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SpouseEducationandCareerOpportunitiesBreakingDowntheJobSearchMarch27,2019at2p.m.EDT

Presenter:Trinka Polite, SECO Career Coach

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Today’s Webinar Agenda

BreakingDowntheJobSearch

• Introduction• Preparing for Your Job

Search• During Your Job Search• Staying Motivated• Next Steps• Questions?

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A Few Important Facts

BreakingDowntheJobSearch

• Active initiatives are in place tosupport military spouse employmentsuch as the Military SpouseEmployment Partnership Job Searchtool and Hiring Our Heroes.

• All SECO career coaches havemaster’s degrees and are nationallycertified.

• More than 131,000 military spouseshave been hired through MSEP.

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Step One

PreparingforYourJobSearch

Select occupation or industry of interest

Staying in the same career field

Changing careers

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Find Your Career Match

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ChangingCareers

• Review work historyand education

• Identify transferableskills

• Complete careerassessments

6Career Assessments

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ChangingCareers

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Step Two

PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

• Job Outlook• Salary Information• State License and

Certification Requirements

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Labor Market Tools

PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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Occupational Outlook Handbook

PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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Occupational Outlook Handbook

PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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PreparingforYourJobSearch:LaborMarketResearch

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Preparing for Your Job Search

BreakingDowntheJobSearch

• Select youroccupation

• Options for selectinga new career

• Labor marketresearch

Step Three

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ResumeandCoverLetter

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• Choose a Resume Format• Functional• Chronological• Combination

• Writing Your Cover Letter

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Resume Formats

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ResumeandCoverLetter

Functional Purpose: Highlights your skillsWhen to use: Changing career fields or re-entering the workforce

Chronological Purpose: Highlights your employment historyWhen to use: Solid work history in a particular job or career

Combination Purpose: Highlights your strongest qualifications while providing your employment historyWhen to use: Entry-level job seeker and new graduate

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Why you need a cover letter

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ResumeandCoverLetter

• Personal Introduction• Sell Yourself & Your

Qualifications• Explain Employment Gaps• Provide Other Relevant

Information

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Key Components of a Cover Letter

PreparingforYourJobSearch:ResumeandCoverLetter

Heading & Greeting Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible or use job title of the recipient .

Introduction State who you are, why you’re writing and how you found out about the position.

Body Explain why you are the perfect match forthe position. Briefly summarize your talents, experience, and achievements.

Closing Thank the person for taking the time to read your letter. Tell the employer how you plan to follow-up.

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Step Four

PreparingforYourJobSearch:SocialMediaProfiles

According to a recent survey, 70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring.https://www.careerbuilder.com/advice/social-media-survey-2017

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Your Online Image

PreparingforYourJobSearch:SocialMediaProfiles

• Create professional profiles• Check your grammar and

spelling• Practice discretion when

sharing• Modify your privacy settings• Do an online search of your

name• Consider your online

presence as part of yourportfolio

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Preparing for Your Job Search

BreakingDowntheJobSearch

• Select your occupation • Options for selecting a

new career• Labor market research• Choose resume format• Write cover letter• Update your online image

Now that you’re prepared…22

DuringYourJobSearch

• Networking

• Where to Find Jobs

• Understanding the Job Description

• Employer Research• Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter• Complete the Application

• Stay Motivated

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Connecting

PreparingforYourJobSearch:Networking

According to Matt Youngquist, president of Career Horizons, at least 70 percent of job openings aren’t even listed. To get them, you need to network. https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking

Connecting24

PreparingforYourJobSearch:Networking

• Social media site

• Great tool to expand your professionalnetwork

• Identify job opportunities

• Connect to potential employers

• Dedicated group of organizations unitedto help military spouses

• Provide various services, support &networking opportunities

• Supports building your network insideand outside military community

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Where to Find Jobs

DuringYourJobSearch

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Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompanyWebsite

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Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompanyWebsite

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Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompanyWebsite

Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompanyWebsite

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Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompany Website

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Where To Find Jobs

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)CareerOneStopUSAJOBSLocal Base WebsiteState Job BanksCompanyWebsite

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Understanding the Job Description

DuringYourJobSearch

Job Description

DUTIES

REQUIRED

QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED

Employer Research33

DuringYourJobSearch

• Visit the employer’swebsite

• Explore company’ssocial media presence

• Review companyinformation on LinkedIn

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Employer Research

DuringYourJobSearch

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Employer Research

DuringYourJobSearch

Read company’s description.

Visit employer’s website and social media platforms to view:• About section• Mission• Purpose• Recent news

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Tailor Your Resume & Cover Letter

DuringYourJobSearch:Whatdoes“tailoring”involve?

Highlight skills that demonstrate your qualifications

Use relevant and specific keywords

Create several versions of your resume based on job title/industry

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The Application

DuringYourJobSearch:HelpfulTips

Keep a “cheat sheet” withreferences’ information

Do not write “See Resume”

Fill in all required fields

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The Application

DuringYourJobSearch:HelpfulTips

Maintain consistency with your resume

Proofread again

Proofread

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Staying Motivated!

DuringYourJobSearch

Set daily goalsKeep a job journal

Work on growth opportunities

Build or connect with support network

Volunteer

Incorporate wellness activities

Coaching Packages

TheNextStep!SECOCareerCoaches

www.myseco.militaryonesource.mil 40

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TheNextStep!SECOCareerCoaches

www.myseco.militaryonesource.mil

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Questions?Feedback?

We’d like to hear from you! Connect with us:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DoDMilSpouseTwitter – https://twitter.com/DoDMilSpouseLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4159976

SECO Career Center: 800-342-9647Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDTSaturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT

SECO Events Calendar:https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/Portal/Home/EventDetails