Unit G Workplace Readiness 7.02 Demonstrate effective employability skills

Unit GUnit GWorkplace ReadinessWorkplace Readiness

7.027.02

Demonstrate effective Demonstrate effective employability skills.employability skills.

NetworkingNetworking

A method of making A method of making links through the links through the people you know to people you know to the people they the people they know to expand the know to expand the base of contacts for base of contacts for sharing information.sharing information.

Importance of NetworkingImportance of Networking

Source of information, knowledge, new ideas, and Source of information, knowledge, new ideas, and opportunitiesopportunities

Contacts become resources for leads and referrals Contacts become resources for leads and referrals and a way to qualify research or secure career and a way to qualify research or secure career advice.advice.

Networks are not formal groups that operate with Networks are not formal groups that operate with formal rules. No one is in charge; they are shaped formal rules. No one is in charge; they are shaped like a spider web that varies in size. All networks like a spider web that varies in size. All networks are optional and built on support. They may not are optional and built on support. They may not provide immediate rewards but are resources to be provide immediate rewards but are resources to be utilized in the future.utilized in the future.

Importance of Networking Importance of Networking (cont.)(cont.)

““Word of mouth” is one of the most powerful Word of mouth” is one of the most powerful forms of communication in the business world.forms of communication in the business world.

Contacts can be a source of endless possibility Contacts can be a source of endless possibility if the relationships are managed well and new if the relationships are managed well and new ones are constantly developed.ones are constantly developed.

Successful businesspeople may spend a large Successful businesspeople may spend a large portion of their day networking and portion of their day networking and establishing contacts.establishing contacts.

How do you establish and nurture How do you establish and nurture contacts?contacts?

Attend functions that Attend functions that provide opportunities provide opportunities to meet and connect to meet and connect with other people with other people interested in doing interested in doing business.business. Join clubs and trade Join clubs and trade

associations and associations and attend conferences.attend conferences.

Go to lunch with Go to lunch with associates.associates.

Network at church, Network at church, community functions, community functions, and athletic events.and athletic events.

Join networks that are built Join networks that are built around activities you enjoy around activities you enjoy and that will help you and that will help you achieve your goals. Be achieve your goals. Be willing to give, and you will willing to give, and you will receive.receive.

Work to improve your Work to improve your conversational skills. conversational skills. Read, listen, and ask Read, listen, and ask questions to learn all you questions to learn all you can so that you become a can so that you become a more confident and more confident and interesting person with interesting person with whom others will seek to whom others will seek to network.network.

What are someWhat are somenetworking obstacles?networking obstacles?

Personal barriers. Many Personal barriers. Many people are either people are either uncomfortable reaching uncomfortable reaching out to others or see no out to others or see no value in doing so. This value in doing so. This can stem from shyness, can stem from shyness, selfishness, or an selfishness, or an unwillingness to trust unwillingness to trust others.others.

Lack of knowledge. Lack of knowledge. Some people do not Some people do not understand the benefits understand the benefits of networking or do not of networking or do not know how to find a know how to find a network to join.network to join.

Lack of foresight. Some Lack of foresight. Some people do not look ahead to people do not look ahead to the value of what networking the value of what networking may bring them in the may bring them in the future. They do not have future. They do not have time to network today and time to network today and will not make the time will not make the time tomorrow.tomorrow.

Lack of work ethic. Some Lack of work ethic. Some people are satisfied doing people are satisfied doing just enough to keep a job just enough to keep a job and do not see the value in and do not see the value in putting forth the extra effort putting forth the extra effort to network.to network.

Fashion NetworksFashion Networks

Work to improve their Work to improve their segment of an industry segment of an industry and the success of their and the success of their membersmembers

Often sponsors trade Often sponsors trade showsshows

Examples: American Examples: American Textile Manufacturers, Textile Manufacturers, The Fashion Group The Fashion Group International, National International, National Retail Federation (NRF), Retail Federation (NRF), and the Council of and the Council of Fashion Designers of Fashion Designers of America (CAFDA)America (CAFDA)

Trade associations: Nonprofit, voluntary Trade associations: Nonprofit, voluntary organizations made up of business organizations made up of business associates that have common interests.associates that have common interests.

American Apparel Manufacturers

Association

Fashion NetworksFashion Networks(cont.)(cont.)

Headquartered in Headquartered in NYNY

Regional and local Regional and local chapters around chapters around the worldthe world

Members must have a Members must have a record of achievement and record of achievement and executive level success in executive level success in the fashion industry.the fashion industry.

Members include fashion Members include fashion designers, magazine editors, designers, magazine editors, and retail executives.and retail executives.

