It is our goal to assist you--the job seeker--in finding a job that is right for you by enhancing your job search skills.

We offer services that will prepare you for the job market and for finding a career.

• Use the Resource Center as your office for finding a job

• Attend Workshops on Resume writing, interviewing and others

• Networking events allow you to meet employers face-to-face

For additional information, visit Career Assistance online or please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with more information.

STEP 1 DETERMINING WHAT JOB YOU WANT

STEP 2 HOW TO FIND THE JOB YOU WANT

STEP 3 FILLING OUT JOB APPLICATIONS, COMPOSING RÉSUMÉS AND COVER LETTERS

STEP 4 INTERVIEWING AND FOLLOW-UP

STEP 5 ACCEPTING THE JOB

STEP 1 DETERMINING WHAT JOB YOU WANT

The first step in the job search process is to identify what job you want. There are many factors that go into choosing a job or career. These may include:

• Wages

• Education or training required

• Job location

• Benefits

• Environment

• Potential for advancement

• Industry demand or decline
  
  If you have trouble identifying jobs or careers, job market information can be found in the Resource Center.
  
  Each individual has different employment needs. Please choose the area that applies to you.
  
  Survival or entry-level job
  List three jobs you think you could do.
  1. ____________________________________________
  2. ____________________________________________
  3. ____________________________________________
  
  Current career path (same type of job, but new company)
  List three job titles that might be found in your career.
  1. ____________________________________________
  2. ____________________________________________
  3. ____________________________________________
  
  New career direction
  List three career areas you have considered.
  1. ____________________________________________
  2. ____________________________________________
  3. ____________________________________________

 Then compare yourself to these job requirements.  What is keeping you from getting your ideal job?

 Note:  It may be time to consider training opportunities to upgrade skills.

 STEP 2 HOW TO FIND THE JOB YOU WANT

The second step is to find employers that have the kind of jobs you want. Most times, the job search starts by searching the newspaper, staffing agencies, and Internet. But what most people don™t know is 80% of jobs are found in the Hidden Job Market.

The Hidden Job Market “ This is the best way to find a job. Most people get jobs through word-of-mouth and through people they know. It is important after you identify the type of job you want (step one) to tell your friends, relatives, church members, etc. that you are looking for that type of work. This helps to establish a network of people who can help in your job search. Another effective strategy is to directly contact the companies that have the types of jobs you want.

Additional resources for locating employers are:

Community Agencies “ Contact your city government, church, synagogue, or public library for information.

Internet “ The internet is the fastest growing tool to look for job openings through job search sites and company web sites.

Job Fairs “ Look for announcements in the newspaper or on the radio, or check our Web Site for dates and locations.

Newspaper Ads “ Use the help-wanted section of your local newspaper to spot the job you want and to research which companies and industries are hiring.  Include the buzzwords from the ads in applying for that job.

Trade Directories/Journals“ Most industries have directories that are available at your local library and the Resource Center at each Tennessee Career Center.

Yellow Pages “ You™ll get a good cross-sectional view of all local businesses plus a targeted view of business by industry.

STEP 3 FILLING OUT JOB APPLICATIONS, COMPOSING RÉSUMÉS AND COVER LETTERS

Step three involves how to appropriately apply for a position. This step includes completing a job application, composing a resume, and writing a cover letter.

How to Complete a Job Application:
Fill in all the blanks! If an item doesn™t apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable) or put dashes (---) in the space.

Read each item carefully and be sure you provide all information requested.

Notice terminology: Location means city and state; address means full address, with street or P.O. Box and zip code.

Be prepared to provide details about past work. It is best to take a list with you. You will need full addresses and phone numbers, dates of employment, your supervisor™s name and title, your starting and ending salary.

You will have very little space to write in your duties from previous jobs, so think of several brief phrases starting with action verbs that describe your main duties. Unpaid work can be included!

Never underestimate the importance of neatness. A messy application is often canned immediately.

Always write "Negotiable" for desired salary. Salary should be discussed at the time of the job offer.

Complete education and experience sections using your most recent experiences first, then list your previous jobs.

Many applications request 2-3 references. Be sure to have the current titles, addresses, and phone numbers of 2-3 persons who have agreed to serve as references for you. Professional references (former or current supervisors, co-workers, or others who know you in the work setting) are best unless personal references are specifically asked for on the application.

If you are mailing your application, type a brief cover letter and put both in a large manila envelope to avoid folding. Your application will stand out from the crowd because most will be folded and mailed in small business envelopes.

You should include a Resume with your application unless "no Resume" has been specified by the employing organization. Your Resume can give a much stronger and clearer picture of you than an application can.

Always remember to sign your application!


How to Write a Cover Letter:
The cover letter complements your resume and encourages an employer to read your resume. The elements of the cover letter include:
An introduction that mentions the position for which you are applying and how you found out about it.
Information that shows you understand the employer™s needs and how you have the skills and knowledge to meet those needs.
An invitation to the employer to read your resume and suggestion for further action like contacting them.

