Career Development Relating to Employment Opportunities

Career Development Relating to Employment Opportunities

Instructional Materials ServiceIMS #8000A2

Objectives

• Discuss career opportunities in agricultural-related occupations and the need for continued education for advancement.

• Identify effective methods to secure and terminate employment.

• Demonstrate effective written and oral skills.

Objectives

• Follow through on assigned tasks.• Demonstrate dependability and punctuality.• Demonstrate productive work habit and

attitude.• Develop pride in the quality of work

performed.

Objectives

• Recognize the dignity of work.• Develop skills in planning and organizing

work.• Apply required methods and sequences when

performing tasks.• Apply principles of time management and

work simplification when performing assigned tasks.

Introduction

• The agricultural industry boasts an abundance of exciting employment opportunities.

• Regardless of interest, there is a perfect career, occupation or job out there for everyone.

Differentiating Between A Career, Occupation, & Job

• Career - involves the general direction of a person’s life as related to work.

• Occupation - involves an area of work with specific duties.

• Job - specific work that has definite duties and is done in a particular place.

Introduction

• People spend half of their life working. – Therefore it is extremely important that a

person choose a career that he/she will love. • By taking a personal inventory of one’s

abilities and interests, a person can get an idea of a career field or pathway that may be of interest to him/her.

Introduction

• Careful research into the desired career and available positions, as well as careful consideration of whether or not the career offers what an individual desires, helps ensure that the individual doesn’t choose a position that isn’t right for him/her.

Introduction

• Being hired depends on an individual’s ability to express his/her strengths and desirable qualities.

• To successfully maintain employment, one must possess the appropriate skills for the job, as well as desirable traits and ethics.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Career Field

• Personal Interests• Aptitudes• Abilities

• Personality and Attitudes• Values and Standards

• Goals• Resources

Interests

• Include hobbies, activities, events, and ideas that a person enjoys.

Interests

• Determined by answering the following questions: – What do I do in my spare time?– What would I like to do that I haven’t

experienced yet?– What do I like to talk about with others?– What is my favorite thing to do?

Aptitudes

• Natural physical and mental talents for learning the skills required for professional choices.

• May be determined based on self-knowledge or tests offered by school. – General Aptitude Test Battery, which measures

nine different aptitudes and may indicate strengths and weaknesses, may be available through school guidance counselor.

Abilities

• Capacity to perform a task well.• May be learned and developed, or may be a

natural talent.• Generally, an ability for a skill is more easily

acquired when a person has an aptitude for the skill.

Values

• Ideals and principles that a person holds most important in life.

• May be influenced by parents, teachers, and friends.

• Naturally developed by keeping and disregarding the ideas of outside influences and combining kept values with personal experiences.

Standards

• Set the basis for an individual’s expectations when his/her values are questioned.

• Draw the line that a person doesn’t feel comfortable crossing.

• Set for everything including living habits, friendliness, professionalism, self worth, personal ethics, and goals.

Goals

• Aspirations a person strives to achieve.• May include short-term or long-term goals.

– Short-term goal may be to finish a class assignment before the due date.

– Long-term goal may be to graduate in the top ten percent of the class.

• Set based on values and standards.

Values, Standards, and Goals

• Tend to change over time.• Should be continually re-evaluated.

Personality

• The way a person behaves and acts.• Identifies a person as an individual.• Involves a person’s emotional and physical

well being and influences others’ views of him/her.

• Determines the character of a person.

Personality

• A key characteristic that employers use to evaluate job candidates.

• Employers look for employees with a happy, cheerful personality that will benefit the company and fit into its environment.

Attitude

• A characteristic of personality.• The way a person feels and acts in regards to

him/her self and others.• Affects the way a person responds to certain

stimulus.

Characteristics Affected by a Person’s Attitude

• Dependability• Friendliness• Loyalty• Honesty• Initiative

• Open-Mindedness• Self-Confidence• Self-Control• Sense of Humor

Attitude

• Employers want a person who works well with others and has a positive attitude.

• Negative or bad attitude can carry from one person to another and cause a drop in effectiveness, efficiency, and production.

