Putting the Pieces Together · Job Hunting in Maine: Putting the Pieces Together Page 1 Introduction Welcome to Job Hunting in Maine: Putting the Pieces Together. Job hunting is never

Putting the Pieces Together

JIS-40

www.mainecareercenter.com

Contents

1 Introduction

2 TheCareerCenter

3 CareerCenterPartners

4 TheCareerCenterInformationCenter

5 What’sIntheInformationCenter?

6 HowtheInformationCenterisOrganized

8 Maine’sJobBank

9 Career/LifePlanningProcess

11 Self-Assessment

13 WhatDoYouEnjoy?

16 TheBigQuestion

17 HowHastheWorldofWorkChanged?

18 StateofMaineEssentialWorkCompetencies

21 DocumentingYourEssentialWorkCompetencies

22 ExternalExploration

24 InformationalInterviewing

27 SampleThankYouNote

28 MakingConnections

31 DecisionMaking/GoalSetting/Action!Steps/CorrectingCourse

32 GettingItAllTogether

32 TheHiddenJobMarket

33 Networking

33 WritingaRésumé

34 NamingYourSkills

36 Skills-BasedRésumé

37 WorkHistory

38 ChronologicalRésumé

41 CoverLetters

42 Applicationforms

45 References

47 JobSearchTools

49 WheretoLookforWork

51 LookingforGovernmentJobs

54 InterviewingTips

55 SampleSkillsStatements

56 MoreInterviewingTips

57 SalaryInformation

58 INeedaJobNOW!

60 EmploymentTests

62 AFinalWord

TheMaineDepartmentofLaborprovidesequalopportunityinemploymentandprograms.Auxiliaryaidsandservicesareavailabletoindividualswithdisabilitiesuponrequest.

JobHuntinginMaine:PuttingthePiecesTogether Page 1

IntroductionWelcometoJob Hunting in Maine: Putting the Pieces Together.Jobhuntingisnevereasywhetheryouarelookingforyourfirstjob,tryingtofindanotherjoborstrivingforapromotion.Thisbookisfilledwithtipsandtechniquestomakeyoursearchgofasterandbemoresuc-cessful.WehavetwogoalsforJob Hunting in Maine. 1. We want to introduce you to the CareerCenters throughout

the State and all the information and services available to you through “The Maine Employment Resource.”

2. We want to give you the latest tips and techniques to enhance your job search.

Youwillfindtipsoncareer/lifedecisionmaking,informationalinterviewingandfindingwherethejobopeningsare.YouwillalsofindalistoftheStateofMaineEssentialWorkCompetenciessoyoucandescribeyourskillseffectivelytoemployers.

Page 2 JobHuntinginMaine:PuttingthePiecesTogether

CareerCentersareacollaborationbetweentheMaineDepartmentofLaborandemployment,educationandtrainingproviders.CareerCentersareapartofanation-widenetworkofone-stopservicecentershelpingtobringjob-seekersandemployerstogether.It’stheplacetofindoutabouteducationandtrainingopportunitiessoyoucancontinuetobecompetitiveintheworkplace.Wehavepeopleineachlocationwhocanhelpjobseekerslookforworkandconnectthemwithemployers.(SeebackcoverforCareerCenterlocations.)

The CareerCenter

The CareerCenter is the place to start your job search or career exploration.


CareerCenter PartnersMaine’s Job BankMaine’s JobBank connects job seekerswithcurrent jobopenings.YoucanregisterforMaine’s JobBankat theCareerCenterlocationthatismostconvenientforyouoratwww.mainecareercenter.com.Youwillneedyoursocialsecuritynumbertodothis.Ifyoucome to theCareerCenter,a friendlystaffpersonwillbeavailabletoassistyou.Afteryouare registered,youmayview jobopeningsforMaineemployers.Afteryouareregistered,youmayalsoreceivereferralstojobsforwhichyouqualify.

Workforce DevelopmentWorkforcedevelopmenthelpspeople return towork. There is retrainingassistance forpeoplewhohavelosttheirjobbecauseoflayoffs,closingsorotherdislocations.PeoplewhoarereceivingassistancesuchasfoodstampsorTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)alsomaybeeligibleforretraining.Someprogramshelppeoplewhoareorhavebeenseasonalfarmworkers.Thereisaprogramtohelpfishermenwhowanttochangecareers.CheckwithyourlocalCareerCentertofindoutifyoumaybeeligibleforretrainingservices.

Rehabilitation ServicesRehabilitationServiceshastwodivisionsthathelppeoplegetorkeepajob.Onedivision helps peoplewhoare blind orvisuallyimpaired.ThisistheDivisionfortheBlindandVisuallyImpaired.Childrenwithdisabilitiesarealsoeligible forRe-habilitationServices.TheDivisionofVo-cationalRehabilitationisalsoknownasVR.VRhelpspeoplewhohaveallotherdisabilitiesgetandkeepajob.Apersonmayhaveanemotional,physicalormen-taldisability.Here’s how to findout ifRehabilitationServices canhelp you. Youmust applyfor services. Youmustmeet these tworequirements:1.Youmusthaveadisabilitythatkeepsyoufromgettingorkeepingajob.

2.YoumustneedVRservicestofindorkeepajob.

YouwillfindoutifyouareeligibleforVRserviceswithin60days.Mostpeoplefindoutiftheyareeligiblemuchsooner.CheckwithyourlocalCareerCentertoseehowwecanhelpyou.

Priority of Service for VeteransTheCareerCenteroffersspecializedemploy-mentand training services for Veterans.If youserved in theU.S.ArmedForces,aCareerCenterVeterans’Representativecanhelpyoufindajob,getnewskills,oraccessotherstateorfederalresourcesavailabletoyou.Veteransandeligiblespousesaregivenpriorityofserviceforthereceiptofemploy-ment,trainingandplacementservicespro-videdunderallMaineDepartmentofLabor-fundedprograms.FormoreinformationaboutPriorityofService forVeteransandEligibleSpouses,ortodetermineifyouareeligible,visit www.mainecareercenter.com/veterans.


The CareerCenter Information Center

TheInformationCenterineachCareerCenterlocationisopen

toeveryoneatnocost.The Information Center has alibraryofthe latestandbest jobseeking guides in a variety offormats.Therearebooks,videosand computer applications. TheInformationCenterhasadaptiveequipmentforyouruse.You canuse InformationCentercomputers, software and officesupportinyourjobsearch.Youcanwriteanewrésumé,brushupanoldoneorwritecoverletters.By browsing the Internet, youwill find job listing boards and tipsthat can help you in your job search. A great place to start iswww.mainecareercenter.com. There youcanconnect to jobpost-ingsinMaine’sJobBankandalsofindinformationspecifictoMainejobseekers.YoucangetyourcomplimentarycopyofHot Jobs in Maine orCareers

in Maine for College Graduates. ThesebrochuresgivethelatestinformationonwhichjobsaregrowinginMaine.All Information Center services are available at no costandthereisnopaperworkor“redtape”involvedinusingtheInformationCenter.


EducationandTrainingOpportunitiesTheInformationCenterhasthelatestcatalogsandcomputersearchestofindjusttherighteducationortrainingopportunitytomeetyourneeds.

CommunityResourcesandAssistanceTheInformationCenterkeepscurrentlistingsofcommunity,stateandnationalresourcesifyouareseekinghelporneedfurtherinformationonissuessuchaschildcare,housingopportunitiesorothernon-work-relatedissues.

JobSearchandPlacementOpportunitiesTheInformationCenterhasservicesforalljobseekers.YoumayusetheCenterforrésumépreparationandforwritingcoverletters.Youmayevenmail,faxorcopyyourresumesandcoverlettersatnochargetoyou.YoucanalsouseInformationCentercomputersforInternetaccess.By browsing the Internet, youwill find job listing boards and tipsthat can help you in your job search. A great place to start iswww.mainecareercenter.com.Thereyoucanconnecttojobpostings

inMaine’sJobBankandalsofindinformationspecifictoMainejobseekers.

BusinessandEmployerAssistanceIn this section you can find LaborMarketInformation,workforceskillsdevelopmentandotherassistancetohelppeoplewhohaveabusinessorwhoareinterestedinstartingone.

What’sintheInformationCenter?In addition to assisting you through Career/Life decision making, the Information Center offers information on the following services to the public at no charge.


TheInformationCenterhasorganizedmaterialsintotheseninecategories:

JobSearchThe JobSearch section includes informationandproductstohelpyouwithactivitiessuchasjobap-plications,résumés,coverletters,interviewingskillsandnetworkingtechniques.YouwillalsobeabletouseMaine’sJobBank through theCareerCenter’sWeb site atwww.mainecareercenter.com. Thissitealsoofferslinkstootherlocalandnationaljobboards.

Career/LifePlanningThistopicmayhelpyoulearnmoreaboutyourselfthroughindividualandgroupactivities.Youcanfind informationabout specific careers, occupationsand industries.Wehave informationon topics suchasplanning for retire-ment,creditmanagementandbudgeting.Choices® isacomputeractivity.Youcanexplorejobsandidentifytraininginstitutionsthatoffertrainingforthatjob.Youcancustom-izeChoices®touseyourinterests,pastworkhistoryandskills.ApersonwithlittleornocomputerexperiencewillfindChoices®easytousewithdirectionfromanInforma-tionCenterstaffperson.

CommunityResourcesThematerialsand information in this topicareacanhelpyou lookforresourcesthroughoutthecommunity.Youcanfindresourcestohelpyouwithhousing,creditcounselingandotheremergencyneeds.Inaddition,thistopicprovidesself-helpresourcesforpersonaldevelopment.

JobSurvivalResourcesinthisareaincludejobkeepingskills.Youcanlearnmoreaboutessentialworkcom-petenciessuchascommunicat-ingwithpeopleonthejob,timemanagementandgettingalongwithothersatwork.Youwillalsofind information onworker’srightsandworkplacesafety.

Self-employmentThissectionhelpspeoplewhoarethinkingaboutstartingtheirownbusiness. You can learnhow towrite a businessplanandseekstart-upfunding.


Education/TrainingThistopicincludesnamesandlocationsoftraininginstitutions.Youwillalsofindschoolcatalogsandlistsofskillstrainingprograms.Peoplewhoneedtoupgradetheirskillscanfind outwhich place ismost convenientforthem.Youcanfindoutwheretogetahighschooldiplomaorgeneraleducationdiploma (GED). There is also informationonfinancialresourcestohelpyoupayforeducationortraining.

ReferencesThis section includesreference and informa-tionalmaterials.Resourc-es include dictionaries,thesauruses, atlases,roadmaps,studyguides,manuals, typing tutors,computerandtechnologyguides.

EmployerServicesThiscategoryprovidesinformationandmaterialstoassistemployersorbusinessowners.ThetopicsintheemployerservicessectionoftheInformationCenterinclude: Apprenticeship BusinessVisitation RapidEmploymentTrainingInitiative(RETI) MaineDOLSafetyWorks!Program Licensingandworkpermits Laborlaws OSHAregulations AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)requirements On-the-JobTraining(OJT)guides Job-Taskanalysis Hiringandinterviewingprocedures TradeAdjustmentAct(TAA) LaborMarketInformation

LaborMarketInformationKnowledge is power! Labormarket infor-mation gives you thepower tomake ca-reerdecisionsbasedonknowledgeofthelabormarket.Youcanfindoutaboutjobsthataregrowingaswellasonesthatarenot growing. You can learn aboutwagesandbenefits.Youcangetalistofpotentialemployers,andfind informationonoccu-pational licensesand certification. If youareconsideringacareerchange,youcanget detailed informationabouthundredsofjobsperformedbyworkersinMaineandelsewhere.


