developed – time management, project management, prioritizing, delegation – and how those skills have made you more effective. 8. Describe the top of your desk. a. What do they want to hear? i. Even if your desk appears to be cluttered you should know what is in the clutter and how to quickly find it. Is your mind cluttered as well? 9. Do you manage time well? a. What do they want to hear? i. Hopefully you can be truthful and say yes. Now is not the time to wail about your broken alarm clock, etc. (Example: I rarely miss a deadline. When circumstances beyond my control interfere, I make up the time lost as quickly as possible. OR I establish a To-Do list first thing in the morning. Then I add to it – and reprioritize tasks, if necessary – as the day goes on.)
10. How do you go about making important decisions? a. What do they want to hear? i. Think in terms of the interviewer‟s main concerns. Will you need to be analytical? Creative? Willing to call on the expertise of others? If you are bucking for a management position, you will also want to take this opportunity to convince the interviewer that your relationship skills have made you management material – or set you on the way to achieving that goal. You may be asked to about the last important decision you had to make, how you went about making it, and the results you achieved.) 11. Do you anticipate problems well or merely react to them? a. What do they want to hear? i. All managers panic from time to time. The best learn to protect themselves by anticipating problems that might lie around the bend. (Example: A manager had his staff provide reports on all positive – and negative – budget variances on a weekly basis. He is then able to share this information with his boss and with the other bureaus that he interacted with to avoid major problems.) 12. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? a. What do they want to hear? i. Think about the position you are interviewing for? Every job situation forces us to get along with people we might not choose to socialize with. But we must get along with them and, quite often, for long stretches of time and under difficult circumstances. Acknowledging this shows strength. Talk about how you have managed to get along with a variety of other people. 13. How do you generally handle conflict? a. What do they want to hear? i. Answer this question positively. (Example: I really don‟t get angry with other people very often. I am usually able to work things out or anticipate problems before they occur. When conflicts can‟t be avoided, I don‟t back down. But I certainly do try to be reasonable.) 14. How do you motivate people? a. What do they want to hear? i. A good answer will include the words, “it depends on the person,” then offer one or two concrete examples. A poor candidate will imply that all people are motivated by the same thing or can be motivated with the same approach, a kind of “one-size-fits-all” philosophy.
15. What does your supervisor tend to criticize most about your performance? a. What do they want to hear? i. This is another way of framing a series of questions you have probably already been asked; what is your greatest weakness? What was your greatest failure? What would your supervisor say about you? Consider discussing an evaluation from an earlier job, switching to what you did about it and claiming that your current supervisor would, therefore, not consider it a problem any longer. 16. Did you inaugurate new procedures in your previous position? Tell me about them. a. What do they want to hear? i. You do not have to be a department head to answer this question. The interviewer is seeking industriousness, creativity, caring about the organization and its success. So this is the time to describe the changes or improvements you were responsible for making and identify how they helped the department. 17. Have you ever fired anyone? Why? a. What do they want to hear? i. Even if you had a good reason, you know that firing someone is never pleasant. Let‟s say you fired someone for not meeting productivity goals. You might be thinking, “Boy, I‟m glad I got rid of that bum. He was nothing but a wimp and whiner who never did a good day‟s work in all the time he was on the job.” Go ahead and think that. But when you open your mouth, say something like this: “Yes I fired someone who continually fell short of his productivity goals. His shortcomings were documented and discussed with him over a period of months. But in that time he failed to show any real improvement. I had no choice. As a supervisor, I want everyone in my department to work out. I needed to face the fact that not everyone is equally dedicated to his or her job. 18. How do you “stay in the loop”? a. What do they want to hear? i. How do you keep yourself informed of what is going on in your bureau or department. How many meetings do you schedule or attend per week or month? Do you spend a lot of time asking your subordinates questions or do you wait for them to come to you with problems? 19. How do you deal with subordinates who are becoming part of the problem rather than part of the solution? a. What do they want to hear? i. The interviewer is trying to separate the real leaders from the “managers with a title” and to ascertain whether your particular style will mesh with the organizations.
20. See that picture frame on the wall? Sell it to me. a. What do they want to hear? i. Begin by asking a series of questions about the object and about the interviewer‟s particular needs. Listen to what they are saying. Then see the object through their eyes. Highlight the characteristics of the object relevant to their needs. 21. Why are you thinking of leaving your current job? a. What do they want to hear? i. Do not appear negative or speak badly about your current employer. Refer to potential growth and how change can be positive. (Example: There is a great deal I enjoy about my current job, but my potential for growth in this area is limited.) 22. Where does your boss think you are now? a. What do they want to hear? i. Do no lie. Do not take a sick day to go on an interview. (Example: I asked for a few hours of personal time today. OR I spoke with my boss letting him know that I had a job interview for a promotion. He is okay with it.) 23. How would your co-workers describe you? a. What do they want to hear? i. Answer in the positive. Are you easy going, a good team player, responsible? 24. What do you feel an employer owes an employee? a. What do they want to hear? i. This is not an invitation to discuss the employee benefits package you would like to have. Don‟t get into legal responsibilities either. Keep your answer short and sweet. (Example: I think an employer owes its employees the opportunity to develop new skills and to be thoroughly trained in the job they are expected to perform.) 25. Your supervisor left an assignment in your in-box, then left for the week. You can‟t reach him and you don‟t fully understand the assignment. What would you do? a. What do they want to hear? i. The interviewer is attempting to gauge whether you have an appropriate respect for hierarchy and deadline demands. If there is truly no way to reach your boss or leave a message you would then need to approach your boss‟ supervisor. Of course, you would do this in a way that would not reflect badly on your boss by explaining that you and your boss simply missed the chance to discuss the assignment before he had to leave the office. You want to be sure that you understand the assignment, so you can start on it as soon as possible.
