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How to Get thejob anpdit! kee
, e r u t u f r a y e d a D am re I
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Get The Job and Keep It!
Contents Get the Job
04 06 08 10 12
How To Land Your Dream Job
Find The Job
How to Get the job and keep it!
Best Resume Tips
Resume Checklist
Know Your Workplace Rights
14
Ace The Interview!
Keep the Job
16
You Can Do It!
18
Keep Your Social Media Image Professional
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How To Land YOUR DREAM JOB
Getting a job can be a difficult and scary journey. If you work diligently during your career search, give a good first impression in your interview, and are passionate about your work, then you could find yourself working at your new dream job.
1.
Here are some important steps to begin your job search.
Determine what you want to do. Don’t just apply for jobs randomly. Conform your search to those jobs that are consistent with your education, training and passions.
2.
Think realistically. You want to land the best job possible where you can be successful with learning and growth opportunities. Taking a job below your abilities, or one that is too far a stretch, is dangerous territory.
3.
Build a great resume. Your resume is your story and needs to contain the critical information recruit-
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Get The Job and Keep It!
ers look for. Get ideas and templates for crafting a killer resume by searching online for free resume sources. One site that we recommend is zety.com. It offers many custom options and you can use it free.
4.
Develop a cover letter. When an application asks for a cover letter in addition to your resume, make sure you have one at the ready. You can tweak it to personalize it to the opportunity. Check out www. cover-letter-now.com.
5.
Practice interviewing. No matter how long it has been since you last applied for a job, grab a friend or a former colleague and role-play. Get some great ideas for practicing at www. thebalancecareers.com.
6.
Follow-up. Applications can fall into a bottomless pit along with hundreds of others. Send off a follow-up email within 8 hours of your interview or after submitting your application.
7.
Keep your social media up-to-date. Make sure they portray you as a standup person that any company would be eager to have on their team.
8.
Start networking. Let your family, friends and any former colleagues know about your job search and ask for their help.
9.
Know your worth. Don’t ask for more money
than would be reasonable, but don’t be afraid to ask for more if the offer is less than your value. FOLLOW-UP EMAIL GUIDELINES AFTER A PHONE INTERVIEW
• Thank the interviewer. • Tell her how interested you
are and why you’re excited.
• Attach your resume and a cover letter.
• Ask to set a date/time for an in-person interview.
• Keep it short.
Find The Job THE INTERNET IS A GREAT TOOL FOR JOB SEARCHING AND THE PRIMARY WAY THAT EMPLOYERS FIND APPLICANTS IN TODAY’S MODERN WORLD. WITH MANY JOB BOARDS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB, YOU CAN FIND JOB OPENINGS THE MINUTE THEY ARE POSTED. CareerBuilder is one of the largest online job boards with a robust search function to filter careers by location, job and pay. Dice is an excellent resource for technical jobs. You can upload your resume and cover letter, obtain information on salaries, and track jobs and applications. Glassdoor is fantastic for research into a company. You can see the company’s interview process, expected salaries and benefits. Google is a simple way of filtering job listings from multiple search engines. Idealist is a great resource for jobs in the non-profit sector. Applicants can search based on the organization’s mission.
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Get The Job and Keep It!
Indeed is a popular site because it consolidates listings from many job boards and staffing agencies into one convenient location. Job.com will notify you with job alerts when your qualifications match with employers. LinkedIn is a social networking site where your user profile serves as a resume and you can share career-related content. LinkUp provides a listing of jobs that are advertised directly on an employer’s website. This gives you access to jobs that may be otherwise unadvertised.
Monster is a job board that allows you to upload your resume. It includes networking boards, company profiles and resume review services. SimplyHired shows listings from all over the web, including company career pages and niche job websites.
Best Resume Tips Your resume is your prime marketing tool. Your first impression; the only opportunity an employer has to know you until your interview. Your resume must give the impression you are the best person for the job. Many large employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software to keep all resumes organized and scan applications to identify keywords that demonstrate the candidate is worthy. If your resume doesn’t include the keywords it may be quickly overlooked. Follow these suggestions to set yourself up for success.
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Get The Job and Keep It!
1.
A Google search will get you access to dozens of professional resume templates. Identify a template that is easy to read, not full of graphics that might confuse an ATS. At the top of your resume, include your name, email address, phone number, a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile, website or blog, and the city and state in which you live. If you have room to include your full address, you should do so. Use a common font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10 to 12-point for easy readability. Using type too small may cause a recruiter to set your resume aside and move on to another. If you use a font size that is too large, the recruiter may assume you just wanted to fill the page. Be sure your resume includes a resume profile, professional statement, your strengths and skills, your professional overview, educational background, credentials and volunteer interests. Each of these sections is important.
