JOB SEARCH SUCCESS

Presented by South Florida Workforce

INTRODUCTION

South Florida Workforce:

The State of Florida’s labor agency whose

goal is to help South Floridians get back to

work.

We offer:

1) Job search resources

2) Workshops

3) Training and testing

4) More…

MANAGE YOUR JOB SEARCH

A successful job search requires three

things:

1) A clearly defined goal

2) An action plan

3) To carry out the plan every

day until you achieve your

goal

JOB SEARCH TIPS:

Never act unemployed

Keep a positive mind set and attitude

Remain focused, but patient

Don’t personalize the process

Read business newspapers/articles every

day

Job loss is OFTEN personal gain!

You need other people

NETWORKING

VISIBILITY + CREDIBILITY = OPPORTUNITY

OPPORTUNITIES

You already have a network!

If you look for the opportunity – you will

find it

Networking can demonstrate your skills

Be persistent

Get INVOLVED

Have FUN!!“ I was seldom able to see an

opportunity until it ceased to

be one.”

~Mark Twain

“ Opportunity is missed by most people

because it is dressed in overalls and looks

like work.”

~Thomas Edison

PERSONAL INVENTORIES & GOALS

Know what you have to offer an

employer

Assets

Accomplishments

Problems solved

Goals attained

Credentials

Diplomas

INFOMERCIAL

15 – 60 seconds long

Should include:

1) what kind of work/career you are looking

for and,

2) what skills and background do you bring to

the job to benefit the employer?

INFOMERCIAL TIPS

15 seconds – personal introduction

(meet and greet)

30 seconds – infomercial

(networking conversations)

60 seconds – infomercial

(job interview)

ONLINE JOB SEARCH

Making it work for you

Use a variety of search

engines

Utilize the “Job Scout”

option

Create a professional

email address

“Google” associations

for your profession

BEWARE!!!!

Social Networking Sites

Personal information for the world to see

Employers using for additional background

screening

Consider:

1) Making your page private to friends and family

only

2) Closing your account for a time

POSITIVE SOCIAL NETWORKING

Business related networking sites

Can be beneficial

www.linkedin.com

Gather information about

employer/company

RESUMES

Should not be generic

Change according to job

Emphasize strengths and experience

Reword your profile or objective to best fit the position

Rearrange/highlight skills

PURPOSE OF A RESUME

Your sales pitch

Introduces you

Displays why to hire you

A networking tool

An inventory of your skills

It validates you

Matches job leads to experience

It is YOUR story

THREE DIFFERENT TYPES

Chronological: lists your work history in time order

Functional: focuses on your background and skills

Combination: arranged to show both; your skills as well as chronological work history

COVER LETTERS

Template: Address the letter to a specific person

First paragraph (2-3 sentences long)enclose resume, position, and how your heard of the position

Second paragraph (4-5 sentences long) highlight your strengths

Third paragraph (2-3 sentences long) secure an interview, and when you will be in contact

Closing – thank them in advance and sign with “Sincerely”

OTHER TEMPLATES

Reference list

Should have both work and personal

3 work, 2 personal

Can provide with resume or make it

available upon request

Take it to the interview

Recommendation requests

Past employers, co-workers, or professionals

that would know your work ethic and quality

JOB APPLICATIONS

Do’s and Don’ts

DO print legibly and watch spelling

DO use blue or black ink

DO sign and date

DON’T leave any BLANKS

DON’T say “see resume”

DON’T lie or misrepresent yourself

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

What does this mean ?

ATTITUDE

Is work a means to an end?

OR do you want…

To “do something”

Help others

Make a difference

Do your best

Grow and learn

BRING IT!

Positive Attitude

High energy

Be positive

Be proactive

Close each interview with enthusiasm

“I’m very interested in

learning more about this

exciting opportunity. What

is the next step?”

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

IMAGE MISTAKES FOR WOMEN

Poor posture

Too much makeup

Mini-skirts

Very long shirts

Low cut blouses

Colored or NO hosiery

Chipped/un-groomed nails

Worn out shoes

Very high heels (4in+)

Light colored shoes

Long boots (trendy shoes)

Wrinkled clothes

Too much or gaudy jewelry

Inappropriate earrings

Too much perfume

Visible lingerie lines

Loose buttons

Roots in need of retouching

IMAGE MISTAKES FOR MEN

Poor posture

Scraggly facial hair

Too much jewelry

Too much cologne

Wrinkled clothes

Short ties

Pants too short

Mismatched suit

Un-tailored suit

Short socks

White socks with dress shoes

Light colored shoes

Worn out shoes

Worn out belts

No belt with belt loops

A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW

Again, bring a positive attitude

Be sure of yourself

Know your qualities

Research the company!

RESEARCH

Use social networking sites to your

advantage

Tools on job search sites to research

companies

Go directly to the employers site

“Google” them – press releases, etc…

GATHER INFORMATION

What do they do?

Is this company part of a larger

organization?

How large?

How many employees?

Are they growing?

Were there recent layoffs?

Are they financially secure?

USE THE INFORMATION:

1) To determine if this is a company you

want to work for.

2) To gather questions and topics you can

discuss in an interview.

3) To demonstrate to the employer you

have valuable skills to bring to the job.

QUESTIONS – BE PREPARED!

Always have questions

Avoid questions about salary, vacations, holidays with pay, benefits or sick days

Some good questions would be: “If hired, would I be filling a newly created

position, or replacing someone?”

“Was my predecessor promoted?”

“Would you describe a typical work day and the things I’d be doing?”

“How would I be trained or introduced to the job?”

INTERVIEWING DO’S

Research company

Prepare questions

Practice answers

Bring pad and pen

RELAX

LISTEN carefully

Bring extra resume

Be on time/early

Dress appropriately

Good eye contact

Firm handshake

Speak clearly

Wait to be seated

Be positive

Be honest

Keep your items on

your lap

Ask about the next

step

Follow-up

INTERVIEWING DON’TS

Be late

Neglect appearance

Give limp handshake

Neglect posture

Lack energy

Be rude

Be too familiar

Give vague answers

Emphasize money

Be indecisive

Be unprepared

Criticize anyone

Make excuses

Be too aggressive

Talk too much

Interrupt

Smoke beforehand

Chew gum

JOB SEARCH TAKEAWAYS

Never act unemployed

Your job is a professional sales person for

yourself

Use all job search methods available

Know your strengths

REMEMBER

Job loss is OFTEN personal gain

Keep a positive attitude

JOB SEARCH SUCCESS

Presented by South Florida Workforce