Resources

• Resources include skills, abilities, talents, knowledge, and time.

• Tangible resources include money, tools, personal belongings, and other resources.

• Personal contacts are also resources.• All types of resources can help one choose a

career.

Researching Careers

• Familiarity with career pathways may aid in researching careers.

– Career pathways are groups of occupations with similar broad skill requirements and work responsibilities.

Common Career Pathways in Agriculture

Examples of Occupations in Career Pathways

Animal Systems

Plant Systems

Power and Technical Systems

Natural Resources

Environ-mental

Services

Food and Nutrition

Agri-business

LivestockProducer

Livestock Inspector

Pet Shop Owner

Livestock Buyer

Dairy Farmer

Farm Manager

Urban Forester

Cotton Grader

Turf Scientist

Floral Designer

Irrigation Specialist

Custom Harvester

Agricultural Engineer

Global Position

Specialist

Welder

Fishery Technician

Wildlife Scientist

Range Manager

Mining Equipment Operator

Fisherman

Air Quality Technician

Hazardous Materials

Technician

Wastewater Treatment

Plant Operator

Sanitarian

Toxicologist

Poultry Inspector

Food Scientist

Food Plant Engineer

Meat Grader

Nutritionist

Commodity Broker

Ag Loan Officer

Feed Sales Rep.

Agricultural Economist

Ag Products

Buyer

Researching Careers

• Sources of information for researching careers include:– Libraries and the Internet– Human Resources– Career Fairs– Co-op Experiences, Internships, Apprenticeships,

and/or Shadowing• Resource chosen should provide information

on a variety of topics.

Libraries and the Internet

• Libraries may offer resources such as:– Newspapers– Magazines– Books– Journals– On-line information


• Use a library’s card catalog, or an Internet search engine, to search by keyword for information on the career of interest.


• For example, if interested in animals, complete a search using the key words:– animal;– animal science;– animal research;– animal rights/welfare;– pets; or – animal care.

Human Resources

• Includes counselors, mentors, and friends who may serve as a source of career information.

Counselors

• May be able to direct individuals to desired information.

• May maintain up-to-date folders on different occupations and educational requirements.

• May help individuals better understand their personal interests, aptitudes, and abilities.

Mentors and Friends

• May have personal experience and knowledge to share.

• May help a person recognize personal characteristics and traits.

• May be able to direct an individual to associates involved in career fields of interest.

• May be willing or able to help a person find employment opportunities.

Career Fairs

• May include career fairs, career conferences, or career consultations.

• Opportunity for direct contact with people employed with the company of interest or in desired career fields.

• People are available to answer questions regarding their employers or job opportunities.

Career Fairs

• Questions for company representatives should be related to the following:– Training– Getting the first job– Company environment– Job likes and dislikes

• Questions should provide further insight into the company or career field.

Co-op Employment

• Involves a cooperative agreement between the employee and employer to employ a person while he/she is still in high school or college.– High school co-op employment is part-time and

generally involves 15-20 hours of work per week.

– College co-op employment can be either part-time or full-time.

Co-op Employment

• Direct supervision and help is provided to the employee.

• Employee usually earns a salary.• Individual learns the duties and

responsibilities of the position and workplace.

Internship

• Similar to a co-op experience, but individual usually has some training.

• Intern may be assigned to a specific person or department to work with, or may be assigned general duties.

• Interns receive hands-on experience before formal education is completed.

Internship

• Position may be paid or unpaid.• Offers experience and the possibility of

receiving valuable recommendations for future jobs.

Apprenticeship

• System of employee training that combines on-the-job training with technical instruction.

• Programs are most common in fields requiring skilled or “craft-workers” such as electricians and construction workers.

Apprenticeship

• Involves agreement between apprentice and employer regarding the following:– Length of Training– Hours of Instruction– Wages– Outline of Skills to be Learned

Shadowing

• Short-term commitment between the individual and company.

• Provides an individual with an opportunity to follow, or shadow, a professional engaged in a specific career role.