The Fashion Group: A global, nonprofit The Fashion Group: A global, nonprofit association of women executives who association of women executives who represent every segment of the fashion represent every segment of the fashion industry.industry.

Fashion NetworksFashion Networks(cont.)(cont.)

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): An American Society of Interior Designers (ASID): An association of home fashions professionals.association of home fashions professionals.

Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI): A Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI): A main trade association for industrial textiles main trade association for industrial textiles businesses. businesses. IFAI holds an annual conference and IFAI holds an annual conference and exhibition and produces two trade publications.exhibition and produces two trade publications.

Documents for use in promoting oneself for employment

Resume

Cover letter

Application

Reference letter

ResumeResume

A personal data A personal data sheet that provides sheet that provides a summary of the a summary of the skills, abilities, and skills, abilities, and accomplishments of accomplishments of an individual. an individual.

Many resumes are Many resumes are completed online completed online and emailed to and emailed to potential employers.potential employers.

Resume Resume (cont.)(cont.)

Personal information provides the heading for the Personal information provides the heading for the resume. It should include the name, address, resume. It should include the name, address, telephone number, email address, and fax telephone number, email address, and fax number for contacting the applicant.number for contacting the applicant.

““Job Objective” identifies the position for which Job Objective” identifies the position for which the applicant would like to be considered.the applicant would like to be considered.

The “Education and Training” section provides The “Education and Training” section provides information about formal education and any information about formal education and any additional training acquired. This information additional training acquired. This information should be listed in reverse chronological order.should be listed in reverse chronological order.

ResumeResume(cont.)(cont.)

The “Work Experience” section describes The “Work Experience” section describes work history, including any related volunteer work history, including any related volunteer work experience, and any specific skills one work experience, and any specific skills one has acquired to enable him/her to perform a has acquired to enable him/her to perform a task more effectively. This information task more effectively. This information should be listed in reverse chronological should be listed in reverse chronological order.order.

The section for “Activities, Honors, and The section for “Activities, Honors, and Interests” provides information to show that Interests” provides information to show that the applicant is a well-rounded person.the applicant is a well-rounded person.


The “References” section, if included, lists The “References” section, if included, lists individuals who can and will give the individuals who can and will give the applicant a positive recommendation. Each applicant a positive recommendation. Each reference should include the person’s name, reference should include the person’s name, title, business name, address, phone number, title, business name, address, phone number, fax number, and email address. Current fax number, and email address. Current practice is to omit the reference section and practice is to omit the reference section and write a statement at the end of the resume write a statement at the end of the resume that reads “References available upon that reads “References available upon request.”request.”


The resume should provide information The resume should provide information related to the job you are seeking. Irrelevant related to the job you are seeking. Irrelevant information may draw attention away from information may draw attention away from your strengths.your strengths.

Keep the resume simple and limit it to one Keep the resume simple and limit it to one page if possible.page if possible.

The resume should be attractively formatted The resume should be attractively formatted and completely free of errors.and completely free of errors.

Cover letterCover letter

A personal business letter that A personal business letter that accompanies a resume and introduces a accompanies a resume and introduces a person to the company.person to the company.

May indicate how the applicant became interested in this particular company

Usually addresses a few strengths that qualify the applicant for the job

Requests an interview

ApplicationApplication

A company-provided form on which the job A company-provided form on which the job applicant supplies requested information to applicant supplies requested information to be used in making a hiring decision.be used in making a hiring decision.

With increased use of the Internet, applications are often completed online.

Reference letterReference letter

A letter written by a former employer or A letter written by a former employer or business acquaintance describing an business acquaintance describing an individual’s previous position, duties, job individual’s previous position, duties, job performance, and personal characteristics.performance, and personal characteristics.

It is wise to keep a portfolio of these letters that can be used even if you lose touch with previous employers.

The Interview Process:The Interview Process:Create a Positive First ImpressionCreate a Positive First Impression

A good appearance has A good appearance has nothing to do with brand nothing to do with brand labels in clothing, labels in clothing, beauty, good looks or beauty, good looks or sex appeal.sex appeal.

A professional A professional appearance looks fresh appearance looks fresh and clean, appropriately and clean, appropriately dressed, and appears dressed, and appears poised and confident.poised and confident.

The Interview Process:The Interview Process:Create a Positive First Impression Create a Positive First Impression (cont.)(cont.)

Dress in clothing that would be appropriate to Dress in clothing that would be appropriate to wear to work if you are hired for the job. wear to work if you are hired for the job. Executives wear business suits. White-collar Executives wear business suits. White-collar workers wear dress clothes. Blue-collar workers wear dress clothes. Blue-collar workers sometimes wear dress clothes, but workers sometimes wear dress clothes, but may wear work clothes or uniforms.may wear work clothes or uniforms.

