Career skills. Учебное пособие

important. That information can be written on small index cards or in a little notebook.

Keep these facts with you and you will be less likely to forget them or make mistakes. People will form an impression about you based on the way you fill out the application form. You cannot be too neat or careful when filling out an application form. The following guidelines will help you keep from making a mistake.

Read the entire application form before you write any answers. Notice how much space you have for each answer to prevent running out of room or cramming in information. Think about your answers before you write them, and make sure you put the information on the correct lines.

Read the instructions. Does the form tell you to print, write, or type the information? Find out if your last name comes first or your first name.

Be neat. By planning how you are going to answer each item, you won't make a mistake. Planning helps you avoid erasing or crossing through answers. If you make many mistakes, ask for another form. Some people ask for two forms right at the beginning. They use one as a rough copy. The second form is the finished and accurate one that they turn in.

Give all the information requested. Some questions may not apply to you, For example, the form may ask for military service, and you have probably not served in the military. Still, you would not leave this question blank. Answer questions that don't apply to you in two ways. One way is to write NA in the blank. NA means "not applicable." The other way is to draw a short line through the blank. Either method means you have read the question and it does not apply to you. If you don't use one of the two ways, the employer may think you avoided answering the question or that you were careless and did not see it.

Know the kind of work you want. If the application asks what kind of job you want, write a specific job title. For example, instead of writing "something secretarial," write "a secretary or a receptionist." By all means, avoid writing "any job." The person reading the application may think you're desperate or that you'll change jobs soon.

31

Double-check the completed form. Make sure you have responded to every item. Check for spelling. If you are not sure of the spelling, ask to use a dictionary or spelling aid or use another word - one that you can spell. Make sure you sign the form on the line asking for your signature. The form usually asks for the day's date. Be sure it is the correct date.

The Resume

For your first jobs, you will probably be asked to fill out an application while you are in the company's office. Sometimes, though, you may apply for a job out of town. Or you may have to write to ask for an appointment.

In these cases you may have to give information about yourself in the form of a resume. A resume is a summary of all the important information about you. It will let your personality show through, and it will give you a chance to point out your best qualities.

You will want to type your resume very neatly on good paper. Your goal will be to write your resume in such a way that the employer will want to hire you.

Look at William's resume on the next page. At the top it states the type of job William wants. Next it points out things William has done to make him a good person for the job. School is listed next and then work experience. Finally, any activities or interests related to the job are given. Some people also list references at the bottom of their resume.

Remember, your resume represents you. It may even have to speak for you to someone who has never met you or even talked to you! Be sure it is done neatly and that there are no misspelled words.

32

William Dean

336 Chestnut Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70068

A job interview is a get-acquainted meeting between the job seeker and the employer. In this section you'll read about interviewing how to get ready for it, what goes on, and what you should do afterward. When you go to your first interview, you will know what to expect. You'll also stand a good chance of being successful if you follow the suggestions given.

Before the Interview

What you do before the interview is as important as what you do during the interview. One thing you can do is to worry a lot. "Maybe this person won't like me." "I'm not sure this is the right outfit to wear." "I have the worst time talking to strangers. I won't be able to think of a thing to say."

33

Don't let yourself think such thoughts or you'll talk yourself into failure. Most people's fears never come to pass.

Think positively. Remember the good impressions you made on people in the past. Remember the times you went into new situations and handled them well. Keep these thoughts in your mind.

How can you get your interview off to a good start before it even begins? Go through a practice interview. Give some thought to your grooming and dress. If you pay attention to details before your interview, you'll be more relaxed during the interview.

The Practice Interview. If you can, arrange with a friend to do a practice interview. Act it out. If possible, ask a friend who has already been on an interview and knows what one is like. Going through a practice interview helps you know what to expect. And you can find out if you're prepared.

If you can't arrange a practice interview, make an appointment for an interview for a job that would not be your first or second choice. This way you can have a real interview. You can find out what to expect and get rid of some of your nervousness. You'll be more sure of yourself when an important interview comes along. Who knows? The "practice" job may even be better than you first thought, and you may want to go after it!

Grooming and Dress. Be sure you're well-groomed. Well-groomed people are clean and neatly dressed.

