CAREER CENTRE Guide to Finding a Job

Transcription

1 CAREER CENTRE Guide to Finding a Job J110, JKL Block South Campus careers@manukau.ac.nz Open Monday Friday 9am 4pm C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 1

2 Contents Career Centre Services 3 Finding a Job 4-5 Information Interviews 6-7 Job Search Strategies 8-9 Job Search Action Plan 10 Social Media and Job Search 11 CV Tips CV Example Cover Letters 16 Cover Letter Example Interviews Voluntary Work 21 Work Experience 22 Programme Skills Sets C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 2

3 Career Centre Services The Career Consultants at the Manukau Institute of Technology Career Centre are qualified experts in the field of Career Development. Their expertise will assist you with all aspects of career decision making and job searching. (from left to right) Amanda Lee BA (Hons), Grad. Cert. Career Development Melanie Cooke MSocSci (Psych), Grad. Dip. Career Development Lila Pulsford BA (Hons), Grad. Dip. Tchg., Grad. Cert. Career Development Career Counselling Working out what you want to do with your career takes time and it is usually not a simple task. It is also not something that you will only do once in your life - you will need to make decisions around career many times over your working life. Our Career Consultants will guide you through the decision-making process. CV Feedback Your CV is your main marketing tool if an employer doesn t know you, your CV is the only chance you have to impress them, so it needs to be a very good description of what you have to offer. The Career Centre templates and the Career Centre online CV learning module will help you get started. Drop in to the Career Centre with your CV and we will give you tips and professional feedback. Job Search Strategies For every job advertised there may be or more applicants. Don t rely on job search websites as your only approach to finding a job. Read this guide and come and discuss your job search approach with the Career Centre Consultants. Interview Tips Spend as much time as possible preparing for a job interview. At the Career Centre we conduct mock interviews and have handouts on typical interview questions to help you prepare. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 3

4 Finding a job takes more time and persistence than you imagine and you will also face a lot of rejection but you WILL get a job, even if it isn t exactly what you want to start with. Finding a Job One of the first steps to finding a job is knowing what type of job you are looking for: 1. Is it part time work or full time work? (sometimes you ll need to take part time work as a pathway to full time work) 2. What industry is it in? (it might be in more than one industry) 3. What type of job is it? (it might be a variety of jobs) If you have just graduated, it might be more obvious what type of job (industry) to start looking for. If you are looking for a part time job, begin with the field you are currently studying. You could also think about jobs you have done in the past and try for similar types of jobs. Employers are not usually interested in people who can t tell them what type of work they are interested in telling an employer by or in person that you ll do anything, is not a good idea. Once you have decided what you are looking for, it is a good idea to make a database of employers (or more than one database if you are looking for more than one type of job). Keep a record of their name, their contact details and what they specialise in. You can use the Yellow Pages and Google to find relevant companies or organisations. Information Interviews are another good way to find information and may be an indirect way of getting work. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 4

5 Talking to employers is another skill you can work on. What are you going to say when you call them up or when you go to a business in person? The next step is to make sure you have an effective CV, tailored to the job you are looking for. You could have more than one CV if you are looking for more than one type of job. You ll also need an effective Cover Letter if you apply for jobs online or via . You don t need a Cover Letter if you are meeting employers in person. Talking to employers is another skill you can work on. What are you going to say when you call them up or when you go to a business in person? How are you going to answer interview questions? Plan and practise what you will say learn how to introduce yourself, explaining what type of work you are interested in and what your top skills are that match this work, include any relevant experience. Any time you are in front of a potential employer, you need to be able to articulate this information. Once you have a CV ready to go and you know what you are going to say to employers, it s time to start contacting employers. Apart from applying for advertised positions, you ll also need to try other methods such as networking and going directly to employers (works best for small companies and for part time, casual work). You ll notice that most job vacancies ask for people with experience. Don t lose heart; we all have to start somewhere and entry level jobs are out there. Any part time work or practical work experience as part of your study counts as experience. Another way to get some experience (and broaden your networks) is to do some voluntary work. Finding a job takes more time and persistence than you imagine and you will also face a lot of rejection but you WILL get a job, even if it isn t exactly what you want to start with. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 5

6 Information Interviews Talking with someone already in a particular career field can give you a better sense of the challenges and opportunities, specific and hidden demands, and the drawbacks that working in the field may involve. People already in established careers realise that they have a professional responsibility to meet with aspiring newcomers and answer their questions. Confine your questions to gaining information about industry and career opportunities. General Rules Assume most people will be willing to talk with you if you are genuinely enthusiastic and interested in them Be sure they understand you are not looking for a job Ask for advice on your career plan, and skill requirements Prepare adequately by researching the company If you requested 15 minutes, do not overstay your welcome Ask for a business card and give them yours After the interview, record contact information, details of dialogue, and company profile Write a thank you note Maintain contact. Request to join them on LinkedIn. Perhaps ask for information and referrals, or maybe they could be a guest speaker in your class, and so on. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 6