Maine’s Job Bankwww.mainecareercenter.com

l BrowsethousandsofjobslistedbyMaineemployers—24hoursaday,7daysaweek

l Createapersonalprofilethatincludeseducation,experience,andemploymentpreferences

l Getmatchedinstantlytojobscurrentlylistedinthesystem l Receivee-mailnotificationsaboutnewjoblistingsthatmatch

yourqualificationsandpreferences l Postyourrésuméandallowthesystemtosendittointerested

employers l Completegenericapplicationsandstorethemonlineforposi-

tionsthatrequirethem l Feel confident that your personal information is secureand

confidential

Maine’s

For more information, call the CareerCenterat 1-888-457-8883 or TTY: 1-800 794-1110


Let’s Get Started

WeinviteyoutouseJob Hunting in Maineasafirststepinyourjobsearch.Don’t

feelasifyouhavetoreadJob Huntingfromcovertocover.Usethosepartsthataremostimportanttoyourightnow.Thencomebacktothebookwhenyouwanttogetmoreinforma-tionormoveontoanextstep.Andrememberyouarenotalone.ThepeopleatCareerCenterarewaitingtoassistyou.LetusknowhowwecanhelpyourjobhuntinginMaine.

The Career/Life Planning ProcessMakingdecisionsaboutwhatwedoforworkisaveryimportantstep.Whatwedoforworkhasanimpactoneverypartofourlives.Ourworkmaydeterminewherewelive,howmuchtimewehavetospendwithourfamiliesandwhetherornotwecanenjoyourfavoriteleisureactivitiesasmuchaswewouldlike.Wewanttogiveyouaprocessformakingca-reer/lifedecisionsalittleeasier.WealsowanttoinformyouhowCareerCentercanprovidetoolsandsupportforyourdecisionmaking.Makingagoodcareer/lifedecisionhassev-eralsteps.Wewill takea lookateachstepofthecareer/lifedecisionprocessandmakerecommendationsastowhichCareerCenterresourcesmightbemosthelpfultoyou.

Onthenextpage isamodelof theCareer/LifeDecisionMakingProcess.Thecompassused to illustrate themodel helped sailorsandwoodsmenfindtheirwayhomebypoint-ingtotruenorth.Youcanusethecareer/lifedecisioncompasstofindyourwaytothejobyoureallywant.


True North

Your Career Goal

1. Self-Assessment

2. InternalExploration

3. Making Connections

4. Decision Making

5. Goal Setting

6. Action!Steps

7. Correcting Course


Nowlet’stakeacloserlookateachpartofthecareer/lifedecisionmakingprocess.

PartI:Self-Assessment

Everyoneiscapableofdoingmanyjobswell.Welikedoingsomeofthesejobsbetterthanwelikeothers.

Tofindthosejobsthatwewoulddobestandenjoymost,itishelpfultodosomeself-assessmentwhenwearemakingacareerchoice.Self-Assessmentmeansthatwetakealookatour-selves.Wemaydiscoverorconfirmwhichjobsgiveusthemostsatisfaction.Wemayalsoexplorethosethingsthatweseemtohaveanaturaltalentfororabilitytodo.ThismightgiveussomecluesaboutwhatareasofthejobmarketmightbebestforustoexploreaswearejobhuntinginMaine.ApartofSelf-Assessmentisdiscoveringourknowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).Weshouldbeable to identify thosekey skillsthatwewanttouseinournextjob.Skillsmaybeclassifiedintothreecategories:Job Skills: The technical knowledge andskills requiredof a successful candidateforajob.

Adaptive or Self-Management Skills:Thoseworkertraitsthatmakeusvaluableworkers.

Transferable Skills:Thoseskillsthatwecanuseindifferentjobs.

Weshouldthinkabouthowmuchweenjoyusingourskillswithdata,peopleorthings.Theseareworkerpreferences.Workerpreferencesdescribethosethingswemostenjoydoingatwork.Ofcourse,nojobisexclusivelyworkingwithdata,peopleorthings,butsomejobshavemoreofonethananotherdoes.Itisalsoimportanttorememberthateachworksitemayhaveadif-ferentjobdescriptionforthesamejobtitle.Forexample,aninsurance


Information, Data, IdeasYouareusingdataskillswhenyouworkwithanykindofinformation.Datamaybefacts,numbers,ideas,impressionsorfeelings.Whenyouworkwithdata,youmaybesendingorreceivinginformation.Youmaybeanalyzingorin-terpreting.Youmaybecreating.Youmaybeman-aginginformationorputtingittowork.Do You Like to Work with Data?Areyougoodat: Gatheringorcreatinginformation,dataorideas? Storingorretrievinginformation,dataorideas? Puttinginformation,dataorideastouse? Managinginformation,dataorideas ✔ Step-by-step? ✔ Holistically(byseeingthebigpicture)?

clerkmayhaveadatajobinoneworksite.Thispersonwouldspendalotoftimeprocessinginsuranceclaimsandforms.Anotherinsuranceclerkmayspendmostoftheworkdaydealingwithcustomers,answeringquestionsaboutpaymentsdueorclaimsthathavebeenfiled.Thisclerkwouldhaveajobthatrequiresdealingwithpeople.Readthedescriptionsofthethreeworkerpreferences.Thinkabouthowyouprefertouseyourskills.Doyouprefertouseyourskillsworkingwithdata,peopleorthings?

PeoplePeopleskillsincludeallinteractionswithpeopleonthejob.Peopleskillsincludehowwecommunicateverballyornon-verballywithotherpeople.Someexamplesofpeopleskillsincludeteaching,leading,coaching,managingothers,customerservice,sellingandpersuading.

Do You Like to Work with People?Doyouhave: Skillswithindividualsone-on-one? Skillswithgroups,organizationsorthepublic? Skillscaringforpeopleoranimals?


ThingsWhenweworkwiththings,weworkwithourhandsoruseourphysicalskillsatwork.Workingwiththingsincludesmaking,repairing,loadingorunloadingproducts.Workingwiththingscanalsomeanusingequipmentsuchascomputersordrivingtrucks.Workingwiththingscanalsoincludebeingadancerorparticipatingonasportsteam.Workingwith thingscanalsomeanbeingable tovisualizeandaccuratelydrawor recordspace,dimensions,roomsorbuildings.Workingwiththingscanalsomeangrowingplantsoranimalsasaproduct.Do You Like to Work with Things?Areyougoodat: Physicalperformances? Handlingmaterialsorobjects? Makingthings? Operatingorrepairingequipment,machineryorvehicles? Visualizingordrawingspaces,buildingsorrooms? Growingplantsoranimals?

Here is an activity that will help you discover some of your knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) and how you prefer to use these at work. Make a list and write them down.

WhatDoYouEnjoy?Answerthesequestionstothebestofyourability.Therearenorightorwronganswers.WhateveryouanswerwillgiveyouaclueaboutyourKSAsandworkerpreferences.1. What did you enjoy about the last work you did?Evenifyoudislikedmostofit,think

aboutonethingthatyoudidlike.Ifyouhavenopaidworkexperience,thinkaboutavolunteerexperienceorotheractivity.

2. What do you enjoy learning about?Thisdoesnothavetobeformaltraining.Welearnfromothers,fromtelevision,orfromreadingaswellasfromgoingtoschool.

3. What do you do that receives compliments from other people (friends, family, co-workers)?4. What work (paid or volunteer) experience are you most proud of?5. When you need to recharge your energy level, do (a) you want to be with others for

companionship and support or (b) need to be alone to relax and think things over?6. If you could do anything in the world for work, what would it be?(Don’tworryabout

time,moneyorotherdetailshere!)


Here’swhatyouranswerstoeachquestionmaytellyou.1. Do you find a pattern if you explore your work history?Perhaps

youhaveenjoyedjobswhereyougavegoodcustomerservice.Maybeyouenjoyedsolvingproblemsorworkingasapartofafast-pacedteam.Maybeyouenjoyedworkingatplacesthathadaclearchain-of-command.Maybeyouenjoyedplacesthatwere informalandrelaxed in theirworkculture.Thiskindofself-explorationcanleadyoutoworkthatyouwillenjoyinthefuture.

2. If we are interested enough to continue lifelong learning about something, then perhaps we have enough knowledge or skill to be a successful job candidate in that area.Evenifwecannotfindworkusingtheskillsthatwehavedevelopedinanareaofinterest,wemaybeabletofindapatternofskillsandabilitiesthatwillleadustoacareerareathatisrightforus.Forexample,an interest instampcollectingmighthelpusrealizethatweenjoyresearchandattentiontodetail.Ontheotherhand,aninterestinlocaltheatermighthelpusrealizethatweenjoyac-tivitiesthatarecreative,thatinvolveworkingwithothersandthathavetightdeadlines.Althoughmostofusenjoyintereststhat“helpusgetawayfromitall,”ourunderlyingpersonalitiesdon’tchangethatmuchfromworktoleisuretime.

3. If you do something that consistently receives compliments, then you have a skill in that area.Sometimeswearegoodatsomethinganddon’tevenrealizethatwemakeaspecialcon-tribution.Thosewhoworkwithusandthosewhoknowuswellcanoftenseeskillswecan’t.Sometimeswethinkthatevery-onecandesignanartisticadvertisinglayout,tuneanengineorcookagreatmealfor50peoplejustbecauseitissoeasyforustodo.Weareoftenmostawareofthoseskillsweknowwelackorofthoseskillswehavejustlearned.Weoftenoverlookthosethingsthatcomeveryeasilytous.Sometimesthosearethethingswedobest.

4. Things that we have done well and are proud of give us a hint about our worker preferences.Thingsthatweareproudtohavebeenassociatedwithgiveuscluesaboutourworkvalues.

Now that you have had some time to think about your answers, let’s explore how your answers can help your job hunting.


5. If we need to be with others to recharge, then we may be an extrovert.Extrovertsneedtobewithpeopletobeattheirbest.Ifthisdescribesyou,thenyouwoulddobestatajobwherethereisalotofcontactwithotherpeople.

Thosepeoplewhoneedtobealonewiththeirownthoughtstorechargeareprobablyintroverts.Introvertsdotheirbestworkwhentheycanhavetimetothemselvestocreate,todealwithfacts,figuresorideas.

Thinkabouthowmuchyouliketoworkaloneorwithotherpeople.Thenyoucanusethisinformationtoidentifypositionsthataremostsatisfyingforyou.

6. What would you most like to do if you have the time, the training, and the money to do anything you want?Evenifthatjobisn’treadilyavailabletoyou,itisimportanttothinkaboutyour“dreamjob.”Whatcouldyoucontributetothatjob?

Maybeyour“dreamjob”isreadilyavailabletoyou.Evenifitisnot,trytofindjobsthatareavailabletoyouwhichcouldgiveyousomeofthesameenjoymentandwhereyoucouldmakeacontribution.

Whenweareselectingwhichjobopportunitiesmightbemoreattractive tous,wealsoshouldexploreourcorevaluesorbeliefs.Ifweknowwhatthingsareimportanttous,thenwemakebetterchoicesaboutwhatkindsofworkwewouldbegoodatandenjoydoing.

Peoplewhochooseworkthatdoesnotagreewiththeirvaluesandbeliefsoftenareindifferentworkers.Theycanbecomeangryandcynicalonthejob.Sometimesworkersevenbecomeilliftheyaredoingworkthatisnotrightforthem.

Infact,onecareertheorycalledWorkerTraitTheorystatesthatallpeoplewhoarehighperforming,satisfiedworkersinajobsharecertaincharacteristicsandvalues.Ifyouarein-terestedinfindingoutwhichjobsmatchyourinterests,valuesandcharacteristics,cometotheInformationCenterandaskforthe“Self-DirectedSearch”orothertoolstohelpyouwithself-exploration.

Think about what you would enjoy about that job.


?TheBigQuestion

Atthispointyoumaybeaskingyourself“WhydoIhavetogothroughallthiscareer/life

decisionmakingtofindajobnow?”Infact,someofusmayneedtofinda“survival”jobasquicklyaspossible.Ifyouneedtofindworkimmediately,pleaseturntothesection“INeedaJobNOW!”onpage56.But formost readers, let’s continue to talkabout how to findemployment thatwill besatisfyingtoyouforthelong-termandwhereyoucanfindsuccessandgrowinthejob.Themainreasonwhypeopleprefertoputmorethoughtintowhattheywillbedoingforworkis thatworkhas changed formost people.Whenmanyofusbeganworkingorwhenweobservedwhatourparentsandgrandparentsdidforwork,mostjobswerebasedonanin-dustrialmodelofworking.Inotherwords,mostofusmadesomethingforaliving.Wemadeshoesortextilesorpaperforexample.Ifwedidnotmakeaproduct,weproducedtherawmaterialsforthatproductordeliveredthefinishedproducttomarket.Inthepast,mostworkersdidnothavetomakedecisionsatwork.Theydidnothavetoworkaspartofateamorbecreativeatwork.Inthepast,mostworkerswereskilledatdoingjustonething.Mostworkersdidnotperformavarietyoftasksonthejob.Nowtheworldofworkhaschanged.