26. Your supervisor tells you to do something in a way you know is dead wrong. What do you do? a. What do they want to hear? i. Tough question. Admit that it is okay to disagree but that you will follow your boss‟s instructions. 27. Do you have any questions? a. What do they want to hear? i. You should never answer this with a no. If you have asked questions along the way you would answer this with “I think you have answered all of my questions. I truly appreciate the time you have given me today.” ii. If you have not asked any questions, here are a few examples: 1. Please tell me a little bit about the people with whom I will be working most closely. 2. Tell me some of the particular (or preferred) skills that you want in the candidate for this position? 3. What kind of training can I be expected to receive. 4. Could you describe a typical day in this position? 5. Tell me about one thing in your life you are proudest of. b. What do they want to hear? i. Answer briefly but thoroughly. They are trying to get to know you. 28. What does success mean to you? a. What do they want to hear? i. You should offer a balanced answer to this question, citing personal as well as professional examples. 29. What types of people have trouble getting along with you? a. What do they want to hear? i. If you say “none”, the interviewer will assume you are being evasive. Identify sometime of characteristic that you do not like in a person and then turn it around. For example, if you do not like people that are lazy, you could say, “People that put very little effort into doing their job do not get along with me because I work hard at my job.” 30. If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently? a. What do they want to hear? i. This question is designed to get you to think on your feet. You can admit you may have had a few regrets but too few to mention. If you do want to mention a regret make sure you can showed that you have learned from it. 31. Tell me about the last time you failed to complete a project (or assignment) on time? a. What do they want to hear? i. Be specific in your answer. Here‟s what happened, here‟s what I did, here‟s what I learned.
32. What do you do when work requirements on the job are slow? a. What do they want to hear? i. This question is designed to figure out how you think and act in reality. Be careful that what you say does not ruin the image you are trying to present. 33. On a typical day, tell me what you do in the first and last hour at work? a. What do they want to hear? i. Checking for honesty and a good use of your time. 34. What can you tell me about yourself that will make me remember you? a. What do they want to hear? i. Tell them something unique about yourself that will make the interviewer remember you. 35. How would you rate your writing skills in comparison to your verbal skills? a. What do they want to hear? i. Discuss how both skills are important in the business world, and that while (one or the other) may be your strong suit, you are working to become strongly proficient at both speaking and writing. 36. You are a supervisor of a busy payroll office. Two of your employee just called in and will be out sick for the next two weeks. How do you deal with this unexpected event? a. What do they want to hear? i. Discuss how you must immediately reprioritize your assignments and pitch in to get the job done. 37. Why should I hire you? a. What do they want to hear? i. Summary of your skills relevant to the job‟s requirements, include accomplishments and skills that facilitated those accomplishments. Be sure of yourself and enthusiastic. 38. If we hire you for this job, how much time will you give yourself and the job before you can determine if this job is a good fit? a. What do they want to hear? i. An employer wants to hear that you‟re going to give the job a fair try; most jobs get better as you become accustomed to the new work environment. 39. Tell me about your current job. a. What do they want to hear? i. List your duties and responsibilities. Talk about your accomplishments.
40. Can you take constructive criticism without feeling upset? Give an example. a. What do they want to hear? b. When used correctly, constructive criticism is a tool which will allow you to do your job better. An employer wants to know that you are open to learning new things and that you don‟t get defensive or upset. 41. Define cooperation. a. What do they want to hear? i. Cooperation means different things to different people, so an employer could be looking for several different answers. They want to know if you can get along with others. 42. Was there ever a time where you had to deal with a difficult or argumentative person? How did you handle the situation? a. What do they want to hear? i. Employers want to hear that you are able to stay cool in a tense situation; that you don‟t inflame the situation by arguing back. And, if the situation warrants, you know when to step away and get a supervisor. 43. Give an example of a time you went above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done. a. What do they want to hear? i. That you can be counted on to pitch in and do your best when there is an important job to be done NOW. 44. What methods do you use to ensure that your work is error-free? a. What do they want to hear? i. Your work represents not only you but your boss and your agency. Taking the time to ensure that you‟re putting your best effort forward shows that you are conscientious about the work you do. 45. What do you like most about your current job? a. What do they want to hear? i. They want to get to know you and what you enjoy about your job. 46. What would you change about your current job? a. What do they want to hear? i. Don‟t bad-mouth your job, your co-workers or your supervisor; you don‟t know who the interviewer may know! Talk about changes that are positive and reflect your work ethics. 47. What motivates you to do a good job? a. What do they want to hear? i. “Money” is not a good answer. A good answer would be something like, “having responsibilities and being acknowledged when the job is done right.”
48. Who are your heroes? Why? a. What do they want to hear? i. Be careful about naming political or religious figures; you don‟t know the political or religious beliefs of the interviewer. Employers want to hear the positive traits you admire in others and how you strive to embody those traits. 49. What kind of training have you received in the last three years? a. What do they want to hear? i. That you have taken steps to expand you knowledge, especially with training directly related to your job. However, if your current employer does not allow you to attend training, say so politely, adding that if you were hired for this job, you would like to take any training that was offered to you. 50. Of the jobs you have held, which one have you enjoyed the most and why? a. What do they want to hear? i. They want to get to know you. Talk about your duties, challenges, responsibilities, accomplishments and the people you worked with. 51. Out of the jobs you have held, which one did you like the least and why? a. What do they want to hear? i. Don‟t bad-mouth the job, your co-workers or your supervisor; you don‟t know who the interviewer may know! Talk about what you disliked but add a positive note. (Example: I think the workload could have been better distributed.) 52. What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work? a. What do they want to hear? i. Talk about a process or procedure that you initiated on your own that was adopted by your employer; or when you pitched in to help a co-worker on a big project without being asked or told; or when you came up with an idea that saved your employer time or money. Toot your horn! 53. Would your rather be in charge of a project or work as part of a team? Why? a. What do they want to hear? i. Actually, an employer wants to hear that you can, and would, be capable of taking on either role. 54. Tell me about an improvement you independently made in your work process. How did this improvement help you or others? a. What do they want to hear? i. Employers are looking for creativity, organizational skills and innovative thinking. If you modified a process in the office that streamlined the workflow in the office; if you merged two computer systems to create one; if you created a process that improved customer service, etc.
