Transcript Job Readiness Seminar - Texas Southern University

Job Readiness
Seminar
Presented by Cooperative Education & Placement Services
Fairchild Building Suite 150
Top 25 Fastest Growing Careers in the
U.S.
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Network systems and data communications
analysts
Computer software engineers, applications
Personal financial advisors
Veterinarians
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder
counselors
Financial analysts
Forensic science technicians
Mental health counselors
Mental health and substance abuse social
workers
Marriage and family therapists
Computer systems analysts
Database administrators
Computer software engineers, systems software
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Physical therapists
Physician assistants
Network and computer systems administrators
Health educators
Multi-media artists and animators
Environmental engineers
Environmental scientists and specialists,
including health
Securities, commodities, and financial services
sales agents
Social and community service managers
Hydrologists
Athletic trainers
Medical and public health social workers
Sample Career Plan
http://www.aie.org/HighSchool/Careers/samplecareerplan.cfm
Career goal:
To become a civil engineer. To design, plan, and
supervise the construction of buildings, highways,
and rapid transit systems..
Long-range, general abilities and requirements:
•At least a bachelor's degree in engineering
•Ability to work as part of a team
•Creativity
•Analytical thinking skills
•Capacity for detail work
•Presentation skills
•Writing skills
•Knowledge of physical sciences and mathematics
•Accreditation by licensing board
Sample Career Plan Continued…
Current skills, interests, and experiences:
•Summer employment with a construction company
•High school mathematics courses (geometry, trig, advanced math, calculus)
•High school science courses (physics, chemistry)
•Experience working within a team (summer employment, school organizations,
course projects)
•High school writing courses (four years of English, technical writing)
•Top 10% of class
•Natural creative ability and organizational skills
Short-term, specific goals to make your dreams a reality:
•Graduate in top 10% of high school class
•Achieve good test scores
•Be accepted to a university with a good engineering program
•Keep grades up to meet requirements for School of Engineering
•Continue work experience with internship or part-time/summer employment
•Participate in campus organizations for engineering students
•Earn a bachelor's degree
•Consider graduate school
•Improve presentation and writing skills by focusing on courses designed to
enhance them
Steps For Planning For Your
Career
• Selecting an occupation or career.
• Selecting an area of study or major.
• Selecting a college or university.
• Internships & Cooperative Education.
• Job search!
How Your Decisions Today Affect the Future
• Credit
• Criminal Background
• Virtual Presence
FaceBook
MySpace
Twitter
Anything found on the internet
The Application
The Resume
Types of Resumes
Chronological
Represents your experience in a date order with
the most recent/relevant experience first.
Functional
Emphasizes qualifications according to
categories using job-related skills.
Your Name Here
3100 Cleburne
Houston, TX 77004
713-313-7001
E-Mail: [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Seeking management level position in marketing where excellent skills in business development,
marketing, and research will enhance company visibility and profitability.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Over 9 years of marketing management experience. Expertise in managing all aspects of promotional,
advertising, and multi-media communications. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
EDUCATION
Candidate for the Master of Business Administration - May 2004
Texas Southern University – Jesse H. Jones School of Business - Houston, Texas
B.S. in Business Administration, Minor in Marketing, Detroit City University, Detroit, Michigan – 1998
WORK EXPERIENCE
Westwood Manufacturing Company, Phoenix, Arizona – May 1999 - Present
Director of Sales and Marketing
· Organize and staff marketing activities. Sales growth compounded at 17% per year from $10 to
$40 million in nine years.
· Initiate programs in advertising, price analysis, product line profitability, market research and
applications engineering to support planned growth.
· Provide advertising with direction on all creative executions and allocation of $1.5 million media
budget.
· Prepare, manage and monitor total marketing budgets representing $10 million, for nine market
areas.
Sales increased 40% within six months after implementation of marketing strategy.
XYZ Company, Chicago, Illinois – January 1991 - December 1997
Area Marketing Manager
· Planned and chaired quarterly meetings to present new marketing programs to franchise
community.
· Supervised 18 administrative staff providing marketing, operations and personnel support.
· Conducted training classes for assistant managers to help them identify marketing techniques and
increase sales.
Persuaded eight franchisees to invest in the implementation of a marketing program. This resulted in a
5% - 20% increase in sales.
ASSOCIATIONS /AFFILIATIONS
Member, American Marketing Association (AMA)
Board Member, Institute of Marketing
Ennis Scott
3100 Cleburne
Houston, TX 7704
713-313-7000
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE
A position in Student Affairs that utilizes the educational and on the job skills acquired in undergraduate studies.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Arizona State University
GPA: 3.8 May 2000
Tempe, AZ
SKILLS
Leadership
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Facilitated a leadership retreat for 250 active Arizona Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), chapters,
focusing on communication, leadership and decision-making skills.
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Represented SADD chapter in a statewide conference and presented chapter report.
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Supervised activity leaders for statewide conference and resolved communication barriers between individuals.