Why is good grooming important? If you get the job you will be a representative of the company. Employers generally hire people who dress and behave about the same way they do. Being well-groomed is also one of the ways you show others you have pride in yourself.

Poorly groomed people often lose out before they get started. Employers take one look and eliminate these people, regardless of their skills and abilities.

How can you tell whether or not you're well-groomed? Being clean is very important. Start or finish the day with a shower or bath. Take one even if you don't think you

34

need it. You are not as aware of your body odors as other people are. Deodorant and perfume do not cover up body odor.

Clean, short-to-medium length fingernails are best. When you shake hands with people, your nails will be one of the things they notice. Dirty or long, clawlike nails are a "turn off" to others. If you wear polish on your nails, be sure it is not chipped. Stick to the average range of colors and avoid extremes.

The length and style of your hair are also important. Your hair should look businesslike. If a man has very long hair, it could keep him from getting a job. He may be as good a worker as a man with shorter hair, but some people believe that males with long hair can't be trusted. It's not fair to judge others this way, but it's done. The same is true for long beards.

If you have long hair or a beard, think about getting a trim so you won't hurt your chance of getting a job. After you get the job, you may be able to let your hair grow again. By that time you will have shown you can do a good job. Others may be more willing to accept your "new look." At the very least, be sure your hair is clean and brushed.

Easy-to-care-for hairstyles are best for women, too. Save fancy hairstyles for parties and other special times. Fancy hairstyles look as if they take a lot of time to keep up, and employers want you to spend your time on the job working for them, not caring for your hair.

Dress conservatively. Conservative dress means "middle-of-the-road" dress. Avoid extremes. For example, if you are looking for a job in a factory or a repair shop, clean work clothes or a shirt and jeans would be appropriate dress. For an office job, a shirt, a tie, and a jacket would be best for a male. For a female, a skirt and blouse or a businesslike dress are good choices. Avoid shoes with very high heels, fancy sandals, loud colors, sexy styles, gaudy jewelry, heavy makeup, and heavy perfume.

Check to be sure that your clothes are clean and pressed. Spots and dirt can take away even from the appearance of new and costly outfits.

35

If you wear sunglasses, take them off before you enter the office. Employers will want to look you in the eye when they talk to you.

During the Interview

Both job seekers and employers use the interview to look at each other carefully. Employers want to be sure they have the right person for the job. They want someone with the right skills who will "fit in."

Job seekers, too, must be sure they make the right choice. During your search, you may have more than one job offer. If you find out as much as you can about each company during the interview, it will be easier to make that right choice.

Every business handles interviews differently. If the business is a small one, the owner will probably talk with you. In larger companies, interviews are usually done by the boss of the job or someone from the personnel department. The personnel department consists of people who handle matters such as hiring new employees and arranging for employee benefits. The people who work in personnel departments speak for the employer.

When you apply for a job, you will speak to someone in the personnel department, with your possible boss, or with both. It is best, of course, if you can talk with the boss of the job you're applying for. Then you will both have a chance to get to know one another and find out whether or not you would work well together.

Nonverbal Behavior. Not all the information exchanged during an interview is spoken. Much information is communicated through nonverbal behavior.

Nonverbal behavior is what a person does rather than what he or she says. For example, an interviewer with a messy desk, who can't find your resume, is saying something non-verbally about the way she or he conducts business.

There are two types of nonverbal behavior that you should be aware of during an interview. One is body language; the other is attitude.

Body language refers to the messages people deliver through their mannerisms. The way a person walks, sits, or speaks conveys a message. You know that when people laugh it usually means they are happy or amused. When you are

36

relaxed, do you drum your fingers on the table? Probably not, because drumming fingers usually means someone is nervous.

What does body language have to do with interviews? Your body language can make either a good or a poor impression on the interviewer. Following are some suggestions for positive use of body language.

Offer to shake hands with the inter viewer. People like others who give them a firm handshake and who look them in the eyes.

Sit down only when the interviewer invites you to.

Sit up straight in the chair without slouching and slumping. People with good posture look self-confident and alert. Slouchers look as if they can't wait to climb back into bed.

It's natural to be a little nervous. You have probably seen people swinging their legs, playing with their hair, cracking their knuckles, or tugging at their clothes. These are nervous habits, and people doing these things look unsure of themselves. These habits can take away from what you're saying during an interview. The interviewer will probably focus on the nervous habit rather than on you.