55. What was the biggest change you have ever faced at a job and how did you adapt? a. What do they want to hear? i. Employers want to hear that you can deal with change and not let it disrupt the whole apple cart. How did you adapt to the change? They also want to see that you are open to new challenges or processes in your work environment. 56. Tell me about a project for which you were responsible, but needed the help of others to complete the project. What did you do? a. What do they want to hear? i. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is ask for help. Employers want to see if you are able to determine when a task is beyond your ability to do it alone; how you ask for help; and how you work with the newly formed team. They also want to see if you just let a project fail because you didn‟t ask for assistance. 57. Describe a time where you had what seemed like a million things going on at once. How did you prioritize your workload? Were you successful? a. What do they want to hear? i. You‟re never going to have only one thing to do at work, so being able to organize yourself and your priorities is essential. Give an example of how you were able to handle multiple tasks. 58. Tell me about a time where you were able to use your organizational skills to solve a problem. a. What do they want to hear? i. Perhaps your organizational skills alone did not solve a problem, but they may have helped to avoid a problem or assisted you in solving a problem. 59. Tell me about a situation where you and another person disagreed and resolved your disagreement. How did you reach that point? a. What do they want to hear? i. Employers want to hear that you are able to stay cool in a tense situation; that you don‟t inflame the situation by arguing back and that you were able to use logic and reason to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. And if you are unable to reach a mutually agreeable decision, then you would agree to consult a supervisor and abide by his/her decision. 60. Tell me about a time where you successfully dealt with handling multiple priorities. a. What do they want to hear? i. This will show an employer that you can prioritize and delegate when necessary. 61. How many employers have you worked for in the past five years? a. What do they want to hear? i. If you have worked for many (over 5) be prepared to explain why.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING THE INTERVIEW 1. How would I be trained to do the job? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. How long should it take me to get my feet on the ground and become productive? __________________________________________________________________ 3. Please describe a typical work day and the duties of my position. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ 4. How many people work in this department? _____________________________ 5. Who are the people I‟d be working with, and what do they do? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ 6. If hired, would I report directly to you or someone else? ____________________ 7. What can I say or do to convince you to offer me this job? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 8. Is there traveling with this position? If so, what percent of the work week am I expected to travel? _________________________________________________
LEGAL AND ILLEGAL PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS LAWFUL Race or color Religion or Creed
National Origin
Sex/Marital Status Relatives
Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the company? What are their names?
Children
Disability
Can you perform the essential functions of this job?
UNLAWFUL What race/color are you? Are you a minority? What is your religion? To which parish/church do you belong? What religious holidays do you observe? What is your (or relatives) lineage, ancestry, national origin, descent, parentage or nationality? Are you male or female? Are you married? What are your living arrangements? What are the names (addresses, ages, number or other information) of your relatives NOT employed by the company? Do you have any children or plans to have children in the future? Do you have the capacity to reproduce? Do you advocate any form of birth control or family planning? What are your child care arrangements? How old are your children? Do you have any disability or disease not related to job performance?
Citizenship
Language
Education
Are you authorized to work in the U.S.? Can you verify that you are authorized to work in the United States under the United States immigration laws?
Of what country are you a citizen? Are you a naturalized or a nativeborn citizen? When did you acquire citizenship? Please produce naturalization papers or green card. NOTE: verify citizenship or the right to work after they have decided to extend the job offer. What language do you speak What is your native language? and write fluently? How did you learn to read, write, or speak a foreign language? Please describe your academic, vocational or professional education and the public and private school you attended. What are the dates of attendance? (to permit verification)
Notice in Case of Emergency
Military Experience
Organizations
Have you served in the U. S. Armed Forces or in the National Guard? Describe your experience. Do you belong to any organization which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job? Please explain.
What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of accident or emergency? NOTE: Okay to ask after hired. Do you have any military experience? (Other than in the United States.)
Are you a member of any clubs, societies, or lodges? Which ones?
AFTER INTERVIEW CHECKLIST INTERVIEW DATE: __________________________ COMPANY OR AGENCY: __________________________ INTERVIEWER: __________________________
1. Was I on time? ____________________________________________________ 2. Was I calm in the waiting room? ______________________________________ 3. Did I introduce myself? _____________________________________________ 4. Did I maintain eye contact? __________________________________________ 5. Did I ask the proper questions? _______________________________________ 6. Did I show the proper interest in the position? ____________________________ 7. Were there any areas or questions that seemed to be a problem? ______________ a. If yes, what? _____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. Have I sent my Thank You follow up letter? _____________________________ a. Date sent: __________________________________________________ 9. How interested did the interviewer seem to be in hiring me? _________________ 10. Miscellaneous concerns: ___________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER 1205 Center Street Albany, NY 12003 November 13, 2000
Mr. Tad Jones: Dept. of Civil Service State Campus Bldg. 1, Rm. 13A Albany, NY 12239 Dear Mr. Jones: I want to thank you again for giving me the opportunity to interview for the position of Secretary to the Assistant Director of Finance. During the interview you asked if overtime during the month of August would be a problem. Again I wanted to let you know that I am willing to put in the time it takes to get the job done. I also have a variety of computer skills and enjoy putting them to the test. Please feel free to call me if any additional questions come to mind regarding my qualifications. I am confident I can do the job. Sincerely,
Karen Nelson (Your Title)
Community Mental Health Agency located in the Metro Detroit Area Now Hiring Clinical Staff: • Therapists (Adult, Duel Diagnosis, SUD) • Case Managers
Mission:
Offered: • Rich Benefit Package (some plans agency paid –even medical) • PTO (accrue 15 days during 1st year, 20 days after 1st year, 25 days after 5th year) • Flexible Scheduling (Partial remote work) • 403 (b) (agency will match 5% of annual salary) Apply today: https://comcareserv.org/about-us/careers/
To improve lives by providing hope, building recovery, & fostering wellness within our communities.
