JOB SEARCH

TECHNIQUES

BACO1212

CHAPTER I

Self Assessment

It is the first step in the job search process. Self assessment means knowing yourself assessing your interest, skill achievements and values .Self assessment helps you to identify your career objective.

Interest

List out the school activities, work activities and leisure/family activities and then identify the activities which you like and the activities which you dislike. The activities which you like are your interest.

Skill

Skills include hard skills and soft skill. Hard skills are those learned in school/college and include technical expertise, laboratory techniques, computer skill and languages. Soft skills are required in various areas of ones life. Soft skills include communication skills, creativity, initiative, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, organizational skills and problem solving skills, soft skills are transferable. You can list your skills and identify the most prominent ones. The specific skills under each heading are given in Appendix.

Achievements Achievements are your work accomplishment which illustrate your abilities and

skills and are indicative of your potential to solve problems. You can identify your achievements and these can be used to impress your employer. They prove that you were successful in what you undertook.

Values Values are our belief. Values are shaped by our family, culture, education, religion and different socialization processes. Values make up our beliefs about what is right and wrong, good and bad. We should seek jobs which are compatible with our values

Personality type

Different occupation attracts different personality types. So it is important to identify your personality. J. L. Holland has classified people into six personality types: Realistic, Conventional, Enterprising, Investigative, Artistic and Social. Detailed features of each personality type re given in appendix 2.

Working conditions

It is important to identify type of working condition which motivate and satisfy you. Working conditions include the size and type of organization in which you want to work, the position you like , the location ,type of supervision, hours of work ,salary and benefits, travel and work environment.The points discussed above help you to determine your ideal job profile and identify your career objective. Examples of Career objectives are given in Appendix 3.

Appendix-1

Skill inventoryThere are two types of skills , hard skills, and soft skills. Hard skills are easily measured and are factual knowledge that is usually learned during formal training at school. These skills can be transferred to various work situations .soft skills that all employers regardless of industry or discipline look for in potential employee include:

Communication skillsCreativityInitiative skillInterpersonal skillsLeadership skills

Organizational skillsProblem solving skills

In the following exercise you will rate and your skills.

Rate your skillsRate your current competency in each skill listed below on a scale from 1 to 5 ( 5 being the highest skill level. Also identify those skills you would need to develop to reach your career goal.

INITIATIVEWant to develop (yes ,no, may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Initiating new ideasMaking the first move in relationshipFinding new solutions

TECHNICAL SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no, may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Computer skillConducting experimentsManaging budgets, moneyMaintain/operating equipmentControlling inventory

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no, may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Evaluating alternativesClarifying problemsGenerating solutionTesting ideasDetermining outcomes, consequencesTracing problems to source

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no,may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Organizing people, events, thingsClassifying informationCoordinating resourcesStreamlining proceduresResearching gathering informationSeparating important from un importantDetermining sequences of tasks

Setting priorities

LEADERSHIP SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no,may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Promoting changeTaking riskEngendering trustLeading groupsBuilding a teamDelegating authorityOverseeing work projectGetting things done through other people

COMMUNICATION SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no, may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

VERBAL Conversing with individualsExchanging ideas with groups Making presentationListeningDebatingWRITENWriting correspondenceWriting business materialResearch papersTeachingDemonstrating ideas through examplesInstructingCreating effective learning

INTERPERSONAL SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no,may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

ManagingNegotiatingCollaboratingSellingTreating othersGiving constructive feed backCoachingGiving practical adviceDemonstrating empathy

Understanding people motivationDeveloping rapport

CREATIVE SKILLSWant to develop (yes ,no,may be)SELF RATING(1 TO 5)

Creating new ideasInventing new productDesigning projectsDesigning learning materialsFinding new solutionComposing musicDrawingActing ,dancingFinishing ,restoring

APPENDIX-2 HOLLAND'S PERSONALITY TYPES

TYPE IPeople who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate or solve problems

Type RPeople with athletic or mechanical ability who prefer to work with object, machine ,tools, plants, animals or to be outdoors

Type APeople who have artistic, innovating or intuitional abilities and like to work in unstructured situations, using their imagination or creativity.

Type CPeople who like to work with data have clerical or numerical ability and who enjoy carrying things out in detail or following through on others instructions.

Type SPeople who like to work with people –to inform, help, train, develop or cure them or are skilled with words.

Type E People who like to work with people –influencing persuading performing or leading managing for organizational goals for economic gain.

HOLLAND'S PERSONALITY TYPES AND OCUPATIONTYPE I-INVESTIGATIVE

AnalyticalAbstract Rational Critical Curious Intellectual Introverted Independent CautiousSample occupation: laboratory technician, marketing research, food scientist, anthropologist, actuary.

