Employment Resources
Workplace Vocabulary
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Use WISCareers to search for jobs and create resumes and cover letters.
Local Job Search Websites
Finding the Job
Successful job hunting refers not only to finding a job, but to finding the best job possible. When employment is plentiful this may not present a problem; but when jobs are scarce, you may have think creatively and investigate many sources.
Listed below are some suggestions:
§ Relatives, friends, and neighbors
§ Counselors, teachers
§ High school coordinators of vocational programs
§ Career centers
§ Help wanted ads and bulletin boards
§ Civil service, county, state, and federal agencies
§ Private employment agencies
§ Walk-in inquiries
§ Job fairs
§ Fellow employees
§ Contacts made through volunteer activities
§ Job search online
How to Beat the Competition
Listed below are some suggestions:
§ Relatives, friends, and neighbors
§ Counselors, teachers
§ High school coordinators of vocational programs
§ Career centers
§ Help wanted ads and bulletin boards
§ Civil service, county, state, and federal agencies
§ Private employment agencies
§ Walk-in inquiries
§ Job fairs
§ Fellow employees
§ Contacts made through volunteer activities
§ Job search online
How to Beat the Competition
- Develop a list of businesses that usually hire people with your skills and ask for an interview. Two-thirds of all job hunters use this approach – and most get the jobs they want. It is by far the best way to land a job.
- Don’t wait for businesses to advertise. Be aggressive. Beat the competition to the door.
- Don’t underestimate smaller businesses. Eighty-four percent of the work force is employed by small companies.
- Find out what new businesses are opening in your area and when they will begin hiring.
- Target jobs in rapidly expanding fields.
The Job Application
The job application contains a series of questions of a personal and work-related nature. Because the application is used by employers as a device to screen applicants, you should take care that it makes a good first impression. The following are some suggestions for completing your application:
- Review the application before filling it out to be sure you have all the information requested.
- Have your resume or information about previous jobs available to reference. Include names, addresses, telephone numbers, FAX numbers, e-mail addresses, dates, and supervisors’ names.
- Type or print information neatly.
- Be concise, but accurate.
- Answer all the questions. If a question does not apply to you, write N/A (not applicable).
- Include volunteer activities under the “Experience” section.
- Ask for clarification if you are unsure of any questions.
The Resume
A resume is a brief description of your previous education, work experience, and additional relevant information. A resume should:
- Always have a cover letter which refers to an ad or position.
- Be developed for a specific objective – to get the job.
- Mirror the requirements of the job. List all relevant experience, including school projects, club activities, volunteer work, etc.
- Contain correct information. Proofread several times and have someone else proofread for you. Accuracy is extremely important.
- Use action verbs such as managed, supervised, monitored, marketed, created, developed, planned, organized, reviewed, evaluated, etc.
- Highlight your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments.
- Emphasize your strengths.
- Be easy to read. The experience you have will see you, not the size of the words you use.
- Be concise, no longer than one page.
- Be organized logically.
- Be ordered in importance, promoting your selling points.
- Be professional. Make sure copies are neat and clean. Mail your resume in good condition preferably in a large envelope.
- Emphasize key points or expressions by using bold type or underline.
If you have not received a response to your cover letter and resume within a reasonable time (up to three weeks), follow up with a phone call.
Resume Formats
Remember--you can use Microsoft Word or WISCareers to create a resume
The chronological format:
- Is organized in logical steps.
- Lists experience from last employer first, then continues backwards.
- Includes dates of employment and experience.
- Accounts for gaps in time and experience.
The functional format: - Lists skills and accomplishments.
- Highlights skill areas with specific examples.
- Is an excellent format if you are entering the work force or changing fields.
RESUME COMPONENTS
The heading contains contact information such as name, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.
The objective states the type of position you desire and at what level you wish to enter. It describes to the employer the skills you have to offer the position or organization. Additional information includes membership in professional organizations and special skills that will distinguish you from others. Include personal information only if it is related to the job.
The reference section indicates that your references are available on request. You should have a list of your references prepared in advance.
The Cover Letter
The cover letter communicates to the prospective employer that you are interested in obtaining a position with his or her company. It is usually sent with a resume. There are some points you should consider when writing the letter:
- Try to address your letter to the specific individual who will be hiring you. Be sure the name is spelled correctly.
- State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Name the position you are applying for and how you heard of the opening.
- Explain how the experiences or abilities in your resume relate the company’s goals or to the duties of the position.
- Always ask for an interview.
- Avoid the use of slang, idioms or acronyms.
- Check for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.
- Keep the letter to one page, neatly typed on good quality paper.
Sample Cover Letter
The Interview
The job interview is a dialogue that provides for an exchange of information between you and your potential employer. Preparation is the key to a good interview.
Points to Remember:
Points to Remember:
- Make a good first impression. This is your only chance to do so.
- Arrive early. Allow for traffic or uncontrollable events. Try to test drive prior to the interview. Call if you are going to be late or need to reschedule.
- Fill out the application completely. Never assume that your resume covers everything.
- Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. Use the interviewer’s name and establish eye contact.
- Appear positive and enthusiastic.
- Be completely honest and sincere. Never speak negatively about a previous employer or company.
- Elaborate on your answers, but make them to the point. Never answer with only a “yes” or “no”. Listen to the question. Repeat it if necessary and think before you reply. It is all right to take a brief pause.
- Provide a list of employment references including the name, title/company, address, telephone number, and relationship to you, e.g. supervisor, neighbor, co-worker.
- Ask questions of the interviewer to clarify the job and/or company specifies, e.g. duties, hours, date available.
- Find out when a decision will be made. Will you be notified?
- Finish on a positive note. “Thank you for the interview. I really enjoyed our conversation. I look forward to hearing from you”.
- Promptly send a thank you note to show you your appreciation for the interview. You may take this opportunity to express your continued interest in the position or to withdraw your name from consideration.