Community Care Services Contact: Eryn Reilly, Human Resources Assistant 313-389-3963
HIRING NOW
Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off
MULTIPLE FULL-TIME, ENTRY LEVEL INSTALLATION POSITIONS
Overview of job duties: To attend to the installation projects of high-end radio products and systems. These products include portables, mobiles and repeaters. Reliable and strong work ethics required. Lift, push, pull up to 75 lbs. Travel as necessary to meet project needs. Please send resumes to
humanresources@comsourcemi.com
Headquarters: 734.738.0800 41271 Concept Drive Plymouth, MI 48170
Service Center: 248.853.5430 1919 Birchwood Drive Troy, MI 48083
401K
Medical Benefits
Requirements: Demonstrate basic electricity skills as it pertains to understanding AC, DC volts and amperes Demonstrate basic electricity skills as it pertains to understanding vehicle wiring, including negative and positive voltage levels Demonstrate basic mechanical skills including, but not limited to, the use of basic hand tools, basic mechanical tools, drill motors, etc. Demonstrate the use of test equipment as it pertains to vehicle 2-way radio installations, i.e. volt-ohm meter and RF wattmeter Basic troubleshooting of two-way radio, in-vehicle systems, to isolate the problem for resolution; antenna system, power issues, or the unit itself.
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The Basics of Cover Letter Writing Play to the Company According to the Washington Post, 91 percent of employers are more likely to give an applicant an interview if their cover letter reflects actual research into the company and the position being offered. One huge mistake many job applicants make with cover letters is sending something generic that could apply to any company. Instead, learn a good deal about the company and the position and integrate this information into the cover letter.
Cover Letters can help to make or break your job search. Although they can be a daunting task, we have tips and tricks to share with you on making cover letter writing easy. View this video to learn how to feel confident when writing your next cover letter!
Preparing a Portfolio Angela Simmons Jill Lumsden
Objectives 1. Recognize the importance of preparing and using portfolios in the career development process. 2. Identify the parts of an effective portfolio. 3. Know how to compile and present your portfolio in a professional manner.
Activities These activities can help you achieve the stated objectives. Do any or al of them. The more you do, the closer you will come to meeting the objectives. •
Read through this guide to understand the basic dynamics of portfolio preparation.
•
Refer to the portfolio preparation related resources that are listed in this guide.
•
Ask a career advisor about portfolio preparation and related activities that are most appropriate for your career planning needs.
What’s Inside
In today’s competitive job market, effectively showcasing your knowledge and skills to an employer is critical in seeking and sustaining employment. Along with a tailored resume, a portfolio can help provide further evidence of professional qualifications and abilities. This guide can assist you in organizing a professional portfolio and using it as a tool in your career development.
Why create a portfolio?..................................2
What is a portfolio?
Using an interview portfolio.........................3
A portfolio is a personalized collection of materials. Portfolios are often identified with people in the arts (photography, design, etc.) and conjure up images of large black cases or binders with samples of work. They are now widely used in many other fields. A portfolio is:
• A reflection of you as a professional • A record of your professional development • Proof of performance on the job or in class • What you have accomplished (i.e., tangible artifacts/evidence) • Evidence of your learning new skills • Paper-, computer-, or web-based
What’s included in a portfolio?.....................2 Example portfolio additions..........................2 Benefits of interview portfolios.....................2 Making an interview portfolio......................3 Adopting a presentation format...................3 Creating electronic portfolios........................3 Use the FSU Career Portfolio........................4 Internet resources............................................4 Additional resources......................................4 References........................................................4
Why create a portfolio? Portfolios can be used for a variety of purposes. This guide focuses on creating portfolios that are used to: • Market your capabilities in job interviews • Negotiate promotions and raises • Apply for bonuses, scholarships, or grants • Document the quality and quantity of your professional development • Demonstrate prior work or learning experiences for educational credit Regardless of purpose, portfolios document skills and accomplishments through examples of work.
What’s included in a portfolio? Items found in most portfolios include: • Resume or CV (ask a career advisor for information on CV preparation) • Transcripts • Evidence of professional affiliations • Licenses or certifications • Letters of reference • Evidence of specific skills (e.g., public speaking, leadership, writing) • Work samples (e.g., class projects, items produced during internship or co-op experiences) Depending upon your profession, specific items can be added to provide an accurate representation of your knowledge and abilities (see example at right). As you can imagine, your portfolio can become quite a large collection of items. During an interview it would be impossible and unwise to go through every item with an employer. A better strategy is to select items from your portfolio to be included in a smaller interview portfolio. This portfolio can be presented during an interview to add evidence of important knowledge or skills you possess that are relevant to the position or promotion at hand. Take your cues from the interviewer in regards to an appropriate time to share items from your portfolio.
