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Job Search Strategies Career Counseling and Support Services 1640 Neil Avenue, 2 nd Floor Younkin Success Center (614) 688-3898 ccss.osu.edu Slide 2 The U.S. workforce will become more diverse than ever by 2015 Up to 80% of all new entrants to the work force in the year 2015 will be ethnic diverse and women Wage gap (e.g. African American men with a bachelors earned on average $15,180 less than the White non-Hispanic male population) 95% of senior level managers are men and of that 95%, 97% are White. Of the 5% who are women managers, only 5% are minorities. Nearly 75% of women of all racial and ethnic groups are more likely to be employed in services industry and finance, real estate, and retail trade Career Counseling and Support Services Federal Glass Ceiling Commission: Facts Slide 3 Women and minorities are 2/3 of the population, 2/3 of consumers and 57% of the work force. Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, people will disabilities still experience unemployment at a rate far above the national average. It is still legal in 36 states to fire an employee because he/she is gay. Over 2,333 employers in America have employment non- discrimination policies including sexual orientation. International students face a difficult task breaking into the job market. Of respondents to the 2012 Job Outlook Survey, only 1 in 5 employers said they would hire International students in the coming year for full time permanent positions in the United States. Career Counseling and Support Services Federal Glass Ceiling Commission: Facts Slide 4 The fear of harassment (either physical or emotional) Fear of the effect of disclosure may have on hiring, personnel, and advancement (glass ceiling issues) Fear of alienation, isolation, and rejection Fear of being perceived as different from the majority culture or of being perceived as the same as every member of the minority culture Fear of the invasion of privacy Career Counseling and Support Services Some Reasons People Choose to NOT Disclose Their Diverse Background Slide 5 Individual mental health reasons ~ full integration of identity with ethnicity, sexuality, disability, international status, gender Personal reasons (e.g. integrity, honesty, recognition and support from peers who one is as a person) Professional, political, and societal reasons (e.g. provide role model for other diverse people, desensitize co-workers, eliminate stereotyping) Practical reasons (e.g. benefits, professional development, career fulfillment) Career Counseling and Support Services Some Reasons People Choose to Disclose Their Diverse Background Slide 6 Awareness of your career goals and job skills Understanding of the labor market & job outlook A well-planned job search campaign Career Counseling and Support Services 3 Important Factors Slide 7 Begin the process by visiting a career services office at least 9-12 months before graduation. It is recommended that you begin an ACTIVE job search 6-9 months before your target employment date Career Counseling and Support Services When do I begin? Slide 8 It is very probably that no single job will utilize all of your skills, allow you to develop all of your interest, and incorporate a value system 100% compatible with yours. Inventory your skills and relevant experiences and relate them to specific job requirements. Target a career filed that will satisfy some of your high priority needs. Develop a flexible career identity. Career Counseling and Support Services Awareness of Your Employability Skills Slide 9 Learn what job search strategies are most productive Learn how to market yourself and experiences Learn how to research employers Learn how to interview confidently Career Counseling and Support Services Developing Job Search Skills Slide 10 This is not the most effective method. According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 80% of the openings available at any one time are never advertised. Job seekers should respond to ads BUT the main thrust of your efforts should be toward establishing networks and identifying the hidden job market. Career Counseling and Support Services I. Advertised Vacancies Slide 11 Sources include: Online job banks Job postings in Career Services offices On-Campus Interviews Newsletters and Journals from Trade or Professional Organizations Personnel Department postings or hotlines Job postings on corporate web sites Newspaper classified ads Career Counseling and Support Services I. Advertised Vacancies Slide 12 Do not waste your time responding to long shots. Use your cover letter to answer every requirement in the advertisement. Personalize your response as much as possible. Direct your materials to specific individuals. Career Counseling and Support Services Tips When Applying for Advertised Vacancies Slide 13 Most effective method. Once you have targeted a specific career, you should acquaint yourself with professionals in that field. Get the insiders view Opens doors that might otherwise remained closed. Conduct