The Career Search Process
Unit 2
Choosing a Career
Getting to Know Yourself
What do you value?
Money and Wealth
Creativity
Security
Personal Growth
Independence
Family
Physical Risk
Community
Recognition
Location
What are your Interests and Aptitudes?
Personal Interests – activities you find rewarding over an
extended period of time
Aptitude – natural talent for learning some skill over others
(math, languages)
Common Aptitudes
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Verbal
Numerical
Spatial
Manual Dexterity
Physical Coordination
What is Your Personality?
Personality – your unique blend of qualities that defines
you as an individual
Personality Types
1.
Realistic
2.
Investigative
3.
Creative
4.
Social
5.
Enterprising
Exploring Careers
There can be a difference between a job and a career.
Job – Set of tasks you accomplish as you work
Career – an occupation to which you have made a longterm commitment
Federal Sources of Career Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
(OOH)
Occupational Information
Network (O*NET)
Guide for Occupational
Exploration (GOE)
Helpful Career Web-sites
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careercruising.com
PW: lz and then bears
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schoolboard.com
Career Clusters
There are 15 career clusters identified by the United States Office of Education
It cannot hurt to do the following:
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Talk to people concerning careers
Interview the “Experts”
Write Letters or e-mail
Volunteer
Determine skills, training and education needed
Finance your plans
Where to Look for Job Openings
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
Talk to people who you know
Send applications to potential employers
Check Newspapers
Research position openings on the
internet
Speak to employment agencies
Contact temporary agencies
Application Process
Preparing a Resume
 Be brief (one page)
 Express yourself clearly
 Use the proper words
 Always tell the truth
 Check your resume – 0 mistakes
 Ask an expert to review your resume
Do Not Lie on a Resume
Sample Resume
Sample Cover Letter
Completing an Application
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Your name, address, telephone number, social
security number
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Information detailing education and training
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A list of your work experience – with references
(names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of
employment and reasons for leaving)
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Name of job applying for and salary desired
Sample Job Application
Application, page 2
Interviewing Successfully
Pre-Interview Checklist
Be on time (10-15min.) – call ahead to confirm
appointment/ask for directions
 Know your resume
 Know the Company or Employer
 Anticipate and Practice General Questions
 Dress Well – specifics need to be discussed
 Practice getting rid of nervous body movements or
repetitive language (like or um)
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During the Interview
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Shake hands firmly with the interviewer
Be polite and professional
Maintain appropriate eye contact with
interviewer while sitting up straight
Think about answers before speaking
Fold your hands not your arms
Try to stay positive, keep out the negative
Prepare to ask questions
Thank the interviewer for their time
Plan to write a follow-up letter
Questions that cannot be asked during in an interview:
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Have you ever seen a therapist?
Are you planning to have a family?
What is your medical history?
You’re a Christian, aren’t you?
What country are you from?
Do you have a boyfriend or husband?
And Finally, Decision Time
Everyone likes to be liked/chosen. However, keep in mind
you are also interviewing the interviewer. You eventually
may have to commit to either accepting a position or turning
a position down.