• Should provide enough time to provide an in-depth knowledge of the position.

• Normally non-salaried.

Evaluating Careers

• All job opportunities and job offers should be evaluated.

• Opportunities should be evaluated based on questions related to the following:– Career Goals– Job Expectations– Effect on Personal Lifestyle

Career Goals

• Is there potential for future work involvement?

• Is this related to my specific area of interest?• Would this career motivate me to seek

advancement?

Career Goals

• Will there be opportunities to gain the experience needed for advancement?

• Does the opportunity exist within the organization for advancement?

Job Expectations

• What is the desired treatment by employers and peers?

• What level of job training is given before assuming responsibilities?

• What degree of responsibility does the employee desire?

• Does the company encourage creativity?

Job Expectations

• How does the company accept new ideas?• What are the company policies on gender,

religion, and family issues?• Does the company atmosphere reflect social

interaction or is social interaction discouraged?

Personal Lifestyle

• Does the job require relocation, and is relocating acceptable?

• Does the time this job requires still allow time to pursue personal interests?

• Will there be time to get away from work and relieve job stress?

• Will there be time to marry and start a family or devote to a family?

Personal Lifestyle

• How much time is there for personal social interaction?

• Can this job support the desired lifestyle or family?

• Will this job conflict with the spouse’s career, or agree with it?

Evaluating Careers

• Basic information needed to evaluate a position and its appropriateness for an individual includes:– Educational Requirements– Working Hours– Expected Salary

Educational Requirements

• Educational requirements correspond to duties associated with the position.

• As job requirements increase, so do educational requirements.

Educational Requirements

• Commonly required levels of education:– High School Diploma or GED– Trade School Certification or Associate of Arts

Degree– Bachelor of Science Degree– Masters Degree or Doctorate Degree

High School Diploma or GED

• Often the minimum requirement for jobs paying minimum wage.

Trade School Certification or Associate of Arts Degree

• Trade schools or junior colleges often provide a working knowledge of a specific area.

• These educational programs may include training or apprenticeships in technical fields such as computer programming or engine repair.

Bachelor of Science Degree

• Obtained by successfully completing a college education.

• Entry level educational requirement for most professional workers.

• Experience in the armed forces may also meet this educational requirement.

Evaluating Careers Based on Educational Requirements

• If advanced education or training is required for the desired position, one must consider the following:– Time commitment to attend college or trade school.– Financial investment required.– Level of educational achievement required.– Possibility of having to relocate in order to receive

the required education.

Hours of Employment

• Considerations regarding hours of employment include:– Part-time vs. Full-time– Hourly vs. Salaried– Straight Time vs. Shift Work– Overtime

Hours of Employment

• Part-time vs. Full-time– Full-time usually requires 40 hours per week.

• Hourly vs. Salaried– Hourly employees are eligible for overtime, but

don’t get paid holidays or sick time.– Salaried employees aren’t eligible for overtime, but

generally get paid holidays and sick time.

Hours of Employment

• Straight Time vs. Shift Work– Straight time generally means working 8 a.m. to

5 p.m.– Shift work can include late night or early

morning hours.

Hours of Employment

• Overtime– Any time at work over the normal 40 hours.– Generally only hourly employees are paid overtime.– Pay is generally time-and-a-half of regular pay.

• If you are paid $10/hr., you would be paid $15/hr. for any overtime.

– Working on a holiday generally pays double time.• If you are paid $10/hr., you would be paid $20/hr. for

working on a holiday.

Salary

• Salary includes more than just the amount of money being offered for the job. – Salary also includes benefits.

• Some jobs may offer a higher salary, but few benefits, or vice versa.

Common Benefits

• Health Insurance• Life Insurance• Dental Insurance• Optical Insurance• Sick Leave

• Vacation• Paid Vacation• Bonuses• Retirement Plan

Securing Employment

1. Find job openings.2. Narrow and select employment opportunities.3. Submit the following:

a. Letter of Applicationb. Completed Application for Employmentc. Resume, Vita, and/or Portfolio

Securing Employment

4. Be interviewed by prospective employer.5. Send a follow-up letter.6. Consider employment offer.

Sources for Job Opening Notices or Postings

• Employer Website– Many large businesses and government

offices post openings on their website.• Placement Office

– Some schools, colleges, and other educational institutions have such offices that assist their students in finding jobs.


