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Transcript of Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers 1.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 1
Seattle J obs Initiative Career Bridge/ Career Options Program
October 29 – November 2, 2012
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers
Thank You!!
Seattle Jobs Initiative would like to thank the following organizations for their commitment to and support of the Career Bridge/Career Options program:• City of Seattle Human Services Department• City of Seattle Office of Economic
Development• Community Sponsors
Special thanks also to the following individuals who have contributed content to this training:• William Castillo, Kelly DeForrest, and Paco
Mesch - South Seattle Community College• Sherman Wilkins, Nicole Jones, Rosanna
Stephens and Dave Trovato – Seattle Jobs Initiative
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 2
Mission
Seattle Jobs Initiative is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for
people to support themselves and their families through living wage careers.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 3
Overview of the Day
I. Introductions
II. Overview of the Career Bridge/Career Options Program
III. Discussing Group Norms
IV. Understanding the Labor Market and Impact of Education
V. Discussing Workplace Culture and Expectations
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 4
The Career Bridge/Career Options Program
• Provides focused and personal attention to help individuals understand training and employment options.
• Links existing community support with job preparation and career mapping to help individuals realize their potential options in the labor market.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 5
Elements of the Career Bridge/Career Options Program
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 6
Enter into relationship
with a community
sponsor
Participate in
Orientation
Participate in 20-hour
Job Readiness
Engage in next step: Job Now,
Training or Need More
Help
Participate in follow up activities
Group Norms
What are our expectations of each other during the workshop?
How will we interact with one another?
What is acceptable? What is not?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 7
Group Norms
1. One person speaks at a time. 2. Each person expresses their own views/Own your
own statements. 3. Give everyone a fair chance to speak/Respect the
opinions of other people. 4. Challenge ideas, not people. No personal attacks. 5. Everybody agrees to make a strong effort to stay
on track with the agenda. 6. Let’s agree to disagree. 7. Everybody will seek to focus on the merits of what
is being said, making a good faith effort to understand the concerns of others.
8. Be open to working together.
9. Maintain a positive learning environment.
10 Have fun learning.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 8
Labor Market and the Value of
a Credential
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 9
Job Growth by Major Industry Sectors(August 2012 – Industry Employment
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett MD)
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 11
Change from Aug 2011
2%
3%
2%
8%
4%
4%
-3%
1%
7%
0%
0%Mining & Logging
Other Services
Construction
Financial Activities
Information
Leisure & Hospitality
Education & Health Services
Manufacturing
Government
Professional & Business Services
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities
700
53,300
73,300
79,700
86,300
145,500
171,300
172,900
190,800
213,000
262,900
0.0%
3.7%
5.1%
5.5%
6.0%
10.0%
11.8%
11.9%
13.2%
14.7%
18.1%
Job Growth by Subsectors(August 2012 – Industry Employment
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett MD)
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 12
Change from Aug 2011
4%
2%
8%
4%
0%
4%
-1%
1%
7%
5%
1%
2%
3%
2%
7%
4%
1%
3%
-2%
3%
0%Mining & Logging
Education Services
Federal Government
Management of Companies & Enterprises
Real Estate & Rental & Leasing
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing
Transportation & Utilities
Other Services
Finance & Insurance
State Government
Wholesale Trade
Construction
Administrative & Support & Waste Management & Remediation Services
Information
Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
Local Government
Accomodation & Food Services
Durable Goods Manufacturing
Retail Trade
Health Care & Social Assistance
700
21,900
22,600
25,300
26,200
29,000
29,200
48,500
53,300
53,500
54,300
70,000
73,300
76,200
86,300
111,500
113,900
116,500
143,700
144,400
149,400
0.0%
1.5%
1.6%
1.7%
1.8%
2.0%
2.0%
3.3%
3.7%
3.7%
3.7%
4.8%
5.1%
5.3%
6.0%
7.7%
7.9%
8.0%
9.9%
10.0%
10.3%
Industry Sectors and Subsectors
1. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Retail Trade Wholesale Trade Transportation and Utilities
2. Professional and Business Services Professional, Scientific, &
Technical Services Management of Companies &
Enterprises Administrative & Support &
Waste Management & Remediation Services
3. Government Federal State Local
4. Manufacturing Durable Goods Non-Durable Goods
5. Education and Health Services Education Services Health Care & Social
Assistance6. Leisure & Hospitality
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation
Accommodation & Food Services
7. Information8. Financial Activities
Finance & Insurance Real Estate & Rental & Leasing
9. Construction10.Other Services11.Mining and Logging
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 13
Key Employers
• What is the largest employer in Seattle?
• Can you name five of the ten biggest companies in WA state?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 14
Local Labor Market Today:Unemployment
Unemployment is down• US unemployment rate 7.8%• WA unemployment rate 8.5%• Seattle-Bellevue-Everett 7.6%
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 15
Unemployment Rates
(Sept 2012) (July 2012) (June 2011)
King County 7.6% (8.1%) (8.7%)WA State 8.5% (8.5%) (9.3%)US 7.8% (8.3%) (9.1%)
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 16
Who is Hiring?Job Openings as of 10/19/12
• 15,600 job openings posted with WorkSource
• 27,500 job openings posted with Indeed.com• 1,505 manufacturing• 1,116 construction• 795 warehouse• 767 building maintenance
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 17
Changes in Labor Market
What has changed in the labor market over the last 10 years?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 18
CHANGE: More Skills Required
(2.3 million jobs) will require some postsecondary training beyond high school
in 2018.
EDU
CAT
ION
AL
ATTA
INM
ENT
67% of jobs in WA
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 20
More Skills Required - Especially in the Middle
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Middle Skill
High Skill
Low Skill
Source: Skills2Compete Washington 2009, The National Skills Coalition
Washington State Jobs by Skill Level
CHANGE: Employers Can’t Find Workers
of Washington employers reported difficulty in hiring qualified applicants in 2007.
EDU
CAT
ION
AL
ATTA
INM
ENT 60%
CHANGE: Employers Want Credentials
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 22
59% of employers said specific vocational training would make employees more valuable in energy, tourism and recreation, transportation, aerospace, manufacturing and real estate and construction sectors. (Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 2011)
Summary of Changes in Labor Market
More Skills RequiredEmployers Can’t Find WorkersEmployers Want Credentials
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 23
Bottom Line: Education Pays
• Between 2008 and 2018, new jobs in Washington requiring postsecondary education and training will grow by 259,000 while jobs for high school graduates and dropouts will grow by 107,000.
• 67% of all jobs in Washington (2.3 million jobs) will require some postsecondary training beyond high school in 2018.
• Educational attainment and poverty are closely linked - the more education, the less likely an individual is to live in poverty.
• Education pays: individuals with an Associate’s degree on average make 20% more than HS graduates, and 70% more than someone with less than a HS diploma.
Source: Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 25
U.S. Average
Less Than HS Diploma
HS Diploma
Some college, no degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Professional Degree
Doctoral Degree
8.2%
14.9%
10.3%
9.2%
7.0%
5.4%
4.0%
2.4%
1.9%
More Education = Less Unemployment During Hard TimesU.S. Unemployment by Educational Attainment - 2010
Industry Sectors to Consider
Which Industry Sectors are a Good Fit?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 27
Plan for Short- and Long-Term
Key Things to Consider When Putting Together Your Plan
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 28
Making the Transition
Be Ready to Transition
Into the Work Place
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 29
Remember This
• Labor Market Opportunities exist
• Major Focus: Put distance between you and law enforcement and demonstrate stability in your life
• Give Back
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 30
Workplace Culture and
Expectations I
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 31
Workplace Culture
Every company has its own unique company culture.
• Pay attention to the way things are done – watch and listen to your colleagues.
• Find out what is expected of you.
• Learn about the mission and philosophy of the organization.
• Don’t try to change the culture until you have been accepted as part of it.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 32
Become a Savvy Employee
• The most important relationship will be with your boss.
• Learn the expectations of your boss.
• Bring solutions, not problems.
• A bad boss is not an excuse for poor performance.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 33
Success Strategies in the Workplace
• Adopt the right attitude.