7 Information Interviews Arranging the Interview 1. Call the company and ask for the name of the person for the position you are researching i.e. Purchasing Agent, Marketing Manager, Safety Coordinator, IT Technician, etc. 2. Obtain the correct spelling of the name, job title, phone number, extension and address of the contact. 3. Prepare a script in point form of what you will say to the person. 4. When you call or , explain who you are and the program you are in. 5. Explain why you are contacting them and that you will require only minutes for the interview. 6. Schedule the appointment and obtain specific details of where to meet and when. 7. Research the company. 8. Prepare your list of questions and them ahead of time. 9. Confirm your appointment the day before. 10. Dress appropriately (conservatively and professionally). Suggested Questions for your Information Interview How did you get into this field? Why did you choose it? Tell me about specific projects or assignments you have worked on recently. What skills and abilities have you found the most useful? How did you prepare yourself for this kind of work? What preparation would you suggest for someone who wants to enter the field now? What other career areas are related to your work? Is there advice you might give someone who is starting in this field? What are some of the problems, issues, barriers I may encounter in trying to reach my goals? How does your role fit into the overall operation of this organisation? What are anticipated trends for this industry over the next few years? What is the best way to search for work in this industry? Could you give me the names of other people in the industry who might be valuable contacts? May I use your name when I contact them? Is there anything else that you feel I should know about the industry? What is the salary range for various levels in this field? Tell me about the positive and negative aspects of this career. What personal attributes do you think are essential to success? Which professional journals or associations are affiliated with this career? If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same career? Why? C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 7

8 Job Search Strategies Top Tips Use many methods for finding a job don t just rely on advertised jobs Research jobs and employers on line then target them Have a job search plan and set job search goals Stay positive; you will not get many jobs that you apply for Remember that advertised jobs only represent a small percentage of jobs available Join us on Facebook ( Careers Centre Manukau Institute of Technology ) to access job ads from employers wanting to hire MIT students. Have a Great Profile Make sure you have a positive, well-written and targeted CV that illustrates your skills and experiences. You need to be able to name your skills and talk about experiences that illustrate how you have developed these skills. You may need to check your address; is it appropriate for prospective employers to look at? Be very clear about what type of job you are looking for and what you have to offer that matches this job Google search your name to check that you don t have inappropriate photos or information about yourself online employers may also do this Advertised Positions This is the most traditional approach to job search. Everyone else is looking at the same jobs, so for every job advertised there may be or more applicants. Don t rely on this method as your only approach to finding a job. Job Vacancy Websites For a comprehensive list of job vacancy websites (general and specific) and recruitment agencies check out: Note: Employment or recruitment agencies can be useful but it pays to remember that they are an agent of the employer who is paying for their service, they are not an employer. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 8

9 Most employers prefer to fill positions without advertising because it saves time and money. These unadvertised jobs are what make Networking crucial. The Hidden Job Market Most available jobs (roughly 80%) are found in the hidden job market these are nonadvertised jobs. To access the hidden job market you should try: Work Experience and Volunteer Work: find something related to your study and make yourself known to employers Networking: make sure all your friends, family and contacts know what you are looking for and don t forget to use Facebook and Twitter Contacting Employers Directly: make a list of employers that you are interested in and approach them to do some Informational Interviewing or to ask for work experience. Be very clear about what you are going to say before you contact an employer. Have a targeted CV ready to present to them if asked Networking Networking is all about making connections with people and sharing information. Networking works best when there is mutual benefit to both parties. Building and maintaining relationships through networking takes time but the contacts you make will be there to help you now and in the future. For your career and job search, networking is by far the most important tool you have to market yourself, build a career reputation and find hidden job market opportunities. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 9

10 Job Search Action Plan Action Date Completed Read all of the MIT Career Centre Handouts Tell everyone I know I m looking for a job and the type of job I want (including contacts on Facebook) and join the Career Centre Facebook page. We are called Careers Centre Manukau Institute of Technology Identify potential employers and make a database with their details Complete an Informational Interview, following the instructions on the handout (this is not necessary if you are just looking for casual or part time work) Look on volunteeringauckland.org.nz for a volunteer opportunity Get in touch with former employers and lecturers and ask if I can use them as referees Have a saved list of relevant job search websites that I check once a week Prepare a professional CV tailored to each job I apply for and have it checked by The Career Centre Prepare a professional Cover Letter tailored to each job I apply for and have it checked by The Career Centre Create a LinkedIn profile and join the Manukau Institute of Technology Graduates group on LinkedIn Know how to introduce myself to employers and tell them what I am looking for and what my strengths are Know how to answer interview questions and have practised interviewing Have an appropriate job interview outfit ready to wear Start applying for advertised jobs Start contacting and/or visiting relevant employers on my database list Start volunteering Secure a job C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 10

