Workplace PrinciplesWorkplace Principles

Teresa RogersTeresa RogersButler County ATCButler County ATC

Summer 2010Summer 2010

ObjectivesObjectives• Students will:Students will:

– Develop an employment portfolio including a cover Develop an employment portfolio including a cover letter, resume, and reference page. letter, resume, and reference page.

– Identify sources for job leads and employer contacts. Identify sources for job leads and employer contacts. – Complete application forms. Complete application forms. – Prepare and practice for job interviews. Prepare and practice for job interviews. – Practice job follow-up strategies (job acceptance and Practice job follow-up strategies (job acceptance and

job rejection)job rejection)– Review pre-employment tests. Review pre-employment tests.

ContentsContents

• Job Seeking SkillsJob Seeking Skills• Letter of ApplicationLetter of Application• ResumeResume• Job ApplicationJob Application• Interview SkillsInterview Skills• Follow up StrategiesFollow up Strategies• Pre-Employment ProceduresPre-Employment Procedures• Workplace IssuesWorkplace Issues• Changing JobsChanging Jobs

Job Seeking SkillsJob Seeking Skills

Finding a JobFinding a Job

• Ask family and friends for job leadsAsk family and friends for job leads• Personal contactsPersonal contacts• ““Help Wanted” or “Now Hiring” signsHelp Wanted” or “Now Hiring” signs• Employment agenciesEmployment agencies• School counselorsSchool counselors• Job centersJob centers• Job fairsJob fairs• NewspapersNewspapers• InternetInternet• Radio and televisionRadio and television

Letter of ApplicationLetter of Application

• Letter of introduction that is sent with resume’Letter of introduction that is sent with resume’• Goal = to get an interviewGoal = to get an interview• Typewritten on good quality paperTypewritten on good quality paper• MUST be neat, complete, correct format, no MUST be neat, complete, correct format, no

errorserrors• Address it to the correct individualAddress it to the correct individual• Correct spelling of nameCorrect spelling of name• Correct titleCorrect title• No name? Address it to “Personnel No name? Address it to “Personnel Director” or to the department headDirector” or to the department head

Letter of Application ContentsLetter of Application Contents• Paragraph OneParagraph One

– Purpose for writingPurpose for writing– Interest in positionInterest in position– If advertisement, name & date of publicationIf advertisement, name & date of publication– If referred, name and title of the referring personIf referred, name and title of the referring person

• Paragraph TwoParagraph Two– Why you are qualifiedWhy you are qualified– Why you want to work thereWhy you want to work there

• Paragraph ThreeParagraph Three– State “resume’ included”State “resume’ included”– May reference features of resume’May reference features of resume’

• Final ParagraphFinal Paragraph– Your contact information (telephone # and times available)Your contact information (telephone # and times available)– Thank you Thank you

ResumeResume

• Thorough yet concise summary of education, Thorough yet concise summary of education, experience, abilitiesexperience, abilities

• Makes you appear qualifiedMakes you appear qualified• Should be typed, attractive and well organizedShould be typed, attractive and well organized• Format varies, find a style that fitsFormat varies, find a style that fits• One page is sufficientOne page is sufficient• Use good quality paperUse good quality paper• Correct spelling and punctuationCorrect spelling and punctuation• Straight, even marginsStraight, even margins

Parts of a ResumeParts of a Resume

• Personal IdentificationPersonal Identification

• Employment ObjectiveEmployment Objective

• Education BackgroundEducation Background

• Employment ExperienceEmployment Experience

• SkillsSkills

• Other activitiesOther activities

• ReferencesReferences

Resume StylesResume Styles• There are different styles of resumes for different jobs:There are different styles of resumes for different jobs:

• ProfessionalProfessional• ContemporaryContemporary• ElegantElegant

• An An entry-levelentry-level resume is suitable for people who are just resume is suitable for people who are just entering the workforce. entering the workforce.

• A A professionalprofessional resume is suitable for people who are resume is suitable for people who are mid-career professionalsmid-career professionals

• A A functionalfunctional resume highlights skills acquired through resume highlights skills acquired through work and volunteer experiences and activities. work and volunteer experiences and activities.

• A A chronologicalchronological resume highlights work resume highlights work experience. experience.

The Job ApplicationThe Job Application

• The application provides information about the The application provides information about the applicants:applicants:– ExperienceExperience– EducationEducation– SkillsSkills

• It also provides information about the applicants It also provides information about the applicants ability to:ability to:– Follow directionsFollow directions– Work thoroughly and accuratelyWork thoroughly and accurately– Work neatlyWork neatly– Spell correctlySpell correctly

General InformationGeneral Information

• The first section usually provides The first section usually provides information:information:– Name, address, telephone number, and social Name, address, telephone number, and social

security number.security number.– If you are 18 years of age or older.If you are 18 years of age or older.– If you can legally work in the United States.If you can legally work in the United States.– If you have applied to or been employed by If you have applied to or been employed by

the company or organization in the past.the company or organization in the past.