• Adjust your expectations.
• Master “breaking in” skills.
• Manage the impression that you make.
• Build effective relationships.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 34
Success Strategies in the Workplace
• Learn when to lead and when to follow.
• Understand the culture of your organization.
• Master the tasks of your job.
• Acquire additional knowledge/skills needed to perform your job.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 35
Workplace Do’s and Don’ts
Do this…• Do take responsibility for
your performance and success at work.
• Do display consistent, professional behavior.
• Do make your boss look good.
• Do create positive relationships with coworkers.
• Do practice business etiquette at work-related functions.
...not that• Don’t wait for someone
to tell you what to do.• Don’t behave
appropriately only when the boss is around.
• Don’t speak poorly of your boss.
• Don’t make your workplace friendships your primary friendships.
• Don’t ignore the importance of behaving professionally at work-related functions.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 36
Unspoken Rules
Behavioral constraints
imposed in organizations
or societies that are not
voiced or written down.
These constraints can be
implied by actions or
statements but are not
directly expressed.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 37
Unspoken Rules
What are some
examples of
unspoken rules?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 38
Ingredients for Success
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 39
Attendance
Attitude
Ability
Accountability
The Four A’s
Homework
• Research types of employers and jobs of interest.
• Complete job application.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 40
Overview of the Day
I. Reflections
II. Overview of Developing a Resume and Cover Letter
III. Understanding Your Digital Footprint
IV. Creating a Personal Action Plan
V. Understanding Your Support Networks
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 41
Myths about Resume Writing
Myth #1:
An employer will read my entire resume.
Reality:
An employer takes 5-10 seconds to scan resumes for key words and experience.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 42
Myths about Resume Writing
Myth #2:
Once I create a resume I can send it out to every job I see.
Reality:
Your first ‘general’ resume is the starting point. From there you should target your resume to each job you apply to.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 43
How to apply to a job posting
1. Focus only on jobs you are qualified for and passionate about.
2. Find a job opening that looks like a good fit.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 44
How to apply to a job posting
3. Target your resume directly toward the job:
A. Research the Company Website• Their mission statement• The customers they serve• The services they provide• The length of time they have been in business• Who works at the company/organization
B. Use the Job Description – find out the key words.• The easiest place to start is the Summary of
Qualifications.• If there is no job description, then use
Onetonline.orgOpening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 45
How to apply to a job posting
4. Submit a targeted cover letter and resume.
5. Follow up.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 46
What does a good resume
look like?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 47
Resume Themes
• Be professional in style and content.
• Think in terms of what value you have added and value you will add.
• Be truthful and accurate while highlighting the positive.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 48
Resume Formatting
• Keep it brief (1 page only).
• Use standard sized, white paper (8 ½” x 11”).
• Use black ink, basic font styles, sized no smaller than 10 point font and no bigger than 12 point font.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 49
Resume Formatting
• Use consistent formatting.
• Avoid templates.
• Correct all grammar and spelling errors.• Avoid abbreviations (i.e. Certified Nursing Assistant
vs. CNA).
• Avoid personal pronouns such as “I”.
• Avoid contractions (don’t = do not).• Maintain a visually appealing format (white
space).
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 50
Resume Content
• Work History entries only include:
1. Job Titles
2. Employer Names
3. Cities/States of Employers
4. Months/Years of Employment
5. 3-4 Responsibilities, Achievements, Recognitions
• Employer will usually look for job titles and dates of employment first.
• Do not include high school information if any higher education has been COMPLETED.
• Target your resume to the position and the employer.Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 51
Resume Content• To enhance your
qualifications, use achievements, numbers and specific descriptions of duties performed (measureable outcomes, values and percentages work quite well too).
• Avoid salary expectations and wage history.
• Do not include personal information, references, or “References Available Upon Request”.