HowHastheWorldofWorkChanged?

Even if our job re-quiresustomake

a product, we nowperforma variety oftasksatwork.Weworkas teammembers.We are responsiblefor thequalityof theproductwemake.Weare responsible forgivinggoodcustomerservice.We need avarietyofskillstobesuccessfulonthejob.Manyjobstodaycon-sist of work in theservice industry orin retail trade ratherthaninmanufacturingindustries.TheStateofMainerecognizeshowwork ischanging.ATaskForceonEssentialWorkCompetencieswasformedtohelpguideworkersthroughthesechanges.PeopleinworkforcedevelopmentandleadersofMainebusinessesworkedtogethertoestablishalistofessentialworkcompetencies(seepage15).Thesearetheskillsandabilitiesthatemployersseekwhentheyhirenewemployeesorpromotesuccessfulworkers.AsyouarejobhuntinginMaine,itwillbehelpfultothinkabouthowyouhavedemonstratedthesecompeten-cies inpriorworkexperienceand involunteerorcivicwork.


Today’sWorkCompetenciesintheStateofMaine1. Self-Esteem Beliefinone’sownself-worthandabilities.2. Motivation to Achieve The desire to improve performance by competing against increasingly higher

standardsofexcellence.3. Basic Skills Reading,writing,computation,listening,speakingandcomputerliteracyessential

forsuccessfulperformanceaslifelonglearnersintheworkplace.4. Technical Knowledge and Skills for Specific Occupation Knowledge,skills&abilitiesnecessarytoperformajob.5. Thinking Skills: Problem-Posing — Choosinghowtoviewaproblem Problem-Solving — Abilitytoresolveknownproblems Decision-Making — Abilitytochooseabestresponse Analytical Thinking — Analysisandlogicalreasoning Creative Thinking — Abilitytocreatenovelideasorproducts6. Learning Skills Assessingone’sownlearningneeds,understandingone’sownlearningstyles, usingappropriatetechniquesforlearning.7. Interpersonal Skills: Interpersonal Understanding — Hearingandunderstandingothers’spoken,

unspokenorpartlyexpressedthoughts,feelingsorconcerns. Teamwork — Workingcooperativelywithotherstoachieveacommongoal. Negotiating — Overcomingdisagreementsbycompromisingwith,accommodatingor

collaboratingwithothers.8. Organizational Awareness Skills: Assessment of Organizational Cultures — Recognizingandassessingthecharacter-

isticsofanorganization’sculture,includingformalandinformalpowerstructures. Presentation of Appropriate Self — Developingandpresentinganimageofone’s

selfwhichisconsistentwiththeorganization’srequirementsforsuccess,includingpersonalappearanceanduseofappropriatelanguageforthecorporateculture.

Networking — Developingandmaintaininganetworkofcontactswithpeoplewhomaybeabletoprovideinformation,assistance,orsupportforwork-relatedgoals.


Let’slookateachofToday’sWorkCompetenciestoseewhytheyaresoimportant.

1. Self-Esteemisimportantbecauseworkerswithlowself-esteemarenotwillingtochangeonthejob.Ifwedonothaveappropriateself-esteem,wearenotwillingtotrynewthings.Weareafraidwewillfail.Weareafraidwecan’tlearnnewthingsasquicklyoraswellasotherscan.Thisisespeciallytrueoflearningnewcomputerskills.Therefore,westicktothe“triedandtrue”oldwaysofdoingthings.Theworldofworkischangingtoofastforreluctantemployeestoblockprogress.Employerswhodonotkeepupwiththechangingtimesoftengooutofbusiness.Theyseekemployeeswhowillhelpthemkeepaheadofthefield.

2. Motivation to Achievemeansworkinghardeveryday.Employersareseekingemployeeswhowill“giveagoodday’sworkforagoodday’spay.” Itmeansbeingpunctualtoworkandtomeetings. Itmeansaskingforadditionaldutiesifyourtimeatworkisnotfilled.Workerswhoaremotivatedtoachievestaylatewhennecessary.Theyaregoodteamplayers.Even ifyourcurrentposition isnotyourdreamjob,doingyourbesteverydayletsothersseewhatamotivatedworkeryouare.

3. Basic Skills (including reading, computation, writing, speaking, listening and computer skills)areessentialtogetajobandkeepajob.Asyoulookatyourbasicskills,doyoufindskillsgapsthat

needtobeclosed? Therearemanyopportunities tocontinue lifelong learning.Visit the InformationCenterandcheckouttheEducationandTrain-ingsection.

4. Technical Knowledge & Skillsneces-sarytoperformthedutiesofthejobarecertainlyimportant.Wehavetodocumentthatwehavetheknowledge,skillsandabilitiestocompetesuccessfullyforajob.

Mostofusfeelconfidentusingthetechni-calknowledgeandskillswehavemasteredinpreviousjobs.Weknowhowtodothosethingsverywell.Sometimeswhenwechangejobs,theseskillsarestillindemand.However,sometimeswefindourselvesinapositionwhereourskillsarenolongercompetitiveorweneedadditionaltechnicalknowledgeandskills.Thereare


manyemployerswhowilltrainsomeoneinthetechnicalknowledgeandskillsfortheiroccupationiftheyfindajobcandidatewhohasappropriate self-esteem,motivation to achieveandgoodbasicskills.Somepeoplecangainnewtechnicalknowledgeandskillsthroughon-the-jobtrainingorapprenticeshipopportunities.VisittheInformationCentertolearnmoreabouttrainingprogramsandotheropportunitiestoincreaseyourtechnicalknowledgeandskills.

5. Thinking Skillsareveryimportantintoday’sworkplace.Weneedtobeabletofigureoutwhataproblemis(problemposing)andtoknowhowtosolveproblemsrightthefirsttime.Wealsoneed

tolearnfromourmistakesandfromwhatdoesn’twork.Skilledworkersmakegooddecisionsusingavarietyofdecision-makingstyles.Theyalsoarecre-ativeonthejob.Creativethinkingincludeshowtodosomethingfaster,makesomethingbetterorsavethecompanymoneywithoutcompromisingquality.6. Learning Skillsareimportantbecausetheworldofworkischangingveryrapidly.Manyofusareinjobsthatdidnotexistwhenwebeganworking.Weareusingequipmentandtechniquesthatdidnotexistafewyearsago.Ifwedonotknowhowwelearnbest,thenwearenotasefficientatworkaswecouldbe.WehavetobeLifelong Learnerstobesuccessfulatworktoday.7. Interpersonal Skills includeunderstandingandgettingalongwithothersatwork.Weneedtoworkwellwithco-workers,supervisorsandcustomers.Wehavetoknowhowtonegotiateandcompromiseonthejobsothatthecustomerandtheworkcomefirst.

8. Organizational Awarenessmeansfittingintothecorporatecultureatwork.Thatmeansunderstandingandfollowingthewrittenandunwrittenpoliciesofaworkplace.Itmeansthatourworkclothes,appearanceandlanguageareappropriatetothepositionweareseeking. It isalsostaying in touchwithothers tokeep learningaboutyourfieldofemployment.Stayingintouchwithcolleaguesiscallednetworking.


HowdoImeasureup?Rateyourselffrom1(low)to10(high)oneachofthesecompetencystatements.WhileyouarejobhuntinginMaine,youmaywanttoputthesecompetenciesonyourrésuméorusethematinterviews.❑ Iamhonestindiscussionsaboutmyselfandmycareerplans.❑ Iamabletocopewithpeopleandproblemsonthejob.❑ Iamdependableandpunctual.❑ Ihavedemonstratedself-confidencebyshowinginitiativeandusingproblem-solvingskills.❑ Iamahighlymotivatedself-starter.❑ Icooperatewellinaworksituation.❑ Itakedirectionfromsupervisorswell.❑ IaskquestionswhenIdon’tunderstandsomethingatwork.❑ ItrytobeavaluableemployeebylearningallIcanaboutmyjob.❑ ItrytolearnmoreaboutthecompanyIworkforsoIcancontributemoreatwork.❑ Ihaveaplantoaccomplishmycareergoalsandambitions.❑ WhenIstartataskatworkIusuallycompleteit.❑ Iknowhowtohandleseveralthingsatworkatthesametimeandcansetpriorities.❑ Ihavegoodtimemanagementskills.❑ Iamorganizedatwork.❑ Myorganizationalskillsathomeallowmetobeatworkontimeeveryday.❑ Iworkwellingroups.❑ Iworkwellalone.❑ Iamcreativeatworkbythinkingofwaystosavetimeormoneyormakeotherimprovements

onmyworkperformance.❑ Idomyjobwellwithoutdirectsupervision.❑ IcanexplainwhatIthinkatwork.❑ IcanteachotherswhatIknowatwork.❑ Iknowseveralwaystomakegooddecisionsandusethemostappropriatewayforeachsitu-

ationatwork.❑ Icannegotiateandworkoutcompromisesonthejob.❑ Iamagoodlisteneratwork.❑ Icommunicatewellwithpeopleverbally.❑ Icommunicatewellinwriting.❑ IhavetheacademicandtechnicalskillsIneedtobesuccessfulonthejob.❑ Ihavethecomputerskillsnecessarytogetandkeepajob.❑ Iknowhowto“fitin”withothersatwork.❑ Iknowhowtorepresentmyplaceofworkwellwhendealingwithcustomersorthepublic.❑ Ialwaysgiveexcellentcustomerservice.


Inadditiontodiscoveringwhatyouneedanddesireinyournextjob,mostpeopleneedtodiscoverwhattheworldofworkhastooffertoday.Someofusmaynothavelookedforworkinmanyyears.Othersofusmaybeseekingourfirstfull-timejob.Ineithercaseweneedtoknowwhattoexpect.We need to knowLabor Market Informationaboutwhich jobsarestableandgrowingandwhich ones are declining. It’s nice to knowwhattoexpectforsalaryrangesindifferentoccupations.Inaddition,wouldyoualsoliketoknowwhichemployershirepeopleforthejobyouareseeking?TheInformationCenterhasallthatinformationandmoreavailabletoyouinmanydifferentformats.

Informational Interviewingisanimportantpartofexternalexploration.Aninformationalinterviewisanappointmenttolearnmoreaboutajob,acompanyoranindustry.

Ithelpsyoubecomemorefocusedinyourjobsearching. Youwillbecomebetteratdescribingwhatyouwantandneedinajob. Youwillgetvaluablefeedbackaboutyourjobgoalsandhowyoucomeacrosstoothers. Youwilllearnwhereyourknowledge,skillsandabilitiesareneededandvalued. You’lllearnthenamesofpeoplewhocanformanetworkforyou. Youcanfindoutwhetherapositioninthatcompanymatchesyourworkerpreferences

ornot. Youmaydiscoverunadvertisedopportunities.

Therearemanygoodreasonsfordoinginformationalinterviewing:

PartII:ExternalExploration


Example ofJob-Seeking Network

Whetheryouarepreparingforyourfirst jobormakingacareerchange,informationalinterviewsshouldbeapartofyourinfor-

mationgatheringprocess.Youcanconductaninformationalinterviewwithaworkerwhoisdoingajobyouareconsidering.Youcanalsointerviewsomeoneinmanage-menttofindoutmoreaboutabusinessorindustry.Youcaninterviewsomeoneinhumanresourcestofindout ifanindustry isstableorgrowinginyourarea.Youcanalsofindoutwhatisonthehorizonforaparticularbusiness.Theseinterviewsallowyouto“hearitstraightfromthehorse’smouth”frompeoplewhoactuallyworkinajoborindustryofinterest.Informationalinterviewscanhelpyoutobecomemoreconfidentinthechoiceyoumake.Itwillalsoreducetheriskofmakingadecisionthatyouareunhappywithlater.Informationalinterviewinghelpsyoutoprepareforajobinterview.Youwillbeexperiencedintalkingtopeopleaboutyourknowledge,skillsandabilities.Youwillhaveabetterideaofwhatisexpectedofacan-didateforajob.Finally,theseinterviewscanincreaseyourcontactsandgetyouintoanetworkthatcanassistyourjobsearching.