11 Social Media and Job Search Social Media has changed the job search process. Your online presence may affect whether or not you will be offered a job. Nearly every job seeker needs to make sure that first, they have an online presence and second, that their online presence is both positive and professional. Courtesy: Reppler Tips for Creating a Positive Online Presence Online CVs Create an online infographic CV like Re.vu - it is free Customise the URL Use the QR code on your business card When you employers, embed your re.vu URL into your signature C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 11

12 Social Media and Job Search LinkedIn Tips Join the Manukau Institute of Technology Graduates LinkedIn group Professional photo of student alone head, neck and face only Headline with area of study and/or career ambitions e.g. Multimedia Design Specialist (LinkedIn is a search engine how do you want recruiters to find you?) Keyword-rich summary that includes the type of positions you are seeking Join professional groups which interest you and be an active participant Inclusion of volunteer activities, internships and extra curricular Recommendations from lecturers Facebook Tips Make your profile image more ordinary No NEGATIVE comments about your employers or co-workers Let people know what type of job you are looking for and with which companies Find companies where you d like to work and like them Twitter Tips Who do you follow? Tread carefully. Follow people who can give you the right information Being an active follower is a key: Gaining top-notch info, connecting to experts Tweet like a pro: share useful links, your opinions on current issues in your area Research companies and find employees of the company to get advice C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 12

13 CVs need to be tailored to the purpose, so always make them relevant to the job to which you are applying. This means you will have to change your CV each time you apply for a different job. CV Tips Your CV is your main marketing tool if an employer doesn t know you, your CV is the only chance you have to impress them, so it needs to be a very good description of what you have to offer. CVs need to be tailored to the purpose, so always make them relevant to the job to which you are applying. This means you will have to change your CV each time you apply for a different job. CVs should always be accompanied with an effective cover letter if applying online or via . Some industries have specific requirements for CVs so you need to check with the relevant employer or industry. CV Content Always include the following: Contact Details Summary Skills Education Employment (name, address, phone/mobile, ) (use this section to highlight skills, experiences, qualifications and qualities that are relevant to the job you are applying for) (skills necessary for the job you are applying for and other relevant skills - for help with naming your skills, see the MIT Career Centre Handout called: MIT Programme Skills Sets) (details of your qualifications and other training include anything in progress) (relevant jobs, paid and unpaid, full time and part time) C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 13

14 CV Tips Optional to include some or all of the following: Career Objective, Referees, Interests, Voluntary/Community Involvement, Memberships IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use any information that may be used to discriminate such as your age, marital status, ethnicity, religion, photographs etc. Format No more than 2 or 3 pages Use easy to read fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri Be consistent with fonts, styles and formatting Headings need to stand out keep the summary information on the first page Spelling, grammar and verb tenses need to be perfect get someone to proof read it for you, don t rely on computer spell checks If applying online, you may need to add your cover letter to the beginning of your CV if you can t send two separate documents. Templates The Career Centre has CV templates available. Access them on emit or from the website. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 14

15 CV Example C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 15

16 CV Example C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 16

17 You need to find something about the employer that appeals to you and mention it in your letter, showing them you have done some research into the company. Cover Letters Cover letters should always be sent with CVs (unless you are specifically asked not to send one or you are applying in person). They are another way of showing a prospective employer that you would be great for the job. A good cover letter motivates the reader to continue on to read your CV. 3 Steps There are basically 3 steps to cover letter writing: Let the employer know why you are sending them your CV i.e. what is the job or position you are interested in, if it has been advertised, where did you see it advertised and did it have a job number? If you know to whom you are writing, be sure to use their name. Employers want to hear from people who are clear about what it is they want to do. If your letter says you will take any job on offer, the employer will more than likely not be interested in you. Let the employer know what you are offering them; what are your skills, experiences, education/training and qualities that match what they are looking for? Include some evidence of how or where you got your skills and experience remember that skills learned whilst studying are as relevant as any skills you may have developed through work experiences. Let the employer know why you want to work for them in particular. The reality is that most students are not too particular over whom they work for, they just want a job, but this is not appealing from an employer perspective. You need to find something about the employer that appeals to you and mention it in your letter, showing them you have done some research into the company. C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 17