Clothes must be neat, clean, and pressed. Clothes must be neat, clean, and pressed. Shoes must be clean and shined.Shoes must be clean and shined.

Trendy fashions may be appropriate for a job in Trendy fashions may be appropriate for a job in the fashion industry. Otherwise, avoid extreme the fashion industry. Otherwise, avoid extreme fashions, patterns that clash, and excessive fashions, patterns that clash, and excessive jewelry, make-up, and cologne.jewelry, make-up, and cologne.

The Interview Process:The Interview Process:Create a Positive First Impression Create a Positive First Impression (cont.)(cont.)

Attitude. Employers say a positive Attitude. Employers say a positive attitude separates the winners from the attitude separates the winners from the losers. Be alert, enthusiastic, and losers. Be alert, enthusiastic, and motivated to work. Look the interviewer motivated to work. Look the interviewer straight in the eyes, give an honest straight in the eyes, give an honest smile, and ask questions. Don’t be smile, and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to say you want the job.afraid to say you want the job.

The Interview Process:The Interview Process:Advance preparationAdvance preparation

Plan ahead of time for Plan ahead of time for what you will wear.what you will wear.

Make your Make your arrangements to arrangements to arrive at the location arrive at the location 10 minutes early.10 minutes early.

Study the company so Study the company so you can be you can be knowledgeable.knowledgeable.

The Interview Process:The Interview Process:Advance preparation Advance preparation (cont.)(cont.)

Think about your Think about your answers to questions answers to questions the interviewer may the interviewer may ask you.ask you.Why do you want this Why do you want this

job?job?Why are you leaving Why are you leaving

your current job?your current job?What do you have to What do you have to

offer this company?offer this company?


Think about questions you Think about questions you will want to ask the will want to ask the interviewer.interviewer.What opportunities for What opportunities for

advancement does the job advancement does the job offer?offer?

Who would be your immediate Who would be your immediate supervisor? What is his/her supervisor? What is his/her management style?management style?

Ask questions about the job, Ask questions about the job, but refrain from asking about but refrain from asking about salary and vacation.salary and vacation.


Practice for the interview.Practice for the interview.Have a friend or parent practice with you in the Have a friend or parent practice with you in the

interviewing process.interviewing process.Practice giving a firm businesslike handshake. A Practice giving a firm businesslike handshake. A

handshake should begin as well as end the handshake should begin as well as end the interview.interview.

Practice answering sample interview questions.Practice answering sample interview questions.Think of ways to sell yourself.Think of ways to sell yourself.Remember that projecting your positive attitude is Remember that projecting your positive attitude is

the key.the key.

The Follow-Up ProcessThe Follow-Up ProcessThank-you NotesThank-you Notes

Thank-you notes should be Thank-you notes should be used with all of your used with all of your contacts, not just following contacts, not just following an interview.an interview.

Never take someone’s good Never take someone’s good nature for granted.nature for granted.

It is important to thank the It is important to thank the interviewer for his/her time interviewer for his/her time and for considering your and for considering your application.application.

Always send a thank-you Always send a thank-you note within a couple of note within a couple of days after your interview.days after your interview.

The Follow-Up ProcessThe Follow-Up ProcessPhone CallsPhone Calls

Follow up after sending a resume. Follow up after sending a resume. Call to confirm that your resume Call to confirm that your resume has been received and to determine has been received and to determine if you can schedule an interview. if you can schedule an interview. This implies you are serious about This implies you are serious about wanting to work for the company.wanting to work for the company.

Follow up after the interview. If the Follow up after the interview. If the interviewer indicates a decision will interviewer indicates a decision will be made within a week, then call be made within a week, then call after one week and ask if that after one week and ask if that decision has been made. This decision has been made. This demonstrates assertiveness.demonstrates assertiveness.

Resigning from a JobResigning from a Job

Give the current employer at least two weeks Give the current employer at least two weeks notice. For executive level jobs, a longer notice notice. For executive level jobs, a longer notice might be required.might be required.

Resigning from a JobResigning from a Job(Cont.)(Cont.)

Write a Write a resignation letterresignation letter politely announcing your politely announcing your intention to leave the job.intention to leave the job.State your resignation.State your resignation.Mention your acceptance of another position or Mention your acceptance of another position or

other reasons for your decision to leave if that is other reasons for your decision to leave if that is appropriate.appropriate.

Include the date of your last day of employment.Include the date of your last day of employment.Thank the employer for the opportunity to work Thank the employer for the opportunity to work

for his/her organization.for his/her organization.

Resigning from a JobResigning from a Job(Cont.)(Cont.)

Make an appointment and personally deliver Make an appointment and personally deliver the resignation letter.the resignation letter.