Job Club Journal

Day 10 – A rose by any other name…

 In class, we went over how to create a list using RefUSA  (Example is Donzell’s, ).  Remember that you can do this from the computers in the Resource Room at Mature Services, if you do not have a computer at home; you can also access RefUSA by going to the Akron Public Library.  If you have your own computer and a Public Library Card, you can access RefUSA from home.  It’s important to learn what SIC and NACIS codes are so that you can use them to create lists for different industries where you might look for work (this is in the Notebook).  Once you have a list of companies in a particular industry, you can go to the company websites to see whether they have any jobs available, or whether you can submit an application for future reference.

Sometimes you need to create a list for the same occupation across different industries.   Your Notebook (pp. 97-99) also tells you how to research  this.

Computer Assignments III – areas of interest

Computer Assignments IV – practice filling in online applications

These assignments need to be completed before the end of the class.

Remainder of this class spent reviewing interviewing techniques and watching a video about interviewing:

Follow up:

Informational Interview for Fast Job Search:  Identify the hiring manager in an industry or field in which you want to work.

·         Keywords to remind you what to ask:  AIR (Advice, Information, Referrals)

·         Request details about a particular job.

·         Request ideas about where you (the job seeker) might fit into the company.

·         Ask for referrals to someone in a particular department or industry.

·         See if you know anyone who is an employee in a company where you want to work, ask that person who to contact about hiring; also ask how it is to work there.

Five Main Interview Questions?

·         Who are you?  (Interviewer is assessing your Attitude) – give your business background.  Sometimes the question will be phrased as “How would your colleagues describe you?”  This can be the place to use your scripted 30-second commercial.

·         Why are you here?  or Why do you want this job?  Meaning “What can you do for us?” (Do your Homework on the company and the job.)

·         Tell me about how you handled a difficult customer or situation?  This is the place for a success story (job seekers will talk a lot about how to use and tailor stories to specific questions).

·         How much did you make in your last job?  Basically, this is a question is about whether the company can afford you.  Be skillful – you should know the salary range of what people who do this job make.  You should also be able to give a range.  If you come in low, the interviewer may wonder why  you are willing to work for less than you were making.  Be certain you have a good reason if you are willing to work for less (“I need a job, any job is better than none,” won’t get it.)  You may do it to change fields, or gain a foothold in an industry that is new to you.

·         What distinguishing characteristics do you have to do this job?  Fit your previous experience and education or training into the job description.

MAKE CERTAIN YOU KNOW WHEN THE INTERVIEW IS OVER – IF THERE IS A LULL IN THE CONVERSATION, YOU MIGHT ASK:               Why do you (the interviewer) think I’m qualified for this job? or Is that what you wanted?

Interviewing Skills:

·         First interview may be with Human Resources person – if it is a phone interview, stand up when you answer the phone.  This improves the tone of your voice (remember the person will assess your tone of voice (85% of impression).  Ask what areas the in-person interview will focus on.

·         Meal Interviews – have a light, non-messy meal.

·         LISTEN! to what is being asked or said.

·         Panel Interview – meeting with a group.

·         Sequential Interview – multiple interviewers, one after the other.

·         PREPARE: posture, speech, hand gestures, what to wear – remember that 55% of communication is non-verbal.

Questions to ask the Interviewer:

·         Why is this position open?

·         Why the previous person left?

·         Interviewer’s evaluation of you for this position?

·         What are the top three things to be accomplished in the next three months?

After the Interview:

·         What worked?  What didn’t?

·         Names – make sure you know who you talked with and send “Thank you.”

·         Learn to pay attention to non-verbal clues.

More interviews will improve your interviewing skills, eliminate less than ideal job offers, improve network.  Don’t worry about what you cannot control.