• Gaps in employment can be de-emphasized, but normally should be addressed.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 52
Communication in the Digital Age
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 53
Then and Now: General Communication
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 54
Then and Now: First Impression
Then
• Word-of-mouth• Handshake• Demeanor• Attire • Phone etiquette
Now
• Digital Footprint• Electronic
communication style
• Phone etiquette
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 55
Then and Now: Job Search
Then
• Newspaper• Help wanted sign• Walk-in• Word-of-mouth• Networking
Now
• Websites• Internet searches• Social media• Networking
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 56
Then and Now: Apps, Resumes, Cover Letters
Then
• Handwritten apps• Typed
(typewriter)• Mailed, faxed, or
hand delivered
Now
• Online applications
• MS Word• Emailed
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 57
Application and Empowerment
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 59
How would you apply digital communication skills to empower:
• Yourself• Your family,
friends, & colleagues
• Your community
Supporting Our Community
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 64
Homework
• Explore the online Career Coach tool:http://www.worksourceskc.org/seekers/careercoach.php
• Google yourself.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 65
Overview of the Day
I. Reflections
II. Understanding Conflict Resolution and Anger Management
III. Writing a Resume
IV. Conducting an Online Job Search
V. Working as a Team
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 66
Conflict Resolution and Anger Management
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 67
Conflict Resolution
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 68
• Separate the person from the problem.
• Understand perception.
• Remove emotion.
• Communicate actively.
• Establish a common purpose by focusing on
interests and not a particular position.
• Define common interests.
• Verbalize individual interests.
What are your triggers?
• Environmental• Family• Work• School• Social• Health• Other?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 69
How can you manage stress?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 70
• Time management• Organization• Attitude and Outlook• Help-Finding Strategies• Exercise• Nutrition• School-Work-Life-Family Balance• Know Yourself and Your Limits• Boundary-Setting
The Three C’sChallenges
Choices
Consequences
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 71
Electronic Resumes
• Applying online• Determining which format to use
(.docx, .doc, .rtf, .txt, etc.)• Cut-and-paste resumes (plain
text .txt)• Electronic resume filters
Scan for keywords Tailor to the posting for best
results
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 74
Resources
Career Exploration Websites:• https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/employmentdata/• http://onetonline.org• http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov• http://www.mynextmove.org• http://my.monster.com/Career-Planning/
Pathing.aspx?re=1006#path=&tabIndex=0&eview=H
Worksource Websites:• http://worksource.southseattle.edu/jobs.aspx• http://www.go2worksource.com• http://www.worksourceskc.org/seekers/
careercoach.php
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 75
Resources
Skill-Building (Math and Reading) Website:• http://www.khanacademy.org/• http://www.beforeyoutest.org/
Search Engines:• www.google.com• www.bing.com
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 76
Digital Footprint Exercise
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 77
• What does your digital footprint say about you?
• Is it positive, negative, neutral, or mixed?
• Where is most of the information coming from? (FB, twitter, etc)
Homework
• Complete your personal action plan.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 79
Overview of the Day
I. Reflections
II. Discussing Workplace Culture and Expectations II
III. Reviewing the Importance of Networking
IV. Understanding Communication and Customer Service
V. Working as a Team II
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 80
Workplace Culture and Expectations II
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 81
Types of Communication
• Through official lines of authority e.g. memos, policies, written correspondence.
Formal
• Conversational way of sharing information.Informal
• Targeting people, using hurtful and inappropriate language.
Gossip
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 82
Anderson, Lydia E. and Sandra B. Bolt. Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success. 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall, January 2012.
The Communication Process
SenderEncoding
Receiver
Decoding
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 83
Noise
Anderson, Lydia E. and Sandra B. Bolt. Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success. 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall, January 2012.
Communication Techniques
Encourage
Clarify
Restate
Reflect
Summarize
Validate
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 84
The Communication Process
Types of Listening:
• Passive – selectively hearing parts of the message.
• Nonlistening – not hearing or understanding the message; noise gets in the way
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 85
Anderson, Lydia E. and Sandra B. Bolt. Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success. 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall, January 2012.
Nonverbal Communication
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 86
http://myhumancommunication.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-does-nonverbal-communication.html
Stereotyping
What is it?