18 Cover Letter Example C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 18

19 Preparation is the key to self-confidence in the interview Interviews Spend as much time as possible preparing for a job interview. Here are 3 main things you need to work on in order to perform well in a job interview: PREPARATION: Prepare for questions and research the company APPEARANCE: Make an excellent first impression FOLLOW UP: Send a thank you Preparation is the key to self-confidence in the interview Research the company and industry Prepare answers to common interview questions and practise saying them aloud Anticipate skill requirements and match each skill to your experience Know your accomplishments and showcase them in your CV Prepare questions to ask the employer Realise a telephone or group pre-screening interview may take place Appearance Clothing is tidy, conservative, and has been freshly washed and ironed Hair is clean and tidy Breath is fresh (Brush your teeth thoroughly and have a breath mint or two before the interview. No garlic the night before!) Nails are clean (If wearing nail polish, make sure it is not chipped) No body odour (have a nice long shower on the day of your interview) Wear deodorant (enough to prevent body odour but not so much that it s overpowering) If you use perfume or cologne, only use a tiny amount some people get headaches from or are allergic to perfumes and colognes C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 19

20 Interviews Behaviour Respect personal space arm s length is most comfortable Being attentive and interested maintain eye contact! Open and friendly gestures good posture, smiling, use facial expressions. Avoid crossing your arms. Avoid nervous activities - tugging on your clothing, fidgeting, tapping your foot can all be distracting and ruin your confident image. Commonly asked Interview Questions Skill Awareness: What skills do you have that would make you successful in this role? Attitude: Give me 3 personal qualities you believe you can bring to this role. Teamwork: Tell me about a time when you worked as a member of a team and how you were able to contribute to a project s success? What was your role? Initiative: Describe a time when you took initiative - that is, did something that you were not expected to do or asked to do by your boss/teacher. What did you do? How did you do it? How did your boss/teacher react? Communication: We all have to work with people, bosses, co-workers, or customers who are difficult. Would you describe for me one of the most difficult people or situations you ve had to deal with and specifically, how you handled that person or situation? Problem Solving: Describe a time when you took action to solve a problem. How did you go about it? Customer Service: Tell me about a time when your efforts to help a customer exceeded their expectations. What did you do and how did you do it? Planning and Implementation: Tell me about a time when it was challenging for you to ensure that information you were assembling was correct. What steps did you take to ensure accuracy? Diversity: This company has a multi-cultural environment. What experience have you had working with people of different cultures? Self-Management: Tell me your time management style. Self-Awareness: Do you have any weaknesses? Relationship Building: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult colleague. In retrospect, would you do anything differently? Career Direction: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 20

21 Volunteering enables you to widen your network of people. Voluntary Work Volunteering and Work Experience are two activities important to your career development. They allow you to experience real work situations, develop new skills or further develop skills you have learned during your study or training, become involved in your community, increase the likelihood of hearing about paid job opportunities and they help you to widen your networks. Volunteering This allows you to gain some experience in an area or related areas to your study programme. You will notice that employers are usually asking for people with experience to fill their vacancies; this is one way to gain valuable experience. Experience helps you to develop the skills employers are looking for and you will gain more confidence in the work environment. Add your volunteering activities to your CV. Volunteering also enables you to widen your network of people that you know and get involved in your community. The more people you know, the more likely you will hear about any jobs that might be available. You may also gain some good referees from your volunteering experience. If you are interested in Volunteering, check out: C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 21

22 Sometimes Work Experience leads to a paid job with the same company because employers like to hire people they already know can do the job. Work Experience Work Experience lets you see what a specific job is like on a daily basis, giving you a realistic idea of the positive and negative aspects of the job. Work experience can help you decide if you think it is the right job for you or not. You also get to meet people who have the job and you can ask them questions such as: how they got into the job and what they enjoy about it. Work Experience can also help you to build work networks or contacts in the industry you want to get into who may help you find a paid job later on. Sometimes Work Experience leads to a paid job with the same company because employers like to hire people they already know can do the job. Some employers use Work Experience as an opportunity to try out a potential employee because it allows the employer to see what kind of person you are, what kind of work attitude you have and if you are a good fit for the company. Even if Work Experience doesn t lead to a paid job, it adds to your workplace experience and you may get a good referee from it. Add your Work Experience activities to your CV How to approach employers for work experience: Make sure you have an effective CV tailored to the industry and the experience you are looking to get. Make a list of employers you would like to approach (use the Yellow Pages and Google). Decide what you are going to say when you first meet the employer remember to include what you are studying, why you would like some work experience and what skills you are offering. Present yourself professionally to employers when you approach them C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 22

23 Manukau Institute of Technology Programme Skills Sets Business and IT Programmes Consumer Services Programmes 27 Creative Arts Programmes 28 Education and Social Sciences Programmes 29 Maritime Programmes 30 Engineering Programmes Nursing Programmes 34 C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 23

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35 CAREER CENTRE J110, JKL Block South Campus Open Monday Friday 9am 4pm C A R E E R C E N T R E Page 35