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Job
Search Tips
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First Impressions
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Getting the
Most from your Job Search Efforts
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Thank You
Notes in Job Search
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Practice makes Perfect
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The Hardest Step
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Job Search THANKSgiving
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Filling
the Gaps in Your Employment Record
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Attitude
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Planning - To Succeed
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Tune up
Your Resume
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Preparing
for the Interview
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Open
Ended Questions |
Online
Job Hunting |
Finding the Right
Employer
Let’s
explore a few ideas on how to locate employers that need your skills, that
‘Right’ employer for you.
A
most important first step is to identify the skills you have. If you haven’t created a resume, that’s the
place to start. Think about the tasks
you were responsible for in your previous jobs.
Listing the job title is fine, but be clear on what you actually did,
and what your responsibilities were.
Skill-based resumes are particularly good if you are young, have a brief
work history, or are re-entering the job market after a number of years.
If
you need help identifying your skills, you can speak with a Career Counselor at
the One-Stop Job center, or check one of many internet–based programs that list
core job responsibilities and skills required for most jobs. One such site is: http://online.onetcenter.org/ This will bring up the “O*NET” website, which can be used to:
- Find out which jobs fit with
your interests, skills, and experience;
- Explore career fields, using
the latest available labor market data;
- Research what it will take to
get your dream job; and/or
- Find out what it will take in
experience, education and training to be competitive in over 950
occupations.
The
“Snapshot” feature on this website will help you to identify the skills you may
have, based upon the jobs you have held.
After reviewing this feature, you may want to search for occupations
that use the skills you already posses.
Use the “Skills Search” to do this.
Once
you have determined several occupations that use the skills you possess, it’s
time to look for employers who hire in those occupations. You can look in the Yellow Pages” if the
occupation is fairly focused such as auto mechanics, painters or plumbers. If your skills can be used in multiple
occupations, such as clerical skills, sales, counseling or maintenance, you may
want to identify employers that hire in these occupations. A good website to explore is http://www.usworks.com/centralvalley/ Click on the JTO logo to find employers in Kings
County. On the next screen, click
on the circle for “Employers.
(This will save you from unnecessary registration steps.) Simply select an occupation, and then search
for ‘Employers’. You can select a
particular City or expand your search to surrounding Counties or the Central
Valley if you wish. What you will find is a listing of employers
that hire in that occupation, their address, phone number, and even driving
directions. Use this tool to expand the
list of employers that need your skills.
Among those is likely to be the ‘Right’ employer for you.
There are several face-to-face as well as technology-based
ways to identify skills that are transferable to other occupations and to find
employers that need your skills. The
internet-savvy can explore from the comfort of their home.
If
you need more assistance, contact us,
or call us at (559) 585-3532.
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Attitude
You have a big interview this morning but nothing seems to be going right.
You spill coffee on your freshly ironed shirt. After changing, you hurry to your
car, only to find a dead battery. You ask a neighbor for a ride, and arrive late
for the interview. You tell yourself, "Ah, what’s the use, I won’t get
this job anyway". You enter the interview, carrying the morning’s events
and your defeated attitude along for all to see. Hmm…wonder why you didn’t
get that job….
A positive attitude can be the deciding factor when an employer is
considering several applicants who are fully qualified for the job.
Every morning before you begin your job search, look in the mirror and
say out loud, "Yes! I can do this job. I am qualified
and competent. I have great skills and a great attitude. Any employer would be
fortunate to have me as an employee!" Some may feel more
comfortable giving themselves this pep talk in the privacy of their car.
Wherever it happens, it is an important step in your job search efforts.
Not everyone can rely on friends or family to boost their self-esteem. Be
prepared to take responsibility for your own attitude by reminding yourself that
you are a talented, intelligent person. Before you know it, you‘ll see a
change in yourself and employers will sense your confidence as well. Of course,
be aware not to appear arrogant or conceited. Just project that you know you’re
capable and are secure in your abilities.
Often times an employer will hire someone with less experience if they
portray confidence. Be proud of what you have to offer. After all, if you don’t
think you can do it, why should the employer put their faith in you? Employers
want to know that you can handle problems with grace and confidence on the job.
Experience has shown that you won’t be selected for every job you apply
for. Don’t let those disappointments keep you from making a good impression at
the next interview. Tell yourself there is a better job coming your way. Studies
have shown that it often takes several months to land a job. That timeline can
be shortened by a first class resume, brushing up on your interviewing skills,
and showing a positive, can-do attitude. Working hard and smiling in the face of
adversity is what marks a true winner.
If you’d like some help with your job search, drop by the One-Stop Job
Center at 124 N. Irwin Street in Downtown Hanford.
If you need more assistance, contact
us, or call us at (559) 585-3532.
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