Dress for Success/Job Fair Preparation/Essential Job Skills/Company Research

Transcription

1 Dress for Success/Job Fair Preparation/Essential Job Skills/Company Research Graham One Stop Greenlee One Stop Cochise One Stops 1910 W Thatcher Blvd 300 N Coronado Blvd Sierra Vista, AZ Safford, AZ Clifton, AZ Douglas, AZ

2 Examples of business attire Female Checklist Matching skirt or pant suit Skirts hit at the knee or just above it Pants are trouser cut and tailored so as not to drag Jackets are able to button and still fit comfortably Shirts are solid colored and tucked in Shoes should be closed toed, solid colored, and no more than 4 inches in height Minimal and simple jewelry; no costume jewelry Hair is neat and stays out of eyes Make-up and perfume is minimal DRESS FOR SUCCESS Examples of business attire Male Checklist Matching pant suit Pants are trouser cut and tailored so as not to drag Jackets are able to button and still fit comfortably Solid colored sweater can be worn in place of a jacket Shirts are collared, solid colored, and tucked in Shoes should be laced, solid colored, and polished Ties are optional; if worn they need to be straight and should hit at the belt buckle Minimal and simple jewelry Hair is neat and stays out of eyes Shaved or trimmed facial hair Cologne is minimal Always remember: Remove body piercings Cover tattoos Iron or dry-clean all items And SMILE it s the best item you own Always remember: Remove body piercings Cover tattoos Iron or dry-clean all items And SMILE it s the best item you own

3 Job fairs are a great opportunity to interact with representatives from multiple companies in a short period of time. However, job seekers should prepare in advance. Here are five tips for acing a job fair and bringing your A game: 1. Brush Up Your Elevator Speech Almost all recruiters will ask you what type of work you are interested in doing. You would be amazed at how many candidates just say I ll do anything. Unfortunately, this doesn t help the recruiter and it can be a huge turnoff. Instead, try talking to the recruiter about what types of jobs interest you and what jobs you have held in the past. Generally, past performance predicts future success, so a recruiter who knows that you have experience in a certain area will likely favor you over a candidate who can t articulate his/her skill set. 2. Find Out As Much Information As Possible BEFORE The Day Of The Fair If you can obtain a list of the companies participating prior to the event, do your homework by going out to their websites and taking a look at the types of positions that are currently open. After reviewing the entire list of companies who are participating, make a list of your top choices and visit those organizations when you first get to the job fair. Job fairs are tiring for both job seekers and recruiters, so both parties will be fresher at the beginning of the event.

4 3. Bring Extra Copies Of Your Resume This may seem obvious, but there are always job fair attendees who are without copies of their resumes. Make sure you have ample copies and consider having various versions of your resume if you are interested in more than one career field or area of expertise. 4. Wear Appropriate Clothing And Comfortable Shoes This tip may also seem obvious, but it s important to note that recruiters have the expectation that they will see people dressed professionally. It s not always necessary to wear a suit, but athletic wear and extremely casual clothing are probably not good choices when you re trying to make a strong first impression on the recruiters. 5. Ask Questions You may not have much time to speak with a recruiter if the job fair is really crowded, but it s perfectly acceptable to ask about the organization s available positions and their recruiting process. Recruiters should be able to provide you with an estimate of how long it will take the organization to contact you if they are interested in bringing you in for an interview. If you find an organization or job that really interests at the job fair, consider doing some more research on the company and following up with the recruiter a few days after the event to reiterate your interest in the position.

5 According to the 2007 Every Promise, Every Child: Turning Failure into Action report, a large percentage of young people preparing to enter the workforce over the next two decades are significantly lacking in the soft or applied skills such as teamwork, decision-making, and communication that will help them become effective employees and managers. In addition, in a Job Outlook 2008 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), the top characteristics looked for in new hires by 276 employer respondents were all soft skills: communication ability, a strong work ethic, initiative, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. Lastly, the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) found that while credentials (degrees and certificates) are important, it is the development of soft skills (those that are more social than technical) that is critical to developing a strong, vibrant workforce. Interestingly, research also suggests that soft skills are not just important for first-time employees. According to a poll released in June 2008 by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), many workplace soft skills have become more important for the experienced professional. These skills include critical thinking/problem solving, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, teamwork/collaboration, and adaptability/flexibility.