How to Write a Resume:
A resume is a document that includes your job objective, skills, education and other information related to the job for which you are applying. There are three basic types of resumes; chronological, functional and combination. You will need to choose the type that fits your particular situation.

1. Choose your type of Resume
The Chronological Resume:
This format lists your work history with your most recent job first and then your previous work history.

The Functional Resume:
This format focuses on your skills and abilities without regard to when, where or how you acquired them. In this format, you can also include part-time and volunteer work. Your work history is listed at the bottom without descriptions of job duties.

Combination Resume:
This format "combines" the best features of the Chronological and the Functional Resume. The top portion of the Resume is a list of your skills and abilities and the bottom portion is like a Chronological Resume listing your work history.

2. Production Tips
  Use quality paper
  Use adequate white space (don™t cover the paper with print)
  Be consistent in spacing
  Make margins consistent and no less than one inch
  Use bullets to highlight activities and accomplishments
  Use spell check

·   Highlight your best-selling features near the top

 

3. How to choose your References
Choose at least three references, but no more than six.
Get permission from your references and make sure they will say something good about you.
Have a correct daytime phone number where the reference can be reached.
References may be people that you have worked with and people that you know outside of work.

4. E-mail a Resume
Generally, it is better to submit a Resume by e-mail than it is to send a "scannable Resume ." To send an e-mail resume, follow these guidelines:

You must first have an e-mail account of your own. It might be a free system such as Hotmail or Yahoo or a subscription service such as America On-Line, Prodigy, Bellsouth, or any of thousands of other services.

You can either send your resume as an attachment or a text document according to the specifications of the employer.

For more information on sending electronic resumes, ask for assistance from the Resource Center staff.

STEP 4 INTERVIEWING AND FOLLOW-UP

Go into each interview with the goal of getting an offer. The impression you create will ultimately determine your search success. It is important to know that employers use different styles of interviewing that may include interviewing you individually, by phone, or using a panel.

Use this checklist as a guide for preparing for an interview:
Research the company
Prepare your image (proper dress, demeanor)
Practice answering typical interview questions (see next page)
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
Respond succinctly to questions asked
Listen well
Be enthusiastic, interested, confident
Avoid discussing details of your personal life
Avoid salary discussions early in the interview process
Establish next steps at the end of the interview
Send a thank-you letter
Follow-up by phone

Post Interview:
Take an objective look at how you performed in the interview. Identify areas of where you performed well and areas to improve.

Follow up with a thank-you card immediately and a phone call within a week or two.

The 12 Most Common Tough Questions Job Interviews Ask

1. Q: Tell me about yourself.
A: Respond in a way that assures the interviewer that you are well adjusted, stable, and positive.

2. Q: What can you do for us?
A: Stick to facts and figures if at all possible. Point to past accomplishments or forecast future capabilities.

3. Q: What are your strengths?
A: Tailor your answer to meet the needs of the employer.

4. Q: What are your limitations?
A: Think about transforming your answer and the question into a strength (examples given in our workshop).

5. Q: What do you want?
A: Be prepared to respond with answers that reveal a desire to do the kind of work the position requires.

6. Q: What do you see yourself doing in five years?
A: Focus on your skills as they would relate to the company.

7. Q: What is your reason for seeking this position? What was wrong with your last job/present job?
A: NEVER criticize your last boss or any previous employer, it WILL cost you.

8. Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Think ACTION! Don™t establish a perception of passiveness.

9. Q: How would you handle [some realistic problem situation]?
A: Emphasize that you would seek out facts, look at precedents, use your knowledge and experience, etc. to make a decision and act.

10. Q: What would you like to know about us?
A: Always ask some intelligent questions. This may be what makes the final impression.

11. Q: Why have you been unemployed for so long?
A: Long periods of unemployment are suspect. Be prepared with an answer that focuses on the present and what you have to offer.

12. Q: Do you think you are overqualified for this job?
A: Suggest that this firm is a better opportunity¦that you have potential to become even more valuable to them, etc. Reassure them that you are not planning to leave prematurely.

STEP 5 ACCEPTING THE JOB

The final step is determining whether the job that is offered is right for you. Many factors contribute to the total value of the offer--salary, benefits, working hours, job description, and travel to name a few. Some things you may want to consider before accepting the offer include:

Knowing your market worth. This can be accomplished by doing research on the Internet, talking to others in that field, and reading market surveys.

Knowing how to negotiate, because it is hard to do after the job is accepted.

Understanding the offer that is being made

Deciding if the job is right for you and fits into your plans for the future.

At the Middle Tennessee Career Center, we understand that finding employment is one of the hardest jobs a person will face.  We will support you as you search for your new job or career path.