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Communication
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Informed students of the consequences of making poor decisions through formal and informal presentations and
advising.
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Explained good decision-making process to assist with appropriate outcomes.
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Informed parents regarding children’s daily activities and problems to keep parents of children in childcare current
with relevant information.
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Organization
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Planned and organized facilities, presentations, and activities for a statewide conference for more than 1000
people.
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Resolved schedule conflicts by coordinating work times and activity assignments.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft: Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows
Internet: Netscape, Internet Explorer
PROJECTS
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Community Conflict Resolution: Researched public policy to understand the role of policies in enhancing or
detracting from community dynamics. Analyzed relevant models and research findings generated by both case
studies and comparative methods.
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Policy Analysis: Research focused on assessing quality of parent-child relationships as they pertain to child
abuse. Policy debates are concerned with the role of formal and informal support systems for parent and child and
parent-child interactions in terms of contact, exchange, assistance, support, and relationship quality. Researched
existing policies, interviewed parents, social workers, and legislators. Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data.
Wrote a 45 page report on results.
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Public Program Management: Analyzed interagency relationships and their roles and developed programs for
families in crisis.
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Diversity Issues and Public Policy: Examined public policy issues affecting women, Black, Latino, Asian, and
American Indian communities. Researched issues as they related to interpretation of child abuse and child abuse
policies and issues.
Accomplishment Statements
Use statements that emphasize
achievements rather than duties.
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Waited tables
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Stocked beverage
counter
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Ordered supplies
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Assist up to 100 customers during a
four hour time period in a fast paced,
stressful environment
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Troubleshoot beverage inventory
issues, ordering supplies proactively to
maintain appropriate inventory levels
crucial for effective customer service
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Problem solve and negotiate a
diversity of customer service issues
Using strong action verbs
 Avoid starting phrases with “Handle…”, “Work with…”,
“Duties included…”, “Responsible for…”
 Start each bulleted statement with a descriptive actionoriented verb and combine with accomplishment
statement
 (Not this) Handled incoming telephone calls
 (This) Directed up to 40 customer calls per hour to
appropriate service departments throughout company
The Cover Letter
• Why you are writing/submitting your resume
• What you want
• How your skills and abilities match the
employer's needs
• How you will follow up
The Hunt Group
Mr. John Thomas, Staffing Manager
1234 Houston Ave.
Austin, TX 23232
Dear Mr. Thomas:
I recently read an article in the newspaper about your agency opening a location in the Houston area
and am interested in becoming a Human Resource Generalist with your organization. I will graduate
from Texas Southern University in December with a B.A. in Human Resource Management.
During my four years at Texas Southern University, I took numerous courses in the area of Human
Resource Management. I also worked part time as an Administrative Assistant in Human Resources.
My knowledge of Human Resources and my strong work ethics would make me a great team
member for your organization
I will call you next week to arrange an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Jason Grille
1411 Williams Street
Houston, TX 77032
832-713-2810
Preparing for the Interview
Pre-interview research
Research company on-line
Contact employees you may know
Pick up some company brochures
COMPANY FACT SHEET
Company Name & Address
Public or private
Hiring manager
Competitors
Type of business
Annual sales
Number of employees
Growth pattern (last 5 yrs)
Main location
Current stock price
Other locations
Stock activity (2-3yrs)
What is the company’s reputation?
Profitable last year?
Long and short- term goals
Profitable last quarter?
New products in development
Marketing Profile (Your Commercial)
Identify
I’m a ________________________ with _____ years experience in _________________
________________________________________________________________________
Or
I have ______ years experience in the field of____________________________________
Skills
My main areas of expertise are in: ____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Or
I am skilled in: ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Accomplishments
My major accomplishments have been in the area of: _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Targets
I am interested in obtaining a position as a: _____________________________________
in the ________________________ (field/ industry) or with a _____________________
sized firm.
Top Interview Questions
Q. Tell me about yourself.
Remember, the interview is about you and you are the expert. Set the stage for success by
focusing on your most marketable skills and strengths. Deliver your 60 second commercial
with natural sincerity and enthusiasm. Keep responses relatively brief (about two minutes or
less) and job-related.
Q. What are your strengths?
Support your strengths with specific examples, and focus on how you saved time and money or improved sales and
service, i.e., Last November I was voted Employee of the Month for outstanding customer service at XYZ Company.
Q. What are your weaknesses?
Avoid appearing defensive. Identify a common weakness and turn it into a strength, i.e., Sometimes I become impatient
when there are delays out of my control…but I think wanting to complete the job on time is also a strength
Q. What has prepared you for this job?
Focus on your education, training and work experience. Provide examples of how you have successfully managed
Similar tasks in the past. Note: Research the company in advance to find out as much as you can about the position.
Request a job description and if possible, visit the company before interviewing.
Q. How well do you work under pressure?
Assure the interviewer you can handle multiple assignments, and keep your cool. Share an example of how you
have managed a stressful situation in the past by being well-organized and having a positive attitude.
Interview Questions Continued…
Q: Do you like being a team player?
