employment... · web viewmy parents were happy to have me live with them, but by earning my own...

Overview

What is the road to satisfactory employment? Every day in the United States and in many other countries, job openings occur, creating new employment opportunities. Determination and a strategy that works will allow you to take advantage of the many opportunities that exist. This course provides the information you need to conduct a successful job search.

This course follows the Be-Do-Have method of career and personal coaching. Some people think, "If I could only have a job, I could do so many different things, and I would be a person who contributes to society." According to the Be-Do-Have method, the reverse order works better: Decide or imagine who you are or want to be. Do what is needed to become that person. Then you will have your goal: a satisfactory job.

The course consists of six lessons. You begin your job search in Lesson 1 by asking, "Why work?" You identify who you are and who you want to be.

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Lesson 2 continues that search for the be part of the process as you identify careers that match who you are. In Lessons 3 and 4, you begin the do part, as you learn about finding job openings and how to apply for them. You continue to carry out tasks toward your goal as you develop interviewing skills in Lesson 5. To help you become a competitive candidate, Lesson 6 provides information about legal issues and disclosure. By applying the suggestions to the job-search process, you have a better chance at reaching your goal: a satisfying career. A short summary of the Be-Do-Have method appears at the end of Lesson 6. Three appendixes at the end of the course include a skills list, a list of career categories, and a checklist of disability-related limitations.

A supplement titled "Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Jobs" is included. Let the stories inspire you. As you read, imagine what you want to be. You can be exceptional, too!

Bear in mind that this course is written from a U.S. perspective. Nonetheless, much of the information

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and most of the job-search techniques apply worldwide.

Each lesson includes section reviews and activities. They are for your personal development only. Do not send your responses to your Hadley instructor. Rather, check your comprehension by comparing your answers with those provided. The activities provide you with opportunities to apply the lesson material to your own career search.

To complete the course, you are required to submit six assignments, one at the end of each lesson. Follow the instructions for submitting your assignments. Specific instructions appear on each assignment page. Additional guidelines for submitting assignments are in the "Getting Started" instructions.

If you're ready to learn how to conduct an effective job search, begin Lesson 1: Why Work?

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Lesson 1: Why Work?

For many, work is a choice. What leads people to find employment? This lesson lists some of the reasons why people choose to be employed. It also presents some ways to discover your abilities and skills. Discovering why people work and what you can do will enable you to carry out an effective job search.

ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, you will be able toa. discuss why people want to be employedb. identify your interests and skills

Motives for Work What makes people want to be employed? This section presents four stories about making the decision to work. Reading these stories may help you think about why you want to work.

Nancy ParkerI am an English teacher, and I've been blind since birth. When I was in high

Lesson 1: Why Work? 1

school, many of my friends worked part-time jobs on weekends and after school. It was so much work just to keep up with my studies. I often took longer than my sighted friends to do homework. So I had little time for a job, and I really didn't need extra cash.

Then it was time to go to college, and I knew that I would be busy studying for four more years. I majored in English. My studies became my focus, and I gave little thought to what I would do after graduation or even whether, as a person who is blind, I could even get a job.

During the months after graduation, I realized that I wanted to do something rewarding and fulfilling. Also, I wanted to be independent. My parents were happy to have me live with them, but by earning my own money, I could live on my own and make all my own decisions. How I became a high-school English teacher is another


story. But before I even decided what I would do, I had to acknowledge to myself that I wanted to work.

Being employed has made me a better person. Earning a salary has made it possible for me to be independent. It feels good to be able to contribute to my young students' lives. I socialize with other teachers, too, which makes my life more enjoyable.

Howard Lee I am a certified personal trainer and nutrition counselor. Four years ago, I was in a car accident. My face was injured, and I lost my sight. Before my accident, I worked as an accountant. Fortunately, I received disability payments while I underwent surgery and rehabilitation.

I was totally depressed, and I figured I would live off disability payments for the rest of my life. I had no desire at first to try


working when I had so many other obstacles to overcome.

After about a year, my injuries healed. I learned to get around on my own, and I started to learn braille. But I was still depressed about losing my sight, and I was also upset about being stuck at home and having my wife do everything outside. It was very boring to sit at home every day by myself.

How did I get to be a personal trainer and nutritionist and then find work? Well, that's a long story, and it involves a lot of help from others. But the first part is what really matters. I needed to get out of the house and do something meaningful. Being inactive all day made life practically unbearable for me. It only made me more depressed about my situation. I knew I had to learn new skills, meet new people, and also prove to my wife that I could be a contributing partner in our relationship.


Maybe it's a little bit about my pride. I can now say that I am over the worst of the depression. I get out, I am respected, and most of all, I am busy.

Linda Tran I am a voice-over actor. Throughout my adult life, I have worked. I started as a stage actor, but during my midthirties, I was diagnosed with an eye disease, and my vision worsened. I found that voice-over acting was a better choice for me. Some people marvel at the fact that I am visually impaired and can do so much, but really, it's just about coping and finding a way.

