Transcript Slide 1

Career Planning
Career Planning
Getting an education
is the biggest step on
the path to achieving
the career and salary
you have always
wanted.
Objectives
Participants will gain an understanding of:
• The tools and skills necessary to achieve a
position in a specific career field.
• The information needed to create an
effective résumé.
• The guidelines for establishing weekly job
search goals.
• The suggested format for a successful
cover letter.
• How to present a positive impression
during a job interview.
Career Exploration
• What are the fastest growing
occupational fields in Florida today?
• What suggestions can we share regarding
summer job searches for part-time
positions, full-time positions, or college
internships?
• What are important tools needed to
secure a position that fits specific career
goals?
Creating a Career Portfolio
• What is a career portfolio?
• What documents should be included in
the career portfolio?
Career Goal and Career Plan
Sample:
Become a sixth-grade teacher in a
public school within six months after
graduating with a degree in
education.
This position will require studentteaching, training, certification, and
an available opportunity in a school
district.
Your career plan helps you gain focus
and clarity and will give you
confidence when you begin writing
your résumé.
Writing or Updating Your Résumé
In a résumé the elements to be included
are:
• Career or work objective
• Work experience
• Education
• Summary of accomplishments based
on both work and education
experiences
• Contact information
• Other relevant experiences such as
volunteer work, leadership roles, and
student government
Résumé Language
• Key words and “action words” in your résumé
are crucial.
• Today, many companies use scanners that
read the first line of the résumé and sort
online applications.
• If the scanner does not detect those
keywords, your résumé may not be tagged
for further review. These words can vary by
industry.
• Here are examples of action words that could
be tagged by the scanner from your résumé:
accomplish, achieve, leadership qualities,
build, delegate, investigate, initiate,
collaborate, work together, and share ideas.
Résumé Formats
The three most traditionally accepted
résumé formats are:
• Chronological Style
• Functional Style
• Imaginative or Creative Style
Examples of these formats can be found at
www.navigatingyourfinancialfuture.org
Steps for the Job Search
• KNOW your skills, preferences, values.
• UPDATE your resume and cover letter.
• PRACTICE interview skills.
• IDENTIFY sources for employment.
Steps for the Job Search
Set weekly goals in the job search process.
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Create a list of contacts in areas you wish to
relocate.
Send “cold letters” and résumés to companies and
organizations of interest to you.
Check all related websites once a week for new
listings.
Spend time each weekend responding to new
position openings. When responding to an
electronic posting, it is suggested that you follow up
with a hard copy letter and résumé to ensure it has
been received.
Follow up with a phone call. Managers and HR staff
receive many résumés in the mail and electronically.
A phone call may set you apart.
Attend job fairs offered by your Career Services
Center or local community job fairs.
Steps for the Job Search
• Research the job market and develop a
list of potential companies based on your
work preferences, values, skills, interests,
and contributions you can make to that
organization.
• Read job ads in local newspapers and
those found through job search engines.
• Review trade magazines and websites for
job openings.
• Network to help identify possible job
openings.
Writing a Cover Letter
• The key to a successful job search is
communication with the person who initially
sees your application or passes this
information along for the next step in the
interview process.
• Your cover letter can be a determining factor
in whether or not your résumé is selected to
move forward for the interview process.
• Effective cover letters convey a sense of
purpose, project enthusiasm, and
demonstrate your knowledge of the
employer’s goals and needs.
Writing a Cover Letter
• Remember, the cover letter should
highlight your accomplishments and be
attached to your résumé.
• A positive first impression requires that
your cover letter be neat and concise,
containing no errors in spelling or
grammar.
• Each cover letter should be customized to
fit the position for which you are
applying.
Guidelines for a Successful
Cover Letter
• First Paragraph: State the purpose of the
letter, catch the attention of the scanner or
reader, indicate your interest in the position
or company, and impress your audience by
using researched facts about the company.
• Second Paragraph: Explain how your
background makes you a qualified candidate.
Give an example or talk about a specific
project, accomplishment in school, or service
you have provided.
Guidelines for a Successful
Cover Letter
• Third Paragraph: Refer the reader to your
enclosures (résumé, references, or samples
of work).
• Final Paragraph: Indicate your intentions to
follow up. Repeat a phone number or e-mail
address where you can be reached.
• Closing: Provide a salutation and signature
with personal information – address, phone
number, and e-mail address, if not on the top
of the letterhead.
Interviewing
Eight Things to Remember When
Interviewing for a Position
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Maintain clear and focused objectives.
Do not avoid challenging interview
situations.
Consider your prospective employer’s point
of view.
Do not come across as too direct or blunt.
Be personable.
Present a focused résumé.
Promote personal strengths and skills.
Follow up with a telephone call, e-mail, or
letter.
The biggest question an
interviewer will ask is……
WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?
During the Interview
Qualities employers look for:
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Good Communication Skills
Motivation
Strong Work Ethics
Good Manners
Flexibility/Adaptability
Excellent Computer Skills
Creativity
Sample Interview Questions
• “Tell me about the position that has given
you the most satisfaction.”
• “What have you learned from work,
internships, co-op experiences?”
• “How do you work under pressure?”
• “Tell me about a time when you had a
major problem, and explain how you dealt
with it.”
• “Describe a difficult work situation/project
and how you overcame it.”
Networking 101
• Warm contacts are people you know.
• Cold contacts are people you do not know.
• Good resources for cold contacts are the yellow
pages, professional association directories, and
your school alumni directory.
• Identify your contacts and ask them about
possible job opportunities they may be aware
of in your prospective field.
References
• Networking also includes a list of
references. A reference sheet should
include individuals who can provide
information about your character, work
ethic, and the job you did for them during
the time you were employed.
• Always ASK PERMISSION before using
someone’s name as a reference.
Workshop Summary
• Consider your career goals as you are searching
for a position in your field of interest.
• Gather your important documents, work
examples, and personal references to create a
career portfolio.
• Create a resume that represents you well.
• Set weekly and monthly career search goals so
you can measure your success.
• Inform the interviewer of who you are and why
you want this job.
• Develop a list of contacts and references.
Navigating Your Financial Future
OSFA offers a variety of tools and
resources to assist you in your
pursuit of higher education.
www.NavigatingYourFuture.org
Questions?
• Feel free to contact a member of our Outreach
Team at www.NavigatingYourFuture.org and
select “Contact Us.”
• Contact the Florida Department of Education,
Office of Student Financial Assistance:
• 1-888-827-2004 (Grants/Scholarships)
• 1-800-366-3475 (Loans)
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org