Take a deep breath and try to relax as much as possible. You will find that most interviewers try to make the meeting as pleasant and comfortable as they can. This, in turn, will help you to relax.

Attitude is the way you think and feel about certain topics, or life in general. Your attitude causes you to act in certain ways. Your attitude affects your performance. For example, people who enjoy school usually earn better grades than those who have a bad attitude to school.

Your attitude can affect your chances of being hired for a job. It can show up in an interview. In fact, interviewers will make a point of finding out what kind of attitude you have.

37

What You'll Talk About.

During most interviews the following subjects are discussed.

what the job involves

the type of worker the company believes it needs to do the job

the type of work that interests you and that you enjoy

the type of worker you have been in the past

salary or wages

hours and other working conditions

Be ready to answer the questions the interviewer may ask you. Thinking about answers ahead of time helps you feel more confident. Every interviewer asks different questions. But there are some general questions which are often asked. Here are a few.

Why do you want to work for this company?

Why should we hire you?

What other work have you done? What have you learned from it?

What did you like most and least about school?

What was your greatest accomplishment or success in school?

What did you like most and least about the jobs you have had?

What would you like to be doing five years from now?

Did you miss a lot of work or school because of illness?

What sort of pay are you looking for?

Why did you leave your last job?

What are your strengths? Your weaknesses?

Are you willing to work extra hours? How many?

When can you start work?

Most of these questions are general, and you probably know the answers. However, if you are asked something you do not know; don't be afraid to admit you don't know it. People can usually tell when you're not telling the truth, and they trust you more if you are honest with them.

38

Remember to use the interview for your own questions. The interview is your opportunity to get to know something about the company and the people who work there. The more you can find out about the company during the interview, the greater your chances of making the right job choice.

Think of some of the things you want to know. You might ask .

What would a person in this job do each day? What would my responsibil-

ities be?

Can you tell me a little more about the products you make?

What services do you offer customers?

What kind of training do you give employees?

How do you evaluate or judge employees’ work?

How do you work out people's schedules?

Will 1 have to join a labor union?

Ask a few other questions before you ask about the pay. Money is important. But it is important to show that other things mean as much to you as money.

Additional Interview Tips

Following is a list of what you should and shouldn't do during an interview. Remember, however, that every interview is different. Very few "rules" apply to every interview.

Read these suggestions over and think about them. Use them when you think they will help you, but don't worry about whether you are always doing the "right" thing. The most important thing is to relax and use your own common sense.

Arrive about five or ten minutes early, in this way you won't be rushed, out of breath, and nervous. You will give the impression that you are a dependable and well-organized person. Businesses have schedules to meet and they expect employees to get to work on time. If you come to an interview late, people naturally assume you will be late for work, too.

39

Go to your appointment alone. Don't bring friends or relatives with you. It's natural to be nervous, but bringing a crowd along won't help you. Employers look for people who can stand on their own feet.

Have your information and papers with you. You may also need a driver's license or other records, depending on the job.

Be sure you know the name or names of the people you are going to talk with. Also, be sure that you pronounce the names correctly. Names are very personal. People do not like to have their names pronounced incorrectly.

Limit yourself to no more than two interviews in a day. If you go on too many interviews in one day, you'll end up looking like you just finished a race. You'll feel rushed and won't be at your best.

Avoid naming a salary or wage, if you can. It is difficult, especially for a beginner, to know the amount of money to ask for. If your guess is too low, you might not get what others get for the same work. If your guess is too high, the interviewer may think you expect too much or that you won't be happy with the job.

The safest method is to ask the interviewer the pay range for the job. Then you can name a figure within that range. Another method would be to say, "I'm willing to negotiate (discuss and bargain) salary (or wages) with you. If you can tell me what you're willing to pay, I'm sure we can work something out."

Don't eat, chew gum, or smoke. If you need to chew gum, eat candy, or smoke a cigarette, do it before or after the appointment.

Speak up and talk clearly. Pronounce your words carefully. Don't use slang

words.

Avoid doing all the talking; don't interrupt the interviewer. An interview is a two-way conversation. When one person does all the talking, the other person doesn't have a chance to say much.

Guard what you say about former employers. What impression do you have of the person who said this?

40