Employment Tips What a Boss Likes to See First Impressions Worker vs Pay Check Collector Saying Goodbye Where do I look for a job? Paper vs On-line Application What should you say on an application? It s Time to Sell Yourself Dress for Success Interview Tips & Interview Questions
WHAT A BOSS LIKES TO SEE Simple tips to being a good employee APPEARANCE Wear appropriate clothing for your job responsibilities. HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE Act professional while at work. Show effort in all tasks or assignments. Show your personality, interact with others. Have a can-do attitude. DEPENDABILITY Do not miss work. Be at work on time. Follow the schedule. Know your job duties. Call if you will be late or absent. SKILLS Accept responsibility. Strive to learn new skills. Show you have the skills. Get your work done in a timely manner. Communicate with your boss and co-workers.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Did you know that it takes someone less than 10 seconds to formulate their first impression of you, based on how you look, how you speak, how you fill out the application, your phone greeting, social media, and how you interview? APPEARANCE Do I look presentable? Do I have good posture? FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION Is it legible, or does the reader have to figure out what you are trying to say? What about your email address? Is it professional? CELL PHONE VOICE GREETING Is my voice greeting professional, or do I have vulgar music playing in the background? SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS Have you googled yourself lately? What s on your Facebook? What are you tweeting? HOW I INTERVIEW Do I come across confident, or does the interviewer have to pull answers from me?
WORKER VS. PAYCHECK COLLECTOR Sure you want to work, but are you ready to work? Employers are looking for workers, not paycheck collectors. WORKER Knows his/her duties and responsibilities. Ask questions if they do not know how to do something. Does not stand around; a good worker learns how to multi-task to get assignments done. Works as a team player. Learns about the company by getting on the internet. PAYCHECK COLLECTOR Not motivated to learn duties and responsibilities. Does the bare minimum to get through the work day. Stands around and do not see how they can help the company. Only concentrates on what their job title is. Does not think outside the box. LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE! If you are a worker, the next one to be considered for a promotion or a raise will be the worker, not the paycheck collector.
SAYING GOODBYE When you decide to quit your job, simply saying goodbye is not the proper way to end your employment. Below are some tips to end your job on a positive note: Find another job before quitting, so you have some money coming, instead of none. Do not just quit give a two-week notice so your employer has enough time to find your replacement. Give an honest, but positive, the reason for quitting (i.e., I am quitting because my school schedule is conflicting with my work schedule ). Do not quit if you do not get along with a co-worker. Welcome to reality, there will be people who you may not get along with, so try to work it out first. Complete all job responsibilities. Continue to give 100% for the next two weeks, because you want to be able to ask your supervisor for a recommendation letter.
WHERE DO I LOOK FOR A JOB? 1. Networking family, friends, teachers, counselors, social media 2. Internet Websites Monster, Career Builder, Cal Jobs, Company Websites, Indeed, Snag-a-Job 3. Resources America s Job Center, Temporary Agencies, Westfield Town Center (A.K.A the mall), Job Fairs, College of the Canyons Career Center, City of Santa Clarita s Youth Employment Services Coordinator 4. Newspaper Go to the Jobs section 5. Volunteer Offer to help out at a company or organization to get experience and network. Go to www.santaclaritavolunteers.com for volunteer opportunities
PAPER vs ON-LINE APPLICATION Paper 1. Print neatly. If I can t read it, it goes in the no pile. 2. Answer every question. If it doesn t apply to you put N/A. (Non-Applicable) 3. Don t fold the application prior to turning it in. 4. Don t turn it in with stains or tears. 5. Staple resume, letters of recommendations, references, and certificates after application prior to turning it in. 6. You need three references to list on the application. It can be anyone other than a relative. Ask permission first before using anyone as a reference; don t just put them on your application. 7. Fill out a sample paper application with dates to use as a master copy and bring that with you every time you have to fill out an application or apply on-line. 8. Follow-up with the company a week later to check on your application. (Ask to speak to a Store Manager or Assistant Manager)