• Employment Agency– May be operated by government agencies or

private businesses.– Often list openings and help match people with

jobs.• Media Advertisements

– Newspapers, radio, and television may list openings.

• Newspapers often list many job openings and advertisements.


• Friends and Family– May be able to provide information about job

openings with their company or other employers, or put you in contact with another person who may be of assistance.

• Direct Calling– Business may be contacted directly to determine

if they have any openings.

Narrowing and Selecting Opportunities

• Narrow employment opportunities by weighing each job’s advantages and disadvantages and selecting possibilities that meet career goals and personal needs.

• Options that aren’t chosen may still be considered possibilities and alternatives.

Letters of Application

• Purpose is to inform an employer of an interest in a job.

• Should be addressed to the person responsible for hiring or recommending prospective employees.– If necessary, call the company to get the name and

spelling of the person responsible for filling the position.

Letters of Application

• Should include three paragraphs addressing the following:

1. Position or type of work applying for.• Include a brief explanation of how you became aware of the job.

2. Description of qualifications for the job.• Also make reference to resume, vita, or portfolio if enclosed.

3. Request for an interview.• Also thank the person for his/her time and provide personal

contact information that can be used to schedule an interview.

Resumes and Vitae

• Can be a key factor in being offered an interview for a job.

• Should reflect the person and “sell” the candidate.

• Include personal information and qualifications.• Should be neat, well organized, and honest.

Difference Between Resumes and Vitae

• Resumes– More commonly used

than vitae.– Brief.

• Generally only 1-2 pages in length.

• Vitae– Usually for careers in

academics, education, or research.

– In-depth.• May have additional

headings and pages.

General Tips for Resumes and Vitae Preparation

• Use a printer that produces a quality image.• Select a high quality paper that is white or

light in color.• Font should be simple and 10- or 12-point in

size.

Common Headings for Resumes and Vitae

• Contact Information• Career Objective• Education• Work Experience

• Activities• Honors and Awards• References

Contact Information

• First information listed under person’s name.• Should include:

– Address• May include physical and mailing address.• If address is temporary, also include a permanent address.

– Telephone Number• Include both temporary and permanent phone numbers if

necessary.– E-mail Address

Career Objective

• Optional heading for both resumes and vitae.• Often included when individual is engaged in

broad or ongoing career search.• Should address specific type of employment

preferred.

Education

• Should include information about all educational institutions attended.

• Should include the following for each institution:– Dates attended or attending.– Name of institution.– Location of institution.– Education or degree received or expected.

Education

• Institutions should be listed beginning with the current or most recent.

• Also include specific academic honors and grade point average (GPA).

• May also include workshops, seminars, or other special training received.

Work Experience

• Typically follows education.• Should include both salaried and non-salaried

positions. – Non-salaried positions may include

apprenticeships, co-op employment, shadowing, or internships, and at-home work such as farm or ranch work or babysitting.

Information Included Under Work Experience

• Time (dates) held at each position.• Name of the organization.• Location of the organization.• Duties of the position.

Activities

• May include the following :– Extracurricular Activities– Community Activities

• Also include leadership positions, volunteer work, and community service.

• Some may choose to include hobbies within the section or in place of it.

Honors and Awards

• Section may be helpful in selling one’s self to the employer.

• It is particularly important to include awards relating to job performance or the career field.

References

• Include people who are familiar with the personal character and work experience of the applicant.

• Possible references include:– Former or Present Employers– Supervisors– Teachers– Religious Leaders– Neighbors

References

• Always ask a person’s permission before listing them as a reference.

• Include 3-5 references, along with their job title, mailing address, phone number, and email address.

• References may be asked to submit a letter of recommendation or be contacted by an employer for comments regarding the applicant’s character and work experience.

Portfolios

• Used to compliment a resume or may stand alone.

