PREPARING JOB SEEKERS WITH

BARRIERS TO IMPRESS

Presented by

Frances W. Siu, Ph.D., C.R.C.

Constance A. Richard, M.A., M.S.

California State University,

Los Angeles

WHEN PREPARING JOB SEEKERS TO

IMPRESS

YOU

TU

VOUS

SIE

您

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

RESEARCH TO IMPRESS

Know Your Client!

Know the Potential Employer!

JOB SEEKERS WITH BARRIERSPopulation with disabilities

Population with little/no work experience

WIOA

Aging workforce

Population with criminal backgrounds

Prop 47

Returned military personnel

Survivors of Trauma

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Physical

Mental

Developmental

Intellectual

Neurological ….

WIOA➢Financial literacy education

➢Entrepreneurial skills training

➢Services that provide labor market information about in-demand industry sectors and occupations

➢Postsecondary preparation and transition activities

➢ 75% of state and local youth funding to be used for dropout youth, of which 20% has to be spent on work experiences

➢Integrated education and training for a specific occupation or cluster

➢DOR now serves 14-year and up

➢Extended out-of-school services to 24 years of age

➢Changing focus in funding

• $ for occupational skill training

• Paid and unpaid work experience

• Support for secondary school completion

• Follow-up services for at least 12 month after program completion

PEOPLE WITH LITTLE/NO WORK EXPERIENCE

Career exploration

Training

Preparation

Expectations

AGING WORKFORCE

INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS

Career Exploration

Training

Access Local Resources

PROPOSITION 47 ▪ A referendum passed in California on 11/4/2014

▪To convert many nonviolent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors

RETURNED MILITARY PERSONNEL

SURVIVORS OF TRAUMA

Workplace safety – assaults and accidents

Tardiness and absenteeism

Termination of employment

Employers’ awareness and

response to domestic violence

Employers’ implementation of safety steps

Be direct with sensitivity – Don’t be harsh!

RESUME & COVER LETTER TO IMPRESS

Don’t sell yourself

short!

THE RESUME

KEY TERMS

BE SPECIFIC AND DESCRIPTIVE WITH SKILLS AND DUTIESWhat tasks did you perform?

Why the task was important?

What was the impact?

What skills you used or developed?

The formula for a strong bullet:

Action verb (in past tense) noun[what did you do?] additional descriptive phrases [Where? How? How many? For whom? Etc.]

For example: Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and teams

MASTER LIST OF SKILLS

COVER LETTER

Research, Research, Research

Start with the job posting

Learn about the company

Personalize the letter

Tailor your letter

Read Job Description

Circle Key words

Find a connection

Follow the format

1st paragraph: Be brief. 1-3 sentences only! Denote

what job you’re applying for and what experiences

make you qualified. Name drop.

Middle Paragraph(s): Draw parallels from your

experience to their desired skills and qualifications

Show how you fit with them.

Closing Paragraph: Summarize your letter. Make a plan!

INTERVIEW TO IMPRESS

You Don’t Get a Second

Chance to Make a First

Impression!

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

Do’s

SMILE!

Practice a 3-minute promo!

Know what make “you” the one!

Have good questions!

Don’t

Chew gum

Wear strong perfume/cologne

Exhibit physical manifestation of anxiety

Use informal diction

Questions Job Seekers Should Ask!

What do you like most about working for this company? Please tell me about the culture.

What are some of the available collaborative opportunities?

What is the biggest challenge someone in this job faces on a regular basis?

What is the key to success in this job?

What is your timeline in filling the position?

BE THE BEST YOU

Be professional!

Be confident!

Be honest!

Be positive!

Be present!

Be interested!

DRESS TO IMPRESS Use All Your Senses!

CONSERVATIVE SUIT/DRESS IN NAVY BLUE, BLACK OR DARK GRAY ARE BEST

I got

this!

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Dress for the position you want and not the position you have!

Oh No!

PORTFOLIO TO IMPRESS

Back Up Your Braggs!

SHOWCASE JOB SEEKER’S GREATEST STRENGTHS

Present a professional image

Start with the cover

Use the resume as the framework

Choice of information (awards, certificate of completion, news clips, published articles, etc.)

Use of materials (quality paper, dividers, protective sheets, etc.)

FOLLOW-UP TO IMPRESS

Operation Gratitude!

MIND YOUR MANNERS

Hand-written professional Thank You card(s)

Personal-specific text

Time-sensitive – immediately

Follow-up phone call

References

Californians for Safety and Justice. (2016).“Changing your record under prop 47.” Retrieved from:http://www.safeandjust.org/recordchange.

Community Inclusion (n.d). “Job placement for people with disabilities. Retrieved from: http://www.communityinclusion.org/onestop/section7.pdf

Coulter, M. (2004). “The impact of domestic violence on the employment experience of women on welfare.” (Report No. NCJRS 205294). Retrieved

from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/205294.pdf

Gysbers, N., Heppner, M & Johnston, J. (2014). Career counseling: Holism, diversity, strength. American Counseling Association. (4rd Edition).

Hoffman, D. “WIOA youth Services: Overview from a disability perspective.” Retrieved from:http://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/employment/pdf/hoff-wioa-youth-overview.pdf

Contact Information

Frances W. Siu

fsiu@calstatela.edu

Connie A. Richard

cricha18@calstatela.edu

(323) 343-4400

SAVE THE DATE!

Hiring VETERANS and PERSONS with DISABILITIES Who are pursuing College Education

and Professional Careers!

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032

Golden Eagle Ballroom

Government Agencies and Federal Contractors will be present!

rehabservices@calstatela.edu

OCT. 28, 2016 - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

CAREER FAIR

Sponsored By: