THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW   (Published Version)

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JOB FAIR SECRETS

THE JUGGLING ACT & 

CHOOSING A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

THE HOLLAND METHOD - SELF DIRECTED SEARCH

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Job Fair Etiquette

You see a job fair advertised in your local newspaper and the companies listed are interesting so you decide to attend. It's just a job "fair" so you throw on some sweats and put on your jogging shoes, grab some resumes off your desk...oops, you spilled coffee on them...but that's ok because it is only a job "fair" after all. You might even take the kids since you can swing by the YMCA on your way back. Sounds like a reasonable plan, right? Wrong. While there is the word Fair in Job Fair, I am afraid you won't find any ring toss booths or animal acts, but you will find eager human resource professionals searching for that perfect candidate who might just be you. A job fair could be the opportunity of a lifetime and you don't want to blow it. It is imperative that you come dressed in reasonable business attire; Ms. Elizabeth Goldbeck from City National Bank attests to seeing women dressed like they are going to the beach and pushing kids along in strollers. She continues, "This is unacceptable behavior and indicates to any prospective employer, no matter how casual their workplace, that you are not serious about seeking employment."

Take the job fair as seriously, as if you were going on an interview because, if you do, you just might get an interview. "Be friendly and open but not pushy. Have a strong handshake." suggests Renee Marzoli from Met Life in Rhode Island. "Also, be prepared with a strong resume that doesn't have any typos."... not to mention coffee stains.

Consider that chances are you will have at least five jobs in your lifetime. That means you will be looking for employment at least four times over the course of your professional life. That also means it is pretty certain you will attend a job fair at some point or another in your career.

The job climate has changed in the past few years as unemployment continues to decline. Some employers are finding it hard to fill certain positions and are eager to snag qualified candidates, so in many areas the frequency of job fairs has increased, which is good news for you, the job seeker, but that does not mean all of them are appropriate for everyone.

Job fairs typically follow the same format but there are different kinds and each can be a unique experience.

First are company sponsored job fairs, where an open house is held at their facility or location. This can be an advantage for you because you get the opportunity of visiting the facility and experiencing the environment you would be working in. It is to the companies benefit because they do not have to incur the expense of going to an outside location, setting up a booth, and scheduling staff. It does, however, limit the diversity and number of people who attend.

The second type of fair are those produced by separate entities such as major newspaper publishing companies, chambers of commerce, the NAACP, or smaller organizations whose business is to go around the country putting on job fairs in out of the way places. These events usually include a rather eclectic mix of companies including small, medium, and large corporations from a variety of industries.

The diversity of participants in this type of job fair allows the companies to see a wide cross section of applicants, and gives you a variety of choices where to apply.

An employer who participates in a job fair event may be looking for specific candidates to fill available openings within the company. If this is the case they are genuinely interested in interviewing to see how you fit their qualifications.

Companies might also attend for exposure in the market place and to gather resumes for future positions, as well as get a sense of what kind of talent is out there. While these companies might not represent immediate potential employment for you, they could be useful contacts down the line. Organizations such as Law Enforcement Departments will pre-qualify candidates by testing them at the job fair site; checking to see if they have a valid drivers license, citizenship, etc. Since the whole process of being accepted with such an organization takes between 6 months and a year, the job fair is one way to qualify people before putting them through the intensive program.

It is harsh fact but true, some companies only attend the fairs because they have to satisfy the state or federal government requirements for affirmative action and really have no jobs to offer. This was an issue during the debate on abolishing affirmative action and brings up a valid point; why should a company be forced to attend a job fair if you, the job seeker, has no chance of benefiting from their presence? Neither participant wins.

John Baciu, the Employment Manager from The Los Angeles Children's Hospital, says that they carefully choose when and what fairs to attend. While on one hand, they must satisfy affirmative action requirements, they also want to make sure that the fairs have qualified potential candidates. For Mr. Baciu that means events sponsored by medical related publications, organizations, etc. "It is way to hectic to interview during the job fair, but we do supply applications that candidates can fill out while they are there."

On the other hand companies like Met-Life and City National Bank actively interview and, as Ms. Goldbeck from City National Says..., "The job fair is good for a couple of people at least." Meaning they do hire from those candidates they interview.

Let's face it, the only reason that you, as a job seeker, attends a job fair is to find a job, so knowing that it is possible, makes for continued attendance, but to increase your chances it would be wise to pick the appropriate fair and, once there, follow some basic rules.

Your resume and appearance are your marketing tools, you need to have both in top shape to compete in the job market.

I asked my human resource professionals what makes a good first impression when they meet job fair participants, invariably they said that the candidate knowing why they are there and what they want to do was of utmost importance. Companies attend these events to find solutions to their human resource needs, not knowing what you want to do, or leaving yourself open to whatever comes along, means you do not offer a solution to their problems.

It is also a good idea to know something about the companies that you approach. Doing some homework, finding out information from news articles, business journals, and resource guides like "The Los Angeles Job Bank" will make you look more impressive and interested in working for that company. Let's face it, who would you hire, someone who was enthusiastic about working for you, or someone who just needed any old job? "The most intriguing thing a person can show me is what they want and how they plan to get there." says Ms. Goldbeck. There is power in commitment.