• Contains examples of a person’s work.

Example of Portfolio Contents

• Photographer– Photos taken, submitted, and awards received.

• Writer– Articles, excerpts of papers written, publications, and

any awards received.• Student

– Certificates of completion, pictures of participation in work experiences, or high school transcript.

Guidelines for Compiling a Portfolio

• Include only the best and most relevant work.• Be honest and not afraid to show off individual

accomplishments.• Be selective and concise with information.• Use terms that explain how your experiences

will transfer to the workplace.

Guidelines forCompiling a Portfolio

• Always write professionally and use correct writing techniques.

• Be creative, but don’t distract from the presentation.

• Remember that portfolios act as a visual and written representation of an individual’s work.

Tips for Resumes, Vitae, and Portfolios

• Always keep documents current by entering information as it occurs.

• Use categories to make it easier to enter relevant information.

Interviews

• Preparation is essential for a successful interview.

• Prior to the interview, research the business and desired position.

Questions To Answer Through Research

• What is the mission of the business or company?

• What is the reputation of the company with other businesses and customers?

• What is the primary product or service provided by the company?

Questions To Answer Through Research

• What other products or services are provided by the company?

• How many people are employed by the business?

• Is the company growing and expanding?• What is the process for advancement within the

organization?

Interviews

• Questions that can’t be answered through research should be asked during the interview.

• Prior to the interview, prepare for questions the interviewer may ask.

Possible Interview Questions

• Please start by telling us about yourself.• What do you know about our business?• What do you expect to get out of a job with

us?• What work experience do you have?


• What experience do you have relating to this position?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?• Why should we hire you?• Would you be willing to relocate?


• What salary would you expect to receive?• If you were offered the job, when could you

start?

Making a Good First Impression at Interviews

• Be on time.– Arrive 5-10 minutes

early and allow extra time for travel problems or finding the correct location.


• Dress appropriately.– The general rule is to

dress one step above the position for which you are applying.


• Act with professionalism.– Firmly shake the hand of

the interviewer.– Wait to be seated until

offered a seat or ask if you may take a seat.

– Sit up straight.


• Act with professionalism.– Make eye contact.– Be enthusiastic about the

position.– Avoid distracting gestures such

as chewing gum, tapping a foot or fingers, fidgeting, etc.

Interview Tips

• When answering questions, be confident but not boastful.

• Don’t limit answers to a “yes” or “no”, but don’t give long drawn out answers.

• Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.• Remember that the interviewer is responsible for

ending the interview.

Follow-Up Letter

• Written to the interviewer following the interview.

• Should be professional and brief.• Should thank the interviewer for the interview

and re-emphasize a desire for the job.• Should ask for a reply in regards to the status of

the job.

Employment Offers

• Every employment offer should be considered carefully.

• Each job should be evaluated on its own merits and weighed against other offers before making a decision.

Things to Consider When Evaluating a Job Offer

• Salary• Benefits• Working

Environment• Work Hours

• Travel• Position• Opportunity for

Advancement

Declining or Rejectinga Job Offer

• If the job is offered and doesn’t meet the applicant’s needs, immediate response is still required.

• Either in person or by phone or mail, thank the interviewer for the offer and briefly explain why the decision was made not to accept the position.

Terminating Employment

• Terminating employment may result from the following:– Dismissal (getting fired)– Downsizing (layoff)– Resigning– Retiring

Dismissal

• Usually permanent.• Occurs when the employee hasn’t met the job

expectations.

Downsizing

• Termination is generally a result of the business’ financial problems.

• Employee may be re-hired at a later date.• Employer may provide a letter of

recommendation to assist with job search.• Employee may be eligible to receive

unemployment benefits.

Resigning

• Involves an employee terminating his/her own employment.

• May result for many reasons such as:– Dissatisfaction with job.– Moving away.– Accepting a different job.

• Employee should follow company policies for resignation.

Resigning

• Immediate supervisor should be informed of the resignation before sharing the news with other employees.

• Employees should give “two-weeks notice”.– This allows employer to look for others to fill the

position and make plans to temporarily distribute the workload.

