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Chapter 8

Interviewing for a Job and Resume Writing

What is the difference between a job and a career? Explain.

Small Group Purposeful Talk:

The word “career” is used to refer to one’s progress through his/her working life, particularly in a certain profession or line of work.

The goals that one has for one’s working life are called “career goals,” and planning how we will reach them is called setting a “career path.”

Career

An interview teaches us about ourselves and how to handle certain situations. Interviews are often stressful situations.

Know yourself and allow others to know you through a dossier, or a personal inventory on yourself.

Preparing for an interview

SGPT: Have you ever had a job (even a menial or volunteer “job”)?

Personal Work History- Document name, address, telephone

numbersupervisor, exact dates, specific job

duties, promotions/awards

Education- Schools attended, years completed, GPA,

academic honors or awards, activities/clubs, sports teams, “leadership” roles

Creating a Dossier:

A formal, business version of your personal inventory is called a resume.

A resume is NOT an autobiography. Limit to 1 page- front and back is fine Use professional fonts- nothing too big, too small, or too cute!

Preparing a Resume

Be positiveBe BriefStick to the factsKeep language clearKeep your eye on the goalResearch the employer and the jobPractice, Practice, Practice- Try a “mock” interview

Tips for writing a resume

Identification- Name, address, phone number on the top of the page

Objective or job goal- gives a clear idea of what you want

Education and training- list your “credentials”… what special skills, classes, or training do you have?

Work History- List your jobs in “reverse- chronological order”. You will be updating your resume for the next 40 years, so at some point you may leave some experience off the resume

Personal data- clubs, community organizations, leadership positions

References- State references from former employers, teachers, counselors, clergy, etc…

Parts of a Resume

Seek a hostess position at a fine dining establishment

Obtain an academic scholarship from the United Methodist Church

Counsel youth at Spring Hill Summer Camp

Sample objectives… Use a VERB

Using the student model on page 224, write your resume. Finish a rough draft today, and we will be in the computer lab tomorrow to finish your final copy!

Hutto High School101 FM 685 Hutto, TX 78634

512-759-4700

Writing your resume

Introduction – Briefly state who you are and how you found out about the job.

Motivation – Explain why you are pursuing the job and what interests you about the opportunity.

Selling yourself – Give them information about your qualifications/experience and show how they will benefit their company. List what you can do for them in the position you are going for. Explain why you feel your qualifications/experience make you a match for their job description.

Closing – Closing statements should thank the employer for their time and consideration. You should also let them know you are going to follow up on the application. Your follow up should be to ensure they received your resume and to ask if they require any further information in the selection process. This might just tip the odds in your favor as it demonstrates professionalism and persistence; two qualities highly sought after in the teen job industry.

More Details – Don’t forget to give your contact details phone and email.

Writing a Cover Letter

What are some important things you need to consider when interviewing for a job? Explain.

Anticipate the Questions- Most interviews are about answering these questions:- Why are you applying?- What kind of person are you? - What can you do?

Section 2Answering Interview Questions

General- -Why do you want to work for us? What are your strength and weaknesses?

Educational-What is your GPA? What have your favorite or least favorite courses? What extracurricular activities will help you in the future?

Job Related-Why should I hire you? How long a commitment do you plan to give the company? How can you see yourself “growing” in the company?

Personal- -Tell me about yourself.

-What accomplishment in your life has made you proud? What is the last book you read?

Types of Questions:

Make Positive Points- prepare a short list of points you wish to make about yourself. “Puff balls” are easy questions you should be prepared for. Use “pauses” to talk about your points. Use “bridges” to answer questions that have negative answers in a positive way. “Yes, I was late once… when I was helping a child who fell off his bike.” A sparker is a story, quote, or analogy that is used effectively.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

REALLY: Are you ambitious? Why should I hire you?

REALLY: How can you “help” me?Why do you want to work here?

REALLY: How much do you know about my organization?

Rehearse Tough Questions

Do’s You should dress at least as nice as the

boss.o Slackso Nice dress shirt or poloo Dress/skirto Nice shoes

Do Nots!o No sweatshirts or sandals

No breasts No butts No bellies

What Do I Wear?

Take your time on tough questions Pause Say the interviewer’s name once,

slowly, while you think. Repeat the question in your own

words. Address the “issue”

Take Your Time

Always ask: “Does this have something to do with my current job or the one I’m applying for?”

Health questions (ETHICAL)Physical problems (ETHICAL)Heritage / Ancestry (UNETHICAL)

Religion (UNETHICAL)

Ethical Issues

Answer briefly and move on to a new topic Ignore the question and try to address

what the interviewer really wants to know.

Ex: “Aguilera. Is that a Hispanic name?” Smile politely, and don’t answer. If the interviewer asks again, say, “I’m not really sure what my heritage has to do with this particular job. I do speak Spanish, which might help if you are seeking a bilingual speaker.”

Handling Inappropriate Questions

You might have last minute specific questions about specific duties: “How many nights will I close?”

AVOID: “How many days off will I get? When can I start using them?” Holidays, personal days, so on…

Closing the Interview

Use Communication skills (be alert and energetic)

Kinds of Interviews- one on one vs. panel

Dress for Success Be on time Send a thank you note, after a week

or two call to see if the position has been filled

Making the most of an interview

List three important things about an interview that you learned from the chapter.

Small Group Talk.