PAPER vs ONLINE (cont.) On-line 1. Check for misspelled words. 2. Answer every question. If it doesn t apply to you put N/A. (Non-Applicable) 3. Submit a resume, letters of recommendations, references, and certificates. (Word or PDF documents) 4. If you are able to print the application, take it to the store and turn it into a Store Manager or Assistant Manager. 5. Follow-up with the company a week later to check on your application. Ask to speak to a Store Manager or Assistant Manager.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY ON AN APPLICATION? Listed below are action words that can be used for filling out applications, a resume, or in an interview. When you use action words to describe yourself, it tells the interviewer that you are a worker, not a paycheck collector. Below are some examples on how to use action words and additional action words that can be used. Assisted store manager with opening and closing procedures. Arranged merchandise on shelves. Completed all my tasks in a timely manner. Developed spreadsheets for after-school programs. Organized recreational events for youths. Accomplished Achieved Collected Compiled Completed Composed Created Designed Developed Directed Established Helped Maintained Organized Participated Prepared
IT S TIME TO SELL YOURSELF Before going to your interview consider the following: Research the company (Google) Present the best you (Appearance) Visit the location prior to interview Practice interview questions and answers Updated 12/28/16
INTERVIEW TIPS Telephone Interview - Prepare for the call Pick a quiet location to take the call. Make sure you have a telephone that is working properly. Or your cell phone is charged. Make sure you have good reception. Have the application, resume, and job description ready. Have pen and paper handy. No gum, eating, drinking or smoking while you are on the phone. Know your answer s to the standard questions. Keep a professional tone. Listen very carefully. Ask to restate the question if unsure. Avoid simple yes or no answer by adding selling points. If you need time to think say so. Ask What happens next? or When can I drop off my resume? or When can I meet you in person? Thank the interviewer. Updated 12/28/16
INTERVIEW TIPS (cont.) Face-to-Face Interview Last minute mirror check You should be the focus, not the broccoli in your teeth. Be on time. (Arrive 10 minutes early) Bring a positive attitude. Bring requested materials Resume, References, and Letters of Recommendations. Nervous is good, being stressed is bad. Lose the gum. Eat something light so you stomach is not growling. Handshakes Follow lead. Firm without pain. Eye contact Make eye contact with the person asking you the question and other panel members. Look into the persons eyes while you talk and listen. No stare downs. Practice. Updated 12/28/16
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS The purpose of an interview is to allow the employer to get to know you better. Each question asked is designed to give them insight to your skills, abilities, and attitudes. The following are the most often asked questions. Write down your answers, then practice saying your responses out loud, either alone, or with someone you can trust to give you good feedback. Tip: Bring copies of your resume, letters of recommendation, and references. Tell me about yourself. What do you know about the company? Why do you want this job? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How would others describe you? Why did you leave your last job? What are your greatest accomplishments? Updated 12/28/16
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (cont.) Tell me about a challenge you ve faced at work and how you resolved it. Why should we hire you? Why did you leave your last job? How would your friends describe you? Do you have any questions for me? After the interview, now what do I do? Send a Thank You card or e-mail thanking him, her,or them for interviewing you. Updated 12/28/16
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Men s Interview Attire Suit (solid color - navy or dark gray) Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit) Belt Tie Dark socks, conservative leather shoes (no tennis shoes) No jewelry (remove earring from ears) Neat, professional hairstyle Limit the aftershave Clean neatly trimmed nails Cover tattoos Portfolio or briefcase Updated 12/28/16
Women's Interview Attire Suit (navy, black or dark gray) DRESS FOR SUCCESS (cont.) The suit skirt should be long enough (to the knee) so you can sit down comfortably Coordinated blouse Dressy conservative shoes (heel should not be over 3.0 inches) Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets) Neat professional hairstyle Light make-up and perfume Cleaned or neatly manicure nails Cover tattoos Portfolio or briefcase Updated 12/28/16
WHAT NOT TO WEAR Baggy jeans, jeans with holes or patches, or jeans that must be held up by the wearer s hands. Shorts, sweatpants, or capris. Spaghetti straps, tank tops, halter tops, or strapless/low-cut or open-backed tops. Shoulders or midriffs should not be showing. Tight or revealing clothing. When in doubt, do not wear it! Exposed underwear. Bare feet, slippers, sandals, or Flip Flops. Offensive, violent, obscene, drug-related, or suggestive slogans or caricatures displayed on clothing Updated 12/28/16