Dressing well, having a good resume, being enthusiastic, all go a long way to making a positive impression, but personal behavior at the fair can also be influential. Some pet peeves that were shared with me include the "Give Away Grabbers," people who go from table to table stuffing bags with free stuff, showing no interest in looking at the company or positions available. The "Monopolizers", people who monopolize the interviewer whose job it is to try and see as many people as possible within a short amount of time. If someone insists on taking up the interviewers time they are immediately eliminating themselves from consideration.

"We had one person give us a disc of something he was developing...we all threw it out, we don't have time for that kind of thing." Mrs. Marzoli said emphatically.

A job fair can be an exhausting experience for both you and the employer, but that does not mean it can't be productive or even enjoyable. For you, the job seeker, knowing the participating companies in advance gives you the opportunity to decide which ones you will concentrate on once there, this way you don't waste your own time or someone else's. For the employer it is a little more difficult, since they are never sure what the turnout will be like. Each participant hopes for the best possible result and the perfect job fair is one where both employer and job seeker win.

In closing let's briefly review the do's and do not's:

Do not - bring your children or other relatives along with you. This is not a social event or family outing. Do not - give the human resource professionals anything but your neat, stain free resume and their application. They are not going to be interested in portfolios, letters of recommendation, special projects, they are too busy. Do not - eat or drink while circulating through the booths.

Do - dress in appropriate business attire, this means a conservative color suit or dress, proper shoes, and well groomed appearance. Do - bring an effective, professional resume without errors. Make sure that you review the resume thoroughly so you can talk about the information on it with confidence. Do - be friendly and open but not pushy, have a firm handshake, and make your initial contact brief. Do - Know what you want and research the companies you are interested in applying for ahead of time. Do - have fun and enjoy meeting other people. Your enthusiasm will rub off and may translate into employment.

Good luck.

It had been almost twenty years since Tom Scott had the symptoms; sweaty palms, nervous stomach, shortness of breath, dry mouth, dizziness, no it wasn't the flu, it was this Southern California Aero-Space Engineers first job interview since leaving college. He had spent his career with some of the big name companies such as Lockheed, Aerojet, and Rockwell - they all used to know him well but now like more and more professionals, Tom was faced with an all to familiar scenario of shrinking job security due to downsizing and use of independent contractors, and less job satisfaction because of increased work loads. Ultimately, Tom's solution was to start his own construction business in the Los Angeles area, utilizing his background in architecture; but for most, whether out of necessity or choice, the specter of "The Interview" looms large. What should I say? How will I stack up against other contenders? Will they like me?

For many, the interview and the pressures it creates, ranks up there in stress and anxiety with root canal work and going on a first date. In fact there are definite similarities with a first date, since both parties - the interviewer and the interviewee - try to establish effective communication, get to know one another, and in most cases, are equally nervous.

Chances are, in a large company your resume is first going to be screened by the human resource department. Human resource professionals are trained to eliminate; they have to make the painful decision to disqualify a large number of candidates based on certain criteria. It's not uncommon for a large company such as IBM or Pacific Bell to get thousands of resumes a month. Just because you do not fill their particular needs does not mean that you are any less talented or qualified than other applicants. It just means that you don't "fit" their specifics at that time.

Smaller companies might not have a human resource department but they will still judge candidates by certain abilities they are looking for. Being called in for an interview means that your skills and experience are appropriate for their needs. In other words, they want you to be the right person for the job. There isn't a human resource person or employer that wouldn't be ecstatic to find that you were exactly the right candidate and they didn't have to look any further. "I hated interviewing." says Greg Braendel, former founder and CEO of Thrislington Cubicles a bathroom partition company he started in the Los Angeles area with $10,000.00 and built into $10 million within five years. "I would have to make a decision after meeting someone one or two times that could very well impact the whole company. I wanted to get it over with and get back to doing business." Through his experiences in hiring and dealing with human resource and business related issues, Mr. Braendel founded his present company Career Dreams, Inc., where he developed cutting edge programs designed to assist people in being effective with job search, transitioning, and interviewing skills. "Most of all, I wanted people who were interested in working for me and my company. I always suggest that you do your homework, find out everything you can about those companies you want to work for."

Once you have done your homework and just before your interview , there are some basic things that you should go over and remember. Caja Lucan found that in two out of three of her interviews with Buena Vista Distribution, a Division of Disney in Burbank, California, she got the dreaded "Tell me about yourself " question, however, it is virtually impossible to know what you are going to be asked ahead of time. If you have prepared yourself properly, there won't be a question in the world that can throw you. As for Caja, she must have done something right since the company recognized her talents and actually created a position for her in video merchandising.

Visualize the Perfect Job For You: It is important to search for the job that will satisfy your talent as well as your needs financially. I often ask my clients what their dream is, what would really get them out of bed in the morning, Usually, they are too shy to say, they think it is frivolous or not realistic. Bob Swan, the former CFO of a major Hollywood film company was dissatisfied with his job and the general direction of his career, so when all the executives were being terminated and the company folded... "I sat down and gave some thought to what I most like to do which is solve problems." With the help of a special program created by Career Dreams Incorporated, he discovered what his true talents were and the direction he wanted to take towards his dream. "I decided that I wanted to be President of a new dynamic company and that is just what is happening. Recently I became President of a start up company and am also involved as CFO of a music publishing organization." It is amazing how effective you are when you can see what you want. In interviews you will be more relaxed and able to really listen and understand what is being offered. Most importantly, you will know if this job is right for you.