Joe’sNetwork

Mydaughterage10

TeacherFriend’sparents

Cashier,Salespersonatlocalstore

LandlordMother

Father

ChurchFriend’sMinister

Congregants Neighbors

Principal

BingoBuddy

LaundryAttendant

Boss


To identify employers and workers to interview, contact your personal net-work. Relatives, friends, neighbors,co-workers, classmates and otheracquaintances canprovidenamesofpeoplewhoworkinyourfieldofinterest.Otherpeopleusesourcessuchastheyellowpagesandmake“coldcalls”toplacesofinterest.“ColdCalling”isatermthatdescribestalkingtopeopleyoudon’thaveapersonalcontactwith.

It is a good idea to interview several people so you get different viewpoints.Rememberthatanindividualwilltalkabouthisorherownexperience.Oneworker’sexperiencemaynotbetypicalofotherworkers.

A good way to get started is to interview friends or family mem-bers.Youcanpracticeaskingquestionsinarelaxedsetting.Youcanalsogetvaluablefeedbackabouthowyoucomeacrosstoothers.

Interviews with employers and workers can be arranged by mail, by phone or in person.Yourrequestshouldbepresented

clearly.Thismeansmakingsureyourcontactknowsyouareseekinginformation,notajobinterview.People

areusuallybusyatwork,soask foronly20 to30minutesoftheirtime.Timesthatareusuallyconvenientincludeatthestartofthebusinessday,rightbeforeorafterlunchorattheendoftheday.Suggestoneofthesetimes.Unlessthepersonisaclosefriendorfamilymember,always

meetataplaceofbusinessorotherpublicplacesuchasyourlocalCareerCenterorpubliclibrary.

Prepare a list of questions in advance to take to the interview with you.Thequestionsonthenextpagecanbeusedasaguide.

Herearesometipsondoingeffectiveinformationalinterviews: Listofcontacts


1. AtwhatjobwouldIstarttoobtainapositionlikeyours?2. Whatisatypicaldaylikeonthisjob?Whattasksdoyoudorou-

tinely?Whattasksdoyoudoonlyonceinawhile?3. Whatdoesthejobmainlyinvolve?Doyouworkwiththings?People?

Data?Ideas?4. Whataretherequirementsforentry intothis job?Experience?

Education?Skills?Licensesorcredentials?Physicaldemands?Personalcharacteristics?

5. Whataretheworkingconditionslikeatyourjob(inyourcompany)?Workaloneorasateammember?Indoorsoroutside?Typeofsupervision?

6. Whatare theadvantagesof this job?Whatare thedisadvan-tages?

7. Howdopeopleearnpromotionsinthisjob(withyourcompany)?8. Whatarethefutureprospectswiththiscompany?Inthisindus-

try?

WhatDoIDoatanInformationalInterview? Beontimeforyourappointment. Bebusinesslike. Dressasyouwouldforanybusinessappoint-

ment. Rememberthatthepersonyouareseeingis

doingyouafavor.Bepreparedfortheinfor-mationalinterview.

Becourteous,stayonthesubject,andlistencarefully.

Ifyoutakenotes,keepthembrief. Ifyouwishtotapetheinterview,askpermissionfirst.Ifthepersondoesnotseemcom-

fortablewiththeidea,don’ttape.Listeningcarefullyismuchmoreimportant. Donothesitatetoaskthepersonifheorsheknowsotherpeoplewhocouldprovide

moreinformation.Thesemayalsobegoodjobleadswhenyoubeginlookingforwork. Whentheinterviewiscompleted,thankthepersonforhisorhertime.


WhatDoIDoAftertheInformationalInterview? Besuretomaila“thankyou”note.(Seenext

page.) While everything is still fresh in yourmind,

reviewtheinterview.Youmightwanttowriteor tapeyour impressionsof the interviewatthistime.Youcanalsoaddthisinformationtootherfactsyoualreadyknowaboutthejoborindustry.

Considerthefollowingquestions: 1. Isthisjob(orindustry)rightforme? 2. WhatdoIseeasadvantages?WhatdoI

seeasdisadvantages? 3. DoIqualifyforthistypeofpositionrightnow?Ifnot,what

amIlacking?HowcanIclosethisskillsgap? 4. IfIneedmoreeducationortraining,wherecanIgetit?Can

Iaffordit?AmIwillingtodoit?Eventhoughyouhavemadeitclearthatyouareseekingonlyinfor-mationattheinterview,youmayreceiveajobofferorareferraltoajobopening.Alwayshavecopiesofyourrésuméandcallingorbusinesscardstoleaveifthepersonasksforthem.Youmayaskattheendoftheinterviewifyoumayleaveacallingcardandarésumé.However,neveraskforajobintervieworajobduringaninformationalinterview.Ifyoudothis,peoplemightthinkyouareasneakyordishonestperson.Youwillprobablynotbeofferedajobifonebecomesavailable.Insomecases,companiesdonotprovidetimeforinformationalin-terviews.SomeMainefirmsofferopportunities forpeople to learnmoreaboutworking for theircompanies through localcareerdaysorjobfairs.TheInformationCenterwillusuallyhavelistingsoftheseactivities.Alsocheckyourlocalnewspaperfortheseevents.Readingthebusinesssectionofyournewspaperisawonderfulwaytokeepupwithlocalbusiness.

Thank You


SampleThank YouNote

August 30, 2008

I.M. Looking123 Your StreetYourtown, ME 04444

Betty BossePresidentYourtown Kitchen and DesignYourtown ME 04444

Dear Ms. Bosse:

Thank you for spending time with me on Monday to help me with my career decision-making. From our conversation, it seems to me that CAD operator is certainly a rewarding career choice. Your estimates on how much the field will grow in the next ten years give me confidence that there will be stable employment for the right job candidates.

I have not yet made a final decision on my career choice, but if I do choose CAD operator, then Yourtown Kitchen & Design is certainly the kind of work environment that I would like to be in.

Again, thank you for your time and information. I will let you know what my final decision is.

Sincerely,

I.M. Looking


Self-Assessment

ExternalExploration

MakingConnections

PartIII:MakingConnections


Afterwefindapatterninourself-explorationandfindapatterninourexternalexploration,thenwebegintomakeconnectionsbe-

tweenthetwo.Manypeoplefindthatthisisthebestareatoexploretofindsatisfactionintheirworklifeandintheirpersonallifeaswell.Whenyourcareer/lifeplanninghasreachedthisstage,youmaybesurprisedtofindoutthatyourdearestwishesarenotsounrealistic

afterall.Othersmaydiscoverthatsomedifficultdecisionsmustbemadeiftheywanttobalancetheirworklifeandtheirpersonallife. The InformationCenterhasmanyresourcestohelpyoumakethesecon-nections.Hereisanexampleofhowmakingcon-nectionsworks.Duringself-assessmentyoumayhavedecided that youwould

lovetobeatrapezeartist.Asyoucontinuewithexternalexploration,youdiscoverthatjobsastrapezeartistsareveryrareinourpartofMaine.YouuseLaborMarketInformationanddiscoverthat,muchtoyourdismay,therearenojobopeningsfortrapezeartistsanywhereinMaine.

Nowyouarefacedwiththreeoptions You can give up your hopes and dreamsandtakethefirstavail-

ablejobyoucancompeteforsuccessfully.Oftenpeoplewhomakethischoiceareunhappyintheirwork.Theydonotalwaysgivetheirbestatworkbecausetheydon’tlikethejob.

You decide to move to another part of the country(ortheworld)wherejobsforbeginningtrapezeartistsareavailable.Youandyourfamilymaybeveryunhappywhenyouaresofarawayfromyourfamilyhome,friendsandrelatives.

You decide to stay in Mainebutanalyzewhatjobsatisfactionyouwouldgetfrombeingatrapezeartistandmatchthatlistagainstotherjobs.


Let’slookatthethirdoptionThe listofwhatyou likeabout the jobof trapezeartistmight looksomethinglikethis: There’salotofvarietyinthejob. Iwouldgettotravelaround. Thejobisnotboring. Iwouldgettotakerisksbyclimbinguphigh. Ilikecircusmusic. Ilikethecostumes. ItpaysthesalaryIwantorneed.

First, you have to decide what would be an acceptable number of matches for you to be satisfied with this work.Maybeyoudecidethatyoucouldbeveryhappywithajobthathasfourofthesevenitemsonthelistifyoudonothavetomovefromyourhometown.You research jobsandfindone thathas the following characteris-tics: Iwouldgettotravelaround. Thejobisnotboring. Iwouldgettotakerisksbyclimbinguphigh. IcouldwearacostumeifIchoose. Icoulddothisworkandstayinmyhometown. ItpaysthesalaryIwantorneed.Thissoundsprettygood.Nowthereisanareawhereyoucanfocusyourjobsearching.Youdecidetolookforworkasachimneysweep.TheInformationCenterprovidesmanywaystoresearchjobs.Besuretocheckoutthetoolsavailabletoyouthere.

The next step would be to find other jobs that have some of the samecharacteristics.


ThenextstepintheCareer/LifePlanningprocessisdecision-making.Nowthatyouhavetheinformationyouneedtomoveforward,youmustdecidewhattodonext.Manyofusfaceharddecisionswhenweseeknewemployment.Dowemovetowheretherearejobsweareinterestedinordowestayinourhometown?Maybewecanfindotherjobsthatmatchmostofourinterests,skillsandvaluesthroughmakingconnections.WemayhavetodecidetoretrainfornewemploymentorupgradeourEssentialWorkCompetencies.Itisnoteasytomakethesedecisions.Inadditiontoyourpersonalnetwork,youcanfindexcellentresourcesintheInformationCentertosupportyourdecisionmaking.

PartII:ExternalExplorationGoalsettingisthenextstageofcareer/lifeplanning.Peoplearenotlikelytoreachtheirgoalsiftheydonothaveagoodplan.Eachgoalshouldbea concrete,measurableand time-limitedplan to get towhereyouwanttogo.TherearematerialsofalltypesintheInforma-tionCenterthatwillhelpyouwithgoalsetting.

Nowyouhavetotakethefirststepstowardreachingyournewgoal.Doyouneedtoexploreopportunitiesforretraining?Doyouneedtowriteanewrésuméandcoverletterorbrushuponanoldone?Doyouneedtostrengthenyourinterviewingskills?UsetheInformationCenterasyourAction!Center whetheryouarelookingforafirstjob,anotherjoborabetterjob.

Isyourrésumégettingtheinterviewsyouthoughtitwould?Haveyouhadseveralinterviewsbutnojoboffers?Doyouknowwhichemploy-ersarehiringpeoplewithskills likeyours?Doyouwanttoexploreupgradingyourskills?WhateveryouneedtodotocorrectyourcoursesoyouareheadingTrueNorthtowardyourcareergoal,theInformationCenterhasmanyresourcesthatwillhelpyoukeepyourjobsearchontrack.

PartIV:Decision-Making

PartV:GoalSetting

PartVI:Action!Steps

PartVII:CorrectingCourse

Here’s how to use the Infor-mation Center to correct your plan of action and brush up on your job seeking and job getting skills.


Getting It All Together

How Do I Find the Right Job for Me?Ifyouwantyourjobsearchtobringtherightopportunitiesto

youquickly,youneedtherightjobhuntingtools.Firstofall,youneedtoknowwhatkindofjobyouarelookingfor.Youwillhavecompletedthecareer/lifedecisioncycleandtheAction!Step stage.Youhaveaclearjobgoalinmind.Youknowthatyouhavetheknowledge,skillsandabilitiestodothejob.YoucandocumentyourEssentialWorkCompetencies.