If I didn't have my work and the challenges involved, I would suffer. I know I would lose my self-esteem. My job is important because without entertainment, people's lives would be dull. I feel that I am contributing to other people's pleasure by acting. My work makes me feel great.


Jordan ThomasI'm the director of a rehabilitation center. Although the loss of my vision at the age of five was traumatic, I didn't let it stop me from doing anything. Even in grade school, I knew I was a natural leader. I remember organizing the first neighborhood lemonade stand; I recruited lemon squeezers, cashiers, and sign makers. I remember counting out my first earnings and feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

My work is my greatest teacher. Work expands my skills, and not just those necessary for my job, but skills that benefit my life. For example, learning how to work with people on my staff has taught me how to be a better husband and father. I learn something new every day, whether it's a new word, a new computer skill, or just something I never realized about communicating. I enjoy working because it


keeps my life full and busy. I have to be active all the time; it's a sign of life for me.

Section Review and ActivityThe following review and activity enhance the course. Use them for your enrichment, as reviews and activities are not submitted to your instructor.

ReviewWhat is the main point of the stories in this section? Consider your answer, and then compare it with the following:

Suggested Response

As you can tell from the stories in this section, people choose to work for different reasons. They include alleviating boredom being respected contributing positively to society doing something meaningful being rewarded and fulfilled earning a salary being independent


feeling pride and gaining self-esteem getting out of the house learning new skills socializing

Activity1. Identify the reasons you work or want to be

employed. List everything you can think of. When you are done, look at the list you've made and put the reasons in order from most to least important.

2. Interview three people you know, and ask them why they work. You might use this set of questions, or make up your own: a. What to you is the purpose of work?b. Why is work important in your life?c. In your opinion, is your work meaningful to

you?d. Is your job highly valued by those you work

with? By your friends and family?e. How would you feel if you didn't work?

What would you do?


f. Do you want to tell me anything else about choosing to work?

This section introduced you to people and their motivations to work. The stories may have inspired you to consider new reasons for wanting to be employed. Although typically people say they work to earn money, for many the salary is not the only or even the most important reason. In the next section, you explore what you can do best.

Identifying Your StarsYour stars are your interests and skills. What do you really love to do? What can you already do well? Focus on the answers to these two questions, and you have your stars. Reading how another person found her stars that led to a career choice can help. Identifying your own stars is the first step toward finding out what type of work you want to do.

Sarah FontanneRead the following story about Sarah


Fontanne, a customer service representative with a commuter airline. She has been visually impaired since childhood due to retinal degeneration. When asked, "How did you know you wanted to be a customer service representative?" Sarah answered as follows:

When I first started job hunting, I didn't know that I wanted to be a customer service representative. The idea first entered my mind when I was talking with my high school counselor, Ms. Hubert. When she asked me what I wanted to do for a living, I could not come up with an answer.

Ms. Hubert guided me through a series of questions about myself. She asked me about what I do on my free time. What do I enjoy most? What excites me? She also asked what kind of person I am socially. Do I like to go to parties and meet new people, or do I prefer to have fun with people I've met before? She even gave me a


personality test to help me identify what I am really like and what I like to do best. We made a list of my interests. They included meeting new people and helping others.

Then I asked my friends and family members what they thought I was like. They told me that I am great with people and a good listener. They said that I am a patient person. I never thought of myself as a patient person, but I know that I am not easily frustrated. I keep working on a problem until I can solve it.

Some people say that I turned out to be a good listener and a patient person because of my disability. For example, I perfected listening, since I cannot use visual cues. Also, some of the accommodations that I use to access print materials require patience to learn and use. But I think I would have been a good listener and a patient person anyway.


After completing the personality assessment, Ms. Hubert told me to make a list of my skills. I am proficient in three of the most common software programs, and I type 70 words per minute. Also, I know how to be patient and listen to others. I'm good at problem-solving.

Sarah's story shows how she became aware of her interests and skills. Why not ask your friends what they think you are good at? It may be very enlightening.

Your Interests and SkillsBegin by asking yourself, "What do I do when I can choose any activity to do?" Your answers identify your primary interests. What else attracts your attention, concern, or curiosity? Think of topics from books, radio, and TV. Perhaps you've attended a lecture or presentation about a topic. At this point, list everything that really interests you. For example, do you enjoy puzzles and games? Do you like to travel? Do you prefer to be around


children or adults? Later you will refine your list as you match interests with possible careers.

Next ask yourself what you can do well. Do you have computer skills? Are you a good organizer? Are you good with numbers, or are you a writer? Do you do a craft such as knitting or woodworking? Are you athletic? Do you cook well? Are you a collector? Can you act? Do you play an instrument or sing? List everything you are good at, no matter how insignificant it seems to you. You have skills to be proud of, and these are going to be useful when you choose a career.