Remember to LISTEN: In most every case the person interviewing you will tell you what they are looking for. To listen is a basic rule in sales, and essential to being effective. After all, here you are selling yourself and you want to know what the prospective employer wants from you. This is the perfect opportunity to find out if you really would like to work there. By listening carefully, if you decide you do want the job, you will know how to get it.

Remember to BREATHE: No matter how many times we go on interviews, it seems in our human nature to stop breathing. When that happens, things get out of sync and we feel awkward. By taking a couple of deep breathes and then breathing naturally, most of those feelings disappear.

Review Your Resume: We think we know what is on our resume, but under stress we tend to forget the most important things. Reviewing your resume before each interview you will feel more relaxed and prepared for any questions regarding it.

They are Already Interested In You: You have been given the interview, this means they are interested in seeing if you fit into their company. They have already read your resume or are seeing you because of a recommendation. "I would see people solely on the recommendations from business associates or my own people." Greg Braendel offers. "If they got to interview with me it was a good bet that they were someone I wanted to see and thought would be good for the company." The first interview is also a good time to decide if you are interested in working for that particular company, but we will get into that later.

Help the Interviewer to Feel Comfortable: They are as nervous as you are. Think about the pressure that they must be under to make a critical decision, to bring someone into their company or organization based on just meeting you once or twice. Be friendly, ask them how they are. Mr. Swan says, "If a person isn't comfortable with themselves it makes make me uncomfortable. I would look at them as if I were a paying customer and they were representing the company; would I feel comfortable with them? Personally when I'm on an interview, I will look around the office to see if there is some common interest. If they have a golf trophy on their shelf, I will start talking about chip shots or golf swings to break the ice." Don't get to personal or go on too long, just long enough so both of you are comfortable. You can make it a lot easier for them and for yourself if you try to make them feel at ease. Most people don't think of this, and that is a serious mistake.

Remember to HAVE FUN: Interviewing is a hard job. If you go in with the attitude of having a good time you will create an atmosphere of bright and open communication. Fun is contagious, if you are having fun the interviewer cannot help but be drawn in and feel good about you.

Feel Strong and Committed With Your Answers: There are no "right" answers for all interviews. The only right answers are for the interview you are having now. If you have done your research on the company, read your resume and most importantly, are honest, then the right answer will be there. If you don't know, then the right answer is "I don't know".

Be Honest: "There was one guy who was very nervous, and it wasn't just from being interviewed" says Charlotte Crowder a Banking Center Manager for Wells Fargo Bank in Los Angeles, California. "I could tell that he wasn't being truthful with his answers, and since the people I supervise have to deal with large sums of money, I recommended that he not be hired..." If you feel that you have to lie about anything, then you know that this job is not for you.

I Am Good At What I Do: Everyone has a good deal of expertise and experience. You know more about yourself than anyone else. Think about yourself as a "product" that they need and you put yourself in a much stronger position to get the job.

Ask Yourself If You Really Would Like To Work There: You are going to have to work with this company or organization for a long time. It would be terrible if you got the job only to find out you hated working there. "It's always hard when you are looking for work." says Bob Swan. "You want a job, but you also want it to be the right job. During the interview I look around not only to see if I have something in common with the interviewer but also to see how I feel about the environment, if it suits me, if I am comfortable."

Be Who You Are Today: We have no control over how we feel any certain day. We may be depressed one day and feel on top of the world the next. This is natural and we tend to try and hide it when we go in for an interview. Remember to be honest and that also means be honest about your feelings that day. If you are in a bad mood don't just try and hide it by covering it over with jokes. You will come off all wrong, since you are not being honest with yourself. Try to leave all your "baggage" (i.e. problems) at the door before you come in. If you are late, thank them for their patience, don't go into a long explanation of the circumstances surrounding your tardiness. Be straight forward but don't burden the interviewer with drawn out descriptions of how your cat got run over or your wife/husband doesn't understand you. The same goes for being too up and excited, don't "blow them out of the water". After all, they too might have just lost their cat or had an argument with their spouse.

Good Luck: If it is right you will know it. You know, as well as they do, how much pressure you are under. They are under just as much, if not more. Help to make it easier for both of you and in the end you will both win, whether you get this job or not. YOU WILL FIND THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU.

If you go through the above affirmations honestly, you will feel better about the interview process and yourself and you will make a good impression during the interview. After the interview is over, keep smiling and shake the interviewers hand. Leave a positive final impression, because the last impression is the first impression they will remember.

Normally you will go through two or three interviews before they make a decision to hire you.

The first interview, more than likely, will be with a human resource person or even a peer who has been asked to screen applicants. While a resume might get you the interview, it does not tell them about you as a person. This interview is to get a feel, an understanding of who you are. "The final decision has more to do with how I perceive the person will fit in with our organization and not necessarily on his/her experience alone." says Charlotte Crowder who has hired and directed a staff of 12 employees. Often, more qualified and experienced candidates are passed over for those with a better attitude, or who are willing to go the extra mile, work longer hours and be a team player.