Type of EmploymentType of Employment

• This section provides information about:This section provides information about:– What position you are interested in.What position you are interested in.– How you were referred to the company or How you were referred to the company or

organization.organization.– Whether you want to work full time, part time, Whether you want to work full time, part time,

or temporarily.or temporarily.– When you can start working.When you can start working.

EducationEducation

• This section provides information about This section provides information about your educational history.your educational history.

• Be prepared with the:Be prepared with the:– Address and phone number of your high Address and phone number of your high

school and technical school.school and technical school.– Dates of attendanceDates of attendance– Major or career pathMajor or career path– GPA if above 3.0GPA if above 3.0

Work HistoryWork History

• This section asks you to list:This section asks you to list:– your work experience and the details of the job. your work experience and the details of the job.

• Jobs should be listed in order with the most Jobs should be listed in order with the most recent job listed first. The duties of each job recent job listed first. The duties of each job should be clearly described using action verbs. should be clearly described using action verbs.

• Any volunteer experience that is related to the Any volunteer experience that is related to the job should be listed. job should be listed.

Special QualificationsSpecial Qualifications

• In this section, be prepared to list:In this section, be prepared to list:– InterestsInterests– ActivitiesActivities– HonorsHonors– Awards that are related to the jobAwards that are related to the job

ReferencesReferences

• A reference is a person who can speak A reference is a person who can speak positively about you. positively about you.

• Good references include:Good references include:– TeachersTeachers– CounselorsCounselors– Supervisors from work or volunteer activitiesSupervisors from work or volunteer activities– Co-workersCo-workers– ClergyClergy

• Always get the person’s permission.Always get the person’s permission.

The ApplicationThe Application

• Fill out carefully, it’s your first impression Fill out carefully, it’s your first impression to the employerto the employer

• Use black or blue inkUse black or blue ink

• Don’t scratch out mistakesDon’t scratch out mistakes

• Answer all questions honestlyAnswer all questions honestly

• Fill in blanks with N/A – not applicableFill in blanks with N/A – not applicable

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

• This section will ask you to acknowledge This section will ask you to acknowledge that: that: – All information is truthfulAll information is truthful– The employer may investigate all information.The employer may investigate all information.▫That employment is not guaranteed.That employment is not guaranteed.

Additional InformationAdditional Information

• You may also be asked questions about:You may also be asked questions about:– Any convictions or pending convictions of a Any convictions or pending convictions of a

crimecrime– Military historyMilitary history

The InterviewThe Interview

Preparing for the InterviewPreparing for the Interview

• Bring your resume and any documentation neededBring your resume and any documentation needed• Research the company/job so you’ll show knowledge of Research the company/job so you’ll show knowledge of

the position you seekthe position you seek• Be sure you know the date and time of the interview, and Be sure you know the date and time of the interview, and

the person’s name you’ll interview withthe person’s name you’ll interview with• Dress appropriately – one step above what the Dress appropriately – one step above what the

employee wears – no uniformsemployee wears – no uniforms• Wear conservative makeup and hair Wear conservative makeup and hair • Cover tattoos, and piercingCover tattoos, and piercing• Be sure your teeth are clean, and wear antiperspirantBe sure your teeth are clean, and wear antiperspirant• Arrive 10-15 minutes earlyArrive 10-15 minutes early

The InterviewThe Interview

• Greet interviewer by name, smile, introduce Greet interviewer by name, smile, introduce yourself, firm handshakeyourself, firm handshake

• Use correct grammarUse correct grammar• Speak slowly and clearly, don’t mumbleSpeak slowly and clearly, don’t mumble• Be politeBe polite• Maintain eye contactMaintain eye contact• Answer questions thoroughlyAnswer questions thoroughly• Do NOT smoke, chew gum, or eat anythingDo NOT smoke, chew gum, or eat anything

The InterviewThe Interview

• Sit up straight (good posture)Sit up straight (good posture)• Smile, but don’t giggleSmile, but don’t giggle• Be yourselfBe yourself• Listen carefully to the interviewer and be sure Listen carefully to the interviewer and be sure

you answer the questions asked, don’t interrupt you answer the questions asked, don’t interrupt the interviewerthe interviewer

• Never discuss personal problems or financesNever discuss personal problems or finances• Do not criticize former employers Do not criticize former employers • Answer questions truthfullyAnswer questions truthfully• Think before you respondThink before you respond