Thinkofyour jobsearchasmakingacommercialforyourself.Youneedtofindthosethingsthatwould

encouragea customer (an employer) to buy a product(yourworkskills).Thenyouneedtoframethisproductinanattractivepackage(yourrésuméandcoverletter).Nextyouneedtomarketyourproduct(doinggoodinterviews).

CareerCenterhasmanytoolsthatwillmakeyourjobsearch-ingeasier.

The Hidden Job MarketOneofthebestwaystofindthejobyoureallywantistodiscoverthe“hidden”jobmarket.Youcandiscoverinterestingpositionsbeforetheyareadvertised.Youcanalsocreateapositionbyshowinganemployerhowyourknowledge,skillsandabilitiescanfillagapinthecurrentworkforce.Youcanuseyournetworkoffamilymembers,friends,formerco-workersorclassmatesandcommunitymemberstofindoutaboutplacesthatmightbeinterestedinaworkerlikeyou.Ifyouwanttofindthejobthatbestusesyourknowledge,skillsandabilitiesinajobyouwillenjoy,thenyouneedtousethe“hidden”jobmarket.

Fewer than 20% of possible job openings are ever advertised in newspapers.


NetworkingOneofthebestwaystousethis“hidden”marketisthroughaneffec-tivenetwork.Familymembers,friends,formerco-workers,classmatesandcommunitymembersareusuallypartofyournetwork.Herearesometipstouseyournetworkeffectively.Telleveryoneinyournetworkthetypeofjobyouarelookingfor.Itisoftenbettertodescribewhichskillsyouwanttouseratherthangivingajobtitle.Thiswillgiveyournetworkmoreoptions tosearch.Give themcopiesofyour résuméandaskthemwhereyoumightgolookingforjobs.Youwillalsowanttofollow-upwithyournetworkonaregularbasis.Letthemknowhowyourjobsearchisgoing.Tellthemhowmuchyouappreciatetheirhelp.Alwayswritethank-younotes.Remember,whenyounetwork,youhavemanypeoplehelpingyouwithyourjobsearch.

Writing a RésuméAlthoughsomejobopeningsdonotrequirearésumé,itisgoodtohaveone.Herearetwowaystoorganizetheinformationinarésumé.Youneedtobeabletomarketyourskillseffectivelytosomeonewhowantstohireyou.Thismeanschoosingtherightkindofrésuméstyletohighlightyourskillseffectively.Wewilltalkabouttwotypesofrésu-més.MostpeoplefindthatoneoftheserésuméstyleswillhelpthembeeffectivewhenjobhuntinginMaine.Whicheverrésuméstylewechoose,weshouldnotmakeapotentialemployerguesstheanswertothemostimportantquestionofall.Thisquestionis“WhyshouldIhireyou?”


NamingYourSkillsManaging Communicating ResearchingPlan Persuade ClarifyOrganize Direct SurveyExecute Lead InterviewSupervise Reason InvestigateSchedule Sell InspectAssign Develop GatherDirect Recruit SynthesizeCoordinate Create ExamineAnalyze Negotiate DiagnosePrioritize Arbitrate ReviewDelegate Arrange OrganizeHire Mediate EvaluateFire Merge CritiqueRecommend Obtain CollectEvaluate Write WriteAdminister Interpret InterpretContract Enlist ExtrapolateProduce Motivate IsolateControl Manipulate DecideReview Read AnalyzeTroubleshoot Speak DefineRecognizeproblems Influence Develop

Financial Physical HelpingKeepbooks Setup ReferAccount Feed RenderAudit Cut AttendAppraise Bind CareResearch Drive EmpathizeAnalyze Move ListenRecord Lift SpeakAllocate Bend DirectAdminister Pull PerceiveDevelop Ship UnderstandCalculate Operate RelateCompute Tend Guide

Here are some action wordsthat you can use to describe your skills. Use these action words in your skills state-ments in your résumé or onapplications.


Creating Teaching Using DetailsCreate Brief ReconcileImagine Inform ExecuteDesign Encourage DispatchPlan Communicate RespondConceptualize Advise EnforceSynthesize Guide MeetdeadlinesIntegrate Coach ArrangeAbstract Instruct ScheduleGenerate Explain MemorizePerceive Enlighten CollectMemorize Stimulate CompileDiscriminate Invent SystemizeVisualize Adapt TabulateEmpathize Facilitate CompareFashion Coordinate InspectShape Develop OrganizeWrite Enable ClassifyDirect Clarify CollateImagine Value CopyPaint SetGoals RetrievePerform Decide ProcessAct Initiate FilePlay

HereistheformulaforaSkillsStatement:1. Name your skillandrelatethatskilltoyourworkerpreference

withdata,peopleorthings.2. Give an exampleofhowyouhavedemonstratedthatskill.3. Give the outcomeorresultyouachieved.

Remember to make skillsstatements. These action words can help you organize and describe what you can do for an employer.


Herearesomesampleskillsstatementsfromrésumés:

TheFunctional(Skills-Based)RésuméThe InformationCenter hasmany tools to assist you inwriting afunctionalrésumé.Functionalrésumésarealsocalledskills-basedrésumés. Functional résumésarehelpful for peoplewhowant tochangefields.Theyalsoworkwellforthosewhomayhaveacademicortechnicaltrainingbutlittleornoworkhistory.Functionalrésumésworkwellforpeoplewhohavehadmanydifferentjobsintheirworkhistory.Somepeoplethinkafunctionalrésuméwill“hide”aspottyorincon-sistentworkhistory.Thisprobablyisnottrue.Thebestwaytorepairalessthanexcellentworkhistoryistoreestablishyourcredibilityasaworker.Youcandothisbytakingajobthatisreadilyavailabletoyouanddoingyourbestatthatjobeverydayforsometime.Workhardtogetseveraloutstandingperformancereviewsorraisesinthatjob.Thenyouwillhavedemonstratedthatyouarereadyforadvancement.Hereisaformatwhichwillhelpyouorganizeyourworkhistorysothatyoucanwriteaskills-basedrésumé.

Organizedwork team to getWidget Project doneon timeandunderbudget

Diagnosed and correctedproblemswithsmallengines

Operatedwidgetattachmentmachine

Caredfor10acutecarepatients

Maintained and balanceddailyaccountsreceivable


WorkHistory

EssentialWork Skills (with data, people, things):(See Essential Work Competen-cies on page 15 for a review.)

Filloutthisinformationabouteachjobthatyouhaveheld.Startwithyourmostrecentjobandworkbackwards.

JobTitle:_________________________________________________

DatesofEmployment:______________________________________

Employer: ________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________

MajorDuties: _____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Teamwork: _______________________________________________

CustomerService:_________________________________________

UsingTechnology:__________________________________________

CommunicationSkills:______________________________________

Supervisory/ManagingResponsibilities:_______________________

TrainingOthers: ___________________________________________

LearningontheJob: _______________________________________

OtherSkills: ______________________________________________


TheChronological(WorkHistory)RésuméSomepeoplemaywant towritea chronological résumé. This is arésuméthatlistsyourworkhistoryfromyourcurrentormostrecentjobbacktoyourfirstjob.Thisstyleofrésuméworkswellforfolkswhoareseekingwork in theircurrentfield.Chronological resumesalsoareeffectiveforpeopleseekingapromotionorapositionwithmoreresponsibility.Itgivesanat-a-glancesnapshotofcontinuedgrowthinaparticularfield.Evenifyouaredoingachronologicalrésumé,itishelpfultodocumentyourskillsandcompetenciesinyourworkhis-tory.

GuidelinesforWritingaRésumé Yourrésuméshouldbe1or2pageslong. Workonacomputer.Thecomputerwillsetmarginsandspacingforyou.Use10-12

pointfontsize. Yourrésuméshouldbefreeoferrors. Usewhite,beigeorgraybondedpaper. Yourenvelopeandcoverletterpapershouldmatchyourrésumépaper. Useskillsstatementswithexamplestoshowyouarequalifiedforthejob. Describeyourskillsaccurately. Useworkexperience,volunteerexperience,commendationsandawards, formal

training,education,internships,licensesorcertificationstodocumentyourskills. Haveaseparatereferencesheet.TheInformationCenterhasthelatest“howto”onrésuméwriting.Wehavethisinformationinavarietyofformats.Wehavecomputersandsoft-waretomakerésuméwritingeasier.YoucanpostyourrésuméontheInternet.Youcanfaxore-mailyourrésumé.YoucanalsomailyourrésuméfreeofchargefromtheInformationCenter.Wehavepaper,envelopesandstampsforyouruse.Remember,theInformationCenterisopentothepublic.ThereisneverachargeforusingInformationCenterservices.

Résumé


SampleFunctional(Skills-Based)RésuméThis person is seeking to change fields.

Bea A. Success123HighStreet

Yourtown,ME04444(207)555-1212

Objective:CustomerServiceRepresentative

Office Skills: Twoyearsexperiencewithallaspectsofofficework Keyboarding50wpm ExperiencedwithMicrosoftOfficeincludingWordandExcel SchedulingusingLotusNotes Filingbynumericalandalphabeticalsystems

Customer Service Skills: Fiveyearsexperienceworkingwithcustomersinfast-pacedenvironment Abilitytoaddresscustomerneedsrapidly Skilledatresolvingcustomercomplaints Remaincheerfulandhelpfulinstressfulenvironment

Work History: WilliamN.Fuller,Accountant Yourtown,ME

FileClerk 2004-present YourtownFamilyRestaurant Yourtown,ME

FoodServer/Host 1997-2004

Education:YourtownHighSchool Yourtown,MEHighschooldiploma 1997

References Available Upon Request


Luke N. Ahead123WaterStreet

Yourtown,ME04444(207)555-9876

Objective:WarehouseStockSupervisor

Highlights of Qualifications: Overtenyearsexperienceinallaspectsofwarehouseoperations Reduceddamagedstockreceivedinbranchstoresfrom5%to3% Activememberofwarehouseredesignteam Computerskillsincludingwordprocessinganddatabasemanagement Thorough,accuraterecordkeepingandreportingskills AssociateoftheMonth,September2003&June2007

Work History:

Al’sAutoPartsPlaza Yourtown,MEWarehouse Stock Clerk 2005-present Receivedandstoredautomotiveparts Issuedpartstomainstoreandthreebranchstores Matchedincominginventorywithinvoices Markedcodes,figuresandlettersforreferenceandstocking Compiledrequiredweekly,monthlyandquarterlyreports

Al’sAutoPartsPlaza Yourtown,MEAssistant Stock Clerk 2002-2005 Transportedstocktobranchstores Dataentry

Education:YourtownCommunityCollege Yourtown,MEAssociatesinBusinessManagement 2002

References Available Upon Request

SampleChronologicalRésuméThis job seeker is trying for a promotion to supervisor.


Cover LettersYourcoverletteristhefirstthingaprospectiveemployerwillnoticeaboutyouiftheyhavenotalreadymetyou.Ifthecoverletterdoesnotattractattention,yourrésumémightnotgettheattentionyouhopeitwill.Yourcoverlettershouldmatchyourresume.Youshouldusethesameheading,font,andpaperforboth.

Here are some hints for writing a good cover letter.

In the first paragraph, explain the purpose of your letter.Thefirstparagraphshouldincludethepositionforwhichyouareapplying,whereyoureadorheardaboutthepositionandwhenyoureadorheardabouttheposition.Ifthereisnotanadvertisedopen-ing,explainwhyyouareaskingforaninterviewatthatcompany.Thesecond paragraph should be skills statementswhichwillcre-ateaninterestintalkingtoyouandofferingyouaposition.Includedocumentationof yourskillsbydescribing yearsofexperience,training,commendationsandsuccesses.Thethird paragraph should say that you want an interviewandstateatimewhenyouwillcalltoarrangeameeting.Thankthepersonfortheirtimeandattention.

Ifyouwanttoseesamplesofcoverlettersthatwouldbeusefulinavarietyofsituations,cometotheInformationCenter.Wehavebooksandcomputerapplicationscontainingthelatestinformationonstate-of-the-artcoverletters.


✔

Application FormsEventhoughyouhavearésumé,youmayhavetofilloutanapplicationaswell.Alwaysbeveryaccuratewhenyoufilloutap-plications.Eventhesmallesterrormightmakeyouineligibleforajob.Incorrectinformationonanapplicationmightmeanyoucouldbefiredifyougetajobandabackgroundcheckis performed to verify your information.Besureyouhavetherightdates,namesandjobtitlesforallyourworkhistory.Someemployerswillnotconsideranapplicantiftheapplica-tion they submit is not neat, completeandaccurate.Neverlieabouthavingbeenfiredoranythingelseonyourapplication.Ifyoudon’twanttospell out certaindetails on theapplication,write“willdiscussininterview”ontheappli-cation.Never leaveblanksonanapplication.WriteN/Afornotapplicableifyouhavenoresponseforaquestion.Readthedirectionscarefullybeforeyoubegintofilloutanapplication.Putinformationinthecorrectspaces.Useablackerasablepensoyoucanmakechangesifnecessary.Printneatly.Signanddatetheapplication.Readtheapplicationcompletelybeforebegin-ningtofillitout.Onthenextpageyouwillfindasampleap-plicationformthatyoumaywanttocompleteanduseasa guide. This is theapplicationformthatemployerswhohaveregisteredwithMaine’sJobBankusemostoften.


APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT COMPANY NAME:

Last Name First Name Middle Date:

P

E

R

S

O

N

A

L

Street Address Home Telephone:

( )

City State Zip CodeCell Phone:

Social Security No:

POSITION DESIRED:

Are you 18 years of age or older? Yes No

PRESENT OR LAST EMPLOYER:

Telephone:

( )Employed - (State month and year)

From: To:

Weekly Pay:Start: Last:

Reason for Leaving:

Company Name:

Address:

Name of Supervisor:

Job Title:

1.

Describe work:E

M

P

L

O

Y

M

E

N

T

Telephone:


From: To:


Reason for Leaving:

Company Name:

Address:

Name of Supervisor:

Job Title:

2.

Describe work:

Telephone:


From: To:


Reason for Leaving:

Company Name:

Address:

Name of Supervisor:

Job Title:

3.

Describe work:

Describe any specialized skills relating to position applied for, i.e., typing, wordprocessing, type of driver's license, etc.

S

K

I

L

L

S

ME. ES-515 (rev. 10/05)


Name and location of school No. of grades

completed

Did you

Graduate

Describe course

of study

E

D

U

C

A

T

I

O

N

HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE

TRADE,BUSINESS OR

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL

Give the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three persons not related to you, whom you have known at least one year.

NAME ADDRESS BUSINESS YEARS

ACQUAINTEDTELEPHONE

NUMBERR

E

F

E

R

E

N

C

E

S

1.

2.

3.

Describe any extracurricular activities or volunteer work you feel may be helpful to use in considering your application.G

E

N

E

R

A

L

Have you ever had job-related training in the U.S. Military? YES NO

If yes, please describe:

C

O

M

M

E

N

T

S

I certify that the facts contained in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and I understand that, if employed,

falsified statements on this application may result in discharge.

I authorize the investigation of all information contained in this application for employment as may be necessary in determining an employment

decision.

I understand that I am to abide by all rules and regulations of the company.

DATE: SIGNATURE:


References

Referencesareusuallycontactedonlywhenyouareafinalistforaposition.However,thereareexceptionstothis,somakecertain

thatyouareincontactwithyourreferenceseachtimeyouareselectedforaninterview.Alwaysaskifyoucanuseapersonasareference.Donotassumethatbecausethepersonworkedwithyouthattheywillbewillingorabletogiveyouareferenceifyouhavenotaskedthemfirst.Thelistofsupervisorsinyourworkhistoryonajobapplicationisnotthesamethingasareferencelist.Yourreferencelistshouldnotbeincludedinthebodyofyourresume.TheInformationCenterhasinforma-tiononhowtoformatyourreferencelist.Apersonwhoisafront-runnerforajobmaynotbeselectedforthatpositionifoneofthepeoplelistedasareferencecannotbecontactedquicklydur-ingbusinesshours.Somepeopleyouchooseforreferencesmaynothelpyourcandidacyiftheydonothavetimetodojusticetoyourqualificationsfortheposition.Thepeopleyouasktobeyourrefer-encesshouldbeabletospeakfromfirsthandknowledgeabouttheskills,abilitiesandpersonalqualitiesthatwouldmakeyousuccessfulinthejobforwhichyouareapplying.Theyshouldbeabletobereachedeasilyduringregularbusinesshours.Ifyouarejobseeking,youshouldgetatleastthreeopenlettersofreference frompeople inpositionsof responsibilitywhoknowandlikeyou.Theseshouldbepeoplewhohaveworkedwithyouinpaidorvolunteerworkexperiences.Ifyouarejuststartingout,youmayhavenoworkreferences.Inthatcase,alandlord,afriendwhohasparticipatedinsomeactivitywithyou,afellowclubmember,aformerorcurrentteacher,principal,guid-ancecounselorormemberoftheclergycanbeusedasareference.ThesepeopleshouldbeabletotalkabouthowyouhavedemonstratedyourEssentialWorkCompetenciesinschool,clubs,civicorvolunteeractivities.

Never ever under anycircumstances write letters for yourself and sign another person’s name to it or a have a friend pretend to be a former coworker or supervisor.


Youshouldnotuseaparentorothercloserelative,aclosepersonalfriend,girlfriend,boyfriendorspouseasareference.Mostemployerswillnotconsiderthemobjectiveenoughtogivereliableinformationaboutyouevenifyouhaveworkedtogether.Ifyourequestanopenletterofreferencebytelephone,thenyoushouldfollowupwithawrittenrequestthatcontainsthepointslistedinthesection“WhatanOpenLetterofReferenceShouldContain.”Alwaysbecompletelyhonestandethicalinyourjobsearch.

WhatanOpenLetterofReferenceShouldContainInordertomakeiteasierforareferencetowriteanopenletterofrecommendation,thejobseekershouldrequestthefollowinginfor-mation:The lettershouldbeaddressed“ToWhomItMayConcern”or toaparticularperson“DearMs.Bosse:”Thereferenceshouldbewrittenoncompanyletterheadifcompanypolicyallowsthis.Thereferenceshouldusetheirjobtitleifcompanypolicyallowsthis.Thelettershouldindicatehowlongandunderwhatcircumstancesthereferencehasknownthejobseeker.Thereferenceshoulddescribewhathasbeenpersonallyobservedaboutthejobseeker’sworkskills.(UseToday’sWorkCompetenciesonpage15.Youmaywanttosendthecompetencylistwithyourwrit-tenrequest.)Always tell your referencewhichskillsandabilitiesyouwant tobestressed.Usethejobdescriptionofthepositionyouareseekingasaguide.Thesesuggestionsalsoworkforpersonalreferences.Theywilluseexamplesfromacademic,civicorvolunteerexperiencestheyhavesharedwithyou.Alwaysfollowupwithawrittenthankyounotetoallthepeoplewhoservedasyourreferences.Keepincontactwitheveryoneonyourreferencelisteverycoupleofweeksandletthemknowhowyourjobsearchisgoing.Callthemimmediatelywhenyouhaveaninterview.Letthemknowwhensomeonemightbecalling.

Don’t just drop contact with your refer-ences after you get a job. You may want to use them again when you are seek-ing a promo-tion or a better job.


JobSearchToolsIn order to have a successful job search, you must have the right stuff...Tools that assist you find work fast and project a professional image to prospective employers.

TheAnsweringMachine/VoiceMailTheansweringmachine/voicemailiscriticaltoyourjobsearch.Nomatterhowdedicatedotherfamilymembersmaybe,importantmessagesmaybemissed,forgottenorrecordedincorrectly.Theperfectjobforyoumaybelost.Usingansweringmachines/voicemailisapartofdoingbusinessandpeoplewillleaveamessageforyou.Abusinesslikebutfriendlymessagetellstheemployersomethingaboutyou.If yourmachine/voicemail doesnotautomaticallygivetimeanddateofcall,askforthatinformationaswell.Duringyourjobsearch,donotlistthenamesofallfamilymembers.Youcanalwayschange themessageafteryouhavefoundthatjobyouarelookingfor.Donot have “cute,” “insulting”or commercial messages(withElvisorTimSampledoingthemessage,forexample) on yourma-chine/voicemailduringyourjobsearch.

Donot havemusic on your an-sweringmachine/voicemail.Becertainthattheroomisquietwhenyouarerecordingyourmessage.ThatmeansnoTV,nokidscrying,nodogsbarkinginthebackground.Practicebeforeyourecordthemessage.Listentoyourtoneofvoice.Besureyouarepleasantandprofessional.

A Sample Message might be like this one.

“Hello. You have reached 667-7543 (or your name). After the tone, please leave your name, a brief message and a number where your call may be returned. Your call is very important. Thank you for calling.”


AppointmentBook/CalendarYoushouldhaveanappointmentbook/calendarforyourjobseekingactivities.Mostprofessionalappointmentbook/calendarsarebrownorblack.Otherbusinesscolorswouldincludenavyblue,huntergreenormaroon.Savethecalendarswithcutepicturesorpastelcolorsforyourpersonaluse.Avoidhavingloosepapersorstickynotesfallingoutofyourappointmentbook.Havingasectionthatallowsfornotetakingisconvenient.Havingatelephone/addresssectionisalsohelpful.Usetheappointmentbook/calendertokeeptrackofappointments,telephonecallsandplansforfollow-up.Usetheappointmentbooktokeeptrackofwhenyoumailedletters,résumés,andthank-younotes.Itishelpfultokeepyourappointmentbookinerasableblackpenorinpencil.Yourtelephone/addresssectioncanbeinnonerasableink.Youcanalsousethisbookforwritingoutquestionsyou’dliketoaskinaninterviewandalsorecordanswersofinformationyoureceiveininterviews.

CallingandBusinessCardsCallingcardsorbusinesscardsareessentialinaneffectivejobsearch.Youwanttomakeiteasyforanemployertohireyou.Havingacallingcard(orbusinesscardifyouareemployed)willmakeiteasierforaprospectiveemployertorememberyouandreachyouwhenavacancyhasoccurred.Callingcardsalsomakeaprofessionalimpres-sion.A calling card should contain yournameandaddressandtelephonenumber.If you have a fax number or e-mail address,includethemaswell.Callingcardsshouldlookprofessional.Useblack,darkblue,orthesubduedbusinesscolorfortheprintonyourcard.Thecardsshouldbewhite,off-white,beige,ecru,orpaleblue.QualitybusinesscardpapercanbepurchasedatanybusinesssupplystoreorlargestoreslikeWal-MartorK-Mart.Mostcomputerprogramshaveatemplateforbusinesscards.SeethepersonintheInforma-tionCenterifyouwanttoprintyourowncards.Cardscanalsobeorderedbymail.Manycompaniessellqualitycardsatreasonableprices.

ImaG.Jobseeker123PleasantStreetAnytown,USA12345

Tel.555-1234FAX:555-2345e-mail:[email protected]


Where to Look for WorkIfyouareastudent,firsttalk to your placement

or guidance office. Employersoftenlistentry-levelopeningswithschools.Evenifyouareagraduate,youmaybeabletousetheschool’sresourcesinyourjobsearch.

