Pre-Release and Reentry ServicesMontgomery County Department of

Corrections and Rehabilitation

10 Steps to a Successful Job Search

Get into a Marketing Mindset

Identify what you have to offer

Identify who can use it

Present what you’ve got in a persuasive manner

#1 Understand that Job Search is Marketing….

Informed Planned Active Offering a good product or service Targeted toward the customer’s needs and

interests Positively and persuasively presented

Of YOU!

Marketing Laundry Soap What characteristics

make you choose a laundry soap?◦ Packaging◦ Smell◦ Cost◦ How well it does the job◦ Biodegradable◦ Doesn’t fade colors◦ Whitens whites

Does every customer want identical features?

#2 Know what you have to offer!

Name one skill, ability, quality or qualification YOU have that your target employer could use.

Name as many of your “Product Features” as you can

Now try to identify atleast 15 to 20: skills, qualifications, credentials, experience or Abilities

you have to offer an employer.

1st - Occupation Specific Skills_________________________

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 2nd Transferrable Skills & Abilities _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 3rd People or Interpersonal Skills _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 4th Good Work Habits _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

#3 Prove It!

Through your

◦Applications

◦Resumes

◦Interviews

Work experience Training Education References Examples Achievements Certificates Knowing the lingo

ApplicationsOften underestimated, the application is a signed contract stating that what you say is true!

Used to weed people out as well as in. Has information not on your resume. Employers use it to “verify” what you’ve

claimed Helps you job search more efficiently. Serves as the foundation for your resume

(they need to be matching profiles) Will be required, as well as a resume.

Application Tips

Employers use KEY WORDS to select applicants

◦ Be specific about what you can do, your skills and abilities. Say it often!

◦ Look over first.

◦ Use only space provided. Use scrap paper to get right size.

◦ Fill in all sections and blanks. Use NA if not applicable.

◦ Have checked for spelling & grammar

◦ Don’t forget to sign it.

#4 Prepare to Answer Tough Questions About your criminal

record

◦ Usually can say “Will

discuss in interview”.

◦ If must specify, also

talk about

rehabilitation &

constructive activities.

◦

• “Why did you leave?”

• Must be honest, but can use less negative explanation: Quit – Sought better

opportunity. Fired – Personal,

Poor job match, transportation issues.

Arrested/Jailed – Legal issues. Our of workforce.

◦ Line up your references

#5 Find and Who Needs What You Have - Target Employers Classifieds - on-

line, in print Search engines Directories Networking, Job

Fairs On employer

website◦Anything unique?◦Needs: On-line

reviews

#6 Prepare Your Marketing Tools – Your Resume

◦It’s your advertisement, the bait that hooks an interview.

◦It’s to connect what the employer needs with what you’ve got to offer.

◦Honest, but biased in your favor.◦What’s in it? What order are they in?

You need ME!

What’s in a Resume? Contact information

Intro: Your story in a nutshell◦ An Objective, Summary, or Highlights of

Qualifications

Key Skills

Work Experience

Education

Order depends on type of resume

◦Chronological

Features work history.

Good if you have a career, steady work history, progression upward.

Employers prefer it.

◦Functional

Features relevant skills.

Good for career changers

Gaps in work history

Varied jobs.

Starts with Objective, Summary, Qualification Highlights

Objective: Individual with _________ years experience in ________ seeking position as a _____________ with a company needing individuals who are __________, ___________, and __________. Also known for my __________, _________ , and ____________.

It summarizes why they should hire you.

Chronological

Intro(May also feature skills)

Work Experience

Education

Functional or Skills Based

Intro

Key skill categories and specifics.

Work Experience with Job Title, Company, Location, and Dates only

Education & Training

Body of the Resume

Work Experience

Job Title (Dates)Business, Location

Duties: xxxxxx, xxxx,Xxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx.Accomplishments: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, (w/#s if possible)

Education

Credential, School, Location, Date

GED, State of MD, 2001

BS, Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, MD

Business (30 credits), University of MD

GED (currently enrolled)

Use KEY words from the job and occupational description

Use past tense of vivid action verbs for duties and accomplishments

Installed Built Led Trained Marketed Sold Constructed Estimated Expanded Increased

Leave white space (you don’t need to throw in the kitchen sink!)

Use formatting features:◦ Bold you Name, Components, Job Titles◦ Bullets to make Skills, Duties and Accomplishments

stand out.◦ Lines to set off sections

Spell check yourself and have someone else read over it.

Be cautious with “Templates” (fill in the blanks auto-formatting resumes)

#7 - Target Your Resume & Letters

To your target customers

Tweak for different occupations

Tweak for different employers

#8 – Sell Over & Over Thank You Letters

Shows you are seriouslyinterested and registeredwhat they said.

◦ Email or snail mail within 24 hours.

◦ Thank them for taking the time to speak with you.

◦ Mention things that impressed you.

◦ Reiterate ways you can meet their needs.

Cover LettersShows you’ve considered their needs and are the best choiceto meet them.

Inside Address

Dear Employer(Name if possible

P1 - Position applied to and where found.

P2 – Your attributes related to the job.

P3 - Thank them for reviewing the app. Request for an interview. Reiterate contact information.

Letter of Explanation Helps prepare you

for verbal explanation in interview

Useful if application has to go to a higher authority

Tells your story, your way.

Briefly state instant offense. If necessary summarize others.

Express regret.

Mention positive growth

State new goals

#9 - Don’t forget planning

#10 - Go Get ‘em Tigers!