In this modern economy, most employees must change jobs more than once. (Most estimates put that number at 10 or more) Therefore, job search and interviewing skills are becoming increasingly more important. This outline will focus on the contemporary job search and interviewing skills and these will include the new computer-age methods that are now available.
I. Part one: Reasons why the individuals will/could be changing jobs.
A. Down-right sizing.
B. Career advancement opportunities.
C. Career change.
II. Part two: Preparing for a job search.
Assess your skills by using the following:
A. Skills inventory worksheet. (See Attachment)
B. Myers-Briggs type indicator.
C. Skill preference worksheet. (See Attachment)
D. Achievement worksheet. (See Attachment)
III. Part three: Employment Search Techniques
A. Lead organizer. (See Attachment)
B. Where to look for a healthy company.
Traditional
1. General reading (i.e., Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Baltimore Sun etc.)
2. Trade Journals.
3. Trade associations
4. Directories (e.g., Standard and Poors).
5. Yellow Pages.
6. Headhunters and recruiters.
7. State employment offices.
Non-Traditional
1. Networking (Professional peers).
2. Books written by company executives.
3. Internet and electronic job search systems.
C. Fit. Determine how the company fits yours expectations.
1. Ask about the nature of the job.
2. Is the work indoors or out?
3. What is the typical overtime involved in this job?
4. Does the job description match you desires.
IV. Part four: Employer contact methods.
A. Resume'. (See Attachment)
B. Electronic resume'.
C. Fax etc.
D. Telephone.
E. Walk-in.
F. E-mail.
V. Part five: Types of interviews. *(Show Interviews If Time Allows)
1. Informational interview.
Used to gain knowledge about a particular job or profession (This is not a job interview).
2. Screening interview.
Used to give interviewer an opportunity to screen you before moving up to a higher
level of interviewing.
3. The non-directed and directed interviews. *
The non-directed interview is the most typical. Here the interviewer does not follow
a script of certain questions. In the directed, the interviewer uses a predetermined
set of questions.
4. The stress interview
The interviewer is openly hostile and cynical and is trying to throw you off or upset you.
5. The board interview.
The type of interview is a form of stress interview. Many questions are thrown at you all
at once. The object is to see how you handle yourself in a stressful environment.
6. The group interview.
Interviewees are group together for questioning by one or more interviewers.
* Source: Kaufman, Phyllis C. & Corrigan, Arnold, (1988). p. 46.
The interview.
A. What to do. (See Attachment)
B. What to wear/how to act.
C. What to look for.
VI. Part six: The follow-up.
A. Letter. (See Attachment)
B. Phone back if you don't hear from them in a reasonable time period.
VII. Part seven:
Assess your performance and results!
{Attachments are
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be available soon! - if information is needed immediately please
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Del Perdew at
D_PERDEW@FRE.FSU.UMD.EDU
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(It should be noted that Mr. Perdew was a successful technical recruiter and headhunter for many years prior to returning to college. The information mentioned above was compiled and/or written from his past experiences working in and around the employment search sector.)
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