Career Planning

1. Career Planning

2. Career Planning Getting an education is the biggest step on the path to achieving the career and salary you have always wanted.

3. Objectives Participants will gain an understanding of: • The tools and skills necessary to achieve a position in a specific career field. • The information needed to create an effective résumé. • The guidelines for establishing weekly job search goals. • The suggested format for a successful cover letter. • How to present a positive impression during a job interview.

4. Career Exploration • What are the fastest growing occupational fields in Florida today? • What suggestions can we share regarding summer job searches for part-time positions, full-time positions, or college internships? • What are important tools needed to secure a position that fits specific career goals?

5. Creating a Career Portfolio • What is a career portfolio? • What documents should be included in the career portfolio?

6. Career Goal and Career Plan Sample: Become a sixth-grade teacher in a public school within six months after graduating with a degree in education. This position will require student-teaching, training, certification, and an available opportunity in a school district. Your career plan helps you gain focus and clarity and will give you confidence when you begin writing your résumé.

7. Writing or Updating Your Résumé In a résumé the elements to be included are: • Career or work objective • Work experience • Education • Summary of accomplishments based on both work and education experiences • Contact information • Other relevant experiences such as volunteer work, leadership roles, and student government

8. Résumé Language • Key words and “action words” in your résumé are crucial. • Today, many companies use scanners that read the first line of the résumé and sort online applications. • If the scanner does not detect those keywords, your résumé may not be tagged for further review. These words can vary by industry. • Here are examples of action words that could be tagged by the scanner from your résumé: accomplish, achieve, leadership qualities, build, delegate, investigate, initiate, collaborate, work together, and share ideas.

9. Résumé Formats The three most traditionally accepted résumé formats are: • Chronological Style • Functional Style • Imaginative or Creative Style Examples of these formats can be found at www.navigatingyourfinancialfuture.org

10. Steps for the Job Search • KNOW your skills, preferences, values. • UPDATE your resume and cover letter. • PRACTICE interview skills. • IDENTIFY sources for employment.

11. Steps for the Job Search Set weekly goals in the job search process. • Create a list of contacts in areas you wish to relocate. • Send “cold letters” and résumés to companies and organizations of interest to you. • Check all related websites once a week for new listings. • Spend time each weekend responding to new position openings. When responding to an electronic posting, it is suggested that you follow up with a hard copy letter and résumé to ensure it has been received. • Follow up with a phone call. Managers and HR staff receive many résumés in the mail and electronically. A phone call may set you apart. • Attend job fairs offered by your Career Services Center or local community job fairs.

12. Steps for the Job Search • Research the job market and develop a list of potential companies based on your work preferences, values, skills, interests, and contributions you can make to that organization. • Read job ads in local newspapers and those found through job search engines. • Review trade magazines and websites for job openings. • Network to help identify possible job openings.

13. Writing a Cover Letter • The key to a successful job search is communication with the person who initially sees your application or passes this information along for the next step in the interview process. • Your cover letter can be a determining factor in whether or not your résumé is selected to move forward for the interview process. • Effective cover letters convey a sense of purpose, project enthusiasm, and demonstrate your knowledge of the employer’s goals and needs.

14. Writing a Cover Letter • Remember, the cover letter should highlight your accomplishments and be attached to your résumé. • A positive first impression requires that your cover letter be neat and concise, containing no errors in spelling or grammar. • Each cover letter should be customized to fit the position for which you are applying.

15. Guidelines for a Successful Cover Letter • First Paragraph:State the purpose of the letter, catch the attention of the scanner or reader, indicate your interest in the position or company, and impress your audience by using researched facts about the company. • Second Paragraph: Explain how your background makes you a qualified candidate. Give an example or talk about a specific project, accomplishment in school, or service you have provided.

16. Guidelines for a Successful Cover Letter • Third Paragraph: Refer the reader to your enclosures (résumé, references, or samples of work). • Final Paragraph: Indicate your intentions to follow up. Repeat a phone number or e-mail address where you can be reached. • Closing: Provide a salutation and signature with personal information – address, phone number, and e-mail address, if not on the top of the letterhead.

17. Interviewing Eight Things to Remember When Interviewing for a Position • Maintain clear and focused objectives. • Do not avoid challenging interview situations. • Consider your prospective employer’s point of view. • Do not come across as too direct or blunt. • Be personable. • Present a focused résumé. • Promote personal strengths and skills. • Follow up with a telephone call, e-mail, or letter.

18. The biggest question an interviewer will ask is…… WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?

19. During the Interview Qualities employers look for: • Good Communication Skills • Motivation • Strong Work Ethics • Good Manners • Flexibility/Adaptability • Excellent Computer Skills • Creativity

20. Sample Interview Questions • “Tell me about the position that has given you the most satisfaction.” • “What have you learned from work, internships, co-op experiences?” • “How do you work under pressure?” • “Tell me about a time when you had a major problem, and explain how you dealt with it.” • “Describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.”

21. Networking 101 • Warm contacts are people you know. • Cold contacts are people you do not know. • Good resources for cold contacts are the yellow pages, professional association directories, and your school alumni directory. • Identify your contacts and ask them about possible job opportunities they may be aware of in your prospective field.

22. References • Networking also includes a list of references. A reference sheet should include individuals who can provide information about your character, work ethic, and the job you did for them during the time you were employed. • Always ASK PERMISSION before using someone’s name as a reference.

23. Workshop Summary • Consider your career goals as you are searching for a position in your field of interest. • Gather your important documents, work examples, and personal references to create a career portfolio. • Create a resume that represents you well. • Set weekly and monthly career search goals so you can measure your success. • Inform the interviewer of who you are and why you want this job. • Develop a list of contacts and references.

24. Navigating Your Financial Future OSFA offers a variety of tools and resources to assist you in your pursuit of higher education. www.NavigatingYourFuture.org

25. Questions? • Feel free to contact a member of our Outreach Team at www.NavigatingYourFuture.org and select “Contact Us.” • Contact the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance: • 1-888-827-2004 (Grants/Scholarships) • 1-800-366-3475 (Loans) www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org