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7. 5.
Your resume profile will explain why you’re applying for the job. It should be short, only a sentence or two. State your career objective and outline any relevant experience. The professional overview contains your work history. Place the most recent job at the top and then work your way down. Include up to 10 years of work history, the employer name, the dates that you were employed and some key responsibilities. If you’re just starting out, list internships, part-time work and volunteer positions.
6.
Keywords important to the job you are applying to should be incorporated into your resume and cover letter. Review the job listing of any position you are interested in and use similar language. Don’t make your resume a duplication of the job description, just weave keywords and statements in where it makes sense. Key Resume Writing Tip:
Be careful not to include data such as race, gender, age, marital status or birthdate. This will help avoid discrimination or prejudice. Be sure to list your awards, certifications, hobbies and foreign language expertise.
Resume Checklist HEADER Includes: Name, location, email and phone
number. Linkedin, personal website or online portfolio is optional. Located at the top of the page. Name should be the biggest font on the page.
Education
Full university name, city, state,
graduation month and year Degree title Minor Related coursework Thesis and/or dissertation title Students who have degrees from multiple institutions should list them in reverse chronological order. Do not list institutions from which you did not earn a degree.
Experience
Place positions in reverse chronological order. Each experience you list should include your title,
the organization’s name, city and state, and date range. Include full-time or part-time jobs, internships, volunteer positions and campus leadership positions. Utilize bullet points to showcase the tasks you did, the skills you used or gained, and the things you accomplished in each role. Each should start with a strong action word and cover what you did, how you did it and why you did it.
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Optional Headings
Awards and Honors Activities: student organizations (give offices/ positions held)
Select Presentations and Publications Leadership Projects Skills
General Tips
Do not include high school information. Abbreviate names and states. For other abbreviations, spell it out first, then
show the abbreviation to be used. Use consistent formatting. Omit all personal pronouns. Use minimum margins of .05 inches on sides and .75 inches on top. Omit personal information. Use spell check. Proofread
Do YOUR research
What are my rights?
KNOW YOUR W
R I G
BEFORE YOU INTERVIEW, KNOW THE DISCRIMINATION LAWS. FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBIT WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION. VISIT THE U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION’S WEBSITE AT WWW.EEOC.GOV FOR MORE INFORMATION. AGE Employers can not treat applicants or employees less favorably because of their age.
EQUAL PAY Men and women in the same workplace must be given equal pay for equal work.
DISABILITY It is against the law for an employer to treat a qualified individual with a disability unfavorably because of the disability.
PREGNANCY Employers must not discriminate against women due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditon.
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Get The Job and Keep It! Get The Job and Keep It!
What should I expect?
WORKPLACE
H T S HARASSMENT Unwelcome conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information is prohibited. NATIONAL ORIGIN Treating people unfavorably because they are from a particular country, because of ethnicity or accent, or if they appear to be of a certain ethnic background, is prohibited. RACE/COLOR Employers cannot discriminate based on race, skin color or physical features.
RELIGIOUS Treating a person unfavorably because of religious beliefs is prohibited. SEX-BASED Sex discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because of their sex, transgender status, or sexual orientation. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
ACE the interview!
WHEN YOU GET CALLED FOR AN INTERVIEW, BE READY! IF YOU HAVE PRACTICED YOU WILL BE FAR MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN THE INTERVIEW ACTUALLY TAKES PLACE. Be sure that you can speak to these points: • Why is this job interesting to you? • How did you get to where you are today? • What can you bring to this job that others might not be able to? • What are your major career and life goals? • What are some successes or major milestones that you have experienced so far in your career (or your college education or work training)? The interviewer will want to see that you are proactive, ambitious, willing to learn new things, goal-oriented, can work well with teammates, and responsible. You will want to show that you are comfortable talking about yourself, but also that you pick up on social cues. Give the recruiter a chance to ask questions during the interview. Come to the interview with your own set of questions about the job. Don’t get too deep into questions about benefits, stick to the job. Here are some great questions you should ask: • What constitutes success in this position? • What is the largest problem facing your staff and do you think I would be in a position to help solve it? • Why is this position open? • What do you like about working here? • Can you discuss company growth opportunities? • What are the next steps?