The second interview, will usually be conducted by a boss or manager. Upper level management are not generally trained in interview techniques as are those in human resources. They are taking time out of their busy schedules to talk with you and are going to be looking to see if you can do the job, take direction and not leave them having to pick up the slack. Now, while the main job of a human resource person is to eliminate you from the stack of a hundred, two hundred, or more resumes, the second interviewer wants desperately for you to be the right candidate so he or she can get back to doing their job.

If the other two interviews have gone well you will meet the bosses boss. They want to make sure that you are going to be a team player, that you have the companies interest in mind, that you can do the job and even take on additional responsibility. He/She will assess your future potential.

While there really is no way to guarantee success in the interviewing process, your chances can increase if you remember to go through the above affirmations and questions.

Dee Vanderlind, former President of Thrislington Cubicles in Los Angeles, who, after graduating with honors from the USC MBA program, led interviewing workshops there, sums up the process: "The most critical aspect of an interview is to answer sincerely, be honest and make sure the job is what you want." Oh! and a final tip, remember to breath and relax.

"I am looking for anything," Nancy Herrera echoed a common refrain when I asked her what kind of job she wanted. It is an answer used all too frequently by those looking for jobs in times of high unemployment when people are more concerned about getting work than what kind of job it might be. Her answer reminded me of a childhood story that is popular to this day. "One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. "Which way road do I take?" she asked. His response was a question: "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know." She answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter." I am sure Lewis Carroll didn't have the job market in mind when he wrote Alice in Wonderland, but it does have surprising relevance to those job seekers who, in order to leave their options open, say that they will go down any road.

Due to a shift in the whole economic system, workers have to be ever more vigilant in assessing their job future with a particular company. Because of this shifting and unstable working environment more and more people are becoming confused and disheartened at their prospects. The roads of opportunity seem to veer off in every direction.

Is unemployment more of an attitude than a reality? The government keeps trying to point out that unemployment is down, but statistics are worthless to those who are standing in the unemployment lines. Good economic news is great only when it means that businesses will start hiring again instead of laying off.

For a job seeker, "looking for anything" could mean desperation and employers can sense desperation a mile away. Such discouragement is an indication that the person is looking for help instead of looking to help. An employer does not want to be put in the position where they hire someone just because they need the job and not because they are qualified to fill the position. If that occurs both the employer and the employee end up unhappy. The employee will soon tire of the job because it wasn't really what they wanted in the first place, they will leave and the company will just have to look for a replacement. While it is human nature to want to help others, usually we find it much more rewarding to assist those that don't know they need help or don't ask for it, than those who act needy.

If you are unemployed and feel discouraged, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. It is a hard fight when society dictates that a persons worth is measured by how much money they make. However, that does not have to be your reality. The only way to pull yourself out of feelings of discouragement and frustration is to make positive choices and act on them. Don't worry if they are the right choices, because you can always change them, but do what "feels" right for you and not what others say you should do.

The number one choice you make is - what kind of job you want, what is your objective? If you know that you want to be a boot lace salesman, because you have always loved boots and have personally found it hard to find just the right kind of laces, then go for that. If you want to be a deep sea diving instructor, don't let what others say deter you. When an employer sees that you made a decision about what you want, it tells them, first; you can make a decision and second; you will be satisfied with that position and do a better job than someone who would rather be doing something else. Think of it this way, if you shoot a shotgun there is a chance you will hit a tree here or a bush there, but if you shoot an arrow, you will usually hit the target.

A job objective is not written in stone. Most people have multiple skills and talents that could be utilized in different positions, and they feel limited by choosing one area over another. In this case you should either have a separate resume for each objective or try to get a job in one particular area for a period of time. Let us say you give yourself a month to get that perfect job, then if it doesn't work out, fall back on the next most perfect job and so on. Sooner or later you will find one, as long as the prospective employer sees that you are focused and know what you want.

The second choice you make is - how you are going to look for the job? If you just plan to answer ads in the newspaper you will be missing out on 80% of the jobs available, since usually only 20% of jobs are advertised. So how then do you look for them?

The best and most effective way, if it is available to you, is through friends and referrals. Personal contacts give the employer the security of a recommendation and a built in reference. If you don't have contacts the next best way is to target your search just as you targeted the job that you want. Go to companies that you would like to work for and drop off a resume or see if you can talk to someone about working there. If you really want to work someplace your enthusiasm will shine through, which in turn will impress those in a hiring position.

Going through an employment Agency or Head Hunter is fine, if it is done in conjunction with other methods. You don't want to sign with an agency and sit back thinking they are going to do all the work for you. Remember you are only one of hundreds of people they are trying to place and their attention to your specific needs is secondary to their desire to please a client.

Going through the newspaper should be part of a routine, which includes utilizing the above search methods. Always follow up on a resumes with a letter if you haven't heard from them within a week or two. This will let them know you are interested and remind them to look at your resume one more time. Keep a notebook with the ads pasted onto pages, dated and marked to indicate when they were sent and the responses received.