Informational Interviews Career Counseling and Support Services II. Develop a Contact Network Slide 14 Sources of Possible Contacts Family members Friends Neighbors Previous employers Professors Area Chamber of Commerce Alumni Other Students Job Fairs EVERYONE! Career Counseling and Support Services II. Develop a Contact Network Slide 15 You will need to introduce yourself Demonstrate you know something about the organization Express why you are interested in that organization or company Be able to relate your background and skills to what you know about the employers needs Career Counseling and Support Services III. Attend Job Fairs Prepare your 2-Minute Commercial Slide 16 Good morning, my name is ______ and I am a _____ major. What appeals to me about your company is _____. I am very interested in _____. As you can see in my enclosed resume I can offer you my _____ that will make us a great fit. Career Counseling and Support Services So what do I say? Slide 17 Send a letter of application and send your resume to the HR department or to specific managers. Call them and ask them how their jobs are being advertised. The success of this method is greatly increased when letters are followed up by phone calls. Career Counseling and Support Services IV. Contact Employer Directly Slide 18 Contact your career services office and register with them Career Counseling and Support Services V. Utilize Career Services Slide 19 Good research on employers will not only give you the competitive edge, but also help you decide which employers you want to reach and which strategies you will use to contact them. Career Counseling and Support Services Employer Research Slide 20 Do your homework, look carefully over the companys literature. RESEARCH THEM! Employee photographs can give a good indication not only of a companys diversity, but also of its promotion practices. Employ the six degrees of separation strategy. See if you know someone who knows someone who works for the company in question. Get the inside scoop on company politics. If very concerned, expand your research to include possible EEO lawsuits pending against the company. You may search a legal database such as Lexis or Westlaw. Career Counseling and Support Services How can I tell if a company is Culturally Sensitive? Slide 21 Non-Discrimination policy (i.e. move in vs. move up) Company-wide education to raise awareness of diversity issues Professional development and training opportunities Equitable benefits programming Pay equity Employee resource groups Demonstration of public support to diversity issues in the community Fostering of a safe work environment Institutional rigidity that deny the fragile family and work balance Career Counseling and Support Services How can I tell if a company is Culturally Sensitive? Slide 22 Internet research Annual reports Directories National Trade & Professional Associations Newspaper & Professional Journals Talk with professionals working in the field Local Chamber of Commerce Career Counseling and Support Services Researching Employers Slide 23 Once your career goals have been targeted, resumes and cover letters can be tailored to reflect your qualifications as they relate to the interests of your prospective employers. Career Counseling and Support Services Presenting Yourself on Paper Slide 24 Your name, address, phone #, and email A job objective Your education, starting with OSU Work experience(s) (demonstrate your skills)\ Additional Skills Additional Subheadings (awards, honors, campus activities, civic engagement, community service) References available upon request Career Counseling and Support Services You will need a Resume! Slide 25 A resume can get you the interview, but the interview will get you the job! At a minimum, obtain a list of most commonly asked interview questions and practice answering those questions out loud. Schedule a mock interview. Career Counseling and Support Services Practice Interviewing Skills Slide 26 Maintain a careful record of all job announcements, interviews, thank-you notes sent, and follow up actions. Job seekers who fail to do this often lose valuable contacts as well as credibility with prospective employers. Career Counseling and Support Services Follow Up and Record Keeping Slide 27 NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES Career Counseling and Support Services Will you hire me? Slide 28 Searching for a job is a full time job If your search is not producing the results you would like, try a new strategy. Do not hesitate to send your resume to an employer more than once. Career Counseling and Support Services Be Persistent! Slide 29 Clarify your career goals Identify and research potential employers Establish a network Develop a professional resume Arrange and prepare for job interviewers Follow up as necessary Seek help as needed Career Counseling and Support Services Review Slide 30 The greater the number of contacts and interviews a job seeker has, the greater the number of job offers. It makes sense to use multiple strategies!