Benefits of interview portfolios Interview portfolios should include the best examples of your skills and abilities from your professional portfolio that are particularly relevant to the position you are seeking. When you customize your interview
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Example portfolio additions Education • Statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages) • Teaching honors/awards • Evaluations (e.g., supervisor, student) • Video of your teaching • Evidence of student learning (e.g., graded exams, assignments [1 good/1 bad]) • Classroom innovations (e.g., new technology) • Sample lesson plans • Relevant photographs The Arts • Performance or Design • Actual work samples or photos of them • Video/audio recording of work • Course descriptions for classes/workshops • List of competencies mastered
portfolio to the requirements of the specific job, it demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and understand the characteristics the employer is seeking (Kimeldorf, 1997). Developing a portfolio helps you prepare for interviews by allowing you to think critically about your life experiences and accomplishments. When preparing for an interview, this process will enable you to highlight specific experiences that led to the development of valuable workplace skills. In addition, preparing a portfolio allows you to see how well your qualifications match those of the position for which you are applying. When developing a portfolio, it is important to identify skills and work samples that best highlight the skills needed for the specific job you are seeking. You may consider having targeted portfolios for different types of jobs. When reflecting on your skills related to a specific job, you may find skills that need improvement. By clearly defining the skills you need to improve, you are better able to discuss your goals and their match with the goals of the organization with whom you are interviewing (JIST, 2003). Having your portfolio in the interview offers many benefits. The contents of your portfolio demonstrate your experience, skills, and abilities in a visual way. In addition, it can help your application stand out to employers. Preparing a Portfolio
Making an interview portfolio To make an interview portfolio: • Put items in loose-leaf binder • Use sheet protectors • Use copies (keep a master copy of all items) • Use index tabs and/or title pages to divide sections • Maintain a manageable size, ideally 5-10 pages • Omit page numbers to make it easier to add and move items around • Use consistent headings and placement of items • Put sections together according to what the employer is looking for (job description) • Proofread to make sure it is error free Ensure that your interview portfolio: • Looks professional
to job description only (e.g., computer skills). This organizational scheme works when an individual has varied experiences that need to be pulled together to demonstrate ability in specified areas. Work/Evidence Samples For each sample, provide a reflection statement, either in paragraph or bulleted format that contains: • A brief description of the sample item and the context in which the item was created (e.g., “A marketing plan for a nonprofit agency created for Marketing 425”) • A detailed list of the competencies developed or revealed by the sample. (It is this second part of the reflection statement that makes the portfolio element especially useful in the interview process)
Using an interview portfolio
Adopting a presentation format
Before attending an interview, it may be beneficial for you to role-play using your interview portfolio with a friend. This exercise will help you feel more at ease in handling your portfolio during an interview (Steigerwald, 1997). Once in the interview, relax and look for opportune moments to use your portfolio to address employer questions. Remember, when your interview portfolio includes reflection statements as discussed earlier, it will be easier for you to feel confident in showcasing your abilities to an employer. Additionally, your interview portfolio can remind you of information you wish to share with an employer in the instance you forget key points.
It is important to choose a presentation format and stick with it throughout the portfolio. For example.
Creating electronic portfolios
• Reflects your actual skills • Is occupationally focused • Is easy to update • Is easy for the employer to quickly review • Can stand alone without explanation • Supports information presented in your resume Adapted from: Ademan, B., & Choi, J. (1997). “Job portfolio: It’s the door opener.” Adult Learning, March/April, pp. 26-31.
Introductory Title Page Table of Contents The table of contents can be organized in two ways (Kimeldorf, 1997): 1. Chronologically: Sections are packaged according to job description and dates the portfolio samples represent (e.g., General Work Performance 19961998). This organizational scheme helps demonstrate increasing improvement and accomplishment over time in a particular field. 2. Functionally: Sections are packaged according
Preparing a Portfolio
Electronic portfolios use interactive multimedia to increase the range and type of materials that can be included as evidence of learning. They take full advantage of the advanced capacity of desktop computers to include text, graphics, animation, sound and video (Pack, 1998). One day, employers may require applicants to submit electronic portfolios. In his book Portfolio Power, Kimeldorf explains the intricacies of this process and provides a few tips on creating these types of portfolios (1997). When developing electronic portfolios, remember to: • Update your electronic portfolio frequently
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• Include only relevant work samples arranged to highlight your best skills • Keep your portfolio concise, neat, and honest Do not: • Put your picture in your portfolio (reduces employment law issues) • Use flashy text, icons, or sound (unless needed) • Include work samples that are difficult to load (Dixon, 1998; JIST, 2003) You can develop an electronic portfolio on your own by designing a website. The advantage to developing your own is that you have the greatest amount of creativity. A possible disadvantage is the need for web design skills. FSU students and alumni can use the FSU Career Portfolio to avoid building a website (see example at right).
Internet resources By typing in phrases like “professional portfolio,” “interview portfolio,” and “career portfolio” to any Internet search engine, you will find several sites to review. These sites may provide you with ideas for the creation of your own portfolio. teachnet.com This link focuses on teaching portfolios and provides concrete suggestions for how to use the portfolio to sell yourself to potential employers.
References Dixon, P. (1998). Job searching online for dummies. Foster City, CA: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. JIST. (2003). Your career and life plan portfolio (2nd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing, Inc. Kimeldorf, M. (1997). Portfolio power: The new way to showcase all your job skills and experiences. Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s. Pack, D. (1998). Wings: The Winona State University Electronic Portfolio Project. About Campus, May-June, pp. 24-26. Steigerwald, F. (November, 1997). Portfolio development: Documenting the adventure. Counseling
Use the FSU Career Portfolio FSU has developed an online portfolio system for students and alumni. The “Career Portfolio” can be accessed at portfolio.fsu.edu. The FSU Career Portfolio allows you to present your: 1. Profile (background, goals, and/or objectives) 2. Resume or CV 3. References 4. Unofficial transcripts (service and/or academic)
www.amby.com/kimeldorf/p_mk-toc.html
5. Artifacts/examples of work
This is Martin Kimeldorf’s Portfolio Library, which contains helpful tips on how to use your portfolio in your job search, among other topics.
6. Skills
Additional resources Career Library resources and call numbers: Job Hunter’s Sourcebook: Where to find employment leads and other job search resources....................VD F5 How to Put Your Book Together and Get a Job in Advertising....................IIB 11-2011 P3 Your Career and Life Plan Portfolio.........................IA J5 Creating Your Digital Portfolio.............................VD C8
To illustrate your skills, the Career Portfolio presents a matrix of skills that may be gained from experiences, such as courses, jobs/internships, services/volunteer work, memberships/activities, and interests/life experiences. These skills include communication, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, life management, research/project development, social responsibility, teamwork, technical/scientific, and a place to add unlimited skills of your choice. You may share your portfolio by giving employers or other referred users a personalized access key (password) that lets you track who is viewing your profile.
Alternative Format Available. Revised 3/16.
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WRITING A GOOD RESUME The most basic principle of good resume formatting and design? Keep it simple. Use a basic but modern font, like Helvetica, Arial, or Century Gothic. Make your resume easy on hiring managers’ eyes by using a font size between 10 and 12 and leaving a healthy amount of white space on the page. You can use a different font or typeface for your name, your resume headers, and the companies for which you’ve worked, but keep it simple and keep it consistent. No matter what resume format you choose, your main focus here should be on readability for the hiring manager.
Ditch the Resume Objective Statement “THE ONLY OCCASION WHEN AN OBJECTIVE SECTION MAKES SENSE IS WHEN YOU’RE MAKING A HUGE CAREER CHANGE AND NEED TO EXPLAIN FROM THE GET-GO WHY YOUR EXPERIENCE DOESN’T MATCH UP WITH THE POSITION YOU’RE APPLYING TO.”
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CAREER FAIRS WORK… FOR CANDIDATES Don’t Be Shy. This is your chance to shine. As you approach each employer table, be friendly, be confident, and be prepared with something to say. Introduce yourself with a smile, eye contact, and a brief, firm handshake. Often, the recruiter will take the lead and ask you questions, but you should also have your elevator pitch ready—a 30-second soundbite of what you want the company to know about you. (Here’s how to craft one if you’re unsure.) To really use your time wisely, you should be able to concisely convey why you’re interested in the particular company and how your skills or qualifications suit the position. But at the same time—don’t go too fast! Job seekers have a tendency to speak quickly, which comes across as rushed or nervous. You want to speak slowly and with interest. Follow-up is important; do not drop off your resume and forget to follow up. Seriously, that is a waste of a good career fair.
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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Job Search Strategies
1
The Career Center
INTRODUCTION
FIRST THINGS FIRST Job Search Preliminaries
The two words “job search” generate a host of reactions from anyone who is starting the process to look for work. For many college students, this can be particularly discomforting because it typically means they are ending their years as a college student and are nearing the time when they will join “the world of work.” Those weeklong breaks in the spring, winter, and fall will soon be a thing of the past. On the flip side, joining the “world of work” can be very exciting. New friends, colleagues, and adventures await you. Even if you feel illprepared, you should find comfort in knowing that many alumni before you have left Luther to do a number of wonderful things.
REALITY CHECK Finding A Job Takes Time More than anything else, soontobe college graduates are surprised by the amount of time and energy one must exert to find a job. For most students, it will take anywhere from three to six months to find employment. If you know what you want to do, have an updated resume in hand, and have interviewed for a “high stakes” opportunity before, then you are ahead of the game. If you haven’t then you have your work cut out for you. One aspect of going to college that is not built into your academic coursework, or your cocurricular activities for that matter, is the time one must dedicate to either finding a job or getting into graduate school. For many seniors, the job search process begins in the early fall semester and does not conclude until late spring or early summer. Also during this time you are likely taking a full load of courses, participating in either athletics or music (or both), saying goodbye to friends, planning your final spring break, and writing your senior paper. Here’s the good news. You have a lot of support to help you along the way. The faculty and staff of Luther, and especially the folks in the Career Center, are here to help you. We can’t find a job for you, and we can’t get you into graduate school. However, we can equip you with the necessary tools and skills to ensure success.
Job Search Strategies
2
Before we get into “how to find a job”, you need to answer some preliminary questions so you can focus your job search and find meaningful and rewarding work. What do you want to do? While many college students find this to be a simple question, an equal number find this question terribly intimidating, restricting, or even irritating. Regardless of your stance, it’s a question that needs to be answered. By now you’ve had the opportunity to explore a number of courses and fields of study, and hopefully you opted to participate in an internship or two to help answer this question. If not, you should schedule an appointment with a career counselor in the Career Center. They can help you begin the process of answering this question. It is very difficult to begin seeking employment if you have no idea what type of work you wish to secure. Do you have a resume? Every college student should have a resume. Whether you are seeking a temporary summer gig, an internship, or fulltime employment, a wellwritten resume will help showcase and market your background, experience, and qualifications. There are a number of books and resources in the Career Center’s Resource Library that can help you get started. Again, if you would like a career counselor to review your resume, stop by the Career Center or call to make an appointment. We’ll talk more about resumes a little later. Have you interviewed for a position before? When it comes to marketing yourself to prospective employers (or graduate school admission folks), you need to do more than just look good on paper. A wellwritten resume is essential, but if you can’t sell your skills and experiences in the context of an interview, then you are in trouble. In the Career Center, you can participate in a mock interview. A member of the Career Center staff will prepare interview questions that are relevant to the type of work you are seeking, and the two of you will
The Career Center
participate in a simulated interview. To enhance the take away value, we videotape them so that you can see yourself in an interview. Interviewing is a skill that can be learned and polished. Thus, if you haven’t interviewed for a position before or if you haven’t interviewed when the stakes were high then stop by the Career Center and schedule a mock interview.