How can you tell whether you are really good at something? People who are visually impaired may be praised for performing mundane tasks. But according to employment consultant Rami Rabby, this may be only because many sighted individuals are amazed that anyone can accomplish things without vision. That kind of praise makes it difficult for the visually impaired person to know how he or she compares to different people performing the same task. One way to compare and contrast your


performance with that of others is by asking friends, teachers, and colleagues. Have them openly and honestly critique your performance or place it on a scale of poor to excellent.

Be positive and practical as you assess your skills. Sometimes overcoming a challenge, such as a visual impairment, means that you are developing some skills very well. For example, Because you do not see visual cues, have you

perfected good listening skills? Because you need to know where items are, is

your life organized? Because you do not drive, have you mastered

the local public transportation system?

You may have acquired some of these skills so naturally that you do not recognize them as the special talents they are. However, not everyone is a good listener, stays organized, or uses the public transportation system efficiently to get places on time. These abilities will help you in your search for employment.


The following exercise may help you identify interests and skills you already have.1. Make a list of three or four of the most

memorable accomplishments of your life. These may come from early childhood or a recent time. Include those that you most enjoyed doing or you consider most satisfying to you in some way. Write them down, beginning each by stating "I" and then using a short phrase to describe what you did. For example, "I learned to read braille."

2. After each accomplishment, add a short statement explaining why it was satisfying, enjoyable, or meaningful to you. Describe each experience in as much detail as possible. It is important that you mention every action you took. Just write it as though you were telling a story to a child, from the start to the end. Use the following guidelines:a. Describe how the idea for the activity or

event developed and why it was important or necessary.


b. Describe any planning or preparation you did.

c. Include every detail of the project. Try to find the words that describe actions and decisions you took from start to finish.

d. Describe any unique adaptation you developed during this activity.

e. Describe any help you had from others. f. Describe your personal outcomes, or

results, in terms of acquired skills, successes, and enjoyment.

Look over your story, and highlight the words that describe what you can do. They may be words like design, help, lead, perform, schedule, solve, or write. Appendix A includes a list of skills. Use it to get ideas about describing your skills. When you are done with this exercise, you may have ten or fifteen words that describe your abilities.

Section Review and ActivityThe following review and activity enhance the course. Use them for your enrichment, as reviews and activities are not submitted to your instructor.


ReviewWhat are stars in terms of a person seeking employment? Why is it important to identify them? When you have finished answering these questions for yourself, read the suggested response.

Suggested Response

Your stars are your interests and skills. Words that answer the questions, "What do you really love to do?" and "What can you already do well?" indicate your stars. When a person seeking employment can list a number of stars, he or she is better prepared for choosing a career.

Activity1. Choose an activity that you like to do. Then list

all the skills you use to accomplish it. 2. If you did not complete the exercise in the

reading section, do so now. If you did it, see if you can think of more details about the event or activity, and add those to your story. Find the words that describe the skills for these additional actions, using the skills list in


Appendix A, if needed. Then try to think of other accomplishments and repeat the exercise. This list describes your skills. Keep it as a reference.

3. Try this method for assessing your true interests. Measure the amount of time you spend on particular activities over the course of three months. For example, you might monitor how much time you spend playing computer games, listening to music, or watching sports on TV. Also keep track of the amount of money you spend on particular activities over three months. These could include buying computer gear, going out to restaurants, or traveling. Then list those activities that you spend the most time and money on. These are your real interests.

By following various methods to identify your stars, you can better prepare yourself for success in your search for employment. This section provided an example of identifying stars. You are encouraged to do the activities so you will be aware of your own stars.


SummaryThis lesson discussed why people work, and it discussed job seekers' stars. You read stories and completed exercises that may help you identify your reasons for wanting to be employed. You also explored your interests and skills. Now that you have this information, the next lesson provides some ways to identify a satisfying career.


Assignment 1

For general information on completing assignments, refer to the "Getting Started" instructions. Then start this assignment by giving your full name, address, and phone number. Also list the name of this course, Assignment 1, your instructor’s name, and the date. Be sure to include the question number along with each answer. This assignment is worth 100 points.

Respond to each of the following questions. (10 points each)1. Give two reasons why Nancy Parker works.2. Give two reasons why Howard Lee works.3. Give two reasons why Linda Tran works.4. Give two reasons why Jordan Thomas works.5. Give at least two reasons why you want to

work. 6. Briefly define stars in terms of finding

employment.7. Describe at least two ways to identify your

stars.

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8. List at least three of Sarah Fontanne's stars.9. List at least three activities you can do well.

10. List at least three skills that you already have.

Your answer to Question 11 does not affect your grade.11. Give your personal reason(s) for taking this

course.

Once you have completed this assignment, send it to your instructor. Then begin Lesson 2: Choosing a Career.

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employment... · web viewmy parents were happy to have me live with them, but by earning my own...

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