Local newspapers areanothersourceof jobleads.Althoughfewerthan20percentofjobs

areeverlistedintheclassi-fiedsectionofthenewspaper,

donotoverlookthem.Job fairsareawaytomeetemploy-

erswhohavejobopenings.Jobfairsdonotchargeanentrancefee.Youcan

checkoutmanyjobopeningsatjobfairs.Somejobfairsfocusononeindustry.There

maybea job fair for thecomputer industryorfortelemarketing,forexample.Otherjobfairsmayfocusonmanydifferentjobsatonce.Acollegejobfairwouldbeanexamplewheremanydifferentkindsofemployersmightattend.The Internetisanotherwaytofindajob.Therearemanysitesthatlistjobopenings.Sitdownatacomputerandyouwillsoondiscoveravirtualgoldmineofinformation.LogontotheInternetandvisitthetoolsofferedthroughAmerica’sCareerOne-Stop.Thisisthelargestonlineemploymentresourceinthecountry.TheCareerOne-Stopismadeupofseveralmodules,includingup-datedinformationontraining,education,counselingandemploymentofworkers.America’s Career One-Stop, www.careeronestop.org,isagoodplacetostartifyouareresearchingajob.Labormarketinformationsuchastrends,wagesandtrainingrequirementsareavailablehere.In-formationforMaine,thenationoreachofthe50statesisavailable.Hereyoucanalsobuildandpostarésuméandcoverletter.Employerswithjobopeningsvisitthissitetosearchforqualifiedapplicants.TheCareer


One-StopalsoservesasthegatewaytoAmerica’sCareerInfoNetandAmerica’sServiceLocator.ThesecombinedresourcesmakeupwhatiscollectivelyknownasAmerica’sCareerKit.Maine’s CareerCenter Web site,www.mainecareercenter.comcanbeusedasaspringboardtoMaine’sJobBankandotherlocalandnationaljobboards.Mostmajor newspapers also post their classified section on theInternet.ChecktheWebsitefortheareathatinterestsyou.YourInfor-mationCenterSpecialistwillbeabletoassistyouinfindingWebsites.YoucangetyourcomplimentarycopyofHot Jobs in MaineandCa-reers in Maine for College Graduates.ThesebrochuresgivethelatestinformationonwhichjobsaregrowinginMaine.O*NET, theOccupational InformationNetwork, isacomputerdata-basewhichexplorestheworldofwork.Itprovidesdetailedinformationregardingall aspectsofhundredsof jobsperformedbyAmerica’sworkers.O*NETisparticularlyusefulforthoseconsideringacareerchange.Anothersearchmethodistogo directly to employers. Talktopeoplewhocanhireyoueveniftheydonothaveacurrentjobopening.Mostpeoplefindthatthisisthebestwaytogetthejobtheyreallywant.YoucanbeaneffectivejobseekerifyouuseyourlocalCareerCenter.CareerCenterletsyouuseallthesemethodsatoneplace.Remember,CareerCentergivesyouaccesstotheInternet.Wealsohavecurrent

LaborMarketInformation.Youcanusenewspapersandemploymentdirectories.TherearetwodirectoriesintheCareerCenterthatareveryusefultojobseekers.Bothareonthecomputer.TheMaine Employment Info Guidewillgiveyouinforma-tionontheMaine labormarket.Youcanfindoutaboutwageratesandexpectedjobgrowth.Afteryouchooseajob,theEmployment Info GuidewillgiveyoualistofMaineemployerswhomighthireyouiftheyhaveanopening.Thisguidewillgiveyouaname,address,andevenamaptothecompany’slocation.TheMaine Employment Info GuideisavailablethroughtheCenterforWorkforceResearchandInformationInternetsitewww.maine.gov/labor/lmis.AnotherdirectoryistheALMIS Employer Database.ALMISstandsforAmerica’sLaborMarketInformationSystem.This directory of employerswill give you theaddress,


telephonenumberandabriefdescriptionofbusinessesnationwide.Youcanalsogetthenameofapersontocontactandamaptothebusiness.

LookingforGovernmentJobs

Government agencies employ many people in Maine. This section will help you look for jobs in federal, state and local government.

FederalGovernmentJobs

USAJOBSlistsfederaljobopeningsworldwide.ThisinformationcomesfromtheOfficeofPersonnelManagement.

Someagenciesfilltheirownjobopenings.Theseagencieshavetheirownpersonneloffices.ThesejobswillnotbelistedatUSAJOBS.YoumustapplydirectlytotheU.S.PostalService,FederalBureauofInves-tigation,CentralIntelligenceAgencyandSecretServiceifyouwishtoworkforoneoftheseagencies.Agenciesalsofillsenior-levelpositionsandotherspecializedjobsbythedirect-hiresystem.Ifyouareseekingoneofthesejobs,thenyoushouldcontact theagencydirectlyeven if they listsome jobswithUSAJOBS.Ofcourse,withanyjobsearchyouwillwantaninformationalinterviewandnetwork.

Here’s how you can use USAJOBS to help you find federal job openings: YoucancheckouttheInternetsite.Youcanfindjobdescrip-

tionsandjobapplicationformsthere.Thisinformationcanbeprinted.Veteranscanfindoutaboutveterans’preferencesthere.Thissiteisupdatedeveryday.TheInternetaddressis:www.usajobs.gov.

Youcanalsouseanautomatedtelephonesystem.Herearethenumbers to call: 1-703-724-1850or TTY1-978-461-8404.Youwillbegreetedbyarecordedmessage.Themes-sagewilltellyouwhatnumberstopresstogettheinformationyouwant.Thisisnotatoll-freecall.Youwillpayachargeforusingthesenumbers.TherearephonesintheCareerCenterifyouprefernottopayforalongdistancecall.


Maine StateGovernmentJobs

MaineStateGovernmentisamajoremploymentsource.Stateemployeesworkinmanydifferentjobs.Somestateworkersaremechanics, laborersorcorrectionsofficers,mentalhealthworkers,scientists,andengineers.Computerprofessionals,clericalworkers,accountantsandmanyothersalsoworkforthestate.Yourfirststepingettingajobinstategovernmentistofindoutwhatjobsareopen.YoucanfindoutaboutjobopeningsatyourlocalCa-reerCenter,Maine’sJobBank,inthenewspaper,andontheStateofMaineWebsite:www.maine.gov.Youcanapplyforsomestatejobseveniftherearenoopenings.Youmustwaituntilthereisanopeningforotherjobs.Thejoblistingwilltellyouwhetherornotthereisanactualjobopening.Jobsthatmaynothavecurrentopeningsarelistedas“OpenContinuouslyforRe-cruitment.”Yourapplicationformisveryimportant.Youmustsendacompletedapplicationforeachstatejobyouareinterestedin.Youshouldbeveryaccuratewhenyoucompletetheapplicationform.Youshouldhavenomistakes.Askforanextracopyormakeacopysothatyoucanreviewyourworkandmakeanynecessarychangesbefore youmail yourapplication.Pay careful attention tohow youdescribeyourjobduties.Usethejobdescriptiontomatchyourskillswiththosethatareneededforthejob.Alwayssendintheapplicationbytheclosedatelistedinthejobdescription.TheBureauofHumanResources,withinMaineStateGovernment,willreviewyourjobapplicationcarefully.Theywillseeifyourqualificationsmatchthoseneededforthejob.Theywillgiveyourapplicationascorebasedontheinformationyouhaveprovided.

StateApplicationForms


The easiest way to get more information on state govern-ment jobs is to visit the State of Maine home page.Theaddressiswww.maine.govIntheupperportionofthescreen,youwillseeaselectiontitledWORKING.SelecttheWORKINGtab,followedbyJobOpportuni-ties.Fromhereyoucanselectfromseveraloptions,oneofwhichwillbeStateGovernmentJobs.AskyourCareerCenterInformationSpecialistifyouwouldlikehelpusingthissite.Ifyouwouldratherspeakwithsomeonedirectly,calltheBureauofHumanResourcesat(207)624-7761orTTY888-577-6690.

GettingInformation

Direct HireSomestateagenciesusethedirecthiresystem.Statehospitals,uni-versities,technicalcollegesandthecourtsystemallusedirecthire.DirecthirejobswillbelistedseparatelyintheCareerCenter,ontheInternetandinthenewspapers.DirectHirepositionshaveaspecialapplicationformyoumustfillout.BesureyougettherightapplicationforDirectHirepositions.

Also,youmaybeaskedtotakeawrittentest.Youwillreceiveascoreontheresultsofthattestbymail.Yournamewillbeplacedonareg-ister.TheBureauofHumanResourceswillsendthenamesofthepeoplewiththehighestscorestotheagency.Theagencyinterviewsthesepeople.Somepeoplegetdiscouragedwhentheyareseekingemploymentwithagovernmentagency.Sometimesittakesalongtimetogetaninterviewforajob.Youmayhavetoapplyforseveraljobsbeforeyougetanintervieworajoboffer.


LocalGovernment Jobs

Eachlocalgovernmentdoesitsownhiring.Thisisalsotrueforlocalschooldistricts.CareerCentershaveinformationonmostlocalgovernmentjobopen-ings.Anotherwaytokeepupwithjobpostingsforlocalgovernmentistoreadthenewspapers.Readthenewssectionsaswellas theclas-sifieds.Articlesabouteventssuchasnewroadconstruction,publicparkexpansionorotherconstructionprojectsmaymeantherewouldbenewjobs.Youcanalsofindoutaboutchangesinaschoolsystemthisway.

Interviewing TipsNomatterwhereyourarelookingforwork,youmustbepreparedtointerviewwelltogetajob.Herearesometipsondoingyourbestataninterview.Answering Interview QuestionsRemember, nomatterwhatquestion youareasked, thepotentialemployerwantstoknowtheanswerstotwoquestions: WhyshouldIhireyou? Howwillyoufitintomyorganization?

HereistheformulaforaSkillsStatementanswer: 1. Name your skillandrelatethatskilltoyourworkerprefer-

encewithdata,peopleorthings. 2. Give an exampleofhowyouhavedemonstratedthatskill

bytellingastory,mentioninganawardorcommendation,providingastatementfromareferenceorproducingaport-folio.

3. Give the outcomeorresultyouachieved. 4. Relate this skilltothepositionyouareseeking.

The key to effective answers to interview questions isa Skills Statement.


HerearesomesampleSkillsStatements:

Skills Statement Describing People SkillsIamverygoodatorganizingaworkteam.Iseemtohaveaknackforgettingpeopleworkingtogethertoreachacommongoal.Forexample,

whenIwasshiftleaderatAcmeWidgetCompany,ourproductionwasgoingdownhillfortwoquartersinarow.Ipulledthe

teamtogetherandletthemdiscusstheissueandcomeupwithpossiblesolutions.Wetookthetimetocometogetheronasolution,implementitandmonitortheresults. Thenext quarterwewere back on target.Everyone felt goodabout the results. I couldhaveimposedmysolutionontheteam,butbettercoop-erationcamefromlettingtheteambeapartofthesolution.Icouldbringthissamekindofteamworktoyourorganization.

Skills Statement Describing Using DataIamveryaccuratewithfinancialdata.InmylastpositionIwasthepersonwhocheckedtheaccountsreceivableattheendofeachday.Iwastheonewhocheckedthebookswhennooneelsecouldfindtheerror.Ispentmanyeveningssearchingforerrorsthatkeptthebooksfrombalanc-ing,and Ialways found it.Tome, it’s likeapuzzlethatIenjoysolving.Iamalwaysverythoroughandaccuratewithfinancialdata.Icouldbringthissamethoroughnessandaccuracytothepositionofbook-keeperhereatAcmeWidgetCompany.

Skills Statement Describing ThingsItakegoodcareofmytools.IalwayskeepthemcleanandintheirplacewhenI’mnotusingthem.Aworkerwhorespectshistoolsrespectshiswork.I’mveryproudofthefactthatmyworkstationisneat,cleanandsafe.Tome,thatshowstheprideItakeindoingagoodjobeverydayatwork.


✔

MoreInterviewingTips Getenoughsleepthenightbefore.

Practicemakingskillsstatementssothatyouhaveyour presentationready.

Arriveabout15minutesearly.

Bringatleast5copiesofyourrésumé.Bringopenletters ofreferencesoryourlistofreferences.Bringcopiesof licensesandcredentialsifyouneedthem.Bringyourport- folioifyouhaveone.

Dressappropriatelyfortheinterview.TheInformationCen-terhasresourceswhichdescribethelatesttipsondressingforinterviews.

Showyourenthusiasmandself-confidenceinyourbody languageandtoneofvoice.

Donotexaggerateyourskills,butsellyourself.

Alwaysdescribepeopleandsituationsinapositivelight.

Lettheinterviewerdoatleasthalfthetalking.

Askgoodquestions.

Makeastrongclosingstatementandthanktheinterviewer fortheinterview.

Expressyourdesireforthejob.

Followupwithathank-younotetoeachpersononthe interviewcommittee.

Ifyouwanttoknowmoreabouttheseinterviewingtips,cometotheCareerCenterandcheckouttheresourcesintheInfor-mationCenter.