CREATING A JOB SEARCH STRATEGY How People Find Jobs Networking Have you ever heard the adage, “It’s not what you know, but who you know”? While this is a bit of an overstatement, the point is that the people you know (parents, siblings, friends, previous internship supervisors, former employers, faculty members, etc.) can have a significant influence on your job search. Many college students retort, “But I don’t know anyone.” Wrong. Think harder. In fifth grade, did you ever make a list of everyone you knew? Whether you did or not, do it now. You will be surprised by the number of viable contacts you have. You need to make sure that each person within your network knows that you are graduating and what type of work you are seeking. For college students, some networking opportunities are brought right here to campus. For example, the Career Center hosts several company presentations throughout the year along with six different career fairs. Whether you are seeking an internship, full time employment, volunteer work, or even continuing your studies in graduate school, these presentations and career fairs bring human resources representatives, hiring managers, and graduate school admissions counselors to campus. Their primary objective for coming to campus is to see and speak with as many students as possible. This is a luxury you won’t have access to once you graduate, so take advantage of this special opportunity now! In addition to career fairs, many college students opt to further enhance their network by conducting informational interviews. In an informational interview, a student is seeking to gather information from individuals who hold positions or do the type of work they may seek as a career. Many firstyear
Job Search Strategies
3
and sophomore students do informational interviews to simply learn about different types of careers. As a junior or senior, informational interviews allow you to learn from experts in fields of interest to you, and also allow you to mention that you are seeking positions in their particular field (either an internship or a full time job). It is important to note that informational interviews should be conducted professionally. Your goal as a student is to collect information and to make a favorable impression on the person you are interviewing. For more information, pick up a copy of the Career Center’s Informational Interviewing career guide. Direct Contact For students who are seeking to relocate to a specific area of the country or who are perhaps seeking to enter a particular industry, contacting prospective employers directly can be an effective job search strategy. However, this does not mean mailing off 100 to 300 resumes with a general cover letter that begins with “To whom it may concern.” This is not only ineffective, but it can be very expensive and frustrating. Your initial goal is to identify organizations that most closely align with your career goals. You should choose a manageable number of organizations (no more than 50 or 60) to guide your research. There are several resources in the Career Center’s Resource Library to help you with your research. Some of the more popular resources include the JobBank geographic directories, the Business Journals Book of Lists for several major metropolitan areas, and the Internetbased database, CareerSearch. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your job search objectives, and he/she will direct you to the best resources to get you started. Once you’ve identified the organizations, your next goal is to identify key individuals who work within each company. Many organization’s web sites seek to disguise individual’s contact information, so you have to be creative in identifying people. For example, many sites have keyword search engines. Enter a person’s title like “human resources manager” to see if any names become associated with that
The Career Center
particular title. Also, read through the organization’s press releases if they have a section dedicated to media relations. You not only find out the latest news concerning this company, but you can also glean some important contact information. And lastly, if you’ve exhausted the company’s web site, pick up the telephone and give them a call to inquire about the most appropriate contact person within the organization. Once you’ve developed your list of organizations and key contacts, it’s time to write a targeted cover letter to each company. In your cover letter you want to convey your sincere interest in the company and highlight how your skills and experiences can be an asset to their organization. If you have never written a cover letter before, stop by the Career Center to review the numerous resources in the library, and to pick up a Cover Letters and Other Job Search Correspondence career guide. Responding to Advertisements Many employers use newspapers and other print publications to advertise their job openings. It would be a mistake to overlook this traditional job search strategy. However, again, relying on this method alone would also be a mistake. In addition to using the newspaper, which often lists immediate openings, the Career Center subscribes to numerous job vacancy bulletins that advertise current job openings in a number of different fields. These include jobs in the arts, humanities, media and communications, business, and the sciences. When responding to advertisements, you should react in the same way as listed in the previous section. However, now that you have a position advertisement in front of you, you can do a better job of focusing your cover letter and resume on the needs of the organization. Remember, the purpose of your cover letter is to convey your interest in the company as well as to demonstrate how your skills and experiences can be an asset to the company. Stop by the Career Center to inquire about these vacancy listings. Professional & Trade Associations Many college students are unfamiliar with professional and trade associations. These associations are comprised of individuals who engage in similar kinds of work or who work within industries that have shared interests. For example,
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the Luther College Career Center staff are members of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. This professional association’s membership includes college and university career center personnel as well as corporate representatives who hire college students. Now you may be thinking, “That’s great. But how will this help me find a job?” Well, the response to your question is twofold. First, many professional and trade associations have student memberships. Thus, you don’t have to wait to join the profession to join the association. These associations frequently hold national and regional meetings: a great place to network and build contacts. Second, many professional associations work to recruit individuals into their respective fields. If your association is one of them, then they may offer some kind of job listing or candidate referral service. Therefore, professional associations not only offer networking opportunities, but they may be the source of current job openings.
ARE YOU ABOUT TO APPLY FOR A POSITION THROUGH THE MAIL? If so, consider the following… · Use Nice Paper: Your cover letter, resume, and references (if included) should all be printed on the same resume or parchment paper. The Luther Print Shop has a nice selection from which to choose. · Flat vs. TriFold: You can either trifold your cover letter and resume or send it flat in a business envelope. · Paperclips vs. Staples: Paperclips make the employer’s job easier if she/he decides to copy your application and route it throughout the office. Staples can be a hassle to mess with… Therefore, use a paperclip or nothing at all. · Address Labels: Unless your handwriting has been described as “perfect”, take the time to type the address label. Don’t ruin a professional application with a sloppy envelope. Also, don’t forget to include a return address (you’ll want to know if your application doesn’t get there). · Don’t forget your “John Hancock”: In a rush to get your application in the mail, don’t forget to SIGN your letter. It happens.
The Career Center
Oncampus Interviewing Each year the Career Center invites several organizations to campus to conduct screening interviews. These interviews take place in the Career Center, and they are an excellent source of initial contact for many students and employers alike. Most of the employers who conduct on campus interviews come from industries that are reliant on college grads as a source for future employees. They are typically large accounting, consulting, technology, and similar firms who hire several hundred to several thousand college graduates from several colleges and universities across the country. Employment Agencies Private employment agencies are in the business of filling job openings for their clients. While some agencies charge their client for filling a position, other fees are charged to the jobseeking candidates. If you decide to contact an employment agency, make sure you fully understand the parameters of the agreement before you sign anything. It is good practice to check an agency’s creditability by contacting a local Better Business Bureau office to see if any complaints have been filed against the organization. If so, keep shopping around. You’ll likely save yourself time and money in the end. An alternative to using an employment agency is taking advantage of a temporary employment agency. For students who lack work experience and have yet to determine what type of work they would like to pursue fulltime, temporary employment agencies can be a great option. Also, many companies like to offer fulltime positions to their “temps.” Consider this from the employer’s perspective. They can hire you “temporarily” to see how you work out, and if you are reliable, professional, and productive, why wouldn’t they hire you fulltime? This is the proverbial “getting your foot in the door” method to job searching… Internet “Big Boards” With the advent of the Internet, many job seekers have propped themselves up in front of their computers (pajamas and all) and submitted 100 resumes to 20 different job boards in about an hour. “Well, I’ve done my job searching for the day.” Wrong. By using only a single job search method, including the Internet, as your approach to job
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hunting, you drastically increase the likelihood that you will be looking longer. In her book WORK IT!, Allison Hemming gives some excellent strategies for using the “Big Boards” as a part of your job search.