Resigning

• It is possible that the employee could be re-hired at a later date.

• Employer will usually provide a positive recommendation during future job searches.

Retirement

• Usually permanent.• Some people retire from a job and seek

another job to supplement their income or to keep busy.

Keys to Successful Employment

• General Skills• Specific Skills

• Employee Traits• Employee Ethics

General Skills

• Reading Skills• Writing Skills• Math Skills

• Speaking Skills• Social Skills

• Logical and Problem Solving Skills

Reading Skills

• Importance– Gives a person the ability

to take in and provide new information.

Reading Skills

• Areas of Concern– Understanding– Concentration– Pace– Required Environment– Pace and Comprehension Relationships

• Methods of Improvement– Implement a program to improve identified weaknesses.

• Program may be self-developed or developed with counselors, tutors, and/or parents.

– Continue with program until attaining desired level of reading.– Monitor progress periodically.

Writing Skills

• Importance– Communication using letters,

memos, and e-mail as a part of everyday business.

Writing Skills

• Areas of Concern– Grammar– Document Formatting– Spelling

• Methods of Improvement– Practice!– Becoming familiar with tools of written communication and

business documents.

Math Skills

• Importance– Essential in every job as well

as in life for activities involving money and other tasks, like determining distances and weights.

Math Skills

• Areas of Concern– Basic skills such as adding, subtracting, dividing,

and multiplying.– Progressive math skills are essential for

understanding the workings of a business.• Methods of Improvement

– Practice and experience!

Speaking Skills

• Importance– Used to communicate

with others in the workplace, with customers, and in society.

Speaking Skills

• Areas of Concern– Perception of Others– Portrayal of Sincerity– Manners– Sense of Authority– Clarity– Engagement of Audience

Speaking Skills

• Methods of Improvement– Feedback from teachers, friends, or family.– Self-analyzing performance when practicing in front of

a mirror, listening to audio taped recordings of performance, or viewing video taped recordings of performance.

Speaking Skills

• Effectiveness of speaking skills is also linked to nonverbal language such as:– Gestures– Facial Expressions– Person’s Movements– Posture– Other Nonverbal Communication Queues

Social Skills

• Importance– Required to get along with people and work

with others. • Areas of Concern

– Respecting Others– Teamwork– Manners– Etiquette

Logical and Problem Solving Skills

• Importance– Required to work through difficult

situations or problems.• Areas of Concern

– Person should be able to work through problems with ease and little time.

– Person must be able to use logic to reason through prejudiced, superstitious, and personal strong feelings or emotions.

Logical and Problem Solving Skills

• Steps in Problem Solving1. Determine the exact problem.2. Develop a list of obstacles that prevent it from being solved.3. Prepare a list of advantages or resources that are available to

work with.4. Prepare a list of possible solutions.5. Determine results of each solution.6. Determine the best solution.7. Put a plan into action.

Specific Skills

• Specific skills are needed for most positions.• These may come naturally as a talent or be

developed through training.• Skills are further developed through successes

and failures while performing duties of the position.

Expected Employee Traits

• Ability to work well with others.• Reliability and punctuality.• Ability to follow and carry out directions.• Skill in planning and organizing.• Good time management and ability to simplify work.• Honesty and loyalty.• Neat and professional appearance.

Employee Ethics

• Avoid use of business time for personal matters.• Respect materials as business property.• Treat co-workers, supervisors, and managers with

respect.• Share credit with co-workers and supervisors.

Employee Ethics

• Make complaints through appropriate channels within the company.

• Show company loyalty.• Report problems if they are illegal, cruel,

harmful to others, or may cause future problems.

Summary

• Each person must examine their own personal interests, abilities, skills, and resources when exploring careers.

• Using this information can help one determine career ambitions and a career path.

Summary

• To secure employment, one must work hard, persevere, and be able to sell one’s self through personal documents such as his/her resume and portfolio, and in interviews.

• To maintain employment, one must possess and continually develop his/her skills, personal traits, and ethics.

Documents

Career Development Relating to Employment Opportunities