Type R-REALISTIClive in the presentThing orientedMaterialisticConforming Stable PersistentPractical Shy Genuine Sample occupation : mechanical engineer, agricultural manager, surveyor, animal caretaker, chef, electrician

Type A-ARTISTICExpressiveEmotional Rely on feelingsImaginativeImpulsive Non conforming IdealisticDisorderly Sample occupation: journalist , dram teacher, musician, architect advertising manager.

Type C-CONVENTIONALConforming Obedient Efficient Calm Conscientious Orderly Set in ways Sample occupation: accountant, bookkeeper, financial analysis, proofreader.

Type S-SOCIALSensitive to need othersCooperativeGenerousHelpfulSociableUnderstandingFriendlyOutgoingPersuasiveTactful Sample occupation: Interviewer, teacher, counselor, social worker, speech therapist.

Type E -ENTERPRISING Aggressive Self confident Domineering Energetic Adventurous Ambitious Sociable. Persuasive

Sample occupation: purchasing agent ,real estate, sales person, market analyst, attorney ,manager

APPENDIX-3

MY CAREER OBJECTIVEWhen you are ready to write your cv, you will have to decide if you should write your career objective on your cv or not.

Here is an example of a specific career objectives

1 .A management trainee position in the international banking industry.2 .An assistant editor position in the children's book publishing industry.

3 .A biotechnology research position in a university laboratory.

If you are open to different possibilities, it may be better to have a general career objective.

Here are few examples of general career objective:A junior level position in the financial services industryAn editing position in the publishing industryA research position in a laboratoryCh

tItI ’’ uoy tuoba lla s uoy tuoba lla s ––ssenerawa flesssenerawa fles

?uoy era nosrep fo dnik tahW?uoy era nosrep fo dnik tahW?ta dab/doog uoy era tahW?ta dab/doog uoy era tahW tahW tahWsetavitomsetavitom uoyuoy ……?seulav ruoy?seulav ruoy?uoy stseretni tahW?uoy stseretni tahW uoy od tahW uoy od tahW tnawtnaw?boj a morf?boj a morf?uoy ot nepo era seitinutroppo tahW?uoy ot nepo era seitinutroppo tahWstniartsnoc lanosrep ynAstniartsnoc lanosrep ynA …… ,yhpargoeg .g.e ,yhpargoeg .g.e

,sgninrae muminim ,htlaeh ,sgninrae muminim ,htlaeh ““egaega ””??

?yhw dna ?tnaw uoy od tahW?yhw dna ?tnaw uoy od tahW

snoitavitom ruoy weiveR snoitavitom ruoy weiveR

PP)?evil ot krow ro krow ot evil( esopru)?evil ot krow ro krow ot evil( esopru

RR)?sgniht ,saedi ,elpoep( selo)?sgniht ,saedi ,elpoep( selo

OO)llams , egral ,etavirp ,cilbup( noitasinagr)llams , egral ,etavirp ,cilbup( noitasinagr

CC)?yteirav ,ytiruces( noitavitoM reera)?yteirav ,ytiruces( noitavitoM reera

EE)?derusserp ,ydaets( tnemnorivn)?derusserp ,ydaets( tnemnorivn

SS)?ecremmoc ,cimedaca ,yrtsudnI( rotce)?ecremmoc ,cimedaca ,yrtsudnI( rotce

SS ?yrassecen era snoitacifilauq/slliks tahw( sllik ?yrassecen era snoitacifilauq/slliks tahw( sllik))?evah uoy tahw hctam yeht oD))?evah uoy tahw hctam yeht oD

Chapter 2.RESEARCH ING EMPLOYERS

The second step in job search techniques is researching employers. You need to find out occupations, industries and employers which match your interest and career objective.

Traditional job search methodsTraditional methods include the following Wanted adsPrivate employment agenciesTemporary agenciesSending resumes- unsolicitedFilling out applicationPersonal departments.

Non traditional methods ( Modern methods)

It includes NetworkingMaking direct contact with employers

Where to find information Written information is available fromDirectories, professional/trade associationsCareer centers of school/colleges Company websites Chamber of commerceRecruitment agency websites

Information interview

An excellent way to find information is to interview people who know about the occupation or career in which you have interest. For example interview employees of companies.Job shadowing

This involves spending time observing some one who works in your field of interest.Summer job, part time jobs and Internship (OJT) are valuable ways of exploring career, organizations and industries.Volunteer work It is in some organizational help to develop new skills and contact.Extra curricular activitiesIt is help to know more about your interest and develop new skills and meet people. Networking(contacting people) career fairs and company presentations are good ways to gather information.

CHAPTER 3:Preparing your career tools

Writing an effective CVCV (Curriculum vitae) or resume is your personal advertisement or promotional brochure. Its main purpose is to illustrate your skills, qualifications and accomplishments to impress your potential employer so that he/she invites you for a personal interview.

Components of a CVCV should include the followingPersonal dataCareer objectiveSummary of qualification and experienceLanguagesComputer skillsTechnical skillsEducationExperienceExtra-curricular activities, interest and hobbiesReferencesCv should be brief and its layout should be attractive

Writing a cover letterA cover letter should accompany a CV. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you and to demonstrate match between the job requirement and your qualification and skills. The cover letter should not exceed one pages.

Making Business cardA business card list the accomplishment and strength the job seeker can offer an employer in just a few words. You can keep a card with you all the times so that you can use it when ever you need it. Your card should contain the following.NameAddressPhone numberEmail address QualificationSkills

Cover letter

Model I

1)LETTER TO GO WITH A POSTED APPLICATION FORM

Your addressDate

Employer address

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find enclosed my application form for the post of trainee logistics manager with your organisation as advertised in the University of Kent Careers Advisory Service Vacancy List. (Reference No. 12345).

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Yours faithfully

Debbie Smith

DEBBIE SMITH (Mrs.

Model II

Name

Address

Date

Employer address

Dear Sir or Madam

This is in response to your advertisement in Times of Oman dated 15 December 2008 for the post of a manager in your company. I am a Diploma holder in Mechanical Engineering. I am sending my cv with this letter.

Sincerely

Name

MODEL CV

Name

E-mail ID

College Address Permanent Address

Mechanical Engineering Department P.B.No 5422 , P C 211

Salalah college of Technology Salalah

Salalah Sultanate of Oman

Sultanate of Oman Tel:

Tel GSm

GSM

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

CAREER OBJECTIVE

A SUPERVISORY POSITION IN AN ENGINEERING COMPANY

EDUCATION

MARKS COLLEG NAME YEARMACHANICAL ENGINEERING

GPA 3.56 SALALAH COLLEG OF TECHNOLOGY

2006-2008

ENGLISH FOUNDATION

GPA 3.23,TOEFL 4.25 SALALAH COLLEG OF TECHNOLOGY

2005-2006

HIGH SCHOOL 75% SAADA HIGHER SECONDARY

2003-2005

SCHOOL

WORK EXPERIENCE

Part time supervision in Al Hasher Engineering Company(3 Years)

Languages

Arabic Fluent

English Fluent

SKILLS

Computer skills : MS Ofice

Auto CAD

Other Skills communication skill

Team work skill

ACHIEVEMENTS

Secretary of Engineering Society in the college ( one year)

INTEREST

Foot ball

Travel

REFERENCES

Available on request

CV Model

Model Business Card

DRAC SSENISUBDRAC SSENISUB

eht stsiL DRAC SSENISUB A eht stsiL DRAC SSENISUB A boj eht shtgnerts dna tnemhsilpmocca boj eht shtgnerts dna tnemhsilpmocca

wef a tsuj ni reyolpme na reffo nac rekees wef a tsuj ni reyolpme na reffo nac rekees .sdrow .sdrow

ti taht os emit eht lla uoy htiw drac a peek ti taht os emit eht lla uoy htiw drac a peek ti deen uoy reve nehw ti esu eb lliw ti deen uoy reve nehw ti esu eb lliw

sniatnoc draCsniatnoc draC

emaNemaN

sserddAsserddA

…………………………………………………………………………………………………… ..

rebmun enohP snoitacifilauQrebmun enohP snoitacifilauQ

sserdda liamE sllikSsserdda liamE sllikS

sdraC ssenisuB ledoMsdraC ssenisuB ledoM

NAMNAM

oN.BPoN.BP112CP,802112CP,802

NAMO FO ETANATLUS, HALALASNAMO FO ETANATLUS, HALALAS

……………………………………………………………………………………………… ....

livic ni amolpiD livic ni amolpiD ggnEggnE8545632: leT .8545632: leT .

2456999: MSG slliks retupmoC2456999: MSG slliks retupmoC

:liamE lliks noitacinummoC :liamE lliks noitacinummoC moc.liamg@famoc.liamg@fa

sdraC ssenisuB ledoMsdraC ssenisuB ledoM

NAMNAM

livic ni amolpiD livic ni amolpiD ggnEggnE ..

slliks retupmoCslliks retupmoC

lliks noitacinummoClliks noitacinummoC

………………………………………………………………………………………… ....

oN.BPoN.BP8545632: leT .112CP,8028545632: leT .112CP,802

2456999: MSG HALALAS2456999: MSG HALALAS

:liamE NAMO FO ETANATLUS :liamE NAMO FO ETANATLUS moc.liamg@famoc.liamg@fa