ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
WHAT’S AHEAD
4.1 Get to Know Yourself
4.2 Explore Careers
4.3 Apply for a Job
4.4 Interview Successfully
4.5 Prepare for the Future
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
LESSON 4.1
Get to Know Yourself
GOALS
►Describe life and work values that you hold.
►Identify interests, aptitudes, and personality traits that
will influence your career choice.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 personal interest
 aptitude
 skill
 transferable skill
 personality
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 personal interest – activities that you find rewarding
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over an extended period of time.
aptitude – a natural talent for learning some skills over
others.
skill – an aptitude developed through training and
experience.
transferable skill – a skill that allows you to complete
specific tasks in various careers.
personality – the blend of qualities that defines you as
an individual.
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What Do You Value?
►Life values – the most important principles in your life.
For example…living near your relatives.
►Work values – principles that are most important to you
in your work.
For example…independence or creativity.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Life and Work Values
 Income and wealth
 Creativity
 Security
 Personal growth
 Independence
 Family
 Physical risk
 Community
 Recognition
 Location
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Interests, Aptitudes,
and Personality
►What are your interests?
►What are your aptitudes?
►Turn aptitudes into skills
►What is your personality?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Common Aptitudes
►Verbal aptitude – the ability to write in a clear and
interesting manner and to explain ideas so that others
can understand them.
►Numerical aptitude – the ability to work with numbers
quickly and accurately.
►Spatial aptitude – the ability to “see” what something will
look like from a verbal description, a flat drawing or
photograph.
►Manual dexterity – the ability to fix and build things and
to do other physical work.
►Physical coordination – the ability to execute precise
muscle movements.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Personality Types
►Realistic
►Investigative
►Creative
►Social
►Enterprising
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
How will the values you hold help you choose a
career?
What aptitudes and personality traits do you
have that will help you choose your career goals?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
How will the values you hold help you choose a
career?
Values help people choose career goals by helping them
realize what is important to them.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What aptitudes and personality traits do you
have that will help you choose your career goals?
Ask yourself the following questions:
• What activities do you find rewarding?
• What natural talents do you have that help you learn
certain skills?
• Into what training and experience are you willing to put
your efforts?
• Do your goal choices fit with your personality?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
LESSON 4.2
Explore Careers
GOALS
►Identify sources of career information.
►Describe steps you can take to plan for a successful
career.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 job
 career
 career connection
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 job – the set of tasks you accomplish as you
work.
 career – an occupation to which you have made
a long-term commitment.
 career connection – a meeting with someone
who works in your career of choice.
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Identifying Possible Careers
►Federal government sources of information
►Private sources of career information
►Career clusters
►Private employment agencies
►Make a career connection
►Be an intern
►Volunteer
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Federal Sources of Information
►Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
►Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
►Occupational Outlook Quarterly
►Monthly Labor Review
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Career Clusters
 Agriculture, Food, and Natural
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Resources
Architecture and Construction
Arts, A/V Technology and
Communications
Business Management and
Administration
Education and Training
Finance
Government and Public
Administration
Health Science
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Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety,
Corrections and Security
Manufacturing
Marketing
Science, Technology,
Engineering, and
Mathematics
Transportation, Distribution,
and Logistics
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Plan Your Career
►Determine skills, training, and education required
►Consider your family
►Finance your plans
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What are several sources that may be used to
gather career information?
What steps should you take to create a realistic
career plan?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What are several sources that may be used to
gather career information?
• Check federal government sources including the
Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET
• Talk to people employed in specific careers to gain
personal information, insights, and impressions
• Meet with people in careers that are of interest (friends,
family, job fairs, etc.)
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What steps should you take to create a realistic
career plan?
• Plan to acquire needed skills, training, and education
• Consider how your family might be affected by your
career choice
• Arrange for methods of financing your preparation
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
LESSON 4.3
Apply for a Job
GOALS
►Identify ways to find out about job openings.
►Describe the job application process.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 referral
 temporary agency
 résumé
 cover letter
 reference
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 referral – the recommendation of a person for a job
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given to an employer by someone the employer knows.
temporary agency – a private company that specializes
in supplying short-term employees to businesses.
résumé – a brief summary of your job qualifications,
including your education and training, job skills and
work experience.
cover letter – your letter of introduction.
reference – a person the employer can contact to verify
your training, experience or character.
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Look for Job Openings
►People you know
►Potential employers
►Newspapers
►Employment agencies
►Temporary agencies
►Jobs online
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Application Process
►Preparing a résumé
►What to include?
►Writing a cover letter
►Completing the application
►References
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What steps can you take to identify job openings
in your community?
List and describe steps in the application
process.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What steps can you take to identify job openings
in your community?
Find out about local job openings by . . .
• Asking friends and relatives
• Checking newspapers
• Performing Internet searches
• Working with employment and temporary agencies
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
List and describe steps in the application
process.
• Prepare a resume: a summary of your qualifications,
education and training, and employment history as well
as your contact information
• Write a cover letter: explanation of the reason you are
applying and how your services will benefit the employer
• Complete the application: employment and personal
information needed by the employer
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
LESSON 4.4
Interview Successfully
GOALS
►Describe how to prepare for an interview for a job.
►Write an interview follow-up letter.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERM
 interview
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Pre-Interview Checklist
►Be on time
►Know your résumé
►Know the company
►Anticipate questions
►Complete a practice interview
►Prepare questions
►Dress for success
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
In the Interview
►Be polite
►Be conscious of your nonverbal communication
►Try to make only positive remarks
►Let the interviewer lead the conversation
►Bring up your skills and experience
►Ask questions
►Let the interviewer know you would like the position
►Thank the interviewer
Slide 34
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What They Can’t Ask You
►The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1964
►The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
►Examples of inappropriate questions:
►Have you ever seen a therapist?
►Are you planning to have kids?
►What is your medical history?
►You’re a Christian, aren’t you?
►What country are your parents from?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Write a Follow-Up Letter
►Provide your contact information
►Thank the interviewer
►Identify the position you are seeking
►Repeat your interest
Slide 36
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Describe how you should prepare for a job
interview.
What is the purpose of sending a follow-up letter
after a job interview?
Slide 37
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Describe how you should prepare for a job
interview.
To prepare for a job interview you should:
• Review your résumé and cover letter
• Complete practice interviews
• Dress appropriately
• Arrive on time
• Bring extra copies of your résumé
Slide 38
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
What is the purpose of sending a follow-up letter
after a job interview?
The purpose of a follow-up letter is to remind an employer
of your interest in the job.
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
LESSON 4.5
Prepare for the Future
GOAL
►Explain why it is important to fit in and perform your
duties well when you begin a new job.
Slide 40
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
KEY TERMS
 downsizing
 severance pay
 notice
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
A Job Well Done
►Be a part of the team
►Take direction
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Know When It’s Time to Move On
►Changing careers
►Getting downsized
►Getting fired
Slide 43
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Leave on Good Terms
►Always be considerate of your current employer’s needs
►Give notice at least two weeks before you leave
Slide 44
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Be Prepared
►Update your resume
►Think about what you want for your next job
►Plan your finances
Slide 45
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Why should workers always try to fit in and try to
do their best when they start new jobs?
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© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning
ECONOMIC EDUCATION FOR CONSUMERS ○ Chapter 4
Why should workers always try to fit in and try to
do their best when they start new jobs?
Workers should try to fit in when they start a job because
they need to learn from other employees.
Slide 47
© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning