Health Occupations

Job Skills

Job Keeping Skills

Characteristics of a good employee Employers state deficiencies of employees

– Poor grammar– Poor spelling– Poor speech & math skills– Lack of respect for work– Lack of self-initiative– Poor personal appearance– Not accepting responsibility– Excessive tardiness & poor attendance– Inability to accept criticism

Job Keeping Skills

Use correct grammar at all times– Both written & spoken word– Ability judged based on communication– Poor grammar can indicate lack of

education– Listen to how others speak– Use dictionary to check spelling– Spell check on computer

Job Keeping Skills

Report to work on time & when scheduled– 7 days a week, 365 days per year, 24

hours per day– Absence can cause major disruption to

schedule– Strict rules about absenteeism

Job Keeping Skills

Be prepared to work upon arrival– Don’t socialize, make personal phone calls, talk

about personal problems, bring kids to work, work in a sloppy manner

– Develop good work ethic– Observe all legal & ethical responsibilities– Follow all policies & procedures– Recognize limitations, ask for help– Be willing to learn new things– Watch & learn

Job Keeping Skills

Practice teamwork– Be willing to work with others

Promote positive attitude– Creates good impression– Don’t concentrate on negatives only

• Easy to criticize• Leads to negative attitude & poor morale

– Concentrate on positive aspects• Look at rewards• Makes work more pleasant

Job Keeping Skills

Accept responsibility for actions– Take responsibility for mistakes & report

them– Correct errors– Everyone will do something wrong at some

time– Honesty is essential

Job Keeping Skills

Be willing to learn– Changes occur continuously– Staff development– New courses– Professional journals

Need good skills to keep your job– Courteous, responsible, enthusiastic,

cooperative, reliable, punctual, & efficient

Letter of application

Purpose is to obtain an interview Must create good impression Usually in response to job advertised

– Also send resume Letter should be in correct form

– Computer printed on good quality paper– Neat, complete, done in correct form– Spelling & punctuation correct– Employer’s first impression

Letter of application

Address letter to correct individual– Telephone agency to get info– Obtain correct spelling for name & title– If responding to box number, follow

directions in advertisement– Can address letter to personnel direction or

head of a particular department Letter usually has 3 – 4 paragraphs

Paragraph 1

State purpose for writing & express interest in position for which you are applying

State name & date of publication if responding to advertisement

If referred by another person, give that person’s name & title

Paragraph 2

State why you feel you are qualified May include why you want to work for

this employer Keep information brief because most

information is included in resume

Paragraph 3

State that resume is included Point out 1 or 2 important features on

your resume that will attract attention If resume not included, state that one is

available upon request

Paragraph 4

Closes letter & request an interview Include reference as to how employer

can contact you Include telephone number & times

available Add a thank you for considering the

application

Resume

Record of information about an individual– Thorough but concise– Education, experience, abilities– Provides employer with basic information

to make you appear qualified as an employee

Resume

Computer generated or typed– Organized fashion– Good quality paper– Correct spelling & punctuation– Straight & even margins– Attractive style

Format can vary– One page sufficient for recent high school

graduate

Parts of a Resume

Personal identification– Name, address, phone number, email

Employment objective– Job desired, career goal, title for which you are

applying

Educational background– Name & address of high school– Special courses or majors– List college or technical school first

Parts of a Resume Work or employment history

– Previous positions or employment– Start with most recent, work backwards– Name & address of employer, dates employed, job title,

brief description of duties– Use action verbs to describe duties

Skills– Special knowledge, computer, & work skills– Specific & indicates qualifications & ability to perform job– Shows employer you are qualified if work experience is

limited

Parts of a Resume

Other activities– Organizations of which you are a member, offices

held, community activities, special awards received, volunteer work, hobbies, special interests

– Keep brief– Include school, church, & community– Shows well-rounded, good citizenship, leadership– Write out full name of organization instead of

identifying letters

Parts of a Resume

References– “references will be furnished on request”– Always have individual’s permission before using

anyone as reference– List full name, title, address, & telephone number– Do not use relatives or high school friends– Seek professionals in your field, clergy, teachers, or

other people in responsible positions Honesty

– Never give info that is a half truth– If you have A-B average, include that, otherwise omit

Parts of a Resume

List all info before preparing your resume– Select best format– Present your info in best possible way

Use correct size envelope for letter of application & resume– Don’t fold into small sections & put in undersized

envelope– May want to use 9 x 12 envelope – don’t need to fold

then– Buy standard business envelopes that match paper– Computer print or type envelope correctly & neatly

Career passport or portfolio Professional way to highlight knowledge, abilities, &

skills Contain following

– Introductory letter – background, education, goals– Resume– Skills & competency list– Letters of recommendation– Copies of work evaluations– Documentation of mastering job-keeping skills

• SCANS – Secretaries Commission on Acquiring Necessary Skills– Read, write, math, speak, listen– Thinking skills – reason, problem solving– Personal qualities – responsibility, self-initiative, honesty, etc

Portfolio

SCANS workplace competencies– Manage resources – time, money, space– Interpersonal skills – teamwork, teaching, cultural

diversity– Utilize information– Comprehend systems– Use technologies

Leadership & organizational abilities Organize into neat binder Use tab dividers to separate into sections Correct grammar & punctuation

Job Application

Used by employers to collect specific information– Vary from employer to employer– Most request similar info

Read entire form before completing it– Note areas where info is to be placed– Read instructions on completing form– May need to type or use own handwriting– May be able to scan into computer & complete there– On-line applications

Job Application

Make sure you have all required info before going to job interview– Employers may ask you to complete application at

that time Basic principles

– Fill out item neatly & completely– Don’t leave any blanks– Put “none” or “NA” when item does not apply to you– Addresses should include zip codes– Watch spelling & punctuation

Principles of job applications

Type or print neatly unless applications specifies otherwise

Use black pen if printing Take time, make sure it is legible Do not write in spaces labeled “office use only” or “do

not write below this line” Be sure all info is correct & truthful If references are requested, include all info – have at

least 3 available Sign your name in signature spot – remember you

may be giving permission for something

Job Interview

Usually last step before getting or being denied position

Based on resume or application Purposes

– Person to person evaluation– Obtain additional info– See if you meet qualifications– Allows you to ask questions

Job Interview

Careful preparation– Have all required info– Resume & application– Portfolio

Note scheduled date & time of interview– Know name of interviewer– Exact place

Dress carefully– Conservative dress

• Coat & tie for males• Dresses or skirts for females• Clean & well-fitting

Job Interview

Check entire appearance– Hair– Nails– Clean-shaven– Conservative make-up, perfume– Teeth clean– Avoid excessive jewelry– Use good deoderant

Job Interview

Leave early– Arrive 5 –10 minutes early– Allow time for traffic & complications

Observe following points– Greet interviewer by name– Introduce yourself– Shake hands firmly– Smile– Remain standing until interviewer asks you to sit– Good posture– Use correct grammar, avoid slang

Job Interview

Speak slowly & clearly Be polite Maintain eye contact Answer all questions thoroughly, don’t go into

long explanations Don’t smoke, chew gum, eat candy during

interview Smiles but don’t laugh excessively or giggle Be yourself Positive attitude

Job Interview

Listen closely to interviewer, don’t interrupt Avoid awkward habits Never discuss personal problems or finances Think before you respond Don’t immediately question about fringe benefits,

salary, & insurance – usually mentioned before end of interview

Questions – ask about job description, type of uniform, potential for career growth, continuing education programs, job orientation

Job Interview

Don’t expect definite answer at end of interview

Thank employer as you leave Never try to extend interview Send a follow-up note or letter after interview

– Thank employer– Indicate you are still interested in position– Suggest you are available for further questions– Could be deciding factor if many equal applicants

Federal law

Prevents discrimination regards to age, cultural or ethnic background, marital status, parenthood, religion, race, & sex– Any questions that reflect discrimination don’t

need to be answered– Employers are aware that this is illegal– You have right to refuse to answer this type of

question– “I prefer not to answer that question” – “Can I ask you how this would affect the job we

are discussing?”

Proof of eligibility to work

May need to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I – 9

Shows you are legally entitled to work in U.S. Documents that prove your identity

– Birth certificates, passports, immigration cards– Photo I.d. like driver’s license

Employers must make copies of documents