Looking for a job should be your job is familiar advice experts give. However, before you can even start the process you have to sit down, make some choices and focus on what you want and how you are going to proceed.

While Alice didn't know what road she wanted to go down, she did eventually pick a road and that made all the difference to her future.

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Fred Damiano has worked for over 25 years in retail management for some very prestigious men's clothing stores. While still employed he thought it time to test the waters. "I haven't needed a resume in over 20 years, usually I am referred or walk into a company, tell them my experience and they hire me, but now everyone wants a résumé." More than ever before résumés are in demand. Gone are the days when a person can just walk into a company with hat in hand and walk out with a job. Even in professions that depend on credentials such as nursing and engineering, or industries that are closely knit like the apparel business. Companies and organizations are saying that a résumé is essential before they will even talk to a candidate. For this reason people who have never had to have a resume in the past are now forced to deal with the often frustrating and nerve wracking process.

The résumé is the first line of offense for the job seeker. "The purpose of a résumé is to get someone in the door, not to get them the job." said Robert Rollo, managing director of Southern California for Korn/Ferry International. It is a presentation of facts and achievements that should be designed to reflect the best a person has to offer. An effective résumé starts with the presentation of the information or, in other words, the wording. While a good looking resume (which we will get into in a minute) is nice, it is what's said on it that will attract the attention of the employer. This area is the number one stumbling block of most people who try to write their own résumé. There are certainly enough books, computer programs and even school counseling centers that can tell you how a resume should be presented, but they all concentrate on how the resume is formatted and not what it says.

A résumé needs objectivity and focus. Most of the time we are far too critical of our talents and skills. We are always ready to accept criticism but not praise. We feel that we don't want to "blow our own horns" and yet, if worded effectively, our true talents can stand out and make us an attractive prospect for an employer. Ask those around you what they think your best qualities are. Make a list of things you know how to do, technical skills and personal attributes that stand out. These will be the foundation for an effective résumé. Then go through your job history, listing the jobs in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job first. Make sure you account for any gaps in time. Make sure you put down what responsibilities you had for each job. Try to remember everything you can, even if you think a task was not important, put it down. Don't forget to emphasis accomplishments and achievements. Every employer is impressed by someone who has made a beneficial impact on the company they have worked for in the past. The objective is to get as much information as possible.

Now you have all the raw information you need, you have to put those facts together effectively. But before you do, there is an even more essential process and that is choosing your focus, your objective. Some people know exactly what they want to do, they are clear and directed, however, a good percentage of job seekers echo a recurring refrain, "I just want a general résumé, something that I can use for all sorts of job opportunities." This is the "shotgun" approach. These job seekers believe that the broader the objective the more likely they are of hitting a job somewhere down the line. But what does a shotgun do? It usually hits a tree here or a bush there or maybe it will hit only part of the target. Yet an employer is much more likely to be impressed by the person who knows exactly what they want. This person uses the "arrow" approach, they see their target and do what it takes to hit it. To have focus does not mean that you have to limit yourself. If you, as a job seeker, have a number of things you want to go for, you may choose to concentrate on one thing for a set amount of time, then if that doesn't work out, pick an alternative. But during that time you need to be focused and enthusiastic.

Remember that your résumé is the first thing an employer sees of you. It should be clean, professional and uncomplicated. The only address and telephone number on the résumé should be your own. Stay away from P.O. Boxes and don't put on personal data such as birth dates, marital status, hobbies, age, etc. You have no idea who is going to see it, and besides, that kind of information is irrelevant to getting the job.

It is a fact that your résumé will get only 30 seconds of attention (sometimes less) before the person reviewing them puts yours in pile A or pile B (usually the waste basket). All the most impressive qualifications should go up front so that they can tell immediately why you should be called for the interview.

The résumé may be the most necessary tool in a job seekers arsenal, but it is not the only one. A cover letter is essential if you are submitting yourself to companies where you don't know the person you are sending your résumé to. It is an introduction that can highlight and emphasize major accomplishments and/or qualifications and which asks for the interview.

Follow-up letters are a useful and often neglected tool. If you have submitted a résumé to a company and not followed up when they haven't responded you may be missing out on an opportunity that you are unaware of. Generally a company will receive a large volume of résumés, it may take them longer to respond. If you send them a follow-up letter to confirm that they have received your resume and to indicate your interest in working for their company, it could mean that they give you that extra opportunity. In January, Jean, an Administrative Director, submitted her résumé to a company she really wanted to work for. Every week she either sent a letter, a card or called the company. Finally a woman in the human resources department called and said that they had better have her in for an appointment since she seemed so determined. It is important to be persistent, even if they say there is no job available right now that doesn't mean there might not be one next week. The person who is fresh in their minds is usually the one they will call.

"The most important part of the job search process is the thank you letter. It can make the difference in their decision." says Hesh Thompson a Head Hunter with Evie Kreisler & Associates, a firm which concentrates on placing people in the garment industry. A thank you letter after your interview, is not only a courtesy that is appreciated, but it is a reminder of who you are. After all, they have probably interviewed dozens of other people since they saw you. Surprisingly, only one out of twenty use the thank you letter, so it is definitely a plus. After Jean's interview she wanted to send a thank you letter but couldn't recall the name of one of the people she interviewed with. She called the human resources department and told them she needed the name to send a thank you letter, they were surprised that she would take the time to do such a thing. Jean got the job.