6 Companies identified the following competencies as key to the success of young workers: Communication Networking Enthusiasm and Attitude Teamwork Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Professionalism

7 In the workplace, it is important to know how and when to share ideas and concerns (ask about company policy) If you have a concern that you wish to discuss, remember that addressing the issue to the correct person, timing & your attitude are extremely important Listening is important especially when instructions are being given (summarize or ask questions to ensure you understand) Be courteous and use professional verbiage

8 When it comes to finding a job, networking is essential Once you find a job, it is important to continue to network effectively Develop relationships with co-workers can increase your ability to move up within the organization Join business associations and/or stay in contact with others in your line of work to stay current on happenings in the industry and learn about opportunities that may exist Informational interviewing activity The Three P s Handout

9 When interviewing, you will stand out to the employer if you show excitement about the job! Prepare for to the interview, research the company s website to learn about the business & develop questions you can ask to show interest Arrive early to the interview, dress professionally & bring a resume portfolio along with a pen and paper to take notes if allowed Stay actively engaged in the interview, listen, summarize if needed and respond to questions in a professional and positive way Once employed, take initiative (do more than is required and perform tasks before being asked) Show your ongoing commitment by seeking out challenges (opportunities to learn-volunteer to take on additional tasks) and finding solutions to issues that arise (pitch an idea and take ownership of project) Life is Full of Hard Knocks (Failure Activity) Believe it or Not: Your Attitude & Enthusiasm Just Might Get You the Job (Interview Role Play)

10 Companies rely on team players (cooperation is vital to success) In the workplace, knowing how and when to lead and follow takes practice, as does knowing how to avoid unnecessary conflict Build a professional relationship with co-workers can make the job more fun and interesting When working on a team, make sure the workload is shared and that everyone is communication Teamwork Quotes Handout Teamwork on the Job Activity

11 The ability to use knowledge, facts and data to effectively solve workplace problems (a problem is an opportunity to find a solution) Employers appreciate employees who identify/develop solutions to opportunities that arise Be proactive and solve issues (get approval if needed; understand empowerment policy) Remember to develop a well thought out solution (gather knowledge about issue before proposing solution) Manage time wisely (meet deadline if given) Problem Solving on a Team Activity

12 Ensure your resume passes the test-proofread, spell check and edit! Make a good impressions in the workplace Dress properly (follow company policy) Be dependable (arrive on time and stay productive until you leave) Stay focused on business (you are not at work to manage personal affairs-silence cell phone; only use office equipment/computers for work-related tasks) Speak in a respectful manner to managers/supervisors, co-workers & customers Work Attitudes Activity

13 Case Studies Activity For each of the following case studies, assume you are employed by a large computer company, with approximately 1,000 employees. The company is located in your town. Read each case study and follow the four steps for making ethical decisions. You will be discussing your decision-making process (and your ultimate decision) with the group. Case 1: LaKeisha is an administrative assistant in the Human Resources Department. Her good friend Michael is applying for a job with the company and has agreed to be a reference for him. Michael asks for advice on preparing for the interview. LaKeisha has the actual interview questions asked of all applicants and considers making him a copy of the list so he can prepare. Case 2: Emily works in the Quality Control Department. Once a year, her supervisor gives away the company s used computers to the local elementary school. The company does not keep records of these computer donations. Emily really needs a computer. Her supervisor asks her to deliver 12 computers to the school.

14 Case Studies Activity (continued) Case 3: Marvin is an assistant in the Building Services Department. He has just received a new work computer and is excited to try it out. His supervisor has a strict policy about computer usage (for business purposes only), but Marvin wants to learn the software. He figures one good way to do this is to send s to his friends and relatives until he gets the hang of it. He has finished all of his work for the day and has 30 minutes left until his shift is over. His supervisor left early. Case 4: Jennie was recently hired to work as a receptionist for the front lobby. As receptionist, she is responsible for making copies for the people in her office. Her son, Jason, comes in and needs some copies for a school project. He brought his own paper and needs 300 copies for his class. If he doesn t bring the copies with him, he will fail the project. The company copier does not require a security key, nor do they keep track of copies made by departments.

15 Steps to Solving Ethical Dilemmas Identify the problem or ethical issue. What are the facts? What are some possible solutions? What are you going to do? Also consider.how will you know if your decision was the right one?

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17 You only fail if you choose to fail, turn problems/challenges into opportunities Take ACTION! You must have Ambition You must demonstrate Commitment You must show Tenacity (be determined) You must take Initiative & Ownership But most important, Never Give Up! Tenacity (determination) Most people will tell you that tenacity is a great quality to have, especially if you're trying something challenging that takes a while to complete. Odds are, the people you admire have shown real tenacity in achieving their goals. Anything really worth doing takes persistence, perseverance, and stubborn determination. Being a great baseball player requires real gifts, no doubt, but even the most gifted player won't make it to the big leagues without the tenacity required to make the long, hard journey up from the minors. Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone who just won't quit who keeps trying until they reach their goal.