JOB SEARCH TIPS FOR UNIQUE POPULATIONS:UnemployedOver 40Over Qualified DisabledVeterans& Not So Hot Past

By: Kathleen E. High, M.Ed.Adjunct Counselor, Career Planning Center

Cypress College

Job Search InformationFor ALL:• The World Is Changing -- Fast• The “Rules” Have Changed• Know Yourself and What You Have to Offer• Know How to Market Yourself• Develop Your “Personal Brand”• Monitor Your “Online Presence” (social network, email, etc.)• Tailor Your Resume and Interview Questions to the Job• Utilize Campus Resources Available (Career Center, etc.)• Check this link to see if you are weak in any specific area of job

search skills:Contrasting God Job-Search to Weak Job-Search:

• http://www.quintcareers.com/printable/job-search_comparison.html• http://www.cypresscollege.edu/services/cpc/resources.aspx

Resources on Campus to Help• CAREER PLANNING CENTER

• One-On-One Career Counseling• Career Assessments (Personality, Interests, Values, Skills, etc.)• Workshops (Resumes, Interviewing, Studying, etc.)• Handouts (Labor Market Trends, Goal Setting, Choosing Majors, Job Search, Resume

and Interviewing Tips, etc.)• Career Research Resources (Online programs, books, etc.)• Computer Lab

• COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:• One-On-One Counseling• Counseling Classes (for academic/career success)

• DISABLED STUDENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES• Vocational Counseling, Accommodations, Resources, Support

• TRANSFER CENTER:• Help/Information for Transfer Planning

• SEE “UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” FOR MORE

Unemployed• What kind of unemployed person are you?

• Diligently doing everything you know to do• Given up in the face of adversity• Somewhere in between the two extremes

• Find productive ways to fill your time:• Doing anything productive looks better• Work any kind of “Survival Job” you can get

• Keeps you “in touch” with the working world• makes your UI benefits last longer

• School/Training• Volunteering• Attending to Personal / Family Needs

• May want to use a “Functional” resume to downplay:• Gaps of employment• Currently working “Survival Jobs”• Highlight relevant experiences gained outside of employment

• Use Handouts and Resources Available

Resources for Unemployed• Handouts:

• Workshop handout: “Unemployed and Looking for Answers” (What they need: Information, Resources, Support)

• “Managing Finances”• “Unemployed Resources”• “Tell Me About Yourself”• Resume Writing and Interviewing handouts• Life-Long Learning Options

• Visit: Career Planning Center:• Career Counseling• Research New Careers• Resume & Interview help• Books on job transitions, job search, resumes, layoffs, etc.

• Workshops:• Planning for an Unpredictable Future• Career Assessment & Interpretation• Identifying Your Transferrable Skills

Over 40 Years Old• Understand the stereotypes of older workers• Question your expectations• Notice the “New Rules”• Take note of your obsolete assumptions• Ask: Do I appear “Out of touch?”• Avoid “reminiscing” over the ‘good old days’• Check your “adaptability” factor (Do you tend to resist change?)• Physical Appearance: Be sure it’s updated

• (glasses, hair style & color, clothing, etc.)• Resume – don’t list more than 10 years

• Keep an “Employment History – Working Document”• Double check for recent experiences only• Confirm your reference information is current• Avoid listing obsolete technologies, processes, philosophies, etc.

• Avoid listing dates for education• Make your life experience work for you• Emphasize the benefits of maturity (wisdom, manners, work ethic, etc.)