Other important options include references and salary histories. These are generally reserved until the employer asks for them, but it is a good idea to have them on hand in case they do.

Putting a whole package together is the most effective way of marketing yourself for the job. Making the right impression and following up is proven to increase your chances of being hired. Due to the increasing numbers of people entering the job market, competition will remain stiff for years to come.

Seeking the help of a professional writer will increase your résumés effectiveness. Professionals are usually up on trends in the employment market and they can look at your information and accomplishments with objectivity. They may also be able to refer you to head hunters, agencies or special programs to help you in your search.
 

THE JUGGLING ACT & 

By: Brad M. Bucklin

It is true now more than ever, that education is the key to better employment. In today's tough economic and job climate competition is stiff, so the more skills and knowledge you have the more attractive you will be to an employer who is receiving hundreds of resumes for one job opening. There is a ground swell of people who have, for one reason or another, decided it is time to continue or update their education. Annie Goldman, the Program Director for the Los Angeles Valley College's Extension program, calls these people Re-Entry students. "Typically they are people who have a five to ten year gap between finishing High School or some college and continuing their education." The average age is 35, however, people have gone back to school well into the fifties and sixties. The need to accommodate Re-Entry students has spawned numerous vocational schools and college extension programs. Programs like the Learning Annex offer short seminars or courses on a wide variety of specific subjects that are eclectic and often geared towards personal growth rather than enhancing a career. Vocational schools such as Chase, Bryman, UEI, American Career College offer training in careers ranging from Medical Assisting to Plumbing. There are also specialized schools that focus on one field like Academy Pacific Travel College, Massage Therapy School or the Institute of Computer Technology. Most of the area community colleges and universities offer extension courses which range from short one day seminars to full blown certificate programs in a wide variety of subjects that often include those offered by the vocational schools. Before selecting a school or extension program it is important to decide what career you either want to enhance or transition into. The process should begin with identifying where your talents and interests lie. If you have an innate ability with numbers, computers or accounting would be appropriate, if you have good manual dexterity and like working with your hands, then being a technician or electrician might fit your needs. Marla Lopez, a Paralegal student at the Los Angeles Valley Extension program, felt that with her logic, pension for writing and interest in legal procedures, being a paralegal was the best fit for her. Once you have an idea of the type of education you feel comfortable with, the next step is to ask questions. Research the field or fields you are interested in to determine:

 Job availability - are people in the field in demand? Marla discovered that in good times or bad there will be litigation, that the field will always be busy and the need for Certified Paralegals was growing. 

Salary range - you have to know what you need and whether the profession will support that. 

How long the program takes - some, like the Paralegal program at Los Angeles Valley College can take as long as eleven months. If you are ready for the sacrifices that will need to be made.

Going back to school is not easy for those who have obligations such as work and family. Dr. Christine Zeppos of Chase college recommends to - "Make sure the commitment is there and it is priority your life. Being aware that it is a challenge will help to rally the support needed to accomplish your goal." Annie Goldman agrees. "Family members have to support the student, accommodate their needs and make sacrifices of their own." Open communication is essential because there will be times of doubt. Maria Lopez advises learning how to overcome, overwhelm and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. "One of the most important lessons I had to learn was to say, no." Having understanding and supportive family and friends is just as important as personal stamina. "Organization is the key, prioritizing the tasks in your life." Annie Goldman adds. "Those who re-enter education from daily life do have an advantage in that they are used to a certain amount of juggling of job and family." Adding education could be seen as just an extension of an already existing schedule. Once you have selected a field of study, come to terms with the commitment that it will take, the next step is to choose a school. Maria Lopez picked up a brochure on the extension program at Valley College. She called to look into the program to see if it fit her needs and signed up. "I needed night classes and someplace close by, it was perfect." The school selection process also requires research. 

What classes and times do they offer? 

What is the cost of the program? 

Many schools offer financial assistance, find out if you are eligible. The Extension courses are usually less expensive than the vocational schools. 

What is their location? 

Do they have more than one campus? 

Are they in the area that suits you? What is their reputation? 

How long have they been in business?. 

Visit the schools, look at their facilities, "touch the bricks" as they say. Talk to students and teachers. Just as you determine if you feel comfortable in a certain work environment you need to feel comfortable in your educational setting. Ask about special programs designed to help you with your goals. Dr. Zeppos describes a program that her school offers called SOAR which assists the student in focusing on their dreams and how to achieve them through education. Most vocational schools offer advisors to help you determine which are the best courses for you, talk to them. John Shaw, was sixty five when he finally completed his Ph.D. He said, "I don't even want to hang my degree on the wall, the only reason I did it was to have the satisfaction of the accomplishment." If you choose to further your education for whatever reason, the outcome can not only mean increased job potential but a sense of accomplishment and self esteem.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A SCHOOL