Absolutely, teamwork is essential for success. Market your people-skills in term of how you communicate
effectively with an increasingly diverse population. Give a specific example of how your writing, speaking or
listening skills contributed to the success of a program or project in the last year.
Q: How would others describe you?
This question can be tricky, so prepare by focusing on your key employment traits. Honesty, dependability, and
positive attitude are highly valued today. Remember to put your best foot forward and project a credible image.
Q: What do you want to do in five years?
Respond with a plan that outlines steady progress and increasing responsibility, i.e. Everything is changing so
rapidly in this field…but my plan is to continue learning and gaining experience so that one day I can move on to the
next level.
Q: Why do you want this job?
Position yourself as a team-player who can be counted on to do a professional job. Match your education, training
and experience to the position.
Q: Do you have any questions?
YES! Show your interest, enthusiasm and confidence by asking- among other things- about a typical workday,
priority projects and on-the-job training. And always let the interviewer raise the issue of salary and benefits first.
Questions?????
1. Could you describe what my workday
would be like?
2. Who will I report to on my first day?
3. What reservations if any, would you have
about offering me the job?
Personal Preparation
Prepare a Thank You note
Practice travel route in advance
Select & prepare clothing the night before
Personal Hygiene!!!
Dress for Success
The Facts
• Your dress will speak for you 90%
• Accessories and hair style make up 30-50% of the
total dress.
• Research shows that women who wear make-up
earn 23% more than their counterparts who don’t
because make-up enhances your key communication
portals, your mouth and eyes.
Dress for Success
Women - Consider These Tips/Advice
Suits
• Women should wear dress suits, preferably black, dark grey or blue.
• Skirts should be no more than one inch above the knee.
• Suits should fit properly and be comfortable.
• No trimming or zippers on suit attire.
Shoes
• No flat or open toe shoes, pumps are preferred; black or blue. Pantyhose should be
skin tone color or black. No other colors!
Jewelry
• Should be moderately worn (no dangling bracelets or earrings). One ring on each
hand. No body piercing or tattoos.
Hair/Makeup/Nails
• Hair style should be conservative (Braids – pull back and tied). Make-up should be
conservative, no apparent colors on eyes (blue, pink, red). Nails should be
conservative length, no bold colors.
Sample skirted suit dress attire
Sample pantsuit dress attire
Dress for Success
The standard attire for men is a conservative black, dark navy or gray two-piece
business suit
Suits
• Dark suit, light shirt
• Preferably white long-sleeved button-down dress shirt
• Avoid cotton shirts (preferably 50% cotton/polyester to avoid wrinkles)
• Suits should fit properly.
• Conservative silk tie (that matches the colors in your suit)
Shoes
• Black leather shoes (wingtips or loafers) that are polished. No boots.
Accessories
• Should be moderately worn, no earrings or tattoos.
• Minimal jewelry - watch, wedding ring and school rings are acceptable.
• You should always wear a belt and your belt should always match your shoes.
Grooming
• If you have a beard or mustache, your facial hair should be neatly trimmed.
Examples
• DON’T choose attire that will cause undue attention such as fluorescents or
animal prints.
• DO mix and match. Coordinate colors. When you begin with 2 or 3 pairs of
pants in black, navy or grey, you can add any color shirt or sweater and still look
business-like. Wearing the same shirt with the same tie or blouse is lazy and will
be noticed.
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DON’T wear those three-inch heels you wear to the club.
• DO dress for the job you want and not the one you’ve got – appearance is a key
indicator of how seriously you take your career and your company.
• DON’T forget to smile – it makes the perfect accessory to your new look and
demonstrates your confidence and approachability.
• DO take pride in your appearance – after all, you are an ambassador for your
company and what you wear says a lot about you as a person.
• DON’T forget to iron – there’s no point spending lots of money on a look or
having ‘the right shirt’ if it looks as if you just rolled out of bed.
Remember!!!
• First impressions do matter.
• You never get a second chance to make a
first impression.
• Conservative is best!
Be Prepared
Two pens with same (blue or black) ink
Copies of your resume
Neatly completed application
List of questions you want answered
Current picture ID and Social Security Card
Any correspondence from the employer
List of references
Interviewing Etiquette
 Know the date and time of the Interview
 Go alone and arrive early
 Offer a firm handshake
 Smile and Speak clearly
 Project confident body language; poise
 Show enthusiasm
 Use Titles; Mr. or Ms. with Interviewer’s name
Interviewing Don’ts
• Don’t be late
• Don’t interview unless you are interested
• Don’t condemn past employers
• Don’t chew gum or drink beverages if offered
• Don’t ever bring up salary or benefits first
Whether you are a student, alumni, or
employer, we are committed to assisting
you in meeting your goals.
When we can be of assistance, please give
our office a call at 713-313-7346.
or
Email [email protected]
or
If you are on campus, come by our office located in
Suite 152 of the Thornton M. Fairchild Building.
We look forward to working with you and wish you
much success.