The InterviewThe Interview

• Brag about yourself a littleBrag about yourself a little• When asked if you have questions, you should When asked if you have questions, you should

ask about job responsibilities, career ask about job responsibilities, career opportunities, continuing education, or job opportunities, continuing education, or job orientationorientation

• Don’t expect to know about the job at the end of Don’t expect to know about the job at the end of the interviewthe interview

• And the end, thank the interviewer and shake And the end, thank the interviewer and shake handshands

• Send a thank-you note, indicating your Send a thank-you note, indicating your continued interest in the jobcontinued interest in the job

Personal Questions

• Tell us about yourself.Tell us about yourself.• Why do you want to work here?Why do you want to work here?• What subjects / teacher in school do you like What subjects / teacher in school do you like

best? Least?best? Least?• What do you do in your spare time?What do you do in your spare time?• What are your career goals?What are your career goals?• Who do you admire most and why?Who do you admire most and why?• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?Where do you see yourself in 5 years?• What are your greatest strengths / weaknesses?What are your greatest strengths / weaknesses?

• What are the most difficult decisions for you to make?

• What do you do to deal with stress?

• What is the best / worst thing about working with you?

• What motivates you?

Work Experience

• What makes you think you can do this What makes you think you can do this job?job?

• What work experience have you had? What work experience have you had? Why did you leave?Why did you leave?

• What salary do you expect?What salary do you expect?

• Why should we hire you?Why should we hire you?

Ability to Deal With Conflict

• Tell us about a time you experienced a Tell us about a time you experienced a conflict.conflict.

• Tell us about the greatest challenge Tell us about the greatest challenge you’ve faced.you’ve faced.

• If you knew your boss was completely If you knew your boss was completely wrong, what would you do?wrong, what would you do?

• Do you prefer to work independently or on Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?a team?

Common QuestionsCommon Questions

• What questions do you want to ask?What questions do you want to ask?

• Why should we hire you?Why should we hire you?

Follow-up LetterFollow-up Letter

• A follow-up letter shows the applicant’s courtesy and emphasizes the applicant’s qualifications.

• A follow-up letter typically includes these three paragraphs:– The first paragraph thanks the employer for the

interview. – The second paragraph emphasizes why the applicant

is the right person for the job. – The third paragraph thanks the interviewer again

Pre-Employment ProceduresPre-Employment Procedures

• Before beginning work, most employers Before beginning work, most employers will require:will require:– Background checks for abuse, fraud, theft, or Background checks for abuse, fraud, theft, or

drug related crimesdrug related crimes– Drug testingDrug testing– Verification of certification and/or licensure if Verification of certification and/or licensure if

applicableapplicable

OrientationOrientation

• Most employers provide a period of Most employers provide a period of orientation orientation

• May vary from a day to several weeksMay vary from a day to several weeks

• Topics:Topics:– Reviewing your Reviewing your Job DescriptionJob Description– Policies & proceduresPolicies & procedures– Harassment Harassment (saying things that offend others)(saying things that offend others)– HIPAAHIPAA

Workplace IssuesWorkplace Issues

• Policies and procedures for a drug-free Policies and procedures for a drug-free workplaceworkplace

• Workers' compensationWorkers' compensation

• Family Medical Leave ActFamily Medical Leave Act

• Grievance policyGrievance policy

• Unemployment compensationUnemployment compensation

Changing JobsChanging Jobs

• People often change jobs because they:People often change jobs because they:

• Increase their skills and want a new job that Increase their skills and want a new job that offers a greater challenge.offers a greater challenge.

• Want higher pay or better benefits.Want higher pay or better benefits.

• Want different work hours or another location.Want different work hours or another location.

• Want less job stress.Want less job stress.

• May seek improved interpersonal relations with May seek improved interpersonal relations with their superiors or co-workerstheir superiors or co-workers

Letter of ResignationLetter of Resignation

• A short, simple, and polite letter that includes the A short, simple, and polite letter that includes the effective date of resignation effective date of resignation

• May include a reason for the resignation if you May include a reason for the resignation if you leaving the job under good conditions. leaving the job under good conditions.

• Include positive aspects of working for the Include positive aspects of working for the employer employer

• Thank the employer for the experience, Thank the employer for the experience, you may want to work there later you may want to work there later

Develop Job Keeping SkillsDevelop Job Keeping Skills

• Use correct grammar at all timesUse correct grammar at all times

• Report to work on time and when scheduledReport to work on time and when scheduled

• Be prepared to work when you arriveBe prepared to work when you arrive

• Practice teamworkPractice teamwork

• Promote a positive attitudePromote a positive attitude

• Accept responsibility for your actionsAccept responsibility for your actions

• Be willing to learnBe willing to learn