by: Brad M. Bucklin

Over the past 20 years the workplace demographics has shifted. While professionals such as Doctors and Attorneys have remained steady at around 20% of the workforce, and unskilled labor has declined considerably, the bulk of jobs, around 63%, are going to skilled workers such as technicians, assistants, specialists. This translates into hundreds of thousands of opportunities. Based on the United States Department of Education statistics for 2001, enrollment for vocational or continuing education programs in California was 473,000. The demographics included mostly employed people between the ages of 25 to 44 with more females than males and primarily bi-lingual. Yet, going back to school is a personal decision and is not be dictated by demographics. A client of mine who ran a vocational school locally, decided to get his Doctorate. He explained that he wasn't even going to put the diploma on the wall, that he didn't care if anyone knew he had it; the degree represented a personal sense of accomplishment and that was enough for him. He was an unusual case to be sure but it does bring up the question, why pursue a degree or certificate in the first place? This is the first thing you must ask yourself if you are thinking about selecting a school for your continuing education. The answer is going to determine what kind of school you are looking for and what you can expect when you finish. Randy Taylor of ICT College which offers both a Bachelor of Arts and Associate of Science Degree, goes further and says that each student must be prepared in their lives to handle the dedication and focus that it takes to go back to school. "Checking things out is important." he says and continues, "Most people are intimidated by the idea for many reasons, including having a background or a personal position that hasn't had a positive attitude towards continuing education." Women are more likely to want to choose continuing their education and they often have the additional burden of a husband who may not be supportive or family obligations that seem overwhelming. Regardless of a persons situation the keys to successfully going back to school are motivation and desire. As mentioned in my last article, juggling a job and continuing education is never easy, it takes a lot of fortitude. But let's say that you have made up your mind and are dedicated to the process, there are all kinds of institutions to choose from including vocational schools, colleges and even university extensions. Your decision to pursue a particular skill or major will determine the programs or institutions you are looking for, now how do you find the one that is right for you? I gathered information from local admissions personnel on what a majority of prospective students ask when considering enrollment and then I requested the administrators give their opinion as to what the most pertinent questions should be asked but aren't. According to Ciddy Fonteboa of Chase College, the most important thing on a prospective student's mind is cost. "Financial concerns are the focus of most first interviews." she says. Lindsey Russell from American Career College, concurred. "Tuition, financial assistance are questions that are invariably asked, along with; ‘what future will I have if I attend your school?' and ‘why should I go here?'" While these questions are pertinent and important, deciding on a school based on financial criteria only is a mistake. There is an old saying that "you get what you pay for." Ciddy Fonteboa warns that a lot of prospective students come in with a sense of desperation, which may be a sign of the difficult economic times, but can effect a persons decision making capacity. While one school may be less expensive than the next there are other factors that come into play. Invariably one of the most neglected questions, according to my admissions experts, is whether or not the school is accredited. An accredited school means that according to state guidelines, the courses, instructors, administration and curriculum meet acceptable standards and credits earned can be transferred from one accredited institution to another. Schools also have to adhere to placement guidelines for their graduating students and companies looking for new employees look for candidates who have degrees or certificates from accredited institutions. So, completing a program with a school that is not accredited means throwing money out the window. Along with the accreditation is the placement issue. Asking if the school has a placement program becomes moot if they are accredited since it must be part of their program, and is usually a strong selling point by the admissions representatives. Another important question that is usually not asked; "What is the curriculum?" My admissions experts all stress is the importance of this in deciding where you want to study. What courses and what level of courses are offered? Different people have different needs. If you choose a school and the curriculum is below your personal skill level you may become bored, if the courses are too difficult, frustration may set in, either way the chances of dropping out before completion are pretty high, and if the objective is to complete a certificate or degree for better opportunities you may become disillusioned. Class size should also be considered. You don't want to get lost in a large class with limited personal time with the instructor. It is always good to take a tour of the school's facilities, "touch the bricks" as they say. While you roam their hallways, speak with students that are already enrolled and get a sense of whether or not this would be a place you would like to spend time learning. Environment is important, not just whether the bathrooms are clean, but the general attitude of those working and studying there. In order to avoid being part of the near epidemic of students jumping from one program or school to the other, it is just as important to get in touch with what you want as it is to being thorough in your researching the institution that fits your needs. While we can't decide for you what your goals and needs are, we can at least leave you with some questions to ask during your search. 

1. Why should I go here as opposed to another school? 

2. What future will I have after completing my studies here? 

3. Is the school Accredited? 

4. What is the Cost?

5. Do they have student loans available or scholarships? 

6. What is the curriculum and the size of their classes? 

7. Do they have placement assistance? 8. Is this the kind of environment that I would like to spend time learning in? 

Good Luck!

THE HOLLAND METHOD SELF-DIRECTED SEARCH

By: Brad M. Bucklin

Word Count: 1407

"I am not sure what I really want to do." Is a common refrain by people just entering the employment market these days, as well as those who have had lengthy careers. More and more workers are evaluating or reevaluating what they want to do despite today’s austere business environment.

So how do they find out what they want to do? Some may consult Psychics, others go to professionals who perform evaluations.

What are these evaluations and how do they work? Many higher education institutions as well as head hunting organizations and worksource centers may start off with the Myers-Briggs test which identifies personality types, but the most important tool is called a Career Interest Inventory.