Resources for Over 40• Handouts:

• Workshop handout: “Unemployed and Looking for Answers”• Myths of Maturity• Generational Values• Life-long Learning Options

• Visit: Career Planning Center:• Adult Re-entry Services• Career Counseling• Resume & Interview Help• Books On Career Transitions, Career Crises, Encore Careers, Etc.• “Resources” Links On CPC Website has Additional Resources

• Workshops:• Maintaining a Positive Online Presence• Identifying Your Transferable Skills• Resumes for Today’s Job Market

Over Qualified• Know why you would want that job and what are your priorities• Keep an “Employment History – Working Document” • Tailor your resume to job description:

• Emphasize their needs, not your “laundry list of qualifications”• Identify why employers feel you are over qualified • Let employers know that you understand their concerns• Use a little humor when addressing the situation• Ask the interviewer to define any concerns he or she might have

so you can address them and• Tell them why you want the job even if you are overqualified• Emphasize the benefits of over qualification (dependable,

wisdom, complex problem solving, minimal supervision and training, etc.)

Resources for Over Qualified• Handouts:

• Interviewing & Older Workers: How To Address The Over Qualification Issue!

• Workshop handout: “How to Manage Conflicting Priorities”• Visit: Career Planning Center:

• Career Counseling• Resume & Interview help• Resume Critique

Disabled• Research career ahead of time for physical demands of the job• Utilize CPC & DSPS services:

• Help you identify appropriate career and job search goals• Help you identify resources available to help

• Identify your transferrable skills• Focus on what you can do• Consider emerging career fields: Tend to offer flexibility• Know the employment laws that affect you• Get full job description with the required skills spelled out• Know what accommodations you need; have them verified by a doctor• Be prepared to answer questions regarding your accommodations if

you get the job• Keep statements positive (I can do… by using an adjustable table).

Don't get too technical

Resources for the Disabled• Handouts:

• Workshop handout: “Identifying Your Transferrable Skills”• True Self• Labor Market Trends• CPC Newsline: “Job Search Strategies and Information for People with

Disabilities” (Fall 2008) - available online

• Visit: • Disabled Students Programs & Services• Career Planning Center• Employment Development Department's One Stop Centers,

www.servicelocator.org• Department of Rehabilitation, www.dor.ca.gov• Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled (714) 621-3300

• Resources:• CPC has books and other resources for the disabled job seeker.

Veterans• Attend to Any “Life Transition” Issues You Face• Learn to Ask for Help• Emphasize Transferrable Skills• Utilize Your Resources:

• On Campus:• Veterans’ Counselor• Veterans’ Center• DSPS• Financial Aid• Career Planning Center

• Off Campus:• VA & Cal Vet• Local Career One-Stop Centers• VFW• Utilize skills/jobs translator databases

Resources for VeteransHandouts:

Discerning SeasonsParadigm Shifts

Workshops:Managing Life’s TransitionsIdentifying Your Transferable SkillsResumes for Today’s Job Market

Visit On-Campus Centers for Help:Veterans’ Resource CenterDSPSCareer Planning CenterTransfer Center Student Health Center (Mental Health Counseling)

Utilize Off-Campus Resources:VA & CalVetLocal Career One-Stop CentersVFWSkills/Jobs Translator Databases

No So Hot Past• Create a positive image and environment• Identify your skills• Identify your targets• Get your documents in order• Use the most effective job search methods• Improve your interviewing skills• Follow up on all job leads• Check your online presence• If you are an ex-offender, know which types of jobs and

employers are appropriate and which are not• No secret answer; but how you market yourself is crucial

Resources for Not So Hot Past• Handouts:

• Job Search Tips for Those with a Not So Hot Past• CPC Newsline: People with Less‐than‐Ideal Backgrounds (Spring,

2010) - available online• Visit:

• Career Planning Center for help with resume preparation and interview skills

• Local Employment One Stop Centers• Resources:

• Booklet: Quick Job Search for Ex-Offenders• Book: “No One is Unemployable”

Conclusion• Remember:

• The World Is Changing• The Rules Have Changed• Know How To Market Yourself

• Seek Help When Needed:• Career Planning Center/Adult Re-Entry• Disabled Student Services & Programs• Veterans Resource Center• Financial Aid• Counseling• Local Employment/Career One-Stop Centers

• They often have programs to support our “unique populations”

Special Thanks:• Debra Michelle,

DSPS Counselor, Cypress College