Salary Information

Salaryisanimportantpartofacareerdecision.It’snicetoknowwhatyoucanexpectasapayrange

forajobbeforeyoudecidetopursueit.Salaryinformationcanalsohelpyoudecidewhetherornottotakeajoboffer.Rememberthatanaveragewagemaynotbewhatyou

canexpecttoearnwhenyoustartanewjob.Averagewagesshowyouwhatyoucanexpecttoearnafteryou

havebeenworkinginajobforawhile.Ifyourskillsareindemand,youmaybeofferedahigherstartingwage.Ifyouareanexperiencedworker,thenyoumaybeofferedahigherwage.Ontheotherhand,youmaybeofferedalowersalaryiftherearemanyqualifiedpeoplecompetingforajob.Youmaybeofferedalowersalaryifyouhavefewerskillsorlessexperiencethanotherworkersdo.Donottalkaboutsalaryuntilyouhavebeenofferedajob.Anemployermightthinksalaryistheonlyreasonyouareinterestedinthejobifyoudiscusssalarytoosoon.Manyemployershaveasetsalaryscale.Theydonotnegotiatewageswithemployees.Otheremployerswillnegotiate.Theywillofferahigherwagetopeoplewithexcellentskillsandyearsofexperience.Ifthisdescribesyou,thenyoumaybeabletonegotiateyourstartingsalary.Ifthestartingwageisnotatthelevelyouwantorneed,thenyoumayaskforperformancereviewsatregularintervalsafteryoubeginworking.Ifyouaredoingagoodjob,thenyoucanaskforasalaryincreaseatthistimeifcompanypolicyallows.Benefits can be part of a salarypackage.Health insurance, sickleave and paid vacation are ex-amplesofbenefitsofferedbymanyMaineemployers.

John Doe

Stay Well Insurance

123-45-6789


Youshouldjudgeajobofferonthetotalpackageofferedtoyou,notjusttheentry-levelsalary.

YourCareerCenterhascurrentwagesurveysforthestate.Youcanalsofindwage information forBangor,Lewiston-Auburn,Kittery-YorkandPortland.Youcangetthisinformationincom-puterorprintformats. TheCenterforWorkforceResearchandInformationalsohasinformationonwages.Youcancallthemat(207)623-7900.Ifthisisnotalocalcallforyou,cometotheCareerCentersoyouwillnothavetopayalongdistancechargewhenyoucall. America’sCareerOne-Stop, www.careeronestop.org, isanex-cellentresourceforInternet-basedwageinformation,forMaineandthenation.TheU.S.BureauofLaborStatisticsalsoprovidesthisinformationontheirWebsite,www.stats.bls.gov. Selectwagesbyareaandoccupation.

If you need information to make an informeddecision, here are someresources that can help

INeedaJobNOW!Sometimesweneed to geta job (any job) rightaway.Wehavetofeedourfamily,paytherentormakethecarpayment.Wewilltakeanyhonorableworkwecanfindquickly.Thesejobsaresometimescalled“survivaljobs”becausewetakethemtomakeendsmeet.Somesurvivaljobsareentry-leveljobs.Otherjobsareavailablebecauseofhighemployeeturnover.Most

peoplecanqualifyforthesejobswithoutalotofspecial-ized training.Somepeopleenjoy these jobs, butmanypeopledonot.Ifyoufindyoumustacceptajobthatdoesnotmatchyourworkerpreferences,donotgiveupyourdreamofajobyoumightlikebetter.Inthemeantime,dothisjobtothebestofyourability.

SurvivalJobs


Herearesometipstomakea“survivaljob”situationbetter.

Youcanworkyourwayupinthecompanytosomethingyoulikebetter. Youcancontinueyourjobsearchwhileworking. Ifyougivethejobachance,youmayfindoutthatyoulikeit.Rememberthatthisemployergaveyouajobwhenyouneededonesobadly.Donot leavethatemployerwithoutfollowingacceptedbusinesspractices.Givetwoweeksnoticeifyoumustleave.Doyourjobtothebestofyourabilitywhileyouarethere.Remember,youwillhaveto placethisjobinyourworkhistory.DemonstrateyourEssentialWorkCompetenciesto thebestofyourability.MakethisemploymentsituationaWin/Winsituationforeveryone.Alwaysrememberthatitiseasiertogetanotherjobwhenyouareworkingthanwhen youareunemployed. Ifyouareseekingafirstjob,thenasurvivaljobcanhelpyoubuildyourworkhistory. Ifyouhavebeenfiredorhavealess-than-perfectworkrecord,thenagoodrecordin anyjobwillhelpyourebuildyourworkhistory.

Temporary AgenciesAcceptingajobthroughatemporaryagencyisanotherwaytofindajobfast.Workingasatemporaryworkerwillgiveyouanopportunitytoshowcaseyourknowledge,skillsandabilitiestoanemployer.TherearemanygoodtemporaryagenciesinMaine.Sometemporaryagen-

ciesevenofferbenefitsandpaid leaveafteryouhaveworkedacertainnumberofhours.

Sometimesusingatemporaryagencyistheonlywaytobecomeemployedbysome companies. These companiespaythetemporaryagencytofillentrylevel positions. They then offer per-manentemploymenttothosepeople

whomeettheirfull-timepermanentemploymentstandards.LookinyourlocaltelephonebookorvisityournearestCareerCentertofindalistingoftemporaryagencies.


Beawiseconsumerwhenchoosinganagency.Besureyouunder-standwhatservicestheagencyoffersitscustomers.Besureyou

understandwhatisexpectedofyouasatemporaryemployee.Mostagencieshaverelationshipswithemployerstoscreenapplicantsandprovidequalifiedworkerstotheirworkforce.Theyarepaidbytheem-ployer toperform theseservices. Therefore,mostagencies collectfeesfromtheemployer,notfromthejobseeker.Manypeoplearehiredbycompaniestheytempedfor.Evenifthereisnopossibilityofbeinghiredasapermanentemployeeinthepositionyouarefilling,peoplewillseethatyouareagoodworker.Doagoodjob.Trytofitintotheworkplaceandtheywillthinkofyouwhenthereisanotheropening.Again,alwaysdemonstrateToday’sWorkCompe-tenciesineveryworksituation.

EmploymentTestsSomeemployersand temporaryagenciesuse tests to choose themostqualifiedcandidatesforajob.Thesetestsrelatedirectlytobeingcompetentinaparticularjob.Someemployersusetestsofreasoningskills.Youmaybeaskedwhatyouwoulddoinasituation.Companiesmaytestmanagers,research-ersorprisonguardswiththistypeofassessment.Thequestionsmaybedesignedtomeasureacandidate’sabilitytothinkinnewanddif-ferentways.Sometestsmeasureintangiblethings.Theymayassessyourvaluesandattitudes.Othersassesshowyouprefertothinkormakedecisionsandhowyoucanvisionfuturesituations.

Survivaljobsandworkingthroughtemporaryagenciesarewaystokeepyourworkhistorycurrentwhileyouaretryingtofindtherightpositionorwhileyouaregrowingyourskillstobecomemorecompetitiveforthekindofpositionyoudesire.

A secretary may have to take a keyboarding test to measure speed and accuracy.


UsetheCareerCenterorlibrarytobrushupongoodtest-takingtechniques. Allowplentyoftimetogettothetestsite. Knowforsurewhereyouaregoing.Callaheadtogetdirectionsonhowtoget thereandwheretopark. Makesureyouhaveallnecessaryitemsfortesttaking. Listencarefullytoallthedirectionsandbesureyouunderstandthedifferentparts ofthetest. Ifyoutakea“speed”test,workasquicklyasyoucanwithoutmakingmistakes. Remember“speed”testsaredesignedsotheycan’tbecompletedintheallotted time. Donotworktoolongonanyonequestion.Gotothenextquestion.Thencome backifyouhavetime. Alwaysreviewyouranswersifyouhavetime. Becarefulifyouchangeananswer.Yourfirstchoicehasabetterchanceofbeing accurate. Sometimescluesfromlaterquestionswillhelpsolveearlierones.Remember testingisonlyonepartoftheintervieworapplicationprocess.

TestTakingTips

What If I Need Help Now?Youmayfindthatyouarefacinganemergency.Ifyouneedtemporaryhousing,foodoranyotheremergencyhelp,cometotheInformationCenter.Ifyouwanttofindoutwhatkindsofresourcesmaybeavailabletoyouandyourfamily,checkwiththeInformationCenter’sInformationandReferralServices.Thestaffcanhelpyoufindwhat’savailabletoyouandyourfamilymembersasyougothroughadifficultsituation.


A Final Word

Lookingforworkcanbeverystressful.Manypeoplehavecomparedbeingoutofworktofacingadeathinthefamilyorapersonalillness.Thereisagriefprocessoflettinggoof

theoldjobbeforewecanmoveintoanewjobsuccessfully.Manypeoplehandletheseupsanddownswiththesupportoffamilyandfriends.Ifyouareexperiencingmorethanyourshareofdowntimes,thenfindaprofessionalyoucantalkto.Acounselor,aclergymemberorasupportgroupmaybeabletohelpyoumovetowardreachingyourgoal.

Here are some suggestions to help you cope with job search stress.1. Getorganized!Useadatebook,personalphonebookorcomputertokeeptrackof

yourscheduleandcontacts.2. Setaschedule.Structureyourtime.Useacalendartoscheduleyourdailyandweekly

jobsearchactivities.3. Taketimeoutforyourselftodothingsyouenjoy.4. Joinordevelopa support group.Groupsareusually available throughchurches,

professionalorganizationsandcommunityagencies.Getoutandbewithpositivepeople.Helpothers.Beavolunteer.Networkwithotherjobseekers.

5. Schedulevarietyinyourweek.Directyourjobsearchindifferentareasandtrynewtechniques.(SeetheInformationCenterstaffforvariousjobsearchtechniques.)

6. Treat your job search likea real job. Job searchall dayduring regular businesshours.

7. Exerciseregularlyandeatabalanceddiet.8. Reviewyouraccomplishmentseachday.9. Donotbeupsetwhenyoudonotgetajobofferateveryjobinterview.Trytolearn

fromtheseexperiences. Doyouneedtolearnbetterinterviewingskills? Areyousearchingforajobforwhichyouarequalified? Doesyourrésuméneedtobeupgraded?10.Maintain importantrelationships.Letfamilyandfriendsknowwhatyoufeel.Your

familyisunderstresstoo.Bekindtooneanother.11.Learnanduserelaxationtechniques.12.Use theCareerCenterand InformationCenterasa resource for your job seeking

needs.Thefriendlystaffcanhelpyoureachyouremploymentgoals.


Anew job can be a new begin-ning.Remember,employersareseekingworkerswhocandocumenttheirEssentialWorkCompetencies.Keepsearching.Thereisanemployersomewhere inMainewho is look-ing forsomeone just likeyou!YourCareerCentercanhelpyoufindtheright employment opportunity andconnectyouwiththatemployer.WithyourCareerCenterasyourpartner,nowisagreattimetobejobhuntinginMaine!

Good Luck in Your Job Search!

JobHuntinginMaine is a collaborative product of the Center for Workforce Research and Infor-mation Advisory Workgroup supported by the Maine Department of Labor. This workgroup or team consists of representatives of the Training Resource Center, Training and Development Corporation, Western Maine Community Action, Inc., and staff of the Maine Department of Labor’s Employment Services, Rehabilitation Services, and Center for Workforce Research and Information units.

The Maine CareerCenter network consists of 12 full-service centers

and additional service points and partner providers located throughout the state.

For a complete list of locations, visit: www.mainecareercenter.com

or call 1-888-457-8883TTY: 1-800-794-1110

Full-serviceCareerCenterlocations

Rev. 06/10

www.mainecareercenter.com

Presque Isle

Calais

Machias

BangorSkowhegan

Augusta

Lewiston

Wilton

Rockland

Bath

Portland

Springvale

Documents

Putting the Pieces Together · Job Hunting in Maine: Putting the Pieces Together Page 1 Introduction Welcome to Job Hunting in Maine: Putting the Pieces Together. Job hunting is never