Self Directed Search or SDS for short, is the most comprehensive Interest Inventory method created over the past twenty years. Dr. John L. Holland first developed the system in 1985 after extensive research. The process is a self-administered and self-scored career planning device that has been translated into 25 languages and used to assist over 22 million people around the world.

Based on the idea that finding a job you enjoy means you will make better contributions in the workforce, Dr. Holland’s theory is relatively simple.

It contends that most people can be categorized into six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. Matching types with careers results in increased interest and success in the work place.

The type that most resembles an individual is the result of many factors such as; family, important influences and other motivators, including work environment, culture, etc.. Yet careers can also be classified with the six basic types as can work environments. So matching types and careers is as easy as identifying which classification a person fits, then going to the predetermined list of occupations to find the best fit.

The fact that both people and careers can be identified by six types is as important as knowing how they are inter-related. In the end it comes down to common sense. A Realistic individual who has mechanical and athletic abilities, is not compatible with a Social position that utilizes human relationship skills.

But here’s the rub, very few people are "pure" types. Most have a combination of characteristics.

The Holland Code is a shorthand for describing these combinations resulting from answers given in the assessment. The code is composed of three letters. The first letter shows the type that a person resembles the most, the second is the type they resemble somewhat less and the third is what they resemble least of the three. A person can bet if there is not a letter represented then they have very little, to no, association with that type.

Currently there are over 13,000 occupational titles in use by business, government and educational institutions. Just as with the personal codes, few jobs are "pure" types so they can also be identified by the three letter Holland codes.

One example described in the Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. booklet "Exploring Career Options" is, Securities Trader. The Department of Labor’s explanation of Securities Trader and the Holland Code description as an ESI type, demonstrates the accuracy of the Holland Code.

E (Enterprising) indicates leadership abilities, an interest in economics and politics with the ability to influence people.

S (Social) a person with good social skills, interested in human relationships and likes to help others.

I (Investigative) someone who enjoys solving problems, is analytical, methodical, cautious.

I decided to use myself as a guinea pig, for the sake of this article and to get a feel for the Holland System. I took the assessment test to discern what job I was best suited for.

I opened the assessment booklet with trepidation.

There were three categories where you answer either yes or no to groups of six questions, identified by one of six letters.

The first category is Activities. What do you like to do, woodworking, studying science, influencing others, playing an instrument? The second group is entitled Competencies. These questions identify what you feel you are competent in; making repairs on electronic equipment, solving mathematical problems, writing a speech, etc. The third section is called Careers. Here you identify the careers you would most be interested in; Welder, Fire Fighter, Artist, Bank Teller.

I thought to myself, if finding what kind of job someone was good at or wanted was as easy as answering "what kind of job do you like?" why do I need this Holland guy to tell me?

My skepticism in check, I followed the rest of the instructions. Each group had 10 questions and was scored by counting the number of yes answers. Then the assessment book told me to count the number of Yes’ in each category and write the number in blank spaces provided above each of the six letters. I did that for each of the three groups. Then I was supposed to add the numbers associated with each letter to get the total score. No one told me that Math was involved.

Now my Holland Code could finally be revealed. The three letters with the highest scores associated with them in descending order were ASE. That meant I am Artistic, Social and Enterprising. Now all I needed to do was go to the Career Options Finder, the booklet that lists, by code, practically all the jobs available in today’s employment market. Under the category of ASE they also indicated that as an alternative the jobs listed for AES would be appropriate. In fact most code combinations had counterparts that were close in type to the original category. AER tied with RAC for six alternates, only under RAC there were no jobs listed just the alternates. What did that mean for the poor individual with an RAC code? By far the biggest category, with the most jobs was ESR, seems they are the manager types.

Under the ASE section I could be an Editor, Teacher, Biographer, Quick Sketch Artist, Pastry Chef... Who knew. Interestingly enough the positions listed under AES where far more appealing to me; Columnist, Critic, Book or Newspaper Editor, Actor, Narrator, etc.

Does this mean that I am destined to have a job in one of those careers? According to Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., the SDS is a measure of interest patterns and does not tell a person if any of those positions are an exact fit. There are a lot of factors that the Holland Code does not take into consideration such as ability, education, background, incentive or experience necessary to succeed in a specific career. They also acknowledge that the SDS codes are effected by sex, age, ethnic and social group associations, prior experience and more.

Renee Marzilli, a human resource professional for over 25 years explains; " People that use it get the ‘ahha’ and are already willing to look outside the box and consider alternatives."

But she also goes on to say, "Some people believe in it and others not, they have to be able to accept that they may have been in the wrong job for all that time."

In the end, it is about asking the right questions. I have a client who was an accountant for twenty-five years. He said he wasn’t happy in the field, but didn’t know what to do. I asked him what he really enjoyed doing. He said he was an artist on the side and he would like to work in a gallery. I suggested he look for an accounting job in a museum or gallery so he could combine what he knew with what he loved to do. It was simple. The Holland Method is a simple process designed to ask those questions you might not of thought to ask yourself and then organizes the answers in a systematic way. So if you are asking yourself, "What do I really want to do?" there is a way to get you headed in the right direction.

Resources include: www.self_directed_search.com and Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. 1-800-331-TEST

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