INTERNET “BIG BOARDS” www.monster.com www.hotjobs.com www.careerbuilder.com In the Career Center’s Resource Library, you can find a job board Internet directory entitled CAREERXROADS. The indices organize the sites by geographic location, industry/field, as well as those sites best for college students.
Set up a personal account. All of the Big Boards allow you to create your own account (i.e., MyHotJobs or My Monster). Once you set up a personal account, the board enables you to save a version of your resume that’s quite easy to email. This feature allows you to apply to jobs easily by sending a preformatted resume that will look good to a hiring manager. Handle with care. When you set up your personal job board account, you’ll often get a special email address specific to that board. It’s essential to choose an email address that identifies you in a professional manner and won’t confuse the hiring manager. The safest bet is to use a version of your name such as JamesJSmith@monter.com. Location, location, location. If you’re looking for work near a particular city, your first inclination might be simply to type the city name into the search. But wait: if you only search this way you might not find out about suitable jobs in the surrounding region. If you’re interested in relocating to an unfamiliar city, it’s worth it to invest in a map to figure out what nearby city in which you would be willing to work. Most of the Big Boards are incorporating “search metro area” capabilities into their sites, but since searching is never an exact science, it’s still a good idea to try the tips above.
The Career Center
Timing is everything. Sort search results by the most recent date of posting and concentrate on those posted within the last week or two. This is particularly true as you get closer to graduation. Postings older than that are quite likely either to be filled or no longer needed; unfortunately, pulling obsolete postings off the boards does not seem to be a top priority for busy recruiters. Keep track of hiring and personnel managers. The real key to a successful job search is building a contact database of reallive human beings who can help you in your quest for a new job. Job boards are one place to find such contacts. After you respond to a job posting in which you’re truly interested, keep track of all the contact information for the human resources representative listed. Job Search Followup Whether you are directly contacting an organization or responding to an advertisement, it is critical that you followup with professionalism and tact. First, it should be stated in your correspondence when and how you will followup. If you are going to call within seven business days to verify the arrival of your application, then make sure you do. Also, when it is time to make that phone call, make sure you are in a private area (absent of loud roommates, stereos, televisions, etc.). Second, your goal is to speak with the individual who is making the decision on who to interview. This takes some finesse, but be polite, persistent, and professional. If the person you need to speak with is busy (often a diversion tactic), you might say that due to “your hectic schedule” you would like to know when might be an appropriate time to call back. Keep the ball in your court. Phone messages and emails are easy to ignore. A human voice on the other end of the phone gets more attention. Last, keep good notes. A comprehensive job search can get messy. With resumes and cover letters being sent to several different organizations, it is easy to get things mixed together. It is good practice to document and keep track of the dates, times, and types of correspondence you have with the different companies with which you’ve made contact. This includes phone calls, emails, and letters sent to you.
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JOB SEARCH CHECK LIST Now that you have an idea of how to begin your job search, use the following list as a guide to help you get started and stay on track. If you have any questions, schedule an appointment with a career counselor. Best of luck to you! ü Determine your purpose and goals (meet with a career counselor if you struggling with this). ü Polish your resume. ü Begin researching organizations that offer the type of work that interests you. ü Attend career fairs and networking events to develop contacts. ü Participate in a mock interview to brush up your skills. ü Conduct a couple informational interviews to gain an “insider’s” perspective on the type of work you are seeking. End each interview with “Do you know someone else who would be a good person to speak to about this field?” ü Research (and maybe join) professional associations to learn more about your particular field of interest. ü Make a point to talk with family, relatives, and friends about your plans after graduation. If they know what you are looking for, they may be able to give you a lead! ü If you have a few friends who are also looking for fulltime, internship, or volunteer work, make an agreement to forward any opportunities you come across that you think may interest them. By helping each other, you can cover a lot more ground! ü Celebrate the small successes – finding the “ideal” job opening, a phone call, an interview. Job searching takes time.
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PUREM by Eberspaecher Wixom is Hiring! st
nd
Production Team Member (1 and 2 Starting Rate: $17.00/hr
shift)
Select appropriate parts to load into welding fixture or cells. Clamp work pieces into holding fixture on machine bed, or turntable. Start machine, observe welding action, and examine weld for defects. Label exhaust system or component, then load onto leak testing fixture. Basic Qualification / Work Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Minimum three (3) months related experience and/or training in a production manufacturing environment preferred. nd
Hilo Driver (2 shift) Starting Rate: $18.00/hr Communicate material request in a timely manner Coordinate repacking of empty totes Remove all empty totes, boxes, and recyclables from each cell and properly locate Responsible to follow procedures for the cleaning and maintenance of the tugger/cart and the HI Lo if used. Basic Qualification / Work Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) Minimum one months’ related experience in Material Handler setting. Forklift Certification st
1 shift: 4:00am – 2:30pm nd 2 shift: 3:00pm – 1:30am (.50/hr shift differential) The plant runs Monday – Thursday, with overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.
These are full time positions including medical, dental, vision, prescription benefits. 401k match, 13 paid holidays, paid time off. Your next step – If you are interested please contact the Wixom HR Team at hr.wixom@eberspaecher.com or 248-310-2923.