Oversimplified, false or generalized portrayal of a group of people.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 87
Stereotyping can lead to…
Prejudice
An opinion or judgment, frequently unfavorable, based on irrelevant considerations, inadequate knowledge or inaccurate stereotyping.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 88
Which can lead to…
Discrimination
Unjust practice or behavior, whether intentional or not, based on race, religious beliefs, color, gender, physical and/or mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, age, ancestry, place of origin or sexual orientation and which has a negative effect on any individual or group.Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 89
Working on a Diverse Team
• How was your racial/ethnic identity described to you?
• What messages did you receive about your socioeconomic background?
• What messages did you receive about people with physical and/or mental disabilities?
• Were boys treated differently than girls in your community?• What messages did you receive regarding sexual orientation?• What role did religion have in your family and/or community?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 90
Informal Hiring Network
What is it?
• Job opportunities that may not be “officially” posted.
• Who you know.• Getting your foot in the door
before an announcement is made.• Power of endorsements/referrals.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 91
20% of Jobs are PostedWho is Hiring? Job Openings as of 10/19/12
• 15,600 job openings posted with WorkSource
• 27,500 job openings posted with Indeed.com 1,505 manufacturing 1,116 construction 795 warehouse 767 building maintenance
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 92
80%
20% of Jobs are Posted
• 15,600 - WorkSource• 27,500 - Indeed.com
1,505 manufacturing 1,116 construction 795 warehouse 767 building maintenance
• 78,000 - WorkSource• 137,500 - Indeed.com
7,525 manufacturing 5,580 construction 3,975 warehouse 3,835 building maintenance
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 93
20%
The Importance of Networking
What is networking?
Connecting with people:• Through personal
contact;• At a function or
event;• By happenstance.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 94
Informational Interview
• Make contact by phone, email, or formal letter of interest for 20-30 minutes of time.
• Be clear and concise about the purpose of meeting.
• Do your homework about the person and their organization.
• Bring a copy of your resume that you give at their request.
• Adhere to your 20 – 30 minute timeframe.• Ask open-ended questions for other referrals.• This is not the time to ask for a job or interview;
you are seeking information.• Thank interviewer in person and with a follow-
up note.Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 95
Informational Interview Questions
• Tell me about your background and how you came to hold your current position.
• What general skills are required in this line of work?
• What specific or technical skills have you acquired in your work?
• What do you like most about your work or the field?
• What are some challenges of your job?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 96
Communication and Customer Service
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 97
Customer Service
What is it?
Any contact, whether active or passive, between a customer and a company, that causes a negative or positive perception by a customer.
One complaint can tarnish a reputation.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 98
Customer Service Skills
• Improve your performance (soft) skills
• Listen – Acknowledge – Explain
• Always assume customers are telling the truth
• Move past prejudice
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 99
Relationship Building
• Mutual understanding• Communication• Shared interests/connection• Trust
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 100
Life Skills
• Show respect for myself: mind, body, feelings, behavior.
• Balance between work, family, life, school.
• Understand fears, self-sabotage, self-esteem.
• Create a plan for self-care.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 101
Homework
• Complete your portfolio
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 103
Overview of the Day
I. Reflections
II. Review Interview Skills
III. Practicing Interviews
IV. Present Portfolios and Next Steps
V. Celebration
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 104
Interview Skills
• Enthusiasm for the position and organization.
• Energy through your attitude and resume;
demonstrate action.
• Eye contact between you and interviewer.
• Elaborate on the questions but be succinct.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 105
Interview Skills
• Exchange ideas.
• Equality exists in the interviewing relationship.
• Ease in interviewing comes from practice.
• Etiquette is important – shake hands, thank
interviewer and write a thank you note.
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 106
Interview Questions
What will they ask?
• Why do you want this job?
• How do you respond to pressure?
• What can you do for this company?
• What areas need improvement?
• Others?
Opening Doors to Living Wage Careers www.seattlejobsinitiative.com 107
Effective Interviewing
• Appropriate clothing• Good grooming• A firm handshake• Appearance of controlled energy• Pertinent humor and readiness to smile• Genuine interest in the employer; alert
attention• Pride in past performance• An understanding of the employer’s needs• The display of sound ideas• Ability to take control when employers fall
down on the interviewing job
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