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Always be confident in yourself. • Be honest and true to yourself. • Focus on work-related accomplishments and share your relevant personal histories. • Show poise, be polite and be sincere. Excellent internet resources. • thebalancecareers.com • experisjobs.us • themuse.com. What to say when the interviewer says “Tell me about yourself.” • Start with a specific statement about one of your strengths directly related to the job. • Explain how you used that strength to perform successfully in your last job. • Continue to detail how this quality was useful in another position you’ve held. • Tell how this skill will help you succeed with this new opportunity. Write down your answer beforehand and rehearse your delivery. Don’t go too long. Have a strong ending. Do you have to disclose criminal convictions? Yes. The company interviewer may ask to conduct a criminal history background check. Or the interview questions may ask you to disclose any convictions. Never lie in these situations. What are you required to reveal? As of 2019, 34 states have laws that limit what an interviewer can ask about criminal records. Research your state laws and know your rights. Be Honest, Don’t Lie. Appearance. Until you find out the employer’s rules about tattoos and piercings, it’s best to show up at the interview with no distractions. Dress the part. If you dress for success, you have a better chance of landing the job. It shows that you care about the job enough to take the extra time. Don’t smoke before your interview and don’t wear too much perfume or cologne. Some employers are turned off by pungent odor and how it will affect other employees.
Keep Th WHEN YOU GET THE JOB, IT IS VITAL THAT YOU KEEP IT. HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WAYS TO CREATE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION. BE ON TIME. Being late is one of the worst impressions that you can leave on your employer. Be ready to work when you arrive. BE A TEAM PLAYER. Employees who are gossips, who won’t stand up and help others, or who don’t build camaraderie with their fellow workers quickly turn off employers. BE FLEXIBLE. Take on an extra shift or work a weekend when asked. You should never be expected to do this all the time unless it is an expectation in the job description, but be sure that you are doing your part. BE POSITIVE. A positive attitude is contagious and will spread to others within the workplace. Employers appreciate an enthusiastic employee. DON’T TAKE SMOKE BREAKS. Though employers can’t ban you from smoking, smokers tend to miss more work than non-smokers. Non-smokers get more work done on the job because of the lack of smoke breaks.
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Get The Job and Keep It! Get The Job and Keep It!
he Job KEEP YOUR HYGIENE IN CHECK. Your hygiene says a lot about what kind of person you are. Keep yourself clean, wear deodorant, groom your nails and hair. No one wants to work next to the smelly person. STAY HEALTHY. A healthy attitude towards life shows you care about yourself. Employees who are in better health miss less work. Your health may not get you fired, but showing your employer you care enough about your health to take extra steps to stay healthy shows you care about your joband your success. DRESS FOR SUCCESS. To an employer, there’s nothing worse than a bad hire. If you dressed the part for your interview, continue to dress for success. This shows your employer you didn’t just dress the part to land the job, but are serious about your success. BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. An employer may decide that if you’re not financially responsible personally, how can you be a responsible employee. BE DEPENDABLE. Keep your parties and celebrations for the weekends if you think they will keep you from getting to work and on the top of your game. Showing up to work “hung-over” or tired just might put you first in line to be let go. SET A GOAL FOR SUCCESS. Employers want someone who is ambitious and willing to grow with the company. Regardless of the type of position you are in, there is always room for growth. Show your employer that you are ready for the challenge!
KEEP Your
a i d e m l a i c o s image clean WHEN YOU POST SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT WILL BE THERE FOREVER! IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU HAVE DELETED A POST AFTER YOU REALIZE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT. SOCIAL MEDIA SITES LIKE FACEBOOK AND TWITTER HAVE THEIR WAYS OF ALLOWING EMPLOYERS TO DIG UP OLD DIRT. YOU MUST BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE. POLITICAL VIEWS, PARTYING, PROFANITY, AND MUCH MORE CAN ALL KEEP YOU FROM GETTING A JOB IF POSTED. People lose their jobs because of social media posting. Not only do potential employers keep tabs on you, but business acquaintances do, too. Use this to your advantage and promote yourself and your business wisely online.
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Here’s how to clean up your social media image: • Go through all your social media accounts and update any and all profile pictures. Pick one that looks professional and update your cover photos. • Avoid posting risqué pictures of yourself or statuses that could be seen as too personal, such as political views. • Never engage with friends on social media in negative ways, as this can lead to harmful content being spread across your social media pages. Keep a clean social media page by promoting your professional work or accomplishments only.
• Your reputation matters. Do not allow friends to post photos of you doing inappropriate things. • No employer, current or future, wants to read how you believe you are mistreated by your company. This is the fastest way to no new job and maybe to lose your current one. The only thing you should post about work is how valuable you are to the company. • Check your posts before you post! Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. If your new job involves writing, this could cause trouble. You want to appear professional.
G E